Epilogue
Ed stood on the dockside aiming a hose at Calypso Dream’s sleek white hull.
He’d been banished there by Marcel, their captain, who said he was sick of the sight of Ed mooning about the place.
He reached into the pocket of the smart tailored shorts that together with his pale grey polo shirt were part of his crew uniform.
They didn’t have to wear it every day, but Marcel insisted everyone looked smart on boarding day to enhance their guests’ experience.
With only a dozen double-berths for visitors, Calypso Dream was small enough to navigate into unspoiled harbours and coves away from the tourist hotspots, but large enough to offer a comfortable crossing as they travelled between islands.
Their itinerary for the coming fortnight was an exploration of the coast of St Maarten and its neighbouring island of Anguilla.
Two of the expected couples had already arrived and were enjoying a glass of ‘welcome aboard’ bubbly on the rear deck area.
Frankie had texted him an hour ago to say her plane had landed okay, and she should’ve been here by now.
A car horn beeped and Ed’s head immediately swivelled to the car park at the end of the dock.
He turned off the hose, dropped it and was already moving before Frankie emerged from the back of the taxi.
She must’ve spotted him because her arm rose to wave and before he knew it Ed was running full tilt along the dock.
Taking the steps two at a time, he didn’t stop until she was in his arms and he was swinging her around in a circle. ‘I thought you’d got lost!’ he exclaimed as he lowered her to her feet and pressed a kiss to her lips.
‘The traffic was terrible, but I’m here.’ She laughed. ‘I can’t believe I’m finally here! I missed you so much.’
‘I missed you too.’ Ed claimed another quick kiss before reluctantly stepping back. ‘Come on, let’s get your stuff and get you on board.’
Frankie paid off her taxi while Ed unloaded her things from the boot. She’d only brought a small suitcase and a rucksack. ‘You finally learned to pack light,’ he teased her as he shouldered the backpack and picked up her case.
‘Haha! You did warn me the cabins are on the snug side and you did say no one dresses up for dinner.’
‘It’s all very casual,’ he reassured her. He took her hand with his free one and led her down the steps and along the dock to Calypso Dream. ‘Your home for the next two weeks,’ he said, gesturing to the ship.
‘She’s gorgeous!’
Marcel descended the temporary staircase and offered her his hand.
‘Miss Webber. I’m so delighted to be able to welcome you aboard our vessel.
’ He led her up the stairs, leaving Ed to trail in their wake with Frankie’s bags.
‘Come this way, my dear,’ the captain said in his accented voice that had a tendency to make some female guests go all aflutter. ‘Let me show you where your cabin is.’
Smooth bastard. Ed glowered at his boss’s back as he stomped after them down to the lower deck.
Marcel stopped outside Frankie’s cabin and turned to her with that too-charming smile. ‘I know Ed will take very good care of you, but the rest of the crew and I will do our utmost to make sure you have an enjoyable stay on board.’
‘Thank you, Marcel.’ To Ed’s surprise Frankie leaned forward and hugged the captain like they were old friends. ‘And thank you as well for your assistance with the other matter,’ she added with a twinkle in her eye.
‘It was my pleasure.’ Marcel beamed at them both. ‘Do please join us for a drink once you’ve had time to settle in.’ And with that he walked off, whistling softly to himself.
‘What was all that about?’ Ed demanded as he shouldered open the cabin door and dumped her bags beside the bed.
‘Oh, just a little private arrangement Marcel and I have made,’ Frankie said in a teasing, sing-song voice.
She took one look at him and burst out laughing.
‘My God, you should see your face!’ She hooked her arms around his neck and rose on tiptoes.
‘There’s been a short delay in the start date for my next project so I emailed Marcel and asked if he could possibly spare you for the week after the end of our trip and he agreed. ’
Ed’s heart began to beat faster. ‘What are you talking about?’
She brushed a kiss over his lips. ‘I’m talking about you and me and seven whole days in a private villa without another soul around. No phones, no one wanting our attention, just sun, sea and lots and lots of se—’
Her last word was cut off as he pulled her tight against him and claimed her mouth in a deep, slow kiss. The long lonely nights of the past three months disappeared from his memory because holding her was like every Christmas and birthday rolled into one.
She was the perfect gift and he would always be grateful for her.
* * *