and asked my friend Morgy to keep an eye out for her at the Monkey Bar.”
Petula offered, “And I saw Charlie inspecting the lifeboats, and made it a point to find him.”
Charlie continued, “One thing led to another, and here we are.”
Jennifer studied them. “So you two have…” She trailed off, but her question was understood.
“Have we, Charlie?”
“We’ve shagged, if that’s what you’re asking me.”
“Brilliant!” Jennifer raised her glass to both of them in a toast. “Here’s to shagging. Cheers!” She belted back a healthy swallow of her G and T. Charlie and Pet echoed her sentiment with their drinks.
“We’re having a party in my cabin tomorrow night. You’re invited if you’d care to come,” Charlie offered.
“But I understood we’re not allowed in the crew’s part of the ship.”
“We’re not, Jen. But Charlie has found a way to smuggle us in.”
“Splendid! Will there be other men there?”
“I expect a few of my mates will come.”
“Dear Pet, you’ve found yourself a diamond in the rough.”
“I know I have.” Pet gave Jennifer a pointed look. “And I’m sharing my treasure.” The two women seemed to speak without words for a moment. “Are you in?”
“You know I am!” Turning back to Charlie, Jennifer smiled. “This will be delightful!”
“Pet here says you two help each other out when pickings are scarce?”
Jennifer appeared confused. “I don’t understand.”
“Jen, I told Charles we’ve had to depend on each other when there isn’t a man around.”
“Oh!” Jennifer put her hand on Charlie’s leg. A surge of heat moved in his groin. “Pet and I have known each other forever. We have what could be called an ‘intimate friendship.’”
“I figured that much out.”
“I expect you did.” Jennifer slid her hand a bit farther up Charlie’s thigh, enough to make him involuntarily shift his position. He wanted her to touch his business, and had to force himself to sit still. If Jennifer noticed his discomfort, she didn’t let on.
He pulled his attention away from Jennifer and glanced at Pet. It took him aback when he saw her staring directly at his crotch. Jennifer might not have realized what she did to him, but Pet sure as shit did!
Not that he minded two gorgeous sheilas eyeing him like a couple of hungry Tasmanian devils, but he knew they had real food coming any minute. No doubt one of Morgy’s mates would be delivering it. He removed Jennifer’s hand from his leg and stood up. “Ladies, lunch is on the way. This is dessert.”
Petula also stood. She wrapped her arms around Charlie’s neck and deliberately rubbed her pelvis against him. “What do you think of him, Jen?”
“You tell me, Pet. Did he make you happy?”
“He made me quite happy. I’m still smiling.”
“Then I think he’ll do the same for me, won’t you, Charles?”
Charlie never once backed down from a fight, no matter what the odds. In this case, he knew these two sheilas could kill him. He smiled, figuring what a way to go. Without responding to Pet’s advances or Jennifer’s question, he matter-of-factly asked, “Where do I hide when the food comes?”
“What?” He could tell Pet had forgotten about being peckish.
“Remember, you ordered sandwiches and beer? The steward will wheel the cart in here. He can’t see me.”
Pet stepped back and looked around. “Yes, of course. I suppose you have your choice of the loo or the closet.”
“I’ll take the loo.” He stopped for a moment and listened. “Do you hear that?”
“Hear what?”
“Whistling in the corridor. It’s Joey. Let me know when he’s gone.” Charlie went to the toilet and closed the door.
He listened at the door. Within seconds, he heard the knock, and then heard Pet answer. Sure enough, he recognized Joey’s voice.
While Pet took care of receiving the delivery, Charlie splashed some cold water on his face. While drying off, he noted with some amusement Pet also had a bathtub. He couldn’t remember the last time he soaked in a tub. The crew only had shower stalls.
He had calmed himself enough to be able to have a piss while he had the chance. The old saying “when it rains, it pours” really applied to this one. He had two gorgeous sheilas waiting for him. As attractive as he found Pet, it was Jennifer who really had him by the knackers. She had the same exotic features as Yooralla, complete with the smoldering pout that drove Charlie crazy.
He hadn’t told Pet that Yooralla was why he went to sea. After Yooralla broke off with him to go with some bloke who had money, he’d decided to get licensed and sign on with a ship. He applied on the Ortensia, and they took him on. He’d been sailing on her now for three years. He had no idea what had become of Yooralla.
But now seeing Jennifer, he felt his fascination with the striking woman in his past bubble to the surface again. It might not be Yooralla, but he could still enjoy her company. He fully intended to do just that.
Charlie went back to the door and listened. He heard Pet ordering dinner for three in her cabin, and she asked Joey to have it delivered at six o’clock. He glanced at his watch. They had several hours before he had to leave. Plenty of time.
Jennifer knocked on the toilet door. “It’s all right, Charles. The steward is gone.”
Charlie came out and immediately saw the roll-in cart, set as a table for three, complete with chairs already arranged around it. The sandwiches were on plates and the beer poured into mugs. “Did Joey question why you had three places?”
“Not at all. I simply said someone else would be joining us momentarily and would be staying for dinner.”
Jennifer threaded her arm through Charlie’s and led him to the impromptu table. “How long can you stay?”
“My next watch is at eight. I told Pet I should be on my way by seven.”
“Let’s eat, and then we can get to know one another better.”
Wanting to make sure Pet didn’t mind Jennifer coming on to him, Charlie winked at her. “I already know Pet pretty damn well, but I expect there’s more to find out.”
“Oh, yes, dear Charlie, I can assure you, there’s more coming.” Charlie could see the now-familiar sparkle in her hazel eyes and knew everything was spot-on.
It surprised Charlie when these two lithe women attacked their sandwiches with the same gusto as he did. He hadn’t realized how hungry he was until he started eating. The beer washed it all down nicely. All the while, the ladies continued to flirt with him. The afternoon promised to be a memorable one.
They had nearly finished eating, when someone knocked on the door. Charlie looked at Pet, and she shrugged her shoulders.
He whispered, “Find out who it is.”
In a surprisingly calm and pleasant voice, Pet called out, “Who is it?”
“It’s Captain Driscoll, Miss Kinlan. May I come in?”
Charlie jumped up and exhaled, “Jesus Christ!” Then he bolted into the loo.
4
At the last moment, Charlie remembered not to slam the toilet door. He closed it with barely a click,