Tuesday 15th November
Sunny
Poor Rosebud. This thing with the captain must really have meant a lot to him.
I was taking the sun on deck with Parker and Williams (who's now asking to go ashore to French Guiana for some sun, sand, sea, surf and samba. I wasn't quite sure which part of Latin America samba comes from so I didn't pick him up on it, but I don't think it is French Guiana.) Anyway, we were taking the sun when this amazing vision appeared. It was Rosebud, swathed in coloured blankets and cloths and with pearls and diamonds dripping from his neck and arms, as well as other glittery objects such as the silver tea service and some little metal things that were probably technical bits of the boat. I was so happy to see him above deck and smiling that I scarcely registered his strange appearance at first.
"Hello, Rosebud, old boy!" I cried, slapping him on the back and setting off a jingling that took some time to die away.
"Hello!" he replied brightly. "I'm a butterfly!" He gave a flutter of his wings to demonstrate this statement. It was at this point that I realised something was wrong.
"Why don't you come and sit down for a minute, old chap?" I suggested. But he was off and capering all over the deck. Suddenly he caught sight of the water glittering down below.
"Sea!" he cried ecstatically. "Plenty more fish in the sea!" he added launching himself off the railing. Luckily he landed in a lifeboat- if he'd hit the water, the blankets and tea service and so on would surely have dragged him down.
I managed to persuade him to go back to his cabin, where I put him to bed with the curtains drawn and an ice-pack on his head. But I can't cure his heartbreak.
Tuesday 28 November 2006
Monday 27 November 2006
Day 19
Monday 24th November
Sunny
Passing South America now. Still haven't heard the last of Williams though. He's been pointing out that, if there isn't sangria, there are squid, scallops, seafood in general, shells, snakes, savages and stars. He seems to think that the accuracy of his wishlist was my only objection to his plan. I've stopped replying. He shuts up slightly quicker if you ignore him.
Rosebud is still in his cabin. I'm quite worried about him.
Sunny
Passing South America now. Still haven't heard the last of Williams though. He's been pointing out that, if there isn't sangria, there are squid, scallops, seafood in general, shells, snakes, savages and stars. He seems to think that the accuracy of his wishlist was my only objection to his plan. I've stopped replying. He shuts up slightly quicker if you ignore him.
Rosebud is still in his cabin. I'm quite worried about him.
Sunday 26 November 2006
Day 18
Sunday 23rd November
Sunny
Oh dear. I don't quite know how to tell you this, Diary, but things have not worked out as Rosebud planned. Briefly, the captain chucked him. Which means I'm not steering any more, but also that Rosebud's bed sitting in his cabin staring at the wall for hours on end answering all questions in monosyllables, and therefore cannot be considered a Good Thing.
I went down to see how he was after lunch. He didn't say anything. I told him he deserved better than the kind of cad that dumps people without a second thought, casting them off like an old glove, and pointed out that there were plenty more fish in the sea (to be honest, Diary, I was probably burbling rather; you know how it is when you have to do the whole conversation yourself and can't see what the other person's thinking. A bit like answer phones, really). But I don't think any of it went in. He looked like he was somewhere that words couldn't reach. So I sat for a long time just squeezing his hand in silent sympathy.
Actually, I'm surprised by how badly he's taken it, I didn't realise the captain was anything more than a fling to pas a long voyage. But hopefully this is just the initial shock and he'll be over it soon.
Sunny
Oh dear. I don't quite know how to tell you this, Diary, but things have not worked out as Rosebud planned. Briefly, the captain chucked him. Which means I'm not steering any more, but also that Rosebud's bed sitting in his cabin staring at the wall for hours on end answering all questions in monosyllables, and therefore cannot be considered a Good Thing.
I went down to see how he was after lunch. He didn't say anything. I told him he deserved better than the kind of cad that dumps people without a second thought, casting them off like an old glove, and pointed out that there were plenty more fish in the sea (to be honest, Diary, I was probably burbling rather; you know how it is when you have to do the whole conversation yourself and can't see what the other person's thinking. A bit like answer phones, really). But I don't think any of it went in. He looked like he was somewhere that words couldn't reach. So I sat for a long time just squeezing his hand in silent sympathy.
Actually, I'm surprised by how badly he's taken it, I didn't realise the captain was anything more than a fling to pas a long voyage. But hopefully this is just the initial shock and he'll be over it soon.
Saturday 25 November 2006
Day 17
Saturday 22nd November
Cloudy
With all the excitement, I forgot to mention that we reached the Americas a couple of days ago. We're now sailing down past Central America. Williams has been begging all morning to be allowed to stop off at a Caribbean island paradise for some "sun, sea, sand, surf and sangria". I told him we have a schedule to keep to, that we're here on our way to do some serious exploring, not on a pleasure jaunt. Besides, I don't think they serve sangria in the Caribbean. He went away muttering darkly about "exigences de male" or something but he hasn't accepted yet that we're definitely not stopping, but keeps asking every five minutes. Why won't he learn that no means no?
Cloudy
With all the excitement, I forgot to mention that we reached the Americas a couple of days ago. We're now sailing down past Central America. Williams has been begging all morning to be allowed to stop off at a Caribbean island paradise for some "sun, sea, sand, surf and sangria". I told him we have a schedule to keep to, that we're here on our way to do some serious exploring, not on a pleasure jaunt. Besides, I don't think they serve sangria in the Caribbean. He went away muttering darkly about "exigences de male" or something but he hasn't accepted yet that we're definitely not stopping, but keeps asking every five minutes. Why won't he learn that no means no?
Friday 24 November 2006
Day 16
Friday 21st November
Rainy
Well, I had a long talk with Rosebud. I didn't want to, Diary- I'd decided yesterday that if I never saw him again it'd be too soon- but he cornered me on my way out from breakfast and begged me with pleading eyes and trembling lips to hear what he had to say. I could never resist that expression. We went back to his cabin for a long discussion.
He told me he knew I was upset about what happened at university. And he explained it all from his point of view. First, he told me that he had a voracious sexual appetite. This made it impossible for him to live with me platonically as I'd suggested- he'd always have ended up nipping out for a man or two and I would inevitably have been jealous. But he couldn't just tell me that at the time. He was worried that if he did, I'd have felt compelled to extend the offer to a non-platonic relationship. Not only was he sure I'd regret that in the end, he also thought it highly likely that we'd end up quarrelling sooner or later and he'd lose his best friend. But he didn't trust himself to say no if I offered, because he wanted me badly. So he decided that reply would be the best he could give. It wasn't even really a lie- if you take "that way" to mean "platonically".
And that was why he'd kept things with the captain secret- and because it could lose the captain his job if his crew found out. Now that I was no longer angry with him, he told me all about how it had happened.
It seems that both Rosebud and the captain had been genuinely seasick to begin with. The captain usually does fall victim to the ship's motion for the first day or so of a voyage, but gets better after that and returns to his duties. They bumped into each other on their way to their respective cabins as they both begain to feel unwell. Literally- the captain was coming down the C-deck stairs when the ship gave a sudden lurch and he fell on top of Rosebud, who was just passing beneath. Rosebud felt a lurch in his stomach that had little to do with seasickness. As the captain was apologising, Rosebud told him he was looking rather green and suggested they both go to his cabin to lie down as it was nearer.
As they lay on separate beds through the stormy afternoon they looked across at each other every now and again and exchanged weak smiles. Those few hours, Rosebud tells me, seemed to be a golden eternity without beginning or end, and they the only people in the world. Although they were feeling too ill to say anything, they understood each other perfectly.
The next day they were both feeling much better. They sat up in bed and chattered away for hours, until the silences became longer, the accidental meetings of eyes became more suggestive, and they moved into Stage 3: Rampant Sex. Which kept them both busy for the next week and a half.
It's quite sweet really, Diary. But who would have thought it? Old Rosebud is one of them. Strange really, it doesn't bother me if it's Rosebud. Better keep it from the others though. Don't want them acting funny or calling names because he'd different.
Rainy
Well, I had a long talk with Rosebud. I didn't want to, Diary- I'd decided yesterday that if I never saw him again it'd be too soon- but he cornered me on my way out from breakfast and begged me with pleading eyes and trembling lips to hear what he had to say. I could never resist that expression. We went back to his cabin for a long discussion.
He told me he knew I was upset about what happened at university. And he explained it all from his point of view. First, he told me that he had a voracious sexual appetite. This made it impossible for him to live with me platonically as I'd suggested- he'd always have ended up nipping out for a man or two and I would inevitably have been jealous. But he couldn't just tell me that at the time. He was worried that if he did, I'd have felt compelled to extend the offer to a non-platonic relationship. Not only was he sure I'd regret that in the end, he also thought it highly likely that we'd end up quarrelling sooner or later and he'd lose his best friend. But he didn't trust himself to say no if I offered, because he wanted me badly. So he decided that reply would be the best he could give. It wasn't even really a lie- if you take "that way" to mean "platonically".
And that was why he'd kept things with the captain secret- and because it could lose the captain his job if his crew found out. Now that I was no longer angry with him, he told me all about how it had happened.
It seems that both Rosebud and the captain had been genuinely seasick to begin with. The captain usually does fall victim to the ship's motion for the first day or so of a voyage, but gets better after that and returns to his duties. They bumped into each other on their way to their respective cabins as they both begain to feel unwell. Literally- the captain was coming down the C-deck stairs when the ship gave a sudden lurch and he fell on top of Rosebud, who was just passing beneath. Rosebud felt a lurch in his stomach that had little to do with seasickness. As the captain was apologising, Rosebud told him he was looking rather green and suggested they both go to his cabin to lie down as it was nearer.
As they lay on separate beds through the stormy afternoon they looked across at each other every now and again and exchanged weak smiles. Those few hours, Rosebud tells me, seemed to be a golden eternity without beginning or end, and they the only people in the world. Although they were feeling too ill to say anything, they understood each other perfectly.
The next day they were both feeling much better. They sat up in bed and chattered away for hours, until the silences became longer, the accidental meetings of eyes became more suggestive, and they moved into Stage 3: Rampant Sex. Which kept them both busy for the next week and a half.
It's quite sweet really, Diary. But who would have thought it? Old Rosebud is one of them. Strange really, it doesn't bother me if it's Rosebud. Better keep it from the others though. Don't want them acting funny or calling names because he'd different.
Thursday 23 November 2006
Day15
Thursday 20th November
Drizzle
Ok, Diary, I've pulled myself together a bit, so here goes. What happened yesterday.
I went to see Rosebud as planned with some gruel. I knocked, but there was no reply so I went in, and to my great shock I saw-
Let's approach it in another way. Rosebud wasn't really ill. The captain wasn't really ill. They were really there together on the bed. What were they doing, Diary? Let's just say it was engrossing them enough that they didn't notice my entry until they heard my scream. Why am I upset, I can hear you asking? What should I care if they want to spend time together? Well, Diary, it's mainly the secrecy. How could my best friend keep something like that from me? How could he lie to me?
No, you're right, that's not all. My thoughts keep going back to our time in college many years ago. We had just finished our third year. I was besotted with Rosebud. He was the prettiest undergraduate in the university, with his sparkling eyes and the mouth that earned him his soubriquet. Everyone wanted him to sit on their lap, but it was I who became his best friend. I used to buy him ribbons when I passed the milliner's on my way to classes. Then one day I got too greedy and came close to spoiling it all. I asked him to live with me after we graduated- in a purely platonic relationship, of course, I've never been one for all that hanky-panky. As I waited breathlessly for his answer I couldn't look at his face. He took my hand and I looked up into his eyes.
"I'm sorry," he told me, and there was real sadness in his face, "I can't do that. I just don't feel that way about men."
I just don't feel that way about men. His words, Diary. And I believed him. But after what I saw yesterday, I know that it was just me he didn't want. And that cuts, Diary. It cuts right into me.
Drizzle
Ok, Diary, I've pulled myself together a bit, so here goes. What happened yesterday.
I went to see Rosebud as planned with some gruel. I knocked, but there was no reply so I went in, and to my great shock I saw-
Let's approach it in another way. Rosebud wasn't really ill. The captain wasn't really ill. They were really there together on the bed. What were they doing, Diary? Let's just say it was engrossing them enough that they didn't notice my entry until they heard my scream. Why am I upset, I can hear you asking? What should I care if they want to spend time together? Well, Diary, it's mainly the secrecy. How could my best friend keep something like that from me? How could he lie to me?
No, you're right, that's not all. My thoughts keep going back to our time in college many years ago. We had just finished our third year. I was besotted with Rosebud. He was the prettiest undergraduate in the university, with his sparkling eyes and the mouth that earned him his soubriquet. Everyone wanted him to sit on their lap, but it was I who became his best friend. I used to buy him ribbons when I passed the milliner's on my way to classes. Then one day I got too greedy and came close to spoiling it all. I asked him to live with me after we graduated- in a purely platonic relationship, of course, I've never been one for all that hanky-panky. As I waited breathlessly for his answer I couldn't look at his face. He took my hand and I looked up into his eyes.
"I'm sorry," he told me, and there was real sadness in his face, "I can't do that. I just don't feel that way about men."
I just don't feel that way about men. His words, Diary. And I believed him. But after what I saw yesterday, I know that it was just me he didn't want. And that cuts, Diary. It cuts right into me.
Wednesday 22 November 2006
Tuesday 21 November 2006
Day 13
Tuesday 18th November
Some sun, scattered showers
Williams announced at lunch that he had a jolly idea. His suggestion was that we should go round coating all the ropes in tar so that when the sailors pulled on the rigging they'd get stuck. The rest of us endeavoured to explain to him why that was a Bad Idea. It took about three quarters of an hour but we did it in the end. He gave up the project with some reluctance and proposed instead that we paint all the brasswork blue. The others all fell in enthusiastically with this idea, but I felt it was my duty to look out for his interests while the captain was ill and that it was therefore up to me to dissuade everyone. I started, but Stinky looked into my eyes again and said "Has Evans found his teddy bear yet?" The ship is now looking rather blue.
I'm rather worried about Rosebud. It's been over a week and a half now. I think I'll pop down tomorrow with some nourishing gruel and see if I can get him to take some.
Some sun, scattered showers
Williams announced at lunch that he had a jolly idea. His suggestion was that we should go round coating all the ropes in tar so that when the sailors pulled on the rigging they'd get stuck. The rest of us endeavoured to explain to him why that was a Bad Idea. It took about three quarters of an hour but we did it in the end. He gave up the project with some reluctance and proposed instead that we paint all the brasswork blue. The others all fell in enthusiastically with this idea, but I felt it was my duty to look out for his interests while the captain was ill and that it was therefore up to me to dissuade everyone. I started, but Stinky looked into my eyes again and said "Has Evans found his teddy bear yet?" The ship is now looking rather blue.
I'm rather worried about Rosebud. It's been over a week and a half now. I think I'll pop down tomorrow with some nourishing gruel and see if I can get him to take some.
Monday 20 November 2006
Day 12
Monday 17th November
Still rainy
Spent most of the day steering. A young sailor kept me company and the time passed quite pleasantly. His name is Adrian. He knows lots of interesting jokes which are rather funny although I don't get all of them.
Apparently he ran away to sea at the age of eleven after a big argument with his mother (his father had died when he was very young). They reconciled recently and now he goes home every Christmas. But this short summary does not do justice to the trials and heartbreaks of a life upon the wave. The Sea, Diary, is a harsh mistress.
Still rainy
Spent most of the day steering. A young sailor kept me company and the time passed quite pleasantly. His name is Adrian. He knows lots of interesting jokes which are rather funny although I don't get all of them.
Apparently he ran away to sea at the age of eleven after a big argument with his mother (his father had died when he was very young). They reconciled recently and now he goes home every Christmas. But this short summary does not do justice to the trials and heartbreaks of a life upon the wave. The Sea, Diary, is a harsh mistress.
Sunday 19 November 2006
Day11
Sunday 16th November
Rainy
Today is the day, I decided when I got up this morning, Diary, to Find My Socks. To that end, I took a quick breakfast and then went to the end of the bottom deck to begin a systematic search.
Alas, it was not to be. I spent nine hours combing the ship from bottom to top, back to front, but I didn't turn up a single sock. I'm beginning to think they suffered the same fate as Evans' teddy.
Rainy
Today is the day, I decided when I got up this morning, Diary, to Find My Socks. To that end, I took a quick breakfast and then went to the end of the bottom deck to begin a systematic search.
Alas, it was not to be. I spent nine hours combing the ship from bottom to top, back to front, but I didn't turn up a single sock. I'm beginning to think they suffered the same fate as Evans' teddy.
Saturday 18 November 2006
Day 10
Saturday 15th November
Rainy
Decided to hand over the steering to a sailor for a few hours again today and try out the open air swimming pool on B-deck. The rain actually made it quite pleasant, surprisingly.
Met Stinky on the way back from the pool. He was with Parker and Williams. They were on their way to watch a film. I was wondering why I hadn't been invited and asked if I could tag along, but Stinky just held my gaze for a few seconds, then asked, apparently changing the subject, "Has Evans found his teddy bear yet?" There was a certain inflection to his voice, Diary, which I did not like. All in all, I found the event somewhat sinister.
Rainy
Decided to hand over the steering to a sailor for a few hours again today and try out the open air swimming pool on B-deck. The rain actually made it quite pleasant, surprisingly.
Met Stinky on the way back from the pool. He was with Parker and Williams. They were on their way to watch a film. I was wondering why I hadn't been invited and asked if I could tag along, but Stinky just held my gaze for a few seconds, then asked, apparently changing the subject, "Has Evans found his teddy bear yet?" There was a certain inflection to his voice, Diary, which I did not like. All in all, I found the event somewhat sinister.
Friday 17 November 2006
Day 9
Friday 14th November
Overcast
Still haven't found out who's been stealing my socks. I missed another pair today.
We had the tennis tournament today. Parker and Williams have been training hard and they waltzed home in the doubles. In the singles, each quickly knocked the sailors out of their half to face each other in a tense final. After the fifth hour of this match, the decision was taken to call it a draw. Parker was ok about it but Williams was muttering darkly something that sounded like "We was robbed".
I teamed up with "Stinky" Johnson for the doubles (there was no-one else left) and we got knocked out of the second round. I got knocked out in the first round of the singles- I lost to Williams.
Overcast
Still haven't found out who's been stealing my socks. I missed another pair today.
We had the tennis tournament today. Parker and Williams have been training hard and they waltzed home in the doubles. In the singles, each quickly knocked the sailors out of their half to face each other in a tense final. After the fifth hour of this match, the decision was taken to call it a draw. Parker was ok about it but Williams was muttering darkly something that sounded like "We was robbed".
I teamed up with "Stinky" Johnson for the doubles (there was no-one else left) and we got knocked out of the second round. I got knocked out in the first round of the singles- I lost to Williams.
Thursday 16 November 2006
Day 8
Thursday 13th November
Sunny
Well, I did it, Diary. Got up before light this morning and tipped the thing out of the window. My immediate sensation is one of relief, coupled with a slight nagging doubt that things can indeed be settled that simply.
Today marks one week since we set off. I had the galley staff knock up a cake to mark the occasion- if you're not carefull the days can start to seem all the same at sea. Even Rosebud managed to stagger along and force a little tea down- let's hope it stays there- though Evans was still suffering too much to put in an appearance. You can imagine how gutted I was, Diary mine.
Another pair of my socks has gone missing. That makes the third. I didn't really think anything of it when the first one went; after all, losing socks is scarcely an uncommon occurrence, but when it comes to three pairs in one week one starts to wonder. No, don't worry, Diary, I'm not about to paraphrase Oscar Wilde, tempting though it is.
On my way to the laundry to see if they could shed any light on the matter, I heard raised voiced coming from the salon. Looking in, I found Parker and Williams standing on chairs, each with a table knife held at the other's throat. It seems a dispute had arisen over the fair division of the last slice of cake. There had been two alternative plans proposed: the first, backed by Parker, was that Parker should have it, and the second, put forward by Williams, was that Williams should have it. I considered resolving the matter by eating the cake myself, but generously decided to simply cut the thing in two.
Sunny
Well, I did it, Diary. Got up before light this morning and tipped the thing out of the window. My immediate sensation is one of relief, coupled with a slight nagging doubt that things can indeed be settled that simply.
Today marks one week since we set off. I had the galley staff knock up a cake to mark the occasion- if you're not carefull the days can start to seem all the same at sea. Even Rosebud managed to stagger along and force a little tea down- let's hope it stays there- though Evans was still suffering too much to put in an appearance. You can imagine how gutted I was, Diary mine.
Another pair of my socks has gone missing. That makes the third. I didn't really think anything of it when the first one went; after all, losing socks is scarcely an uncommon occurrence, but when it comes to three pairs in one week one starts to wonder. No, don't worry, Diary, I'm not about to paraphrase Oscar Wilde, tempting though it is.
On my way to the laundry to see if they could shed any light on the matter, I heard raised voiced coming from the salon. Looking in, I found Parker and Williams standing on chairs, each with a table knife held at the other's throat. It seems a dispute had arisen over the fair division of the last slice of cake. There had been two alternative plans proposed: the first, backed by Parker, was that Parker should have it, and the second, put forward by Williams, was that Williams should have it. I considered resolving the matter by eating the cake myself, but generously decided to simply cut the thing in two.
Wednesday 15 November 2006
Day 7
Wednesday 12th November
Cloudy with some sun, occasional showers
Came out on deck this morning at dawn's first light to a chorus of birds. Enjoyed a peacefull moment alone with the rising sun, nothing but gently rolling ocean all round, before Stinky crept up behind me on one of the upper decks and poured some frozen peas from the galley down my back.
Didn't see much of Parker or Williams today. Went down to where the sailors were keeping them company after a bout of steering only to find there was no-one there. I found a harmonica lying there though and amused myself getting a few tunes out of it.
I've made up my mind that Evans' teddy is going to have to go out of my porthole. Get rid of the evidence, that's the only way to be safe.
Cloudy with some sun, occasional showers
Came out on deck this morning at dawn's first light to a chorus of birds. Enjoyed a peacefull moment alone with the rising sun, nothing but gently rolling ocean all round, before Stinky crept up behind me on one of the upper decks and poured some frozen peas from the galley down my back.
Didn't see much of Parker or Williams today. Went down to where the sailors were keeping them company after a bout of steering only to find there was no-one there. I found a harmonica lying there though and amused myself getting a few tunes out of it.
I've made up my mind that Evans' teddy is going to have to go out of my porthole. Get rid of the evidence, that's the only way to be safe.
Tuesday 14 November 2006
Day 6
Tuesday 11th November
Cloudy
The storm has cleared leaving an overcast sky with occasional spells of sun. We should have fine weather for the Atlantic crossing.
A strange thing happened at breakfast this morning. As I was coming into the dining room I could have sworn I saw Rosebud leaving by the other door. But he's still confined to bed, in spite of the improved weather. It was only a glimpse, so I suppose I must have been mistaken, and yet I can't think who else it could be.
Popped down for a round of deck quoits after lunch. Can't say I'm a huge fan but it's something you're obliged to do at least once on a voyage. Actually it would have been quite fun if Stinky hadn't kept walking up to the post whenever anyone else was throwing, tripping over it in a rather deliberate way, thereby causing it to move a foot or so, and saying "Oops!" in a loud voice.
Still haven't decided what to do about Evans' teddy.
Cloudy
The storm has cleared leaving an overcast sky with occasional spells of sun. We should have fine weather for the Atlantic crossing.
A strange thing happened at breakfast this morning. As I was coming into the dining room I could have sworn I saw Rosebud leaving by the other door. But he's still confined to bed, in spite of the improved weather. It was only a glimpse, so I suppose I must have been mistaken, and yet I can't think who else it could be.
Popped down for a round of deck quoits after lunch. Can't say I'm a huge fan but it's something you're obliged to do at least once on a voyage. Actually it would have been quite fun if Stinky hadn't kept walking up to the post whenever anyone else was throwing, tripping over it in a rather deliberate way, thereby causing it to move a foot or so, and saying "Oops!" in a loud voice.
Still haven't decided what to do about Evans' teddy.
Monday 13 November 2006
Day 5
Monday 10th November
Still stormy
Received a rather unpleasant visit from "Stinky" Johnson. He didn't say anything definite, but I gathered from the hints he dropped that he believes he knows what's happened to Evans' teddy bear. What's more, I think he's actually guessed correctly. Presumably all that's stopping him running to Evans is a lack of evidence. I must keep my door locked at all times while I consider what to do. He had a look in his eyes of one who wishes to begin searching the cabin. What it is to have a guilty secret, Diary dear!
We call tomorrow at port to take on supplies before crossing the Atlantic. I should really take the opportunity to send a lettery to Adeline and ask how she and little what's-his-name are doing.
Still stormy
Received a rather unpleasant visit from "Stinky" Johnson. He didn't say anything definite, but I gathered from the hints he dropped that he believes he knows what's happened to Evans' teddy bear. What's more, I think he's actually guessed correctly. Presumably all that's stopping him running to Evans is a lack of evidence. I must keep my door locked at all times while I consider what to do. He had a look in his eyes of one who wishes to begin searching the cabin. What it is to have a guilty secret, Diary dear!
We call tomorrow at port to take on supplies before crossing the Atlantic. I should really take the opportunity to send a lettery to Adeline and ask how she and little what's-his-name are doing.
Sunday 12 November 2006
Day 4
Sunday 9th November
Still stormy
Captain still not feeling 100%. Evans still not found his teddy bear. Still passing the coast of Spain.
Still stormy
Captain still not feeling 100%. Evans still not found his teddy bear. Still passing the coast of Spain.
Saturday 11 November 2006
Day 3
Saturday 8th November
Stormy
Evans made a valiant pilgrimage to the breakfast room to inquire if any of us had seen his teddy. He looked to be on the verge of another bout at the sight and smell of all the food, but he managed to get it out. What do you think I told him, dear Diary? That I'd pilfered it the previous night? Come now, you don't know me very well if that's what you think. I suggested he look for it in the ship's laundry, as it might have been taken there by accident with the bed linen. Evil, you say, sending him on another trek in his condition? Pretty much, especially when you consider that to get to the laundry you have to walk right past the galley.
Captain feeling a little better today. Got out of bed to take the wheel for an hour or so in the mid afternoon. We're currently sailing down the coast of the Iberian Peninsula but you can't really make it out in this weather. Anyway, that's what Parker said when the captain let him have a go at driving and he hit Spain. The captain decided he wasn't quite better at that point and whispered in my ear on his way out that I was the only one allowed to drive while he was incapacitated. Apart from the regular sailors, of course. They've been taking their turns at the wheel too although they seem happy to let me do the job for a surprisingly large part of the time. Meanwhile they've been keeping Parker and Williams company, for which I am rather gratefull, as it stops them deciding they want to drive again. Have I told you what Parker's like when he gets an idea into his head, Diary? Oh, and 'Stinky' Johnson.
Stormy
Evans made a valiant pilgrimage to the breakfast room to inquire if any of us had seen his teddy. He looked to be on the verge of another bout at the sight and smell of all the food, but he managed to get it out. What do you think I told him, dear Diary? That I'd pilfered it the previous night? Come now, you don't know me very well if that's what you think. I suggested he look for it in the ship's laundry, as it might have been taken there by accident with the bed linen. Evil, you say, sending him on another trek in his condition? Pretty much, especially when you consider that to get to the laundry you have to walk right past the galley.
Captain feeling a little better today. Got out of bed to take the wheel for an hour or so in the mid afternoon. We're currently sailing down the coast of the Iberian Peninsula but you can't really make it out in this weather. Anyway, that's what Parker said when the captain let him have a go at driving and he hit Spain. The captain decided he wasn't quite better at that point and whispered in my ear on his way out that I was the only one allowed to drive while he was incapacitated. Apart from the regular sailors, of course. They've been taking their turns at the wheel too although they seem happy to let me do the job for a surprisingly large part of the time. Meanwhile they've been keeping Parker and Williams company, for which I am rather gratefull, as it stops them deciding they want to drive again. Have I told you what Parker's like when he gets an idea into his head, Diary? Oh, and 'Stinky' Johnson.
Friday 10 November 2006
Day 2
Friday 7th November
Stormy
It turns out that Evans is not the only one to get sea-sick. The captain also suffers- given which I'd have said, dear Diary, that he hadn't made the most sensible career choice, but there you go- so I drove for a bit today. Rosebud's also down with it, bless him. Parker and Williams are holding up well. Oh, and Stinky.
I was about to turn in after writing those words, dear Diary, when I noticed my hot-water bottle had gone. Investigating further, I discovered that my blanket had also disappeared. Well, I had my suspiscions, Diary dear. No-one could call me an irrationally prejudiced man, though goodness knows Parker and Williams have tried (see above), but a name did suggest itself. So purely in the interests of eliminating that name from my enquiry, I popped down a floor to a certain cabin where a green-faced man was snoozing fitfully, wrapped up in- what do you know?- my blanket and clutching my hot-water bottle. I recovered my posessions and noted with a kind of sad resignation the justice of my suspiscions, and there the matter ended.
There the matter ended? Well, not quite. I have an awfull secret to confess, dear Diary. Promise me you won't tell? Not a soul? On your honour as a gentleman? All right, here it is. While I was down there, I stole his favourite teddy bear.
Stormy
It turns out that Evans is not the only one to get sea-sick. The captain also suffers- given which I'd have said, dear Diary, that he hadn't made the most sensible career choice, but there you go- so I drove for a bit today. Rosebud's also down with it, bless him. Parker and Williams are holding up well. Oh, and Stinky.
I was about to turn in after writing those words, dear Diary, when I noticed my hot-water bottle had gone. Investigating further, I discovered that my blanket had also disappeared. Well, I had my suspiscions, Diary dear. No-one could call me an irrationally prejudiced man, though goodness knows Parker and Williams have tried (see above), but a name did suggest itself. So purely in the interests of eliminating that name from my enquiry, I popped down a floor to a certain cabin where a green-faced man was snoozing fitfully, wrapped up in- what do you know?- my blanket and clutching my hot-water bottle. I recovered my posessions and noted with a kind of sad resignation the justice of my suspiscions, and there the matter ended.
There the matter ended? Well, not quite. I have an awfull secret to confess, dear Diary. Promise me you won't tell? Not a soul? On your honour as a gentleman? All right, here it is. While I was down there, I stole his favourite teddy bear.
Thursday 9 November 2006
Day 1
Thursday 6th November
Sunny
Well, dear Diary, we weighed anchor at six this morning (it was a hundred pounds), and the Great Adventure has begun. I'm setting out for the Amazon jungle with my three bestest friends. Oh, and 'Stinky' Johnson. No, I don't know how he ended up as one of the party either. And Evans. Personally, I had my reservations about taking him along after last time, but 'Rosebud' Smith insisted and Parker and Williams weighed in on his side with all this talk about irrational prejudices and what's-he-done-wrong-anyway? I was obliged to spend three quaters of an hour before dinner sulking, but the otheres were playing Hunt-the-Postman's-Slipper-Down-the-Stairs and they didn't notice. Anyway, that's all blown over now and we are off at last!
I feel things augur well for this expedition. Our hearts are high and our trousers are low, having been taken down before we set sail to the Ship's Laundry by a rather zealous Ship's Launderette. The only, ahem, blot on the horizon is that apparently Evans gets seasick which means that, what a pity, we won't be seeing much of him for the three weeks of the voyage.
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