Chapter 1
Sally had to admit to herself, that she was super-excited. She had never been on a cruise before, and never dreamed that she would be going on one for the first time – with a new husband in tow!
She looked lovingly across at him, as she drove the Jeep down the A9 road from Aviemore. The fact that he had been unable to perform his ‘nuptial duties’ because of drink on their wedding night; did not annoy her in the least “ it’s not exactly like I do not know what I’m buying! ” She thought wickedly to herself, as she envisioned some of the places where they had made love over the past few months; and considered the opportunities on a cruise ship honeymoon!
Her mind wandered over the possibilities for the future. “Well even at 32 years old I’m still young enough to have a family, and I’m pretty sure Robert is keen enough to play his part!” She reasoned.
With the wedding ceremony in Aviemore all over, they were now traveling down to Roberts good friends in Bourton on-the-water where they would stay overnight, then take the two hour drive down to Southampton to board one of the biggest cruise ships afloat, the ‘Behemoth of the Seas’ for their two week cruise visiting seven different ports around the Mediterranean sea.
She was particularly looking forward to visiting Naples as well as Cannes and Barcelona; places that she had seen in magazines, but which had been far too expensive for her to consider up until recently.
What even Robert did not know yet, was that she was a multi-millionaire; thanks to the wise investments of her father in the gold markets. Gold stocks had taken a huge leap in recent years thanks to the collapse in confidence in just about everything else – on a global scale. Gold, once thought to the ‘boring choice’ amongst investors; was now hugely popular, rising to over $1700 per ounce in 2012.
Sally considered the wisdom of her father who had been maintaining for years that gold was totally undervalued; and that when the going got tough it would rise from its paltry $400 per ounce. “But how high do you think it will go dad?” She remembered asking him one evening, over a cup of hot chocolate. “The sky’s the limit my dear – it just depends on the size of the crises!”
He had been proven right of course, and her father’s portfolio now valued at ov er $4 million dollars – and showed every sign of going even higher, as the lack of confidence in a financial system built on speculation and fear continued..
The car rolled on through the rolling hills of the Scottish borders, and into the countryside of Northumbria. Sally had been driving for four hours now, and was desperate for a cup of coffee and a toilet break . She decided to give the sleeping figure of Robert a shake, laughing to herself at the sight of his head rolling on his chest, as he slept off his hangover.
“Robert dearest.” She said in her most mellifluous voice. “I think it’s about time for a coffee don’t you”
“What? Oh..yes. I could murder a cup!”
“Well, I don’t think murder will be necessary Robert – but I agree with you totally!” She smiled happily at him.
“Ok…what are you up to Sally?”
“Me?...What on earth would I be up to my dear!”
Robert laughed, as he shook off his headache from earlier. “You have the look of a woman who is planning something, my precious!”
“Ha ha ha, you really have a suspicious mind Robert! I’m just looking forward to our honeymoon, aren’t you?”
Robert conceded. “Yes I must admit I am. I’ve always fancied a cruise – I’m glad you suggested it . Two weeks away from work cruising the Med, with a hot babe to keep me warm at night – life just doesn’t get any better than this!”
Sally laughed aloud at the smug look on his face. “So I’m a hot babe am I? It wasn’t that last night when you fell asleep on me – and after I had especially dressed for the occasion as well, wi th my sexy lingerie
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