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The Enigma, Chapter 1This story may contain adult content. |
| Written by Paul Harris | |
| Wednesday, 18 June 2008 | |
Henry Fox walked barefoot along the pure white beach on his way back to his boat, The Enigma, having used the gym at the Palm Bay Hotel. He gently kicked up little clouds of powder-like sand with his bare feet as he went. Although it was only 7.30am the sun was already warm, causing his white cotton shirt to cling slightly to his back.
At the end of a little rickety jetty a boy of about 15 years sat in a small boat waiting to take Henry out to The Enigma. He took his seat at the stern of the boat and the boy started to row. "You hadda good work, Mister Henry?" The boy enquired. "Yes, thank you, David. Very good indeed." Henry replied. "Miss Emily, she's been had her swim sir. She say she wait for you to get back before she eat." "OK, David. What about you and your mother, have you eaten yet today?" "We had fruit at sun up, sir. We eated OK."
Henry climbed the ladder to the lower aft deck where David's mother was putting the finishing touches to a beautifully laid table for breakfast. "That looks wonderful, Mudda." He said, and he meant it. He gave the small lady an affectionate kiss on the top of her head. "Tanks, Mister Sir." Replied Mudda, with a broad, toothy grin. Henry was sure that she understood everything he said, but her replies were nearly always the same three words. "David, when Mudda has finished the table for breakfast, why don't you and her take the day off?" As Henry said this he passed a small roll of five dollar bills to David. "Yessir, Mister Henry." David took the cash without looking at it and started talking to his mother in their native tongue. As Henry walked into the aft lounge he could still hear David and Mudda carrying on their conversation. Suddenly Mudda stuck her little head through the gap in the doors. "Tanks, Mister Sir." She said, again with a huge smile and then was gone.
Henry met Emily two months ago, when her enormous rucksack had finally given up the unequal battle with gravity over it's contents, right in the middle of a pedestrian crossing on Carmichael Street, Nassau. Henry had leapt out of the taxi cab to help her gather her belongings. While he calmly picked up books, maps, and various items of clothing Emily shouted and swore at the drivers who honked their horns and kicked the remains of her rucksack back to the pavement. Henry put all of Emily's things into the cab and held the back door open for her to climb in. By the time they had reached the town, Emily had calmed down and explained to Henry that she was travelling around the World having just gained her Physics Degree at Cambridge University. She wasn't sure where she wanted to go from the Bahamas, so she was planning on spending some time island hopping before making her mind up. Henry told Emily about The Enigma, and that he would be around for the next 12 weeks or so. There were three spare cabins and she was welcome to come aboard and cruise the islands for a while. In return perhaps she would be good enough to check his emails and make a few phone calls on his behalf each day.
Henry watched as Emily walked silently across the deck to the table where he was sitting. Her long black hair, still wet from the shower was pulled into a pony tail. Her white robe was tied loosely at her waist, allowing Henry a tantalising glimpse of the treasure within. She walked with an air of confidence, a young lady who knew that the world was her oyster. As she walked past him she playfully ruffled his hair. She sat at the chair next to him where her coffee was waiting. "Morning, mister, You've had an email from London saying that The Conundrum has made her berth at Monte Carlo and another from someone called Charles Sugar saying that he will be in The Rascasse Bar as arranged. I guess we're off to Europe then?" Emily leaned forwards to pick up a croissant from the table, pulling the robe back across her exposed breast half a second after she knew that Henry had seen her tanned flesh. "We?" "Yeah, we." She leant back in her chair again and put her feet up on the one opposite so that her robe fell open to expose her shapely thighs. She knew how to tease. "I think you'd enjoy my company." "Sure, I would, but I have several business meetings to attend. Besides, Europe can't be your next planned stop after the Bahamas." Part of Henry wanted her to come with him. She was engaging company, with a fantastic sense of humour, she was also extremely pretty. "No, but I'm guessing that The Conundrum is a sister to this boat. It's currently moored in Monte Carlo Harbour and it's the Grand Prix next week." Henry finished his coffee, "OK," he said, "but you have to understand that it is work more than it is play. There are rules which I have to follow and you will too. Sometimes you will have to do something or go somewhere without asking any questions. There is a lot I am going to have to tell you, and some of the things I tell you, you must never mention to anyone else. I can't guarantee your safety, but I will try to protect you as much as I can. The going can get a bit tough, so whenever you want to stop, just say the word and I'll have you flown right back to here. Do you still want to come?" Emily stood up. She untied the belt of her robe and let it slip from her shoulders. Naked she straddled his lap and lowered herself until her face was level with his. She held his face gently in her two hands and kissed him slowly. As she pulled herself against him she said quietly "Yes I want to come."
They berthed The Enigma in Nassau two days later, a day earlier than Henry had originally planned. He had not told Emily anymore about his business or his next plans since their breakfast. For much of the next day Henry had been at his desk, sending emails and making phone calls in preparation for their trip to Europe. At his insistence Emily had sent an email to her parents saying that she was planning to move on and had booked a flight to Bali, from there she was going to Australia and New Zealand. She would be in touch again as soon as she could. She made no reference to the rich Englishman that she had met, for good measure she attached a few photos of The Bahamas, none of them showed The Enigma. Copyright 2008 Paul Harris |
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