Page 107 of Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt
The journey to Tilbury Port in Essex was swift and uneventful. Rupert was better than his word, and had a friend with the same model of car pull up outside Arthur Morston Books and drive north, just in case Kreeg was watching from afar. Then Elle and I were bundled into Rupert’s vehicle, and once more we were off in search of a new life.
‘There’s a steamship which leaves tomorrow, old boy,’ Rupert confirmed. ‘It docks at Port Said in Egypt, then goes on to Adelaide. I dare say by the time your feet touch Australian soil, I’ll have this Kreeg bugger in cuffs for attempted murder. Don’t you worry.’ Rupert’s jolly, Britishstiff upper lip cheered me, but I was unable to believe him. Serpents are slippery, after all. ‘There’s a hotel just around the corner from the port which I’ve heard is decent enough. I’ll drop you there. They’ll also be able to arrange your passage tickets. It’s the RMSOrientyou need.’
‘Thank you, Rupert.’
‘Not to worry, old man. When you feel settled, write to me via the bookshop. I’ll be able to update you on the situation. With any luck, you’ll be able to return to Europe soon enough, and build your enormous castle in Switzerland!’ After we had pulled up outside the Voyager Hotel, I shook Rupert’s hand and opened the car door. ‘Good luck, Mr and Mrs T. Remember, any sign of the scoundrel and we’ll put him right off your scent whilst I work on getting him arrested.’
We waved Rupert on his way and walked into the hotel. The lobby had an air of faded glamour about it, with a dusty piano and several wilting pot plants. It had perhaps once been grand, but was obviously neglected during the war.
‘Good evening, sir,’ said the bespectacled receptionist.
‘Hello. I’d like a room, please.’
‘Very good. How long will you both be staying?’
‘Just for one night. And I’m informed that you might be able to help us with tickets for the steamship which leaves in the morning?’
‘No bother, sir, we can certainly organise that for you. If I might take some details...’
‘Sorry, I’ve just realised I made a mistake. I’d actually liketworooms,’ I interjected. Elle looked up at me.
‘Two rooms?’
‘Yes please. You see’ – I leant over the desk – ‘my fiancée and I are marrying tomorrow.’
‘Oh, congratulations. Two rooms it is,’ he said with a smile.‘I’m jealous of you boarding that ship tomorrow. A new start, is it?’
The receptionist didn’t know how right he was. ‘It is rather, yes,’ I confirmed.
‘Wonderful. I feel like we could all do with one of those after the last few years, Mr...’
‘Tanit. And this is Miss Leopine.’
‘Thank you. I’ll arrange the tickets under your name, sir. What class would you like booking?’
‘Oh.’ I hadn’t even thought about it. ‘Second,’ I said.
‘Very good. I’ll have them sent up to your room, sir. You can pay upon checkout tomorrow morning. The steamship departs at ten a.m. sharp. You’ll want to be on board at least half an hour before.’
We left our luggage at the desk, collected our room keys and made our way upstairs.
‘What’s going on, Bo?’ Elle whispered. ‘Why did you book us separate rooms?’
‘It’s an easy question to answer. The groom is not supposed to see the bride the night before the wedding!’
Elle giggled. ‘How romantic. Although we will need every penny we have until we get settled in Australia. You should have saved the money.’
‘Oh, nonsense. Are we not able to enjoy at least a few of the traditions? Plus,’ I added, ‘I have enough funds for a dress. I think we should go shopping this afternoon.’
‘Bo, that’s very sweet, but totally unnecessary.’
‘On the contrary, Elle!’ I replied. ‘It is absolutely necessary. Cinderellawillhave a dress, and go to the ball!’
As it transpired, the rest of the day was a little magical. Elle and I spent the cold January afternoon hand in hand, blinking in the winter sun and sipping English breakfast tea in paper cups to warm up. We even went to inspect the vesselwhich would transport us across the ocean. Dangling our legs over the water’s edge, we peered up at the mighty RMSOrient, which was majestic and imposing. She must have been over five hundred foot long, and at least a hundred tall. The ship had a sleek, black hull and two bright white decks adorned with dozens of circular windows.
‘Gosh. Can’t we just live on there?’ Elle asked. ‘We’d always be safe out on the sea.’
I thought about it for a moment. ‘You know, you’re right. We would be. What a good idea. Maybe I should just spend all of Agatha’s money on one of those enormous yachts you read about in the magazines?’
