Sally’s Honeymoon: Book 4 Of A Contemporary Romance Short Story Series Read Free Page B

head.
    “Well I suppose we’d better get going, and see if the bags have arrived in the room yet. Maybe we will see you over dinner?”
    “That would be great Raymond.” Sally said. “Though with the size of this ship, it will be a miracle if any of us see each other again!”
    They all laughed in acknowledgement of the statement; but promised to look out for each other. Going their separate ways, they headed back to the rooms to unpack. Sally however was suddenly aware of the gentle throb of the engines; as the ship disembarked from the dockside.
    “Oh Robert; let’s go on deck to see the ship getting underway!”
    They managed to get a space by the rail-side as the crowds of passengers crowded to see the  monster ship pulling gracefully away from the dock, using the four Bow-thrusters on the starboard side of the vessel to push it into position for leaving the port.
    With a blast of its massive ships horn; the Behemoth of the Seas left a drizzly Southampton, on its way to the Mediterranean Sea.
    *****

Chapter 4
    Stefan joined the crowds at the rail-side. He had been on many cruises before, so this event really had little interest to him; however he was anxious to get on with his business. Funds were running low and the pressure was on to get a good ‘catch’ on this cruise. Already he had spotted several potential targets, and was mentally cataloguing them in his mind in terms of attractiveness, age and potential for conquest. Ideally he liked to choose the older less attractive single women; widows mostly, as they were the most vulnerable and easy to flatter.
     
    Stefan was a handsome man in his mid-forties, who liked to keep himself fit, and appealing to the opposite sex.; Which, perhaps because of his Italian lineage, was never a problem for him.  Although a charming individual, with impeccable manners and an easy-going attitude that relaxed the ladies especially; Stefan was a con-artist. He however thought of himself as an adventurer; a risk-taker and seeker after pleasure. Unfortunately that kind of lifestyle took money – lots of it. A string of broken hearted and financially ruined ladies throughout Europe, laid testament to the effectiveness of his charms. The last victim had been a Polish lady in her late fifties who had recently lost her wealthy husband; and he had offered a shoulder to cry on. The affair had lasted for just 6 months before he grew tired of her – and managed to relieve her of a substantial chunk of her wealth; the time to leave came when marriage was mentioned – and the money was running out.
    He had discovered some years ago, that cruise liners made for easy pickings when it came to finding vulnerable ladies of independent means. The passengers on cruise ships tended to be in the ‘mature’ age group; especially if you travelled out-with the school holiday season. Not only that; but cruise ships offered a unique service to single females in that they were generally regarded as exceptionally safe for single travellers. Who after all had ever heard of a single female being assaulted on board a cruise ship – unthinkable!
    There-fore women who had lost their husbands, or who had never found one in the first place; or divorcees out looking for a good time, but in safe surroundings; often chose a cruise as the ideal holiday.
    The timing of this particular cruise he had to admit was not ideal, in that it was in the middle of the English holiday season – meaning lots of kids. However he would not let it ‘cramp his style,’ so he immediately set out on the first stage of his plan – To enrol in the singles club.
     
    All cruise lines were aware that many passengers who booked a cruise by themselves, nevertheless liked to travel in company on the excursions; or have someone to perhaps share a meal with. Therefore a notice was immediately posted encouraging individuals who desired such companionship, to sign up for the singles club and meet passengers who were also travelling