Never Say Never Read Free Page A

followed her. “Look, Mom. We even have a couch and a TV. I wonder if they have satellite. Wouldn’t that be the only way we could have programming at sea?”
    â€œProbably.” Charlotte turned on the switch below the mirrored cabinet above the desk, which faced opposite the couch. Lights surrounded the mirror. “Well, one of us can use this while the other one puts on her makeup and does her hair in the bathroom. That’s nice.”
    Chelle flopped down on one of the beds that lined the walls on either side of a large picture window. Muted aqua-colored drapes framed the glass. “Want me to read this to you?”
    â€œSure,” Charlotte answered as she started unpacking their clothes. She put their underwear and pajamas in the large drawers and hung their other clothes in the closet. There was plenty of room for their toiletries in the corner cabinets beside the desk’s lighted mirror.
    â€œDo we want early seating or later seating in the dining room?” Chelle held a pen poised to mark the card they were supposed to turn in with their choices marked on it.
    â€œWhat times are we talking about?” Charlotte shook out her royal blue after-five dress, wondering why she brought it. She knew there were a couple of formal nights on a cruise, but she wasn’t sure whether or not she was going to participate in any of them.
    â€œWell, early seating is at 6:00 p.m., and late seating is at 8:00 p.m.” Chelle rolled over on her stomach and looked up at her mother.
    â€œI’d probably get too hungry if we wait until eight, wouldn’t you?” Charlotte dropped onto the other bed and slipped off her sandals.
    â€œYeah, let’s sign up for the early one. But that means breakfast is early, too.”
    Charlotte picked up some of the information from her folder. “Doesn’t it say something about being able to eat breakfast somewhere else besides the dining room?”
    â€œSure.” Chelle looked back at the schedule. “There’s an Oceanic Grille on deck nine that serves meals most all day.”
    â€œThen breakfast shouldn’t be a problem.” Charlotte stood up and stretched. A knock sounded on their door. She opened it and peeked out. A crewmember in a white uniform stood outside, so she opened the door wider.
    â€œMadame, I’m Rigoberto, your cabin steward.” He held a large white envelope. “I’m here to take care of your every desire. If you need me, I will always be on this section of your deck.”
    â€œThank you, Rigoberto.” Charlotte smiled, wondering if she should tip him now. She knew her travel fares included some tip charges with the price of the cruise, but she wasn’t sure what all was included in that amount. The purser had said to read all the information before doing anything else. As soon as the steward was gone, she intended to do that. She didn’t want to start out with a faux pas.
    â€œOh, yes, and Madame, I was told by the purser to give this to you.” He extended the envelope.
    â€œNow who can this be from?” Charlotte asked Chelle as she closed the door after thanking the steward.
    â€œOpen it and see.” Chelle was still as curious as she had been at three years old.
    Charlotte turned the envelope over to see if there was any indication as to who sent it; the only thing written on the outside was their names. However, it did bear a gold Pearl of the Ocean seal. She loosened the flap, pulled out a card, and read aloud, “The honor of your presence is requested at the captain’s table at eight o’clock tonight.”
    â€œWhat?” Chelle shouted. She grabbed the envelope from her mom and turned it over. “It’s addressed to both of us. Wow! We’re going to eat with the captain on the first night of the cruise. Wow! I guess that rules out the early seating.”
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    Charlotte looked through her hanging clothes, trying to decide what