It is extremely dark and wet in here,
the mouldy sea air, outgoing from the mops, is nearly corroding the lungs, and the stink from the sailors' boots make her extremely dizzy. Sue is shuddering, not because of the sinister atmosphere of ship storage, but because she knew exactly who was the killer. Footsteps are getting louder and louder, someone stops in front of the storage, Sue held her breath and the door have cracked…It is the 1922 year, peaceful landscapes of Britain, noisy Southampton’s port and people, scurrying in different directions, having forgotten the Titanic tragedy and not knowing about the future world disasters. Despite an enormous number of beautiful and majestic liners and boats, our attention lies in the miniature but sumptuous, from the first sight, ship, called Aegis-special. The ship's crew can be counted on one hand: the captain, of course, a steward, one cook (and the barman at the night-time), two sailors, the doctor, and approximately 5 families, which are connected somehow between each other. So, our 11 passengers are staying on the Aegida’s deck, ready for the journey to New York and blind to one person, who is going to be murdered just in two nights.
Dinner time has passed and all passengers, having changed clothes in their 7 royal cabins, gather in the large wardroom to entertain themselves before going to sleep. Sue, who is 11 years old, very smart young lady has come with her sick mother Isabelle too. Isabelle was suffering from asthma and was in need to visit the famous New York doctor, by the time it won’t have been too late. Thereby, having heard from her nephew Mick about this comfortable, intriguing, and useful to her health ship-journey, without any doubts Belle has bought two tickets to this hellish paradise.
Talking about Mick, he also became the guest at this “celebration of life”. Mick is 23-years old, handsome man with a lush moustache and such “lush” and open heart. Unfortunately, as all people in the world, he has a great minus – he is a gambler. And even now we can see him, sitting in front of the gaming table, playing tricky “bridge” with three other men. Suddenly, a magnificent piano melody is starting to fill in the room, and we can hear nor less tuneful than the royal voice of the sweet young lady. This 19-years old, cheerful and talented woman is Mick’s bride and the main initiator of the trip. With the help of her deep, shrewd eyes, Sue notices how highly Jane is happy. And there really is a reason for this happiness and therefore the trip at all – the old wealthy gentleman George, who is standing right near Jane and fascinatedly listening to her lyrical but inspiring song.
Please, don’t be so impatient, my dear reader, and let me explain some important details from the past. At one night exactly a year ago, George, once again having been driven to madness by his shrewish wife Rose, decided to unwind with his friends in one famous and expensive restaurant. By happy accident, the owner of this restaurant was Jane’s sister Mary, and Jane by herself was working there as a dancer and companion to rich men for the supper. That was the day when George at first saw her and become so enchanted with Jane’s beauty and charm, so he at the very moment decided to make her his daughter, as Jane and Mary were orphans from birth. Moreover, he hadn’t any heirs, and it was decided that Jane is going to get all his inheritance after George’s and Rose’s deaths. So that, after a year together as a daughter and father, they are travelling now to New York to legitimize their statuses.
While staring at the glad couple in front of the royal, Sue finds herself interrupted by a malicious grunt of one of the women from their tea table. This is Rose.
- How dare she be so shamelessly happy near my husband! And how possibly Georg allowed himself to be fascinated by this rotten flirt! – grumble an old lady, so that only her companions can hear her.
Everything becomes clear for Sue at the very moment. Here is the first family drama in this room. If only it was just one… But the dialogue hasn’t ended yet:
- Godmother, please, stop saying such disgusting things… Jane is neither nasty nor evil as you imagine her. She is the kind and outgoing one, she really loves…, - Daniel tries to weigh in on Rose’s dialog, but she interrupts him immediately.
- I’m not willing to hear a word from you, young immature man, YOU’RE ALSO UNDER HER AMOUR SPELLS! – Rose starts nearly shouting, everyone at the table become tensed, and only 20-years old Daniel embarrassed, but having made her voice quitter again, the old lady is continuing, - I’m really not able to understand you, my little boy, how could you be on her side, when she, and only she is staying on your way to get our heritage…
Again, the truth is revealing for our attentive Sue – Daniel does love Jane, and here is the second drama. Of course, he isn’t a saint one and the notes of cunning are sounding from his soul, but gambling is more like evil, isn’t it? Don’t you see, my dear reader, that there is already too much sorrow for only one room? Well, life is the cruel one sometimes. So, I promise you more surprises for this evening.
The last two women in the wardroom haven’t stayed without Sue’s attention. Ridiculous and, at the same time, the inclement atmosphere has accumulated around them, sitting at the bar. Firstly, Sue is noticing that there is a visible age difference between them. Secondly, they were drinking, weighed down by thoughts, and barley not talking to each other. Lastly, both of them are glancing from time to time at only one person in this room – poor Jane. Sue strains to remember her mum’s words about those two “lassies in a trouble”. Fortunately, God has blessed her with a clever mind, and she understood who is who exactly. The woman in her 40s is Jane’s sister. Mature restaurant owner, who has never felt of mother kiss or father hugs, with the gigolo husband Rufus (who is squandering her money in “bridge” even now). It seems like her only happiness in life should be her sister, but if so, why she looks so grumpy while glancing at her… The younger lady is the daughter of the closest George’s friend – Greg. He is also situating in this fatal room, playing cards with Mike, Rufus, and the steward. The name of this cute girl in her 20s is Clare, and the reasons for her moroseness seem to be the most mysterious. Luckily, the author is always here to interpret some puzzles.
To reveal to you, my dear reader, the secret which was kept only by two people in this mysterious room – Clare used to be Mick’s girlfriend, but then he has broken up with her only to be with Jane. You see, here is the third drama and as it usually happens in all dramas - the curtain falls, and we’ll see the continuing of this confusing story in the next act. Will this be the happy ending or not, who knows, but Jane is not destined to see the shores of New York…
To be continued (on the Telegram)…
No comments:
Post a Comment