Francis

This story is for persons of eighteen years or over. All comments, good or bad, are welcome and all will be answered.

Part Nine

Ralph was sitting in the chair and Diane was on the bunk. Both had a drink in their hand and their jaws literally dropped as I stood there in the doorway.

`My God!' breathed Diane.

`Wow! And bloody wow again,' said Ralph.

I indicated where the things were to be put by the poor man that had struggled all through the ship with them. This he gratefully did, and with much bowing, backed out of the door and ran off. I shut the door and leaned back against it.

`Anybody going to offer me a drink after my long ordeal?' I said with a huge smile on my face. Ralph nearly fell off his chair to comply with my request.

I...I don't know what to say,' Diane stammered, you go away one day, and come back looking like, like, well, a million fucking dollars,' she laughed as she got up and gave me a hug. `And look at this dress! It's pure bloody silk!'

`I must say that I agree with Diane. You do look like a million dollars,' Ralph said, handing me a large gin and tonic.

Sit, sit, sit,' Diane spat out like bullets, and tell us all about it. I must say that the police don't seem to have given you the third degree. Or if they did, I want some of the same.' We all laughed at this as I went and sat down next to Diane on the bunk.

Well,' I started. You are not going to believe what's happened to me since yesterday morning.'

I gave them all the gory details, even to my night time fling with Lik. I didn't think Ralph would mind hearing about that. In fact, I watched him surreptitiously as I related the last night's events, and saw that he had got a hard on while I was telling the story. That I noted for future reference.

`So you weren't in police custody after all, and there's us worrying ourselves silly, thinking of you in a bloody cell all night. But no, you're having it off in a millionaire's bloody mansion. Oh, I could bloody well kill you myself for putting us through all this,' Diane raged.

`If you did, you wouldn't get the Christmas present I bought you,' I said in a sing song voice, but with laughter behind it.

`Who but you could land yourself in so much shit as murder, and come smelling of roses as queen of the dung heap?'

`Oh no more of the queen crap. First I'm the Queen of the Seas, then it's Queen of the House of Leopardi. Then Queen of the House of Chen, and now you want to make me Queen of the Dung Heap. Leave it out will you,' I begged.

`You forgot about being Lady of the Manor,' Diane said. That made us all laugh and we had another drink.

We shouldn't really have any more after this,' Ralph said. We've still got a show to do tonight.' He looked at me speculatively. He'd been leaning back in the chair, and then suddenly slammed it down onto its proper four legs. `How's about this for a show? Let's scrap the schedule for tonight and try this angle?'

It was good. All the songs that he came up with, I knew the words to. Then he said that he would go talk to a few Australians on board for some of the favourite songs that they used to hear from Tokyo Rose during the war. So he dashed off, leaving Diane and me alone together.

`Was it really bad Francis?' she asked, taking my hand.

I was terrified. Terrified when they shot that man. Terrified that they would soon be chasing me. Terrified to walk down the gangway to the car, expecting to be shot with every step. I was creaming my knickers, only I wasn't wearing any at the time,' and we laughed. Then to have it all turned round to a Cinderella dream. It was wonderful!'

What's wonderful is you,' Diane said. You look absolutely stunning in that dress, and that make-up? It's bloody fantastic. Wait till them drongo's up there see you tonight, they'll all want to eat you. Like I could do now myself, and she gave me a kiss. I was really worried about you all night, so I'm really happy that it came out all right. Now what's all this you've brought back with you?' Indicating my bags

Well I know some of it. These you can't look at. That's what I bought today for Christmas,' I said, putting that to one side. This bag,' I said looking inside, was what I was wearing yesterday. This I was also given,' and I held up the red cheongsam and Diane almost went green with envy. And this,' holding up the dressing gown. Diane was now drooling.

`They've all got this embroidered emblem on them. What is it? A lucky Chinese proverb, like what you get out of the cookies?'

`Better than that. It's a gateway to heaven. It's the symbol of the House of Chen, see, I've got it on my dress here, and a brooch on this one.'

`So? What does it mean?'

`It's, oh, how do I put it. It means that if I were to walk in a restaurant, like we did in Sydney, and they all fall over themselves, as they did and it's because of the brooch I'm wearing. This is the same! I'm not really explaining it right. Look! This symbol means I am a member of the family of Chen. When recognised, I am to be given whatever I want without question, whatever the cost. To refuse me would be to insult the House of Chen, and that could lead to massive repercussions. The same goes for the leopard brooch.'

`Christ!' was all Diane could say to that.

I wondered if she had picked up on the downward side of it. I might be favoured by being a member of a family, but I could also be a target for a member of an opposing family. These thoughts I thrust to the back of my mind, and was saved from further speculation by the return of Ralph, fairly bubbling. Then he saw the red cheongsam.

`That's the theme! Torch night! I'll see if they'll agree to it. Wear the red one. Don't let anyone see what you're wearing when you go up top. Wear a cloak or something, and don't stop at the bar. See you later in the dressing room.' He was then off again.

Diane had agreed, though she didn't like to, but, milk what you can from an audience when you've got the chance. It meant her playing second fiddle to me, but for the sake of the impact our show would have, she agreed. All my songs would be solo, with Ralph and Diane doing duets in between. It was a heady night for me, which began after Ralph made an introductory speech to open the show. He had got permission to have actual live flaming torches set up on the stage to highlight my performance. Fire extinguishers had to be kept handy with crew ready to use them if needed.

Ladies and gentlemen,' he opened to a fairly packed lounge, as you know, our Francis was incarcerated overnight in police custody as being a witness to a crime ashore. But the crime was theirs, against us, by depriving us, you and me, from hearing that lovely voice from this stage. I can't say how much it means to me to have her back once again. But I must warn you! They have done things to her that I can only let you see for yourselves. They have changed her! For the better? I'll let you decide, so please let's give a big welcome return to our own Queen of the Seas, Miss Francis Lyon!'

Ralph had done an excellent preparation for this in such a short time, because all the lights, even those of the bar, went out for ten seconds, and then the spot light came onto me in the centre of the stage in my red dress and Eurasian make-up.

The place erupted in clapping, cheers and many shouts of welcome. Other lights then came on, like the bar for instance. You couldn't deprive an Australian from seeing what he was drinking, even if he didn't know what it was, he still liked to see it.

They were all torch songs that I sang that night, slinking across the stage in sometimes very suggestive ways. Ralph and Diane sang between my numbers, but it was my night and they loved it. All the songs that they used to hear in the trenches when fighting the Japanese, but being sung without the accent and with a lot more seduction in the voice.

That night was talked about for many years to come. Those that had seen my show, bored others who then wished they'd been there too. Unfortunately for me, it gave me another title that is passed down in Australian history of my being also called the Siren of the Seas.

But it was the highlight of the cruise and it was still two days to Christmas. We came off the stage finally, after many calls for encores, and slumped, exhausted but exhilarated, in our chairs in the dressing room. Drinks came in by the bucket full, George beaming every time he came in with another tray. We had to tell him to start stacking them as we had enough to sink the ship as it was.

Ralph was in seventh heaven for having been able to put such a show together at such short notice, and couldn't stop babbling about it as we drank some of our drinks. Diane was not as happy, but she put on a brave face as Ralph kept on talking.

I've got a thumping headache now after all that fun,' Diane said, getting up. I'm going below. Don't be too late,' she said to me.

`No. I'll just finish these two and be down shortly,' I said. Diane then left the dressing room to Ralph and me. I was sitting in my chair with one foot up on another, having quite a lot of leg being exposed in this fashion because of the slit down the side of the dress. He took a big gulp of his drink, and before I knew it, he was holding me in his arms, kissing me with a passion I didn't know he possessed. His hand was high up my dress and on my leg as he kissed me. He pulled me up and my dress at the same time, never stopping the kisses, and I struggled to get out of my thong. I wanted him as much as he wanted me, and as the thong fell down my legs he turned me round and splashed cream everywhere in his feverish haste and then he was ramming himself into me. No finesse, straight at it like a bull in a china shop.

I made no attempt to try and stop him. I wanted it too as I was so keyed up by the night's performance. I would have taken anybody at that point, but it was Ralph who was there. His thighs bouncing against mine as he strove to drive himself deeper into me. His cock was hard and strong, and I loved the harsh way he was taking me. The savage thrusts, bruising me inside, making me feel that I was being well and truly fucked. He came with a savage splendour, the guttural cries of a triumphant male over his victim as he came, filling me with his seed.

He panted over me as he came to a slow stop, his cock still throbbing inside me, and then he slowly pulled out and let go of me. I straightened up and pulled down my dress and picked up my thong and put it in my bag. When I turned round, he was still standing there with his half erect cock still sticking out of his trousers, a bemused smile on his face.

Next time, ask,' I said in a low voice, and then clocked him one straight on the chin. He went arse over tit and landed flat on his back. A lady likes to be asked first. Next time, do that and it might not end up like this.' I finished my drink and left him there on the floor of the dressing room.

The whole episode had taken less than ten minutes, so I wasn't that far behind Diane when I got to the cabin. She had undressed, and had just finished taking off her make-up when I entered. As I undressed, she washed her face and got into her bunk while I hung up my clothes, giving the silk another smooth down with my hand. I then sat down to take off my make-up, not really wanting to because it looked so good, but I couldn't go to bed with it on.

I'm sorry about tonight,' I said to Diane, as I sat at the mirror, it wasn't my idea to do all the solos. I'm going to tell Ralph that I won't do any tomorrow night. We'll switch round and I'll only do the duets with him.'

`He won't like that, disrupting the program.'

`Tough. He'll do as he's told and bugger the program. He managed to switch it all round for tonight, so why not again for tomorrow?' I'd finished at the mirror, disappointed at losing that Eurasian girl, and then washed my face.

`What's in the box we've been tripping over?' she asked. I'd forgotten about that. It wasn't large, but it was in the way in our confined space.

`I don't know,' I replied.

`Well let's have a look,' she said, sitting up in bed. I pulled it over and sat down on the edge of her bunk and opened it. There was a lot of packing inside, but I felt something, and pulled it out and unwrapped it. It was a cup. The same or one very similar to the one I had drunk tea out of with Lee Chen.

It's beautiful,' Diane said, taking it out of my hand, so light and delicate, and look at how thin it is. I can almost see my hand through it. How many more are there?' she asked excitedly. We emptied the box, being very careful and found that it was a set of four cups and saucers and small plates as well. It also included the teapot to go with it.

This must have cost a pretty penny,' Diane remarked, holding up a plate to the light. What was in the package you saved and gave him?'

`I don't know, but it must have been worth a lot of money for me to get what I did. It got a man killed, so it must have been something of great value.' This question had also been puzzling me, and I could only come up with one answer that seemed to fit the bill.

Considering the size of the package and weight, I had concluded that they were engraved plates. Engraved plates that would be used on a printing press to make counterfeit money. It was the only solution that made sense to me. Not knowing how thick a plate would be, and only guessing, judging by the thickness of the package, there had been five or maybe six of them inside the wrapping. With the right paper, they would be able to print millions of whatever currency the plates had been designed for. That would also explain the opulence of Lee Chen's home and the gratitude of getting them back.

`We'll never know,' I sighed, starting to rewrap the china back up and carefully replacing it back into the box. I'm glad I was careful, because it wasn't for some time before I found out just how valuable that set was.

Now no more sulks,' I said, giving her a kiss as she lay back down. You do the solos tomorrow, and it's back to normal.'

`Thanks Francis,' she smiled, and I put out the overhead light and swung up to my bunk.

I lay there for awhile thinking that I was glad that Ralph had come round to wanting me, but not the way he had done so. Still, it was something to attract him when there was still Diane as opposition as it were. I liked his circumcised cock too. It will be different next time, of that I was certain. He was no different from any other man, and my honey pot was just as sweet as a female's. So I knew that he would do as he was told in future.

Then I got to thinking of what Lee Chen said about this company in the New Year. I believed in what he had said, but now I had to convince Donald back in England, half way round the world and only having less than two weeks to do it all in. I fell asleep pondering this problem.

Next day, Christmas Eve, was a good day. The lounge had been decorated with a tree and lots of lights upon it. A similar one, but much bigger had been put up in the foyer of the saloon.

We'd sailed in the early hours of the morning, and as a treat for the passengers, the crew gave them a pantomime in the afternoon. It was their version of Cinderella, and it was a huge success and pleased everyone. Two of the biggest and fattest cooks were made up as the ugly sisters and they were a riot. The jokes and innuendoes were very crude, but which when performed down below for the crew, would be more profane. Overall, it went down very well for the Australian passengers.

Ralph apologised that morning for his attack on me the night before, not knowing that I could have fought him off if I had wanted to.

Kiss and make up,' I said, holding my arms out. He tentatively came into them and I gave him a good lover's kiss on the lips, rubbing my body up against him. Ask next time, and it could be a lot better,' I whispered in his ear. He blushed and promised to do so.

With that out of the way, I told him that Diane was to do the solos for that night. He wasn't happy with that, but saw that he had no choice but to do as I said. That was the final clincher for my domination of the trio. We couldn't rehearse because of the pantomime, but it was enough to sit around in the dressing room, drinking and talking it through.

The show went down well and Diane was delighted with the audience's response, but I decided that if we did solos again like that, they would have to be separated by several other shows and not put them back to back. Diane had filched some decorations and put them up in our cabin. It was close to midnight when we got down there, and the three of us drank and wished each other a Merry Christmas and all the rest. Then Diane gave me my present, which was a box of make-up and I had some perfume from Ralph. He'd also gotten the same for Diane and she gave him a pair of monogrammed cuff links. I felt a bit ashamed at the extravagance of my gifts to them in the light of what I had received, also that fact that I hadn't even paid for them.

Ralph whistled at his silk smoking jacket and Diane gasped at her silk dressing gown, similar to mine, but not as rich.

`We'll be like sisters now, going to the showers wearing these,' she gushed, giving me a big kiss.

`I don't know what to say Francis. It's wonderful,' Ralph said, holding it up before putting it on and looking at himself in the mirror.

`Just give me a big kiss instead of speaking then,' I said, and he did so, giving Diane a sideways look at the same time, but she was laughing anyway. Then they too kissed each other, and we all sat down and carried on drinking.

My first Christmas at sea was wonderful. Everybody was so happy and you could feel the spirit of Christmas throughout the whole ship. As is the tradition, lunch on that day is when the crew was served their meal by officers in the saloon. It was great fun and I enjoyed the running backwards and forwards to the galley, getting the food for the two tables I was serving at. The banter was lively and humorous, and I had my bottom pinched several times, but took it in good part.

It was when I was sitting down to my lunch that tears came to my eyes and a lump appeared in my throat. This was my first Christmas away from home and the first dinner I could remember that I wasn't sitting down opposite Donald, I had Diane instead. I silently wished him a Merry Christmas and wondered who he would have his meal with this year. He'd always eaten with my aunts and me before, and I hoped he would think of me as I was thinking of him at this time.

I had thought of a way to get across to him what I wanted in respect of the shares, and that would be to use a code over the telephone. So I spent the whole afternoon and the next day working it out, because we wouldn't be docking in Manila till Thursday night.

But there were still two more shows to do before then. Our Christmas night performance was basically a sing song of Christmas carols, getting the passengers to join in as much as possible, and it was great fun. Afterwards, we joined them and sat drinking with them till after two in the morning. I got kissed quite a few times by some men as did Diane, and Ralph got quite a few too from some of the ladies present who had stayed up with us.

During the carousing, I whispered to Diane that I would be in the dressing room for a bit, and not let Ralph approach though it wasn't likely. She guessed why and nodded, and I left the table and went off to the toilet. On the way back, I indicated the dressing room to George, who nodded, and a few minutes later, entered with a drink on his tray.

`Merry Christmas George,' I smiled.

`Merry Christmas to you too, er, Francis,' he said with a smile.

Is that a present for me?' I asked, looking at the bulge in his trousers, because if it is, let's unwrap it, shall we?' He put the chair up under the door handle and came over to me. I smiled up at him as I undid his buttons and pulled out his erection. It was heavy, thick and swollen as it throbbed in my hand.

`Merry Christmas to you too,' I said to his penis, giving the underside of his shaft a scratch with my nails. I felt him shiver at the sensation I knew I had caused by that action. I made it bounce about just by licking it, occasionally catching it with my teeth before kissing it. The head was turning a shade of purple with the amount of blood being pumped up into it as I eventually took him into my mouth. I sucked him for a bit and then let go and looked up at him.

`My mouth's your present George, you do it,' I said, taking a firm grip of the base of his cock before taking him back into my mouth. His hands came up and held the side of my head as he started to move himself in and out of me. I kept my lips tight around his shaft, feeling the muscle beneath the skin rasp against my teeth as he fucked me in the mouth. He strained against my hand as he tried to put more in as he came with his erratic bursts of semen, filling me with his hot secretion. It was only when he stopped did I swallow and got a thrill as it slid down my throat, wishing that I could have jerked myself off at the same time as it did so.

That's the best present I've ever had at Christmas. Thank you Francis,' he said, putting himself away after I had licked him clean. May I give you a kiss for that?'

`We don't have any mistletoe, but as it's Christmas, yes, you may.' I stood up and he held me by the shoulders and gave me a kiss. It was nice because he kissed me as if he were a brother or cousin. A gentle friendly kiss without use of the tongue.

`Thank you Francis,' his face flushed as he pulled back and let me go. He smiled and picked up his tray, and after moving the chair away from the door, went back out into the lounge. I counted to ten before going out and joining the others myself, giving Diane a wink as I sat down.

`How about giving Ralph a little bit of the same,' Diane whispered to me.

`What! Don't you want to do it?'

No. I just want to see his face when he comes back out, if he'll look guilty or not,' she giggled, besides, you'll be horny by then, and I can see to you when we get down below. That is, after I've taken care of this hunk beside me.'

I grinned at her and beckoned Ralph to come over. He got up and came over with a puzzled look on his face. I got up and held his arm as I whispered for him to come into the dressing room with me. Like a puppy, he followed me in and I shut the door behind us, putting the chair in its usual blocking position.

I'd like to give you another present Ralph,' I said, standing close to him and putting my hand down to his crotch. I felt it move and start to grow as I rubbed him. He gave me a shaky smile as he said, You're not going to hit me again if I touch you, are you?'

`No. I'm giving you permission this time. How would you like your present? By mouth or the other way?' I smiled.

`The other way Francis. I liked it.' So I pulled out his now hard cock and put some cream on the end, and I then leant over another chair and lifted up my dress. He quickly grasped my hips and pushed himself into me, the sides of his shaft rippling my insides as he filled me. He was so keen and eager that it wasn't long before he held me tight to his thighs as he bucked hard to shoot into me, grinding his pelvic bone against the cheeks of my bum as he came. Then the hateful part of the withdrawal as it popped out, leaving me with that void and empty feeling. I gave him some tissues to wipe himself and used some on myself.

`Go to the gents and wash yourself please Ralph,' I said, giving him a quick kiss on the lips as I removed the chair from the door. He went off and I again counted to ten before going out myself.

Well?' I asked Diane as I sat down, how did he look?'

I've never seen a man look so guilty and shifty as he sidled out of there. His eyes were darting about and he wouldn't make eye contact with me as though he knew I was looking. He just hurried off to the men's room I think.' She was laughing as she said this. Now I'm going off. I'll see you back down below later and I'll tell you all about this one here.' She turned to the fellow next to her and whispered in his ear, and I saw him nod.

Diane got up, and after giving me a smile, left the lounge. It was funny to watch this man fidget about in his chair for nearly five minutes before he got up. Then with such obvious nonchalance, well it seemed that way to me, slowly made his way out of the lounge in pursuit of Diane.

The party seemed to break up shortly after their disappearance, so with many goodnights being called out, I went down below to the cabin. I undressed and took off my make-up, washed, and was soon up in my bunk. I read through the notes I had made for talking to Donald while waiting for Diane to eventually arrive.

She quickly undressed and was only giving me little snippets as she saw to her face before washing and getting into her bunk.

`Come down here and I'll tell you all about it,' she said. I swung down and quickly got into bed with her and we lay like sisters sharing their secrets, heads close together on the pillow as she talked.

`Well if that is an example of an Australian male making love, wham bam and thank you ma-am, give me the British every time. Not at all what I was expecting. He got his end away but didn't seem to give a shit about mine. It wasn't as if he wasn't good looking, he was, and his tackle was hard and big enough, but he didn't use it properly.

He'd undressed me and I lay down on his bed as he stripped off, watching those big arm muscles ripple, starting to get hot down below. Then his underpants came off and his boomerang swung about as if looking for its target. Then on the bed and in. No kissing or playing about, just straight in and fuck, fuck, fuck, and it was all over. It couldn't have lasted two bloody minutes. I nearly cried when he got off me and said, That was bloody great Diane, how was it for you? Bet you liked that? I didn't say anything. I just got dressed and came straight down here.'

I could see the tears in her eyes, so I kissed and held her tight. I soothed her by gently stroking her as we kissed, and she moved over onto her back so that I could now stroke her breast, gently rubbing the nipple till it became hard. Continuing to stroke that breast, I moved my head down to suckle on the other one, bringing that nipple up hard and tight. Then it was just a matter of moving my head further down her body, tonguing the navel between the kissing of her stomach. My fingers were now inside the lips of her labia and starting to excite her clitoris.

`Turn round Francis,' I heard her whisper, her hand tugging gently at my hair. The bed covers came off as I twisted my body round, and she eased herself further down the bunk so that we both could fit ourselves together. I was now on top of her with my chest on her lower stomach, my arms round the outside of her thighs so that my hands could come into play.

My legs were partly bent and most of my weight was on my knees and elbows, my lower body astride her face, my erection down close enough for her to take it in her mouth. My fingers now opened her wide and I used my tongue inside her, tasting her juices and also that of her last partner. This, I sucked out avidly, drinking up the Australian as well as Diane, and it made me quite heady to have two for the price of one. I also kept up my attack on the hard little button, wishing that my tongue was as strong as that of Lik. But it was enough to bring her to an orgasm for which she had been wanting. Her hunger for this I could feel, as she sucked and chewed on me, making me come as I felt her let herself go, soaking my chin as I lapped and sucked what I could. My hips were jerking at the same time and she never stopped sucking till I was fully spent.

Then she surprised me by letting go of my cock and took my balls into her mouth. It was the first time this had been done to me, and I froze, not daring to move in case she crushed them. But with a delicate use of tongue as well as mouth, I began to like the experience and put my own mouth back down to please her again.

It was wildly erotic of having my balls sucked and moved about the way she was doing it, so much so, that I began to get another erection, though I doubted whether there was anything left inside them. My efforts on her were rewarded by her coming again, but with a good chance of me being emasculated. That's balls chewed off to the ignorant. She tried sucking on me again after she had calmed down, but to no avail, as there just wasn't anything left. I think it was by mutual agreement that we ceased assaulting each other, and I turned round in the bunk so that we were once again face to face.

`Fuck the Australians, there's none better than you Francis,' she said as she kissed me.

`You're a delight in your own right,' I said diplomatically, and then we kissed and cuddled until we fell asleep.

Boxing Day is the same as any other day in the navy. The ship is still sailed, and the crew still have to work, the same as Christmas Day. This was my day to re-read my Bible. I spent all my non working hours working out my code, and finally got round to putting it down on paper that at least made sense to me.

I was very bad that night with my whole performance during the show, missing cues and at one point even forgot the song I was singing and fluffed it. Diane and Ralph covered very well for me, but I felt very bad after the show. All I could think of was my getting it across to Donald of everything that I wanted done in regard to the selling and buying of shares. I didn't get much sleep that night.

The next morning we docked in Manila, the capital city of the Philippines. As soon as we had docked and a land line was established with the ship, I was there at the Purser's office to attempt to get a phone call booked to England. Contact was easily made with the local operator, but we were told that it could be hours before a line through to England was available. It was just a matter of waiting, waiting and waiting.

I managed to coerce Diane and Ralph that they should help me by standing watch at the office to secure the line when a connection was made. This gave me the odd moments for the toilet and to get some coffee while the time dragged on.

The connection was made just as I returned from a coffee break, and it was just coming up to two p.m. local time. I sat in the booth with the door open because of the heat and listened to the burr of the ringing tone. The operator in Manila cut in to say that there was no answer and I told them to wait, it was early morning in England, and it would take time for the person to get to the telephone. Then there was a double click as the receiver at the other end was picked up.

`Hello?' It was Donald, and my heart leapt at that single word.

`Donald! It's me, Francis! Can you hear me?' I shouted down the mouthpiece.

`Francis! I don't believe it. I can hear you, but please don't shout.'

`Donald my darling, I love you! Merry Christmas by the way.'

`Merry Christmas to you too my darling, but do you know what time it is?'

`Yes! It's just coming up to two o'clock.' He then interrupted.

`It might be two o' clock there Francis, but it's only six o' clock in the morning here!'

`I love you whatever the time is Donald.'

`And I love you too!'

`Now Donald. Please listen carefully because it taken me hours sitting here trying to get through. Are you listening Donald?'

`Of course I am dear.'

`Then get a pencil and write down what I am going to say.'

`Why should I do that Francis?'

Donald!' I shouted. Can't you understand English? Get a pencil and write this down before I lose the connection.' Already I was beginning to lose my cool here.

`Okay Francis, I have a pencil and paper. Go ahead.'

Before I start for you to write, what I am going to say is that this is for both of us. For our future! Now listen and don't interrupt. By whatever means, fair or foul, I want you to make, I repeat make, Truell sell the following shares. Don't Donald! Hear me out. By any means whatever. Sell these shares. Ready with that pencil? Write these down.' I slowly spoke as I ran down the list of shares that Patrick had marked. Now,' I continued, `these should be sold as soon, no, they must, must be sold before the end of the year. Before the 31st!'

`But Francis. This is nearly three quarters of your share portfolio!'

`I know that! Notwithstanding that they are the least productive in their returns per se.'

`But Francis...'

Donald!' I almost screamed, don't argue now but listen! Listen for...just listen! These I want you to sell. Then I want you to buy. These must be sold so that others can be bought. Do you understand that?'

`Yes, but...'

`But nothing. Now listen very carefully. This is an open line and anybody could be listening in. Do you understand what I'm saying?'

`Yes. People can be hearing what we are talking about.'

`Great! Now I am going to be cryptic. If what I say you do not understand, say hold, and I will try to rephrase my wording until you understand what I mean. Okay?'

`Yes Francis, but I don't think I can get Mr Truell to sell these shares.'

Donald!' I screamed, now getting a little hysterical. If you don't get him, as executor and guardian, to do what I am asking, pleading, no, I am damn well begging you to do it, you'll... you'll...Donald! We might live in the same village, and it hurts me to the very heart of me to say this, but, if you don't, don't do this, we...we might as well live on different planets. I'm sorry Donald,' I was starting to sob, `you've got to do this for me, for you, for us my darling, and I'm not saying this lightly, because I have given this a lot of thought over the last few days.'

`Francis, Francis. Don't say such things. You must have had a bad experience out there...'

Donald!' I cried out in exasperation, interrupting him, for all that's holy, don't provoke me into blasphemy, and just listen!' I paused to take a deep breath and get control of myself. `Now! Do you know the book from which you used to read to me at least three days a week, and you gave me a copy when I left home?'

`Yes it was the...'

Donald!' I screamed down the telephone, that's what I'm talking about! It's a bloody open line! Just listen! If you don't understand, say so and I'll rephrase it, just say yes or no, right?'

`Yes Francis.'

`Do you know the book I'm talking about?'

`Yes.'

`Good. Now with your pencil in your hand, oh Donald, I wish it were me, but be ready to write this down. I'm going to give you a series of numbers in a block of three. The first number will refer to the page of our book. The second number will be the line. The third number will be in from the left, the word of the message. Have you got that so far?'

`Yes.'

`Good. Now if I start a sequence with a zero, that means you only use the first letter only of the word of the third set of numbers, okay?'

`Not really. Please repeat that last bit again.' I took another deep breath, to try and control the anger that was building up inside of me because of his obtuseness. So I repeated what I had just said, and then he understood what I meant.

`Now there are some words not in the book and I am going to say them now for you to fit in at the right places of the message. They will make sense when you have deciphered the message. Now have the pencil ready. January, London and Corporation. Got that? Now note down these numbers.'

I then reeled off slowly, the sets of numbers that I'd worked over for two days so that only Donald could read them. When I'd finished, I asked him to read them back to me to be sure that he had taken them down correctly. He had.

`Now Donald my love. If you love me as much as I love you, you will do this, come hell or high water, you will get Truell to do this. If he tries to obstruct you, just tell him that when I become of age and get what's there, I will take the business away from his office and spend it all just to break him.

For reasons I cannot explain over this open line, I have this on the, well, nearly the highest authority, that things will happen just after I get home. Please, please believe in me Donald. Do this and the church will have a new roof. All churches seem to be always asking for new roof. We'll even be able to..., well, let's leave that for when we are back together.

Darling Donald, I do miss you. I will put all this down in a letter so that you will see the whole thing and then understand what I am doing. But you will not get the letter before it has all happened, that is why I have had to do it this way. Please trust me in this and see that it is done. I love you very much and this telephone is costing a small fortune, but if you manage it all. It's peanuts. But I don't care because I love you.'

`I love you too Francis. Be sure I will deal with Mr Truell.'

`Goodbye my darling.'

`Goodbye my sweet,' and then the connection was broken.

I leaned back in the booth, trembling, and I could now feel the sweat that had been pouring out of me during the whole time I was speaking to Donald.

Gee, you really must love that guy,' Diane said as she leaned into the booth to help me stand up and get out into what little breeze there was flowing down the passageway, to sit in that sweat box for over half an hour talking to him.' I could feel the perspiration running down from my hair and into and through my clothing. I think I must have lost a couple of pounds with the loss of body fluid while in that booth.

I went down below with Diane and had a stiff gin and tonic before taking a shower. When I was fresh and wearing clean clothes and fortified with another drink, I told her of what I had done.

`Do you think Donald will be able to do it?' she asked.

`I can only hope that he can. He'll only have three days of next week to browbeat Mr Truell into doing it and sell, and only the one day to buy in the New Year.'

`What if he doesn't? Sell I mean?'

Then I'll break him.' It sounded cold, but I meant it. Donald won't get his new roof or whatever he wants for the church, and I won't be on the path towards being a millionaire.'

`Is that important to you?'

`No, not really. Friends are more important than money,' I said as I squeezed her hand and smiled.

`Well there's nothing more you can do and there's no point in going ashore now. We might as well scrounge something to eat and get ready for tonight,' Diane said, standing up and having a stretch.

`You're right,' I said, resignedly, and so we went off to find some food.

The show that night was okay, but not brilliant. We only played to less than half of our normal audience, the rest living it up ashore.

Diane and Ralph wanted me to go ashore with them the next day, but I declined. I had a very long letter to write to Donald, telling him the whole story, omitting Lik of course, and I wanted to see that it was posted before we left Manila. I had just finished it when they returned, saying that they'd had a wonderful day and that I should have gone with them. I went up to the shop on the upper deck and bought stamps for my letter. Our shop sells nearly everything, and acts as our Post Office as well. I wandered down to the bar and was bought a drink by one of the passengers who then tried to chat me up. I don't really like carrot coloured hair people, so he had no chance.

Down below, Diane had already showered and was getting dressed, so I followed suit. A quick shower and putting on my stockings and attaching the tops to my suspender belt, getting the same sensuous thrill as I did so. Padded bra and then the dress and I was ready to do my make-up. Diane had finished, but she sat and waited for me so that we could go down together for our early dinner.

The show was good that night, and having nearly a full audience in spite of being in port, boosted our egos. We sailed at dawn for the slow last leg of the cruise, which was due to finish on New Year's Day. Down through the islands of Indonesia and into the Coral Sea, giving the Great Barrier Reef a wide berth.

Then it was New Year's Eve and the ship was a buzz of excitement. Though we were in the same time zone as the rest of Eastern Australia, we, by being at sea to the east, would technically be into the New Year before those on shore. The lounges and dining saloons were decorated with balloons and streamers and other paper decorations, paper hats and masks lay at every table place. The bar staff were kept on the go the whole day as the Australians love to party especially after six in the evening when the bars ashore are closed at that time.

Though there were two lounges on the ship, we were always in the biggest and main one of the ship, and it was full all day. We had dined early and still had a job to get a drink at the bar before we were due to start the last show of the cruise. This was where the passengers on the first meal sittings had the advantage over the second sitting, because they could get the best seats for the evening show. The second sitting ones had to take what was left or stand at the back.

We began at eight to a noisy reception and we all had a good time. We went through all of the Australian war songs, throwing in the Jolly Swagman for good measure. Ralph did a short parody of Ned Kelly, which went down very well. Then as midnight approached, the count- down began and at twelve, all the lights flashed and the ship's siren went off and we all launched into Auld Lang Syne. Everybody standing up and joining hands, even coming up onto the stage to link up with us, and singing their heads off.

They still didn't want us to go, so we stayed on the stage for another hour or so. But we stuck to British favourites, except for my La Paloma in Italian. Diane sang The White Cliffs of Dover, and we dueted the others. Drinks kept coming onto the stage for us, and we were quite merry by the time we finished.

It was a tired but happy trio that finally got off the stage and into the dressing room, thankful that we'd got that fan installed, for we were positively dripping with sweat. We kissed each other again to celebrate the New Year and said the usual things about the future. We had one last drink before making our way down to our cabins. Diane and I undressed and had a quick shower before kissing each other goodnight, both being too tired to fool around before going to bed.

We sailed majestically into Sydney harbour the next morning, escorted by many pleasure boats and sailing craft. Whistles, sirens and hooters sounding, sending the seagulls up into the air, screeching to add to the noise. It was late morning when we finally docked, and we watched the many bleary eyed passengers disembark after what I thought was a fabulous cruise all round.

When the ship was empty and our duties done, Diane and I went back down to the cabin and promptly went to bed and slept the whole afternoon, and Ralph had done the same. We later desultorily poked around in the dressing room, trying to tidy up, but without much heart for the job, so we gave it up for another day. We went and had dinner together down in the saloon and then back to our cabin to celebrate a good cruise for us. We talked, drank and laughed for most of the evening, and with one bottle of gin gone, we were getting high. Then, I think was Diane, yes it was, because Ralph wasn't sure of the rules when she said we should have a game of cards. It was wickedly transparent of her to suggest strip rummy as the game we should play.

On the clothes count, Diane had six items and Ralph and I had five apiece, shoes were already off. I, reluctantly pulled on a pair of panties and we gave Ralph a scarf to make up his number. Then we started playing, and when rummy was declared, the other two hands were shown and the one with the least meld of cards had to take an item off and do two forfeits. The first of these was to sing a song named by the other loser, the second whatever the winner of the hand decided upon.

I lost the first hand with Diane being the winner, so off came those hated panties and thrown to what would be the heap. The general idea being that when all were naked, you carried on playing but as a loser, you had to don the item of clothing that was on the top of this heap. So in theory you could end up wearing a mixture of both the other players clothing and none of your own.

My song was to stand on one leg and sing the first verse of the National Anthem, and give Ralph a passionate kiss. Ralph lost both socks in succession and paid his forfeits and then Diane lost her dress. My dress was next, so I was the first one to show a private part, and when Ralph next lost his scarf, he was told to kiss my dick, which to my surprise showed no hesitation in doing so. It was only a quick brief kiss to the tip of my penis, but it was a surprise nonetheless. Then Diane lost both her stockings and had to kiss both of Ralph's feet which was my saying of her forfeit, and Ralph said that she was to take the whole of my penis into her mouth. He was getting drunk and watched wide eyed as Diane did as he had said, my thing having suddenly risen up to the occasion.

I think Diane did some cheating, because she was a good card player and we all finished up with one item each. Diane and Ralph with pants on and me in my suspender belt. With Diane's bare breasts moving about every time she played a card, was having an effect on Ralph I could see. He had a bulge in his pants that would soon be out in full view if Diane played her cards right. She did, and Ralph was the losing hand and Diane the winner.

So off came the pants to reveal his erection to both of us. He gave his song and then had to deep throat kiss me. I think he enjoyed it, because he had me almost flat on my back as he pushed his tongue deep into my mouth as he kissed me. Ralph won the next round and Diane was the loser, and thereby losing her panties. He picked the song and I the sexual forfeit, and that was to take Ralph's erection in her mouth and give him a suck.

This was the first time I had seen Diane do this to anyone other than myself. My cock got harder watching her do this and though it was only a couple of sucks, it was still sexually stimulating.

The game still had to go on because I was still wearing my suspender belt, and I won the next hand with Ralph the losing one. I again had the choice, and this time said that he had to lick the inside of Diane. After his mangled rendition of Diane's choice of song, he got between her legs which she opened wide for him, gave her a good tonguing.

Then the game fell apart with us well into the second bottle of gin, and decided that we couldn't go through the process of getting dressed again. The three of us were in such tight proximity on the lower bunk, that our bodies were always touching and rubbing against each other. It was inevitable that with both Ralph and I aroused as our erections proved, but Diane also had became aroused.

Ralph fell against Diane and started kissing her, and I had a choice of whether to suck Diane or Ralph as they kissed. So I did it to both with me half hanging out of the bunk. How could we all get pleasure at the same time was the question raised, by me I think?

Drunkenly, we rolled off the bunk and pulled the mattress to the floor. I got the cream and wiped it over Ralph's cock while Diane went down on her knees on the mattress. I then knelt down and pushed myself up into her wet vagina and waited for Ralph. I felt him kneel down behind me, and as I leaned forward over Diane's back, he entered into me. I was the filling in the sandwich with Ralph in the driving seat so to speak. He started the motion by driving himself into me as I in turn, was pushed deeper into Diane. It was a lovely daisy chain of him fucking me whilst I fucked Diane.

With our three heaving bodies joined together, we seemed to come in sequence. Ralph held me tighter as he came, shooting hard and fast, in spite of the booze, into my insides. I, triggered off by feeling him come into me, sent my load into Diane, who responded by groaning that she was coming too. This redoubled our efforts at ramming into each other till she gave out a scream as she orgasmed.

We collapsed in a heap on the single mattress, our bodies covered in a fine film of sweat, panting heavily before we could rouse ourselves to wash our private parts. I then dragged the mattress off my bunk and squashed the two together on the deck, almost making a double bed of the two. After another drink, we lay down and kissed and played with each other. Drunk as I was, I was still pleased at the way Ralph pitched in, even to the point of laying fully on top of me and deep kissing me as our erections started to rise again between our hot bodies.

Then we turned to Diane and as I sucked at her vagina, she had Ralph's cock in her mouth, and after a while we changed positions so she was sucking on me. The ultimate then came when I then fucked her while he played with her tits till I came inside her, and then Ralph took over and batted on the sticky wicket till he too came. With Diane completely fucked out, laying spread-eagled on the mattresses, I had the luxury of going back between her legs and sucking out and swallowing the juices from all three of us while she sucked on his limp dick. Even I had a suck on it before I passed out.

It was three cold bodies that awoke in the morning. I only had a slight hangover compared to Diane's, and Ralph's was even worse. I went and showered and got dressed and went and found some coffee for the other two, which helped them revive, with the aid of many Aspirin. Then Ralph dressed to go to his cabin so that he could get his things together for his shower. Diane only had to put on her robe to go for hers.

Breakfast was sombre, with more coffee being drunk than food eaten. But we perked up and by mid morning were pretty much better than we had been first thing. We cleaned up the dressing room, had lunch and then back to the cabins for an afternoon nap.

Let's try something out this evening,' I said to Diane as we undressed, and go into the Chinese quarter and see if my charm works?' Every city in the world has its Chinatown, so I was going to put Sydney to the test.

Good idea,' Diane said, do we take Ralph?'

`Of course! We girls cannot go out with some male to protect us.'

We both laughed as I swung up to the top bunk as Diane got into the lower one for this afternoon nap.

We were both up again just after six and had our shower. Diane dressed quickly and watched as I carefully did my make-up. I took my time to try and do it exactly as Wen Chi had made up my face.

Wow! It's not quite the same as before, but it's bloody good,' Diane said with her eyes carefully scrutinising every aspect of my face. Sorry,' seeing the expression on my face. `Oh damn it Francis. You've done a bloody good job of it for the first time on your own. With a bit more practice it'll be perfect. We could even practice doing it to each other.'

`Don't we already do it to each other,' I said with a smile.

`Oh you!' she said, giving me a push.

No, I do see what you mean,' I said, looking at myself closer in the mirror, it will take a few more goes before I get it right, but, as you said, it'll do for tonight.'

Then after putting on my the special thong, was I ready for my red cheongsam. Diane did a wonderful job on my hair considering she had only seen it once in this style. Then I sat there as demure as any Chinese woman and waited for her to get dressed.

We had to wait a few minutes for Ralph to come out of his cabin, a little bit dishevelled, brushing his hair down.

I'm going have that bastard one day,' he said, I've just about had enough of him, the slimy bastard.'

Calm down Ralph,' Diane said, we're going out on the town tonight. Don't let that little shit upset you.'

`What does he drink?' I asked.

`What?' from Ralph.

`I said, what does he drink. What is his tipple?' I asked him.

`He's like a sewer. If it's liquid, he drinks it,' Ralph replied.

Fine. Let's have a party one night. In your cabin,' I said, but let's forget him for now and see if we can go out and enjoy ourselves, okay?'

`Francis, excuse me, but you look stunning, you too Diane,' he said, which I thought was badly put and rather he hadn't said anything. But Diane either missed it, or did the right thing by ignoring the slight.

So we got a taxi and had it drop us off in Sydney's Chinese quarter. The idea was to take a stroll and see if the symbol of Chen was recognised. We hadn't covered more than two hundred yards, passing only one restaurant before a man came out in front of us and bowed very low.

Please,' he said, still bowed over, please honour our lowly establishment,' indicating a small eating house that was decorated profusely in Chinese characters. We went in, being bowed by everybody we passed, to which I returned only half bows, which I thought befitting due to the fact that we were the guests and they the servants. I was starting to pick up on these little nuances of their pecking order.

We were led to a table that looked to be the best the place had to offer and were sat down. This was the first time that Ralph and Diane had eaten Chinese food, and they were from that day on, hooked on the cuisine that that country had to offer, because we were given the best outside of Hong Kong or China.

I was constantly addressed as Ms Chen, and offered to sample each dish before it was placed on the table for my friends. I couldn't fault the food or the service, and we had a wonderful time in that small restaurant. We didn't have rice wine, but the local Australian wine did just as well.

At the end of the meal, being given tea and the inevitable cookies, I only had to raise my hand a few inches from the table before the owner was there at my side.

`Please, venerable father, put your mark on a paper so that I can inform my master of the warm welcome and service that we have received in your wonderful establishment. I am sure that he will be most pleased, so on his behalf, I would like to thank you and your family for such a wonderful meal.'

The poor guy couldn't bow low enough and was most voluble in his thanks that we had deigned to favour his humble establishment. On an impulse, I beckoned over a very small child that had stayed hidden for most of the time behind her mother's skirts. The child was pushed forward, and she hesitantly came over and gave me a bow, and I bent down and gave her a hug and put two five pound notes in her hand and then let her return to her mother.

I don't think I could have done anything better. I knew we weren't going to be asked to pay the bill, and this must have been an accolade to them all, because even the kitchen staff were called out to bow to us as we made our leave. A taxi had already been hailed and was waiting for us at the door. With many waving of hands, we were bid farewell.

I wouldn't have believed it,' said Diane in the cab as we drove away, if I hadn't been there to see it! You seem to have a way with everyone Francis.'

Well after a meal like that, I'm following you all the time,' said Ralph, letting out a belch, I didn't think Chinese food would be that good.'

`You also seemed to know the right things to say to them. How did you know?' Diane asked.

`I didn't. It just sort of came out that way. Anyway, it's proved the veracity of this symbol,' I said, touching the embroidered sign on my dress.

Well it perked them up no end,' Ralph commented, giving another belch, and I'm all for going back there again.'

`Let's not push our luck too far. Even once a trip would be pushing it a bit, I think,' I said, lapsing into silence for the rest of the journey.

The newspapers gave the cruise a thumbs up, one of the passengers had been a reporter and he raved about it in his column. We got mentioned as being one of the best parts of the trip, and it even mentioned our names. I kept copies to show to Donald and the others when we were back in England.

We had a lazy few days as the ship was being cleaned and provisioned for the homeward bound voyage. We cleaned the dressing room and made some minor repairs to our costumes, the odd bit of sewing and such like. January the 2nd had come and gone, and I wondered if Donald had managed to do as I asked. Diane said I should telephone home to find out, but I was reluctant to do this. I would rather have a confrontation face to face than over a long distance impersonal telephone line.

Sailing day arrived and we were at our station as the ship quickly filled up, not as many as the outward trip, but enough to make it worthwhile. There were quite a few empty cabins, but though I bumped into Clement a few times, he didn't invite me to any of them. When we were not rehearsing, I would walk round the ship, even going up to Leopardi's suite to walk through the empty rooms, an ache inside me at the memories.

The homeward trip was slow and the days seemed to drag. Diane and I spent a few hours nearly every day up on the flying bridge. We would take it in turns to watch the ladder so that one of us could take off our costume and be bare arsed to get those white bits tanned.

I did manage to get Ralph to myself one afternoon. Diane went off to host a party, leaving the two of us alone in our cabin. I sat with him on the lower bunk and asked him if he wouldn't mind holding me in his arms for a while, as I needed a little comfort. He didn't object and it was almost natural for him to kiss me when I lifted my face up to him. I put my hand down to his lap and felt that he was as hard as a rock, and made no comment as I undid his trousers and pulled out his erection. I held it lightly in my hand and gently rubbed it up and down, not using any pressure, because I wanted to make it last for him.

`Ralph?'

`Mmmm?'

`Ralph, will you use this on me?' I asked quietly, still rubbing him gently.

`Oh Francis, yes please,' he groaned. I got up and quickly stripped off my dress and got some cream, and rubbed some over the head of his throbbing cock. I got back onto the bunk and rolled onto my front and raised myself up. He didn't bother to take his trousers off, but got straight in between my legs and pushed himself into me.

I groaned out in delight as his hardness slid inside, filling me with his heat and strength. He worked himself in and out, the fabric of his trousers rubbing my backside with every forward thrust. I arched my back downward with my face flat against the pillow to make my rear stick out for more deeper penetration. I also pushed back to his every forward movement, matching him thrust for thrust.

I felt him swell even more inside me as he began to come, his sperm bursting inside was heaven itself. The hot splashing seed bouncing and sticking to the walls of my canal was like a balm to the fire that was burning within me. He stopped moving and I could feel his penis still throbbing as it issued out the last drops. Then the hated withdrawal as he pulled himself slowly out of me before getting off the bed to wash himself. I squeezed the cheeks of my bum together, wishing he were still in there as I started to hug the pillow.

Put your dress back on Francis,' he said, washing himself before putting it away and buttoning up his trousers, we don't know when Diane might come back.'

He was right, she'd been gone for over an hour now, and could walk in through the door at any time. I got up and fluffed up the pillow and made some smoothing motions over the bed cover. I wiped myself first and then picked up my dress, but changed my mind about putting it on and hung it up instead. Then with one leg up on the chair, I struck a pose as I unclipped my stocking and slowly rolled it down my leg.

`Oh for Christ's sake Francis, what are you doing?' there was a slight rise to his voice as he asked the question.

`Isn't it obvious, I'm getting undressed. I don't think I've ever taken a shower with my underclothes on,' I said, doing the same with my other leg, watching him fidget. I stood and faced him with my cock still right out in front of me as I took off my suspender belt, his eyes watching it move as I did so.

`Pass me my robe please,' I asked as I took off my bra. It was out in a flash and held out for me to take. I dropped the bra on top of the other things I had taken off and took the robe and put it on.

`Help yourself to a drink while I'm having a shower,' I said, giving him a smile as I left the cabin. I took my time, and by the time I got back, Diane was in and having a drink with Ralph.

Hi,' I said brightly, how was your party? We had fun here, didn't we Ralph, but then, you couldn't have joined in.'

`Why not? We played together in Sydney, didn't we?'

`Jerking off to see who could shoot the furthest?'

Oh you silly,' she laughed, and then suddenly serious. You didn't, did you?'

`Of course not! Now who's being silly?' I laughed and Diane did too, and Ralph even gave a small titter, his face red, which fortunately was not noticed by Diane as she poured out a drink for me.

I think I'll take my shower now,' she said, passing me my drink, it was quite hot up there today. She quickly undressed and put on her robe. We both were often naked in front of Ralph and by now, took him for granted and didn't feel any embarrassment at all at him seeing us without our clothes on. She sailed off leaving us alone again.

Don't play games like that Francis,' he said after a couple of minutes, it's not fair on Diane.'

`Did you say the same thing about me when you and Diane did it together on the outward trip?'

`No, but...'

Oh let's drop it,' I interrupted him, it doesn't really matter.'

It was between Fremantle and Colombo that we made our plans to deal with the Assistant Purser, the cabin mate of Ralph. This man was still trying to get Ralph to bend over for him, so we hatched a plan for the night we would be berthed in the Ceylonese capital to sort him out, once and for all.

Diane and I got one of the pastry cooks to make us a small birthday cake, ostensibly for Ralph's birthday. The day before our arrival there, we put our heads into his cabin and said that we had planned a little party for him, and as his cabin was bigger than ours, could we use his cabin, and of course your cabin mate is also invited. He liked the idea and said yes to the query from Ralph if it would be okay with him.

The guy knew that we wouldn't be performing whilst in port, so that was the easy part to get him to agree to the party being held in his cabin. We docked in Colombo just before breakfast, and would be there for twenty four hours. Ralph made out that he'd received our presents and said that he was looking forward to that night's party.

At seven that evening, we knocked on the door and were welcomed in. We carried in the cake, with candles burning, and two bottles of gin and a load of tonics, also a wrapped up bottle. A second chair had been borrowed so that two could sit on the lower bunk in comfort and the other two, Diane and myself could have the comfort of a chair.

Ralph blew out the candles as we sang the usual birthday song. This was also one of our tricks that we played on the audience every trip. Ralph would stand up and say to the passengers that if any passenger could give him a name that he couldn't be put into a song, they would win a bottle of champagne. Lots of names would be called out, and then he would ask them to vote on which name he should be given. Eventually a name would be selected and that particular passenger would be already rubbing their hands that had voiced the name.

Ralph would then stand there, striking a pose to give the impression that he was in deep thought about what song contained the name chosen. Then he would come over to me at the piano and appear to whisper in my ear. Then he would go back to the front of the stage and start singing Happy Birthday. Obviously the name would come in, and the whole audience would clap and cheer at this subterfuge.

Our subterfuge on Ralph's cabin mate was the fact that the gin bottles had been half bashed with water. With the candles blown out and the song sung. I gave him the wrapped bottle of whisky saying that it was from one of the passengers. He unwrapped it and gave out a sigh when he saw what it was.

The only thing I can't drink is whisky. Do you Francis?' I shook my head and gave a shudder. You Diane?'

`Can't stand the stuff. Gin's my drink,' she answered.

`Gary?' There, I've finally given the man a name, which I have been trying to avoid, but it wasn't his real name. If he reads this book, he'll know about whom I'm talking, but I don't think he will be let it known that he is the person involved in the later events.

`Yes I drink whisky,' he replied.

`Here then, you can drink this and I'll stick to gin with the girls,' giving him the bottle to break the seal on the bottle so that he wouldn't suspect anything as Ralph and I supposedly broke the seals on our two bottles. Drinks were poured and we toasted Ralph.

Diane and I took it in turns to keep pouring out the drinks, making Gary keep up with us, glass for glass. Ours had tonic added, and his with just a little water. Come midnight, the bottle was nearly finished when he passed out. Over the next two hours we would bring him almost round, just enough for him to be able to swallow another drink.

Now the ship would be really quiet at this time of the morning, so the next part was put into operation. Between us, we carried him down a deck to what is known as the working alleyway. It's the main below deck thoroughfare for the crew. It was quite wide and very busy during the day. All cabins led down to it for the occupants to pass along to the saloon where they went to sign on every morning.

We dragged him halfway way along it before stopping and taking all his clothes off. Then I took out of my bag the purchase we'd made in Port Said. The rusty handcuffs. We'd stopped at a point where we could attach the cuffs to a part of the ship's side and his wrists, and with some rope, we loosely tied his legs apart so that he couldn't cross them to cover himself. A sign was then hung round his neck, reading "Bum Bandit". We scattered his clothes about the alleyway and left him there.

We laughed all the way back to Ralph's cabin, where we had a drop of undiluted gin to celebrate. To give credibility to the story we would to tell in the morning, we would have to sleep in his cabin. The gin bottles were emptied and left lying around, one on the table and the other on the floor. Ralph got onto his bunk and Diane and I got onto Gary's bunk. None of us got undressed, as it was to appear as though we'd all passed out and slept through it all. The story being that just before we had fallen asleep, he'd gone out to the toilets and just didn't come back. Ralph had already gone to sleep, and we were not prepared to venture out to the men's toilets to look for him, so we just curled up on his bunk and fell asleep ourselves.

It was nearly seven o'clock before the door banged open and woke us up. The Master at Arms shoved in Gary, covered in a blanket, into the cabin. It was obvious we had just been woken up and he demanded to know what had happened, and why were there two females in this cabin at this time of the morning. With the fact that we were all still in our clothes and looking rather creased and dishevelled, he accepted our story and that was that.

Gary was furious which his hangover didn't help, but he had to accept what we told him, and we made him believe that he had told us that he going to the toilet and simply didn't return, and that we fell asleep waiting for him.

We heard later from a crew member what had happened down in the alleyway. Everybody between five thirty and six passed by and laughed at him, he cursing everyone who did so. He caused a ruckus by shouting out to be released and at last, the Master at Arms eventually appeared, but it still took another half hour before they could cut him free from the handcuffs.

After being questioned, the Master at Arms believed us and let us return to our cabin, where we undressed and went to bed to catch up on our sleep.

Gary was sure that we were at the bottom of it, but he couldn't prove it nor have anyone to back him up in his belief, but we achieved what we had set out to do in that he stopped bugging Ralph.

We were at sea again when we awoke, and after our shower, had a good laugh over a successful operation against an enemy to one of our number.

To break the monotony I got George into the dressing room one night and gave him a nice slow blow job, and a week later, covered the overhead light again and let him fuck me for the second time. It was nice to have a man inside me again, reaming and quelling the fire inside me, putting out the fire with his sperm. I needed to have sex. Every night I masturbated to relieve the pressure in my balls though it didn't stop the itch that kept growing deep inside me. Diane would often complain of the movement of the mattress above her at night, but I told what I was doing, and why. She helped me out a few times because she didn't seem to need it as much as I did.

At least she agreed to another game of cards the night we were in Port Said, and Ralph had no hesitation in agreeing to play. It was fun and this time we cut out the singing of songs and went straight into the sexual forfeits, finishing up with me in the middle of the sandwich again which I liked.

`Do you think that Donald would play this game with us?' Diane asked as we lay wallowing in the aftermath.

`I think the answer would be no,' I said, sincerely believing that he wouldn't perform with two other people there taking part.

`Pity,' she smiled. I refused to be drawn into a debate on Donald. I don't believe he'd ever been with a woman, and I wasn't prepared to put him to the test.

Our last show of the voyage was as good as the first. We put our hearts and souls into it and it was very well received by the audience. We were tired but exhilarated as we sat in our dressing room afterwards, drinking one of our last drinks of the voyage. This was decision time as to whether we agreed to make it known the next day if we would be returning after our leave for the next trip.

It didn't take much for us to agree to do the following trip. The clincher was really that we didn't know if there would be another ship to take us if we did leave. We were established on the Indus, so that was where we would stay. So with that settled, I asked them if they would like to do the same as before, and come and rehearse at my house prior to rejoining the ship.

`Yes,' was the joint reply.

`Same terms as before?'

`Yes,' like twins wired up to one speaker they answered. So we solemnly shook hands and finished our drinks, and went down below, seeking our beds.

While the ship was moving up river to Tilbury, we were back in the dressing room, cleaning it up and packing our things away. All except the clothes that I would be taking to my house, and these were packed into a trunk and dragged down to our cabin. There we had to quickly get dressed to be at our stations for the disembarkation as we were already being gently nudged to the quay by our attending tugs.

There we kept repeating our phrase of "Goodbye, hope you've had a nice voyage" over and over again.

`The train for London hasn't left yet, has it?'

`No ma-am, it's being held till you're safely on board,' was one of the normal questions and answer. It must be hell packed into those tiny compartments after the freedom of the decks and lounges. Pity the poor railway staff with all that baggage as well. Thank God I could afford a taxi. Taxi! Eddie is probably waiting down there somewhere waiting for me, I thought, giving myself a little smile.

With the last of the passengers off, Diane and I dashed down below to shower and get changed. I let her do all her things first, as she wanted to catch the second train, which took most of the crew and those late passengers.

Ralph knocked at the door when he was ready, and waited till Diane finished the last of her make-up and was prepared to leave. I kissed Ralph and Diane goodbye, reminding her to telephone me, as they went off down the alleyway with their suitcases to sign off.

I then got dressed and sat down to do my make-up, taking care as I wanted to still look fresh for Donald when I got home. I was just finishing off when there was a knock at the door. When I shouted out to come in, Eddie popped his head round the door.

`Thought you might still be here Miss Francis. Do you still want me for Wiltshire?' he asked with a grin.

`Of course Eddie,' smiling at his reflection in the mirror,' if you'd like to take that trunk down and then come back for my suitcase and this box, I'll ready by then.'

`Okay Miss Francis,' he said, dragging the trunk out of the door and hoisting it up onto his shoulder and leaving. I closed the door and just finished doing my hair before having a last check round the cabin to see that we hadn't left anything behind.

He was soon back, and we both went down to the car together, him carrying the box, and I, the suitcase. I stopped briefly down in the saloon to sign off and get my pay slip and papers before leaving the ship. I didn't realise how cold it was, and I was really shivering by the time we got inside the car. Eddie asked the usual questions as we drove through the docks. `Nice trip?' etc. There was the usual perfunctory customs check at the exit from the docks, and we were soon on our way to London.

When we drove through, I asked him to stop at a ladies fashion shop, where I went in and bought a nice heavy winter coat as the one I was wearing wasn't really the thing to be wearing in this bitter cold. We stopped at a roadside café for him to have something to eat, and I just had some coffee because I knew that I would be getting a big dinner from Flora, and I didn't want to spoil my appetite.

We travelled in silence for most of the way, my thoughts were of Donald and how hungry I was for him, and not in the food sense, but being filled by him all the same. Also I was eager to hear if he had, or hadn't, been able to do anything about my frantic telephone call from Manila. The butterflies grew bigger in my stomach as we got closer and closer to home.

`Do you remember the lay-by?' I asked Eddie as we turned off the last main road towards the village.

`I most certainly do Miss Francis,' he replied with a big smile.

`Well were nearly there.'

`So am I Miss Francis,' he said, squirming slightly in his seat as he drove on, and soon pulled into it and stopped, but kept the engine running to keep the heat in the car.

`Push your seat back and mind my hair,' I said, smiling at him. The seat shot back and he looked at me expectantly and smiled as I licked my lips and undid his buttons. He was hot and eager. His cock literally bounced out and into my hand as I freed it from its prison. He was as hard as a rock and it throbbed pleasantly as I gently rubbed it up and down, the silken sheath moving easily over the strong muscle beneath it.

I twisted in my seat and bent and took the pulsing head of his cock into my mouth. It twitched violently as my lips closed round its warmth, and I began to suck on him. He groaned at the pleasure he was getting and I got a hard on as well as I slowly jerked him off as I used my tongue and teeth. He came in gushes, his hips jerking with every spasm, filling my mouth with his coming. Then I swallowed as he slowed down and then licked the head clean when he'd finished.

`That was really lovely Miss Francis,' he said as he put himself away and fixed his trousers, my face flushed with the exertion and pleasure that I had got as well.

`You must really have been saving that up for me,' I said.

`Certainly did. Haven't touched myself for nearly a week hoping,' he smiled. I smiled back at him as he put the car into gear and we carried on to the village. I counted out his money as we turned into the lane and put it in his pocket, telling him the expected date for the return trip.

Donald came running out of the vicarage, pulling on his coat, as soon as the car pulled up. He opened the door and helped me out and gave me a big hug and kiss before even speaking.

`Welcome home Francis, and my, don't you look the picture of health with that suntan.'

`It's nice to be home, even if it is freezing cold.'

`Of course, I'm sorry. You'll be feeling the cold here. Go and get in the house, and I'll help bring your things in.' Eddie had already started to get the trunk out of the back of the car as I hurried up the path to my house. Flora opened the door and welcomed me home with a huge smile on her face. She ushered me into the parlour where a huge fire was roaring away.

It's so nice to have you back home Lady Francis,' she said, helping me off with my new coat. Beatrice was there too, saying her words of welcome and took the coat from Flora and went to hang it up. Sit you down, sit you down,' Flora said, `I've got the coffee on and it'll be ready in a jiffy.'

Donald and Eddie brought in the trunk and then quickly returned with the box and my suitcase. Eddie said his goodbyes and went off, and Donald rubbed his hands from the outside cold and warmed them by the fire.

It's lovely to see you sitting here again Fran,' he said quietly. I mouthed the words, I love you,' and he smiled.

`Er, Flora's making some coffee I know, but would you like a drink?'

`Oh a gin and tonic would be lovely please. A large one, but no ice. It's cold enough outside.' He fixed us a drink each and after handing me mine, making sure our fingers touched, he sat down with his in the other chair opposite me by the fire. We both spoke lots of words of love with our eyes as we sipped at our drinks. Then Flora came in with a coffee pot on a tray with milk, sugar, cups etc.

`Not quite knowing what time you'd be home, I've set dinner for seven o'clock. Is that okay with you?'

`Seven will be fine Flora, Donald?'

`Yes seven will be splendid,' he replied.

`Beatrice has a fire going in your room Miss Francis, so it'll be nice and warm up there,' she said before going back out into the kitchen.

`There's a fire up there,' I said quietly to Donald, my voice heavy with meaning and desire. He saw the look and put down his glass.

`Coffee can wait for a little while don't you think?' he said, holding out his hand for me to take. He picked up my suitcase and led the way upstairs and into my bedroom. As soon as the door was shut I was in his arms, kissing and being kissed.

`Oh Donald I've been wanting you for so long. Take me now I'm so hungry for you.'

`So have I Fran, so have I,' he said between kisses. He quickly helped me off with my dress and then he dropped his trousers and stepped out of them as I got some cream out of my bag. I knelt down and kissed his throbbing member and then creamed it and quickly got onto the bed. He was right behind me, literally, as eager as I was. Then he was pushing himself at me and I gratefully let his length slide in and fill me. I wanted to cry out for joy as he expanded that vacant space, the ridge around the base of the head of his cock searing its way in. I was trembling with delight as the familiar hands held my hips as he moved in and out of me, setting all my nerves a tingle with the sheer pleasure of his shaft ironing out the kinks in my tunnel.

He came with fierce short sharp jabs, ramming himself tight up against me as he sent his missiles up into my space to explode and make me see stars. The impact of his balls against mine made my own throbbing erection let go, and I spurted out my seed all over the bed cover. As he held me tight when he'd finished, I was then able to use my hand to milk the last drops out from myself.

I couldn't help the little cry I gave, as I felt him pulling back, knowing that his length was leaving me. Then he was out and off the bed to wash himself at the basin. I stayed there on my hands and knees on the bed, dry sobs coming from my throat as I felt his gentle hands wipe my backside clean of the cream with a flannel. Then after rinsing it, used it to wipe around my cock and balls and then helped me off the bed. I held him close to me, feeling his damp prick against my stomach as I bent my head up to kiss him.

`I love you so much Donald that it hurts.'

It's the same for me Fran,' he said softly, kissing my forehead, but I think we'd better get back downstairs, we've been up here long enough. `He helped me with my dress before picking up his own trousers. I checked my make-up in the mirror while he did up his buttons, and when we were presentable, went down to the parlour.

We had not been upstairs for very long, so the coffee was still hot, and I poured out two cups. That made me remember the box from Hong Kong. I pulled it over and put it before Donald.

Merry Christmas Donald,' I said, I didn't exactly buy it because it was given to me, but I thought it would be perfect for you in the vicarage.'

The surprise and pleasure I saw in his face made my insides melt as he unwrapped every piece.

`I can't accept this Fran. It's much too expensive I'm sure and these things are so delicate, I'd be afraid to use them.'

`Well don't let anyone clumsy use them, and you are to accept. I will not take no for an answer.'

`Oh Flora! Come and look at what Francis has brought me,' Donald called out. Flora came bustling in and with hands flapping, exclaimed at the beauty of the set. She asked and was told yes, and she carefully picked up the teapot, turning it this way and that. Then a cup, followed by a saucer.

Such fine a service I have not seen,' she said breathlessly, did this come from China Miss Francis?'

`I think it did, but I was given it in Hong Kong.'

`Well don't you use it, because I would be afeared to put them in the sink.' Donald and I laughed, and I assured her that we wouldn't use them, but if we did, I would be responsible for the washing of them.

Make sure you wraps them up proper like,' she said, because I'll be serving up dinner in ten minutes.' So they were carefully put away and while Donald saw to the wine, I went upstairs and brought back down the two little gifts for Flora and Beatrice that I had brought back for them.

We sat at the table, nicely decorated with candles and drank some wine as the presents were opened. Flora, I knew smoked, so she had a cigarette lighter and Beatrice had a tortoise shell compact, both had their name engraved on them. They were both profuse in their thanks and eventually soup was served. I kept my impatience in check until we had been served our main course. As usual, that was when Flora and Beatrice said their goodbyes and left us alone for us to eat and talk, the dessert already prepared and ready.

Donald filled my plate with delicious smelling slices of lamb with a mint sauce and vegetables and passed it across before filling his own.

`Well!' I demanded, as soon as the two women had gone.

Well what?' Donald asked, his face straight but with amusement behind his eyes. Yes, the lamb is really nice,' taking a piece into his mouth and starting chewing.

Donald!' I said in a strangled voice, unable to eat anything till he answered me, you know what I'm referring to! Tell me please before I explode. Did you do it?'

`Yes,' he said nonchalantly as he speared a brussel sprout and carefully inspected it before popping it into his mouth.

`Oooh, you exasperate me sometimes,' I said, but with a fierce exultant note in my voice.

Eat this lovely dinner before it gets cold,' he said with a smile, and I'll tell you all about it after we've eaten.' But even he couldn't contain himself to tell me, so he began while we were still eating our main course.

`I couldn't believe it, you ringing me up at that time of the morning from that far away,' he started.

`I was by that telephone for nearly four hours waiting for the connection,' I said.

`Then to get that strange call. You know, you sounded quite hysterical at times.'

`I was hysterical. You didn't seem to understand what I was saying half the time.'

`Well I pieced it together afterwards, all that business about coding the words from the Bible, really Francis.'

`Well it was the only book I could think of that I knew we'd both read. Good though, wasn't it,' I grinned at him, gravy suddenly running down my chin at that point.

`It took me nearly two hours to work out the message.'

`Two hours! It took me nearly two days to find the right words.'

`Then your letter...'

You got it then!' I interrupted him, when did that arrive?'

`Oh, about ten days later from the phone call. Too late to have helped, but it was only then that Mr Truell and I fully understood.'

`You didn't show him the whole letter,' I cried out, slamming my knife and fork down, remembering what I had written also in that letter to Donald.

No,' he laughed, I carefully folded over the er, parts that were highly salubrious and very personal.'

`Thank...goodness,' I finished lamely, nearly letting slip the usual word that would have been used by most people. It wouldn't have done for old Mr Truell to see the words that I had written, or he would have had a heart attack. I drank and finished my wine, which Donald promptly topped up again.

Our dinner was getting cold and starting to congeal on the plates, so I cleared them away and fetched in a nice flavoured blancmange, which complimented the lamb that we'd only half eaten.

`So after laboriously poring over the good book.'

`You love poring over it,' I interrupted again.

`Yes, but let me tell it my way. It will be more dramatic then. Well after deciphering your message I had to sit and think very hard for quite some time, and the best place for that was in the church. I prayed for you and for guidance, because it must have been important for you to have phoned me from there, what with your certainty of the dates and things, coupled with the fact you were almost hysterical it telling me of how important it was.'

`I was getting very hysterical, I.....'

`I said don't interrupt,' he said sternly.

`Sorry,' I said contritely, looking down at my plate and finishing my dessert.

`With my decision made, I was extravagant enough to get a car to pick me up and take me to see Mr Truell. I argued with him all day, even to the extreme of nearly threatening him. I quoted from your parent's will that he was the acting solicitor on their behalf but not the solicitor acting on your behalf. That I was appointed your guardian, which therefore placed the onus of your finances upon my shoulders. Then, when you came of age, it would be your decision whether to retain his services in the matter of your affairs.' Donald paused enough to finish his dessert and drink some wine before continuing.

`He still wasn't happy about selling off all those shares, though I got him to admit that they really weren't doing anything to be of value. He said that he wanted time to think it over, but I told him there wasn't any time.

So I left his office and went to see a Mr Dickinson, a Public Notary, and wrote out the gist of our conversation, adding my own two pennyworth into a statement. I had copies made and then dragged this Mr Dickinson back to Mr Truell's office. There, I then I read out the statement I'd prepared. You can read it later, but it went something like this. I told him that as your guardian, you had contacted me from half way round the world, making it a bit dramatic, to tell me of some information you had come across and that I, acting as guardian to your affairs, should do something about. I quoted dates and times of everything, and said that a letter would be coming from the Philippines which would have the date sent plus the postmark to back up the story.

I then listed the instructions, and told him as guardian, I wished to see them carried out to the letter. That was the reason that the notary was there, to witness my statement, because if the events followed what I had said, and nothing had been done by him as the acting solicitor on behalf of the estate and the wishes of the guardian, there could be serious consequences to follow.'

`You blackmailed him with a threat!'

`Right! When I'd finished the statement, the notary witnessed that I had said it, right down to the last letter by signing his name and stamping it. I thanked him and he left. I paid his bill later.

Truell thought about it for a minute or two, I think he realised that if the shares did make a lot of money and we didn't buy, he could be in trouble. Conversely, we let him off the hook by that statement if they didn't make any money, so he had no choice really.' Donald sat back very self pompously and I couldn't help but laugh and congratulate him on out manoeuvring the solicitor.

`Let's have some coffee and a brandy or something. You must be thirsty from all that talking. We can have it by the fire while you tell me the rest,' I said, getting up and going into the kitchen. Donald put some fresh logs on the fire, and left just one lamp burning, making the room look all snug and comfortable. He then poured out two brandies while I poured the coffee and as he settled down in the chair, I curled up on the floor between his legs, resting my arm and head on his thigh.

`Now, where was I?'

`Hanging Truell out to dry,' I said.

No, not really,' he laughed, I still needed him. Besides, he could still hang me out to dry if it doesn't work. Abusing my position as guardian by forcing him to lose a big slice of your inheritance. But I'm trusting in you and I hope you have great faith in the person who gave you the information.'

`I have,' I said quietly, stroking my Chen brooch, hoping and praying that I was right.

It looks lovely,' Donald said, seeing my action, you must tell me the story properly.'

`Later Donald. I want to hear the rest of this one first.' We drank some coffee and brandy before he continued.

`He set the brokers to work, there was more than one handling those particular shares, to sell them by the end of the day's trading. In the meantime, he worked out roughly what they would fetch and how to set up the purchase of the shares that you wanted. This was going to be the tricky bit. To get round certain laws and rules, he wanted to get as many shares as possible from the proceeds of the sale of the old ones.

Now this would mean that we would have to split up the purchase by using proxy buyers, and that would mean getting at least twenty eight people to give their name as to being the buyer. He didn't think we could get the whole block under one name, whereas we possibly could by having all those other names to use. As he would be using the same brokers, there wouldn't be any connection at the offering of the new shares to different names.

So he threw that ball into my court to get twenty eight people to sign their name as the purchasers. I hope you forgive me for doing this, but the only way to get that number of people was to ask those in the village if they would help you. It was very heart warming that everybody wanted to sign on the dotted line for you.'

I flushed and nearly started to cry, and I kissed Donald's hand as it lay near my shoulder.

`So I got the twenty eight signatures on the forms that Truell had given me, and had them round to his office before lunch the next day. These he then split up and let the names be known to the brokers and they were to use them to buy the shares you wanted at the start of trading on the 2nd January. It was a close thing, because we only just managed to get all this out before the offices started to close on New Year's Eve. I then took him down to the pub and brought him a large port and brandy to steady his nerves. I had to have one too I might add.'

`Well done Donald, I'm proud of you. But do go on, what happened next?'

`Well, the next day being New Year's Day, I had my service in the church and to try and extirpate my sins, told the story of Jesus in the temple and the throwing out of the money lenders. If it worked, I do not know, but it made me feel a little better. Though on reflection it was the worse story I could have chosen. But I fretted all day, and the next day was even worse. I moped about the house waiting for the phone to ring, but by lunchtime, I couldn't bear the waiting any longer.

I had a car sent for me and I was in his office by mid afternoon. He had just put down the telephone when I walked in. Well it's done, he told me, sitting back in his chair. You are going to have either a very rich ward, or have just lost around about thirty thousand pounds for her.'

`That much,' I whistled.

`That's not all. You now have twenty eight per cent of the shares issued. To be precise, two hundred and eighty thousand shares out of one million.'

`Wow, and all bought at one shilling and sixpence each?'

`Yes, but I haven't finished. Mr Truell drew up another piece of paper with which I had to go round everybody again, especially after he had seen parts of your letter. This was to the effect that they signed over their shares to the Wiltshire Pride Holding Company, of which Mr. Truell and I are non executive directors.'

`Who does this company belong to then?'

`You!'

Oh Donald,' I said, tears starting to run down my face as I kissed his hand, I'm so proud of you.'

`I think you should thank the villagers too,' he said, smiling at me.

That I will certainly do, but I can't. You are my guardian,' I said, coyly, and you have to oversee what I spend.'

`Okay you minx, what have you got up your sleeve now?' he laughed.

`I would like you to make available to every house in the village that took part, no all, every house, to get fifty pounds each. But to be sure it goes to the wife and not the husband, because they would use it more wisely than the men would. They'd be straight down the pub and soon blow the lot.'

Okay Fran, I'll see to it,' he laughed, and now, what is supposed to happen with these shares. You were a bit vague on this point.'

Well, according to my source, in about a week or two, could be as much as four, there will be a press leak. You know, somebody will let slip something that will make news in the papers. What, I don't know, but the shares will then start to rise fast. Now this will happen when I'm back at sea, so you'll have to handle it again I'm afraid Donald,' I said, giving his hand a stroke. I've been told that the value will go somewhere over two pounds per share.' This time it was Donald who gave out a whistle.

`Now if this is for real or not, I don't know and I don't want to wait and try to be greedy, or it could collapse on us. I want you to give instructions to start selling these shares when it reaches one pound and nineteen shillings and sixpence, or there abouts. Don't wait for it to reach the two pound mark. But only in small blocks, we don't want to advertise this fact, otherwise people might think it's a run and start dumping theirs, which wouldn't help us. I'm playing this a bit on the safe side. It might reach as high as two pound five, but let's not gamble that much. The shares will dip when we sell, but it will buck up a bit before it collapses, as I have a funny feeling that it will.'

`I do so hope you are right Fran,' Donald said.

`So do I Donald, so do I. Now let's go to bed and you can tell me all about your Christmas, because I nearly cried at my lunch thinking of you.' He bent his head and gave me a kiss before we got up, and after he damped down the fire, we went to bed.

The fire was still going in the bedroom, so he made it up again and we slowly undressed each other, kissing and letting our erections make friends again by touching and rubbing against each other as we got close together before getting under the covers of the bed.

The covers didn't stay on long before I was nearly stifled when I went down below, seeking his hard flesh. The room was warm enough for the covers to be thrown back so that we could lay in the sixty nine position and gently suck on each other while we fondled the sacs below the objects in our mouths.

Even after having emptied his a few hours earlier, they were still heavy and I gently rolled them in my hand as I gloried in the taste of him, taking in the sweetness that oozed out as I licked all around the fiery head of his cock. His mouth on me was starting to make me swell larger, so I then pumped my hand on his silken shaft and made him come into my mouth. Sucking at him as the hot seed seared my tongue and slid back into my throat, feeling that hard knob swell with every pulse beat of his blood as it did so.

My own coming was taken in the same way by him, my Donald, sucking and licking me as I did him, until both our erections began to deflate to gristly pieces of flesh that seemed like a deflated lump of rubber. But it was still nice to chew on and roll the end around between your lips.

Then I reluctantly let him go and turned round in the bed and cuddled up to him, kissing every part of his face before settling myself down in his arms once more. He told me of how he had five of the oldest people of the village down to the vicarage to share his Christmas dinner with him, that Flora had kindly prepared before going home to finish her own family's meal. He couldn't have eaten his alone, not after all those years he had eaten with my aunts and me. The loneliness of it would have been too much to bear, and because they too enjoyed not being alone at Christmas dinner, made him happier than he would've been. I fell asleep while he talked, safe and secure in his arms and really very tired after such a day.

He was awake, thank goodness, and downstairs when Beatrice arrived, saying that he just got in and was making up the fire. I was still asleep when he came up with some coffee for us, leaving Beatrice to prepare breakfast. He woke me up by sucking on my morning erection till I came, loving him to see his head bob up and down on me.

`Come into me Donald,' I begged, leaning over towards the wall so that my bum was up and facing him. I heard the rustle of clothes and then felt the cold cream that he had put on, touch me briefly before he slid inside me. I buried my head into the blankets as he swiftly fucked me, holding me tight as he came in swift sharp jabs, making my head swirl in happiness as his sperm coated my insides.

Then I fell onto the bed when he withdrew and watched him wash at the basin, loving to see him handle the tool of my desire until he'd put it away.

I want that twice a day at the very least darling,' I said, stretching my body, though I'd like it to be inside me all day long if it were possible.'

You're becoming a hussy,' he said, I hope you're not like this when you are at sea?'

There's no one but you for me Donald. Hey, now that would be a great idea!' I said, bouncing up on the bed, taking the coffee cup from him. Wouldn't it be just heaven if you could take a long, long sea voyage on my ship! Just think of it! Every night, just the two of us making love in the middle of the ocean.'

I probably wouldn't last the three months,' he laughed, they'd have to bury me at sea.'

`No. But think about it! Couldn't you get a sabbatical or something? When was the last time you had a holiday, if you've ever had one? Come on, tell me!'

Now you've come to mention it,' he laughed, sitting down on the bed with his coffee, I've not had one since I came here, what, it must be seventeen years ago.'

`See! Tell the bishop that you need a holiday. Get someone else in for you to have a well deserved break. They owe it to you, they must,' I cried.

Alright,' he laughed, I'll ask next time I see him.'

Huh,' I snorted, he never comes here, and you never go to see him. I think he's forgotten about this backwater of England!'

`Well I couldn't possibly come on this next trip. I've got too much to do, and it is too short a notice.'

`The next trip then! Take the money out of our funds. It'll be tax deductible as it is a donation to the church.'

Get up and get dressed,' he chuckled, breakfast will be ready, and where did you hear about this tax deductible thing anyway?'

Well the ship's library doesn't carry those kind of books, but I do listen to people when they talk,' I answered, getting off the bed and putting on my robe. Just going for a quick shower my sweet,' I said, giving him a kiss on the nose, `you go down and hold Beatrice back for ten minutes.'

I had the quick shower, my bum still tingling from his latest forage into my meadow. Then I just threw on a few clothes and a quick touch of make-up, and I joined him downstairs to eat.

To be continued.

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