IN LOVE INSTANTLY
“Look, Vic, I’m flying!” Vanessa’s voice came shrilly back as she leaned out over the front deck railing, her black silky hair flying in the wind high above the ocean and her slender arms outstretched, as she laughed at her own amateur dramatics.
‘Vic’ was nowhere in sight. but the bronzed young figure of Arkey Thompson slouched against the port railing. Arkey, 26, was on his first holiday alone and enjoying the newfound freedom that the finances from working as a partner in a large busy doctors’ practice allowed. His part-Islander heritage ensured a natural attractive tanned skin, and the compliments it drew always surprised him.
“Well, I’m not ‘Vic’, but you look spectacular like that, especially when the wind lifts your skirt like an umbrella.”
Vanessa jumped off the railing, screeching and embarrassed. “Oh, I didn’t know you were there. I--I’m sorry; actually, I was aware someone was there but I thought it was Vicky,” she stammered.
“Don’t apologise,” Arkey answered quickly. “I think you’d make a great actress, but who’s Vicky?”
“Just a girl I met yesterday.”
Vanessa giggled.
An hour later the two were still alone at the railing. When her wristwatch glinted in the afternoon sun, she checked the time and caught her breath.
“My God! I should have been back ages ago! I’m running late! I only get an hour off, now I’m 10 minutes late!”
“You’re working? You’re on a holiday and you’re working?”
“I’m not on a holiday. I’m a companion to a lady, a 42-year-old lady. Actually, you’d have something in common with her. She used to be a doctor too. Oh, please come and help me convince her that you kept me late.”
“Sure I will. But will she be angry? Really?”
“No, not really. Matilda’s lovely. She had to give up doctoring because of a terrible accident. Now she’s paralysed and in a wheelchair.”
As they walked up the stairs to the promenade deck, Vanessa told him, “She likes to be called Mathilde…you know, the French version of Matilda, so that’s how I’ll introduce her.”
“Oo la la”
Matilda saw them approaching and her eyes lit up. She held out her arms from the wheelchair. “Vanessa! I was worried… But here you were all the time bringing me a friend to talk to. Hello, young man.”
He bent to greet her and she flung out her arms again holding him and drawing him in to kiss him on both cheeks.
Arkey smiled and muttered, “Charmed, Mathilde,”
As they sat with pre-dinner drinks they discussed chess, the medical world and Arkey’s genetic history. Matilda frequently brushed aside the blonde curls that the fresh sea breeze blew in her pale face. As she sipped her drink she only had eyes for Arkey.
He did his best to include Vanessa, who finally spoke up, “Come on, Arkey, bring the tray and we’ll get fresh drinks for Mathilde.” Rising from her chair she walked behind Matilda and beckoned Arkey to follow .
Before they walked away his lips brushed her neck and he whispered, “What do you think of my amateur dramatics? Can we meet later?”
When Vanessa finally left Matilda at seven that evening for her two hour break, she gratefully fell into Arkey’s arms in his cabin.
“Oh, Arkey. What a relief.”
“Why do you do it, Vanessa? She’s a lovely lady, but such a demanding job for you... and you’re studying philosophy.”
“I’m doing the job as a favour to my mother. They were medical students together and remained close friends. I’ve taken a year off studies. and anyway, I’m not doing philosophy-- it’s just one of my subject options – I’m doing psychology and have two years to go.”
“Well, my beautiful colleague, from my psychology knowledge, I believe at this moment I need desperately to be kissed.”
As her admiring clear blue eyes gazed into his intense dark brown ones, the two melted into the ambience of arduous warmth.
“Is it possible to love someone instantly?” he asked, as his lips caressed that soft ebony silk that was her hair.
“I think we’ve proved that, my darling,” she whispered back, tracing his high cheekbones with her fingertips .
--0--
Vanessa slipped out gently from between the smooth folds of Arkey’s arms, dressed, and covered his sleeping body with the snowy sheet. She arrived breathlessley at the cabin she shared with Matilda in order to assist her to bed and out again in the morning.
“Mmm, late again...”
“‘Oh, I’m so sorry, Mathilde. The moon was so beautiful...”
“Never mind, my dear. Did you see Arkey?
“Mmm...I believe I did at some stage.”
“Charming man... beguiling.”
The intense snatched romance between Arkey and Vanessa continued, and for the next two days Vanessa divided her time between her lover and Matilda.
Finally the idyllic voyage ended and the ship berthed. They were home. Arkey escorted the ladies through the disembarking crowds. Then Mathilda saw her great friends, Vanessa’s parents.
“My angels!” She held out her arms and embraced them both.”I’ve met this wonderful Adonis on the cruise, haven’t I, Vanessa?” She leaned over to take Arkey’s hand.
“I think I’m in love.”
Vanessa exchanged a knowing glance with her mother, and was relieved when Arkey stepped forward and quickly shook her father’s hand.
Please allow me to visit your beautiful dåughter at your home, Sir,” he said. “I also am in love,” leaving no doubts in anyones mind.
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