Kiss On The Bridge Read Free Page B

other. The tension in the room continued to
thicken.
    “This discussion is over,” yelled Anneli,
throwing the office door.
    Darryl snorted before looking away. “The
subject is indeed closed.”
    “Father, this subject is far from
closed.”
    Anneli pulled the door shut, marched back
along the corridor to the deck of the ship. Swiveling her head
towards the bar she spied a bottle of expensive bubbly on the
counter. She sprinted over, swiped it and a cork screw then
searched for a quiet corner. She intended to get completely drunk
the moment she popped the cork.
    Meredith stood loitering next to the bar. Her
gaze remained fixed on the antics of her sister. For a brief moment
Anneli hesitated. As if signaling a secret code, Meredith followed.
They pushed their way through the party goers on the way to the
stern.
    At the rear of the small ship they discovered
a square platform which sat half an inch below the surface of the
water. Anneli grabbed two wooden chairs from the closest table,
placing them on the platform. She took hold of her sister’s hand to
help her over the railing. They sat dangling their feet in the
water, drinking the bottle of bubbly and staring out across the
bay. The low swells died away leaving Port Phillip Bay glass flat.
There were no clouds to hide the stars. In the background, the
lights of Melbourne shone brighter than a million torches.
    “Nice night to drown ones sorrows,” whispered
Meredith, eventually.
    “It sure is,” growled Anneli, staring at a
fictitious object on the horizon. “There’s no way I’m going to
consent to our father’s stupid plans.”
    “Sis, I heard the argument. Hell, the whole
ship heard.”
    “Good. I meant every word.” Anneli lifted the
bottle to her mouth, swallowing a third of the contents. Lifting
the cork screw to shoulder height, she threw it into the sea.
    “You know you’ve opened a can of worms,”
mentioned Meredith.
    “I don’t care. The man who calls himself our
father has to realize these are modern times. It’s my choice whom I
intend to marry, not his.”
    “Good for you.” Meredith grabbed the bottle
out of Anneli’s hand, swallowing a mouthful of champagne.
    “You should’ve done the same,” blurted
Anneli, looking directly at her sister.
    “For a few days I did contemplate the idea.
The bottomless bucket of money I have been given permission to
spend is too tempting an offer. Besides, my fiancé treats me
well.”
    “It’s not too late to pull the plug,” barked
Anneli.
    Meredith leaned towards her sister,
whispering. “Do yourself a favour. Obey what father says. It’ll
save everyone a lot of bother.”
    Anneli stood, hovering over her sister. “I
thought you’d back me up on this.”
    “Trust me, it’s easier to surrender.”
    “I’ll never agree to an arranged marriage. If
I die of starvation, so be it.”
    Meredith pursed her lips. Reaching up she
grabbed Anneli on the arm. “It’s too late for me. Whatever you
decide, I’ll back you one hundred percent.”
    Anneli patted her on the shoulder. Flopping
back onto the seat she announced. “I’m happy knowing I have at
least one person on my side. You do realize, out there, your Mr.
Right is waiting.”
    “He’ll be waiting a long time,” replied
Meredith on a forced sigh. “I have no plans to leave my fiancé.
Besides, if I did, I think I’d be turned into fish food. Running
out on a contracted marriage or future marriage has never happened
in our ancestry line.”
    “Exactly why I’m going to marry who I
please,” snarled Anneli.
    “You’re hooked on the bloke you kissed on the
bridge.”
    Anneli nodded. “The kiss felt wonderful.”
    “Get over it.”
    “There’s no way I could ever get over
something so enjoyable. There’s more to it than just a passing
kiss.”
    “Your emotions were ignited by the idea you’d
never see him again.”
    “Maybe you’re right. What are the odds our
paths will cross again?”
    “Take it from me they’re