Sally’s Honeymoon: Book 4 Of A Contemporary Romance Short Story Series (2 page)

“Maybe we should have bought a S
at-Nav for the car Sally; what do you think?” He asked  as Sally wrestled to unfold the paper map.

“Well, when you consider that we hardly ever leave Aviemore, except on excursions like this – no I don’t think so – just a waste of money.” She stated firmly.

“Yes, you’re probably right – as usual! I suppose it would be fine for a sales rep, or someone like that; and you hear the wildest stories of people driving over harbours and things – it’s crazy!”

“Anyway, this is fairly easy. Just you keep driving south and I’ll tell you when to turn off or change direction.”

Robert drove on for a further four hours without stopping, while Sally kept him on the right road. Soon they were driving up into the tiny village of Bourton-on-the-water, and were knocking on the door of Bill and Samantha’s quaint country cottage.

A Tall elderly gentleman, not unlike Sally’s friend Sir Malcolm, opened the door for them.

“Robert! It is good to see you arrived safe and sound; do come in.” He opened the door wide for them to enter, as Samantha joined the company and immediately gave Robert a huge hug.

“
Robert  dear, it is fabulous to see you again; and this will be Sally I presume?”

“Oh, yes of course- Sally meet Aunt Samantha,
and Uncle Bill!”

Sally stepped forward and int
roduced herself; giving Samantha a friendly hug, and planting a light kiss on Bill’s cheek – causing him to beam delightedly.

“I wouldn’t get carried away
uncle Bill – she does that with all the guys!” Robert laughed at Derek.

“I’m sure that’s total nonsense Robert – the girl obviously appreciates
mature sensible men; goodness knows what attracted her to you!” They all laughed, as Samantha led them through to the front room.

“Now please just make yourselves comfortable, while I make us a pot of tea.
Bill, could you take their bags up to the bedroom please?"

Bill
dutifully lifted their over-night bags and hefted them up the narrow staircase to the bedroom; returning just a few moments later.

Sally quietly asked Robert where the toilet was.
“Oh, sorry Sally. It’s just through the hall and down a couple of steps – you can’t miss it.”

Sally excused herself then headed off to find the ‘little girls room.’

“So then Robert; you have been busy; and now a married man it seems! How on earth did you manage to catch such a gorgeous looking young woman?” Samantha asked him, with a smile playing on her lips.

“Well auntie – it’s a long story. I’ll have you bored senseless by this evening no doubt!” He replied, as he mentally asked himself the exact same question.

******

As Robert expected, Sally was made to feel very much a part of the family – as indeed she now was – by both Samantha and Bill. Later that evening, they insisted that that they would treat him and Sally to a meal down at a local restaurant.

“Honestly Robert, it’s the least we can do, especially as we could not make it to your wedding.
Bill’s cousin really picked the most inconvenient time to pass away!”

“Ha
ha, never mind Auntie – I’m sure he had little choice in the matter – the cousin I mean!”

“Yes, well life is like that I suppose – all the more reason to make the most of it Robert
!”

Bill
came into the room carrying a light jacket for Samantha.

“Ok kids – are we all ready to go then? I for one am getting a little peckish!”

Within ten minutes they were seated at a table in the village restaurant; Robert explaining to Sally that it was in fact a traditional village Public house or ‘Pub,’ called ‘The Ploughman’s Rest’ that had started selling food as a way of supplementing their income, and keeping the customers from moving on. Now it was very well known in the area for its good food; and people travelled from all around the area to eat there.

“So Sally, are you looking forward to your cruise? I must say it sounds fabulous!”
Samantha said as they scanned the menu before ordering.

“Definitely!
I have often dreamed one day of visiting Europe, but must confess that the furthest I have been is Scotland.” She went on to explain that while an exchange student at Dalkeith House, her ‘Host Parents’ Tom and Elizabeth had shown her around.

“Ah yes; that would be the couple you were visiting when you had the unfortunate accident?”

“That’s right.
Though I sometimes wonder about the nature of ‘fate.’ If it weren’t for that car accident, I would never have met this rogue here!” Sally said playfully as she wrapped her arms around Robert.

“Hey
hey! Remember there are old folks here – you’ll have to get yourselves a room, if you are going to carry on like that!” Bill laughed at their display of affection.

“Oh Bill
, you leave them alone – it is their honeymoon after all; you were once young and romantic yourself, if you can remember that far back!” Samantha looked at him theatrically, from the side of her eye. “Hmm, well maybe not!”

Robert and Sally laughed
, as he made a face at Samantha; before Robert piped up.

“You two really, you’re like a couple of kids sometimes!
Anyway, here comes the waiter for our orders.”

On Bill
’s recommendation they all ordered the ‘Traditional Steak and Ale Pie,’ with a side helping of boiled potatoes, and vegetables in cheese sauce; Helped down with a bottle of Italian Shiraz; and a Cola for Bill as he was the appointed driver. As predicted the food was excellent, the only ‘complaint’ coming from Sally, that it was just too much for her to handle in one sitting!

“So
; getting back to the cruise - tell us, what ports are you visiting?”

“Hmm, let me try and Remember
, Bill… We leave from Southampton as you know, then sail to the first port of Gibraltar, then Barcelona. From there it’s Cannes, Civitavecchia, Naples, Cagliari, and Cadiz…maybe not in that order…and I’ve probably missed something! Then the sail back to Southampton. Fourteen days of bliss – Shut up!” Sally exclaimed excitedly, much to the amusement of the rest of the party.

“That sounds great – I’m really excited for you both. Cruising is not something we have considered before; but I definitely think we will have to gi
ve it a try – Don’t you Samantha?”

“Indeed I do, in fact I will be dropping by the travel agents for brochures at the first opportunity!”
She laughed.

“So tell me Sally. How are you enjoying life in Scotland? I imagine it must be very different from Wisconsin?”

“To be honest Samantha
I love it here, ever since I first came over as a student some twelve years ago now; I have always felt very much at home here.”

“What about the language? I know we all speak English but sometimes the local dialect can be hard to pick up; and certainly there are some differences with the meanings of words!”

Sally laughed as she answered. “Well I have learned not to talk about my ‘pants,’ and the idea of waiting in a Queue instead of  a line is no longer a mystery To me! As for the local dialect, it’s something I’m still working on, but it’s not a problem.”

“Robert tells me that you are a journalist Sally, is that something you hope to pursue?”
Bill said; continuing the questions.

“Well actually Bill
, I’m not really sure at the moment.  Will see what comes along when we get back from the honeymoon, and reality sinks in. Right now I must confess It’s all like an extended holiday!”

Samantha
gave Sally a mischievous look.

“Yes I can imagine
.. and what about a family - Do you think you will try for one?”

“Samantha
really – give them a chance to get married first will you!” Bill said, as Sally flushed to the roots of her hair. Robert just looked on bemused at his Aunt and Uncle.
“Trust Samantha to come out with that one!”
he thought to himself.

“That’s ok Bill
. Well again – we will just have to see what happens. Personally I would like a family; but it would not be the end of the world if it did not happen for us.” She looked across at Robert, who nodded his approval.

Sally went on. “The thing is that we are under no real financial pressure at the moment; so we do not have to make any rash decisions regarding our future. Robert for
one, is happy with his work on the Loch An Eilein Estate; and I am more than happy just to be a ‘lady of leisure,’ at least for a little while.”

“Well that sounds excellent to me! I’ve had to wait till retirement to get that privilege, and even so we have to ‘wa
tch the pennies.’” Said Samantha obviously intrigued.

Sally went on to explain that she had inherited a considerable sum of money from her father, in the form of Gold stocks; so for the foreseeable future, their finances were taken care off.

Robert for the first time, found himself wondering just how much money was involved; as the conversation rolled on. However he was determined that their relationship was not going to be centred around money, and equally determined that he was not going to be a ‘kept man.’
Sally had already offered to give him details of the inheritance, but he had stopped her, declaring.
“Sally if you tell me now; I will always fear that you might think I have married you for the money. Let’s just leave it alone for now shall we, and if the need comes then perhaps we can discuss it.”

Sally had already bailed his mother and himself out of ‘financial Armageddon,’ much to his embarrassment, and he was determined that he would not put either of them in that situation again. As it was, Sally had insisted on paying for the upgrade to a Balcony suite on the cruise-ship; and he had been forced to somewhat ungraciously accept the generous offer.

“So Robert; how are things on the Estate now that all the unpleasantness is over – particularly fo
r yourself Sally!” Said Samantha, breaking across Roberts thoughts.

“Oh, they’re fine. I must admit though it’s been a rather frantic summer
, especially for Sally as you say. I think we’re just both looking forward to getting away from it all for a while, and chilling out a little!”

“Amen to that!” Sally chipped in. “I wonder though how Agnes is getting on – and if she has made peace with her rogue of a husband! Mind you, it cannot be easy for her; even I am conflicted regarding him.”

“Yes, I know what you mean – if he hadn’t turned up when he did, to save you from that animal….it doesn’t bear thinking about!” Bill echoed the sentiments of them all, as he referred to the incident earlier that year when Sally was abducted by an old work colleague. 

“Anyway, as you say Robert; it’s all behind us now – and I for one am looking forward to a new life, in a new country, with my new husband!”

Bill raised his glass. “I’ll drink to that – To a new life!” They all clinked glasses and made the toast.

******

The next day they set off to Southampton, after
a leisurely breakfast with Bill and Samantha. The cruise ship the ‘Behemoth of the Seas’ was laying alongside the dock. It was a spectacular ship operated by Royal Cruiselines, that until recently was the largest cruise ship afloat.

“Look at that monster of a ship!” Sally exclaimed excitedly
, as they drove into the parking area alongside the dock. She quickly brought out her camera as Robert parked and unloaded the cases into a waiting baggage trolley.

“I can’t even get a proper picture of the thing – it’s just too big!”
She laughed, taking his arm and heading off to the embarkation area.

Embarkation procedure was quick and smooth, as they had their pictures taken and given special passes for any purchases on the ship.

Making for the check-in desk, they collected their room keys and
headed up to their room.

“It’s fantastic Robert!” Sally exclaimed as she entered the suite, and immediately crossed the short distance to open the patio doors to their private balcony.
Coming back into the room she wrapped him in her arms, and gave him a full kiss on the mouth; then patted down the bed.

“Can’t wait to try this out later!”
She said with a lascivious look. Robert stepped forward eagerly.

“Later, lover-boy!
We have to explore the ship first!”

“Ouch, you really are such a tease Mrs Lindsey!”

After checking out the room, which only took a few minutes; they decided to go on ‘walkabout’ to get their bearings. It did not take them long to realise that the ship was indeed massive, and it would take some time to sort out just where they were – or even if they were heading to the Bow or the Stern of the ship! They made for the stairs and climbed up a few levels before they were able to get out on deck, and truly take in the size of the ‘Behemoth of the Seas.’