All Aboard! Part I
All Aboard!
‘Well, that was that’ said Freddie and with a sigh as he sat down next to him. The driver loaded the many suitcases in the back and the car departed from the National Arts Club in New York. The sky was made up of thick steel grey clouds which hung low over the city skyline, the wind was icy and the streets were lined with snow as they made their way towards Park Avenue and slowly crawled through the traffic towards 10th avenue. He looked at Freddie as he observed the people on the streets half hidden in their coats and the tall buildings, impossibly tall he thought. ‘It was fun to be here for a while, but I’m glad we’re going home to be honest with you’ Freddie said whilst he looked out of the window. ‘Yes, so am I’ he replied, ‘but at least our work is done here. And we went to lots of lovely places too. So it wasn’t all work and no play. Freddie turned his head and looked at him for a while, and smiled. ‘When has it ever been all work and no play with you dearest?’ He raised his eyebrows and smiled mischievously. ‘Ha! You’re right, obviously. But you know what I mean Freddie.’ He replied with a smile. ‘I do. I do my dear.’ He placed his hand gently on his and held it for a while as they remained quiet as the car was gliding through the foggy streets of Manhattan. ‘Hang on’ he said after a while. ‘I thought we’re going to JFK?!’ as he turned around, loosened his hand from Freddie’s and looked at the street sign that they just passed. He looked at Freddie and he realised he needed to answer in some way. ‘Well you see my dear, when you said I’ll leave the bookings to you, I sort of made different arrangements than you perhaps expected. But we’re still going back home to England, don’t worry.’ He kept looking at Freddie and didn’t quite know what to think but he sat back. ‘Fine.’ And he scoffed a little ‘ I suppose you know what you’re doing’ and gave him a wink. He looked outside and started wondering where the devil they might be going to. ‘God, I hope that Freddie knows what he’s doing’ He thought. ‘We have loads of luggage and I’m not planning on lugging those around up and down stairs and lifts.’ He kept thinking, he was naturally observant but didn’t not notice any tickets or luggage tags in their club room and Freddie’s behaviour seemed the same as always, albeit a bit flustered because he was traveling. He simply believed him when he said he booked a return ticket to New York. Now he started to wonder if he was a bit too trusting and Freddie might have made a mistake.
After fifteen minutes or so Freddie said ‘oh we’re nearly there!’ and he looked up from his phone. ‘Nearly where? Isn’t this towards the Hudson river?’ ‘Yes you’re right. I’ve never been here, not even when I used to come with my parents as a child. But it must be here.’ He was getting more and more confused and contemplated asking Freddie if he maybe had lost his marbles or was possibly drunk after only two cocktails from the previous night even though he didn’t show any signs of inebriation that night or this morning as they got ready. ‘We’re nearly there gentleman’ the driver said and Freddie couldn’t contain a smile. The car pulled off 10th Avenue and through the trees of the De Witt Clinton Park, he noticed a large building in the distance but didn’t think anything of it. As the car drove on and past the Hudson River a rather large building came closer with something hovering behind it. ‘Freddie, we’re not flying home aren’t we?’ He asked all of a sudden. The car stopped and Freddie put on his large navy fedora to prevent his forehead from freezing. He looked at him with a broad smile and slightly flushed cheeks and replied; ‘No, we’re not’. The car pulled up a bit and parked as close as he could next to their destination and Freddie got out as fast as he could and opened the door for him. Freddie still had a broad smile on his face and nervously stood aside to let him out of the car. As he grabbed Freddie’s hand and got out he looked up and he was almost lost for words, something what didn’t happen to him often. Behind the cruise terminal a magnificently large vessel was docked, dwarfing the cruise terminal with her imposing size. He kept looking and noticed the elegantly curved bow of an enormous ocean liner. ‘Dearest! Are we crossing the Atlantic by ship?!’ he asked. ‘Well, you always say it’s the only way to cross, isn’t it?!’ he replied smugly and with a beaming smile holding on to his hat. Freddie observed him for a while to gauge his reaction and seemed rather nervous. He looked at Freddie and couldn’t contain his smile and threw his arm around Freddie’s neck and kissed him. ‘You really are the best’ he whispered and let go of Freddie. ‘I’m still amazed you never discovered it quite frankly. I’ve been living in constant fear the last few days because either you are so good at lying or you genially had no clue.’ Freddie said. ‘I had no idea. No idea! He repeated. He looked at the ship hardly comprehending what had just happened. The newly constructed superliner was impossibly large and so tall that the top of her two black and red funnels were nearly invisible with the low hanging clouds. The countless portholes on the riveted hull dizzied him and he was in awe of the elegant sheer line of the vessel turning upwards towards the front and vanished into nothing at the tip of the prow giving it an elegant line like those great liners of the past. When he finally realised where he was, he noticed the hustle and bustle of all the people around him getting of coaches and car and taxis and making their way into the cruise terminal. Their driver had placed their four huge suitcases and some bags on a luggage trolley. They said goodbye to their driver of the last three weeks and Freddie looked at him in his fur collared coat admiring the vessel. They made their way to the entrance of the cruise terminal and found it as spacious as an airport without all the usual nonsense and discomfort and sheer panic of going through the security measures. An attentive bell boy took their luggage away almost immediately, much to his and Freddie's great delight since they weighed a tonne but only after Freddie attached all the luggage labels which he had carefully hidden in the inside pocket of his leather document folder in between countless architectural drawings. He thought it was a small miracle he found them at all but chose to look away not to make him nervous. After checking in they hovered around the terminal before taking the tall and steep escalator up to the boarding lounge. For a while they strolled and sat down here and there and looked at the gangways into the ship and to the countless portholes so nearby. ‘So where are we sleeping?’ He asked. ‘Oh in a nice cabin I believe’. Freddie replied. ‘The steward will no doubt bring us to our cabin once we board.’ He looked at Freddie and smiled but didn’t say anything. He still couldn’t believe he was so clever to arrange such a thing without him noticing. He was charmed and also proud at his partner’s ability to surprise him in such an endearing and covert way. ‘Gentlemen, are you ready? A man in a burgundy and gold braided uniform asked them whilst they were sitting down. They got up and followed the man through the buzzing crowd of people who were all just as eager to board as they were and slowly made their way to the gangway. The gangway was long and wide and completely covered in glass so you could see the ship as you approached it. At the end of the gangway a group of stewards welcomed them and checked their tickets and gave instruction to the steward of where their cabin was positioned and so they crossed the threshold from the glass covered gangway on-board the SS Bretagne.
The Cruise Terminal
The embarkation hall was spacious and long and two decks high with a huge faux skylight ceiling with tall faceted columns on either side which were all lit by long faceted frosted glass sconces encased in chrome that supported the dome. A large round table was placed in the middle on which a large vase stood and led to the main lift lobby. The lift lobby was grand and housed four lifts which were positioned on each side of the rectangle and was surrounded by pale cream marble stairs that led to the decks above and below. The lifts were encased in four green marble columns which supported a large open work brass grate on the sides and back through which you could see the lift itself. The ceiled had a shallow elliptical dome lined in silver and dimly lit for the bottom which gave an illusion of height that wasn’t really there. The steward led the way to lift No. 3 and pressed deck A and up they shot in a lift that was lined with a dark grained wood. ‘Please follow me gentlemen’ said the steward once arrived at deck A and he led the way through a long corridor lined with rosewood panelling that matched that of the inside of the lift. Elegantly angular shaped fitted wall lights lit the corridor every other door. ‘The floor of the corridor dips in the centre and goes up at the end does it not?’ asked Freddie. ‘Well spotted sir’ answered the steward. ‘It’s because we’re going towards the front of the ship and the sheer line goes up there. You’ll notice the ever so slight angle in each door because of that.’ Freddie looked at every door he passed and revelled in noticing these little details. The steward opened door No. 22 and stepped aside to let them in. To his delighted he noticed that their luggage had been dropped already and he stepped into the rectangular drawing room of the suite.
The walls lined in mahogany in a large diamond pattern and hung with intricately detailed coromandel screens inlaid with mother of pearl and gold figurines to break up the denseness the wood. The floor was covered in rich golden beige wool and had a large geometric rug in the centre in front of the main mirror and cabinet which was rosewood and mirror inlaid dry bar. The room featured a large sofa and two little matching bergère chaises in a deep cream wool boucle with mahogany details that matched the walls. The drawing room had ceiling height double doors that were covered by heavy cream and navy silk curtains that were lined in navy silk and lead to a teak lined balcony which had a little table and 2 deck chairs even though it was bitterly cold outside. The steward showed them around their suite and explained them a few things about the amenities that were available for them. After a while Freddie tipped him and the steward showed himself out. Freddie looked at him and he had a large grin on his face he said ‘Well, here we are.’ He smiled at Freddie and got up and kissed him whilst Freddie threw his hat on the coffee table and embraced him. ‘This is fantastic!’ he told Freddie. ‘Well we haven’t even seen the rest yet.’ Freddie replied. They let go of each other and took off their coats and Freddie stowed them away in the little cloakroom in the corridor. He walked into their bedroom which was lined with the same wood and coromandel screens as the drawing room and housed a large bed with a tall headboard with inlaid strips of wood and very narrow brass strips that almost looked like shooting stars. The bedding was impeccably crisp and made up with a heavy quilt made of gold coloured silk which matched the upholstery of the Ruhlmannian chaise longue at the end of the bed. On the wall opposite there was an elegant dressing table made of gold coloured rosewood and a large mirror and a little hexagonal stool of matching rosewood and gold coloured silk for the seat. There were two sets of doors on either side of the dressing table. The door on the right led to a large built in wardrobe with mirror lined doors and lined in cream moiré silk with ample room the hang clothes and shelfs for other items. The door on the left led the bathroom and left both him and Freddie in awe. He opened the door to the bathroom to be immersed in a pinkish golden light. The bathroom was made entirely of dusty pink marble and had several decorative strips of brass that traced the walls of the room and gave an illusion of width and caught the light from the three tiered cut glass chandelier that was hanging from a ceiling that was inlaid with mother of pearl. In the corner a large bath was encased I the same marble and next to it a comfortable padded bergère chaise upholstered in cream cloth and gilded accents to its frame. Two large sinks with matching oval mirrors in a stepped brass gilded wooden frame and a large heated rack which was hung with plush cream coloured towels with subtle navy embroidered edges. In the middle of the bathroom an oval knotted sea grass rug was placed which was trimmed with a wide navy edge. He walked back to the drawing room to find Freddie in one of the bergère’s, he had taken his jacket off and was looking at him as he stood in the doorway. ‘Well what do you think?’ Freddie asked him. He looked at Freddie and replied, ‘I’m impressed, I genuinely had no idea you planned all this so wonderfully.’ Freddie got up and they went to the bedroom together and started unpacking all the luggage they needed for their trip. Freddie hung their suits and shirts in the large wardrobe and folded their jumpers and pyjamas on the moiré shelves. His clothes on the left side and Freddie’s clothes on the right side. Blue, pink and lilac shirts, striped shirts and an array of evening shirts, washed silk, pleated and fine linen starched fronted. He arranges their shoes and placed their ties and handkerchiefs in the top drawer of the large rosewood chest of drawers, the drawers also lined in the same cream moiré silk. After they unpacked most of their luggage they sat in their drawing room for a bit and sat there in silence and looked at each other and took in the room. All of a sudden there was a knock on the door, Freddie got up and opened it. The steward stood in the corridor and told Freddie ‘Sir, just to inform you that we’ll be departing soon, in case you both want to make your way to the deck.’ ‘That’s very kind of you to let us know’ said Freddie. The steward smiled and said ‘do wear a coat Sir, the wind is bitterly cold’ and walked off with a smile. Freddie closed the door and looked at him, ‘right shall we pop outside to wave of Manhattan?’ He chuckled and rose to his feet and put his jacket back on and buttoned it up. Freddie walked to the corridor and got their coats and slipped them on. They walked through that long corridor towards the lift lobby and took the lift all the way up to the boat deck. As they got out of the lift they were welcomed by some stewards and saw quite a few passengers gather along the railings to wave goodbye to the crowd below. Freddie looked around and grabbed him by his hand and walked on and looked for a suitable spot for them to have a look at the harbour and the New York skyline. They found it, standing next to an elderly and rather elegant French couple. Freddie looked at them with a smile and looked at him and said ‘That will be us in 50 years’ he chuckled and replied, ‘probably sooner than we think!’ They stood there observing the quay side and at the cars and crowds that had gathered. All of a sudden from the bridge someone shouted ‘CAST OFF!’ and they looked at the men below unhooking the large ropes from the quay side and at the same time heard the soft rumble of engines starting and a slight vibration as they held on to the railings. He looked up and he said ‘Freddie look! We’re just below the funnel.’ Freddie looked up at the first slanted teardrop shaped funnel and smiled with excitement. As they looked back towards the quay, they noticed a slight shudder and the superliner slowly but surely started to move away from the quay side. The crowd that had formed started to cheer them on and started to wave off the superliner as it started to move away from terra firma. As the steward had mentioned, there was a bitterly cold wind that blew and he and Freddie turned up their coat collars and him hiding halfway in his fur collar. The ship moved further and further away from the quay and people shouted and waved with excitement, their cheers reaching the upper most decks of the ship. Cars honked their horns and the ships, tugboats and cargo boats all honked their horns signalling the departure of the Super Liner. All of a sudden, amidst the noise, the cheering and the excitement, the ships horn blasted out three times. The crowd on the quay and the passengers gasped with excitement and roared louder in return. They had really taken off! He squealed with excitement when the horn blew and as he squealed Freddie wrapped his arm around him and arm in arm they looked at the quay moving away. They both waved to the crowds and looked at each other struggling to contain their excitement. The liner moved further away and made her way towards the river. As she left the pier completely the horn blew three times for the second time and they watched as they picked up speed little by little. Once on the river the tugboat that had surrounded them had waved them off at the end of the harbour and they slowly but steadily glided by the skyline of Manhattan and they took in a last few glimpses of the two famous art deco skyscrapers as they made their way towards the statue of liberty and Ellis island picking up speed as they went along. The horn blew three times once more as they passed the Statue of Liberty and Freddie held on to him even tighter and he placed his head on Freddie’s shoulder. ‘Off we go dearest’ he said to Freddie and Freddie replied ‘On to our next adventure’. He looked at Freddie and smiled and then kissed him. They stood in that same spot for a little bit and then decided to have a quick walk along the boat deck until they left New York behind them and sailed into the Lower Bay. They stayed out on deck braving the wind and the light flocks of snow as the last of the mainland vanished in the fog and the SS Bretagne made her way to the vast open stretches of the Atlantic Ocean.
At Sea
As the mainland vanished out of site, passengers settled into their cabins and their on-board activities. He and Freddie did very much the same. Freddie subtly rearranged some of the furniture in their drawing room until it suited him and unpacked his substantial book trunk and placed most of them on top of one of the dressers. He thought that a very good idea as he told Freddie that a room without books has no soul. Freddie agreed with him and on that note placed more books in their salon. Within moments their cabin was homely and they had unpacked all of their luggage for the week ahead. Freddie sat down for a bit and positioned the chaise in such a way that he could look over the railing of their balcony out to sea, to the great mass of thick and heavy clouds and the deep dark blue sea, he sat there until the light started to change. Freddie looked up when he appeared at the window and moved the curtain to look out of the window too. ‘Golly look at that snow coming down. It’s relentless.’ He remarked. Freddie got up too and stood next to him, ‘would you like to stretch the legs a little bit? We could go up to the promenade deck where it’s sheltered?’ He looked at him and agreed and walked to the bedroom only to reappear a moment later with a dusty pink Shetland wool jumper and a calf length mink coat and Freddie’s coat. Freddie smiled and put on his coat. ‘Ready handsome?’ he asked Freddie as he stood by the door of their cabin and Freddie looked at him up and down and smiled. ‘You look lovely’ Freddie remarked. ‘Oh it’s something comfortable so we can have a little stroll’ he answered back as they both left their cabin and walked to the lift that took them to the main deck. They exited the main lift lobby from where they boarded through large double doors that led onto the Promenade deck that like the Boat deck ran the entire length of the liner but was covered so passengers could walk around no matter what the weather was like. The floor like the boat deck was covered in teak wood but laid out in a chevron pattern and the windows large so one could take in the view. Which in today’s case was almost non-existent due to the heavy fog and snow hat blended almost into one with the clouds. It was still cold on the Promenade deck and he was glad he took his fur coat, they walked almost two laps and enjoyed looking at people and standing in front of a window or porthole to look at the snow drifting past or the occasional wave. He looked at Freddie and asked him, ‘what have you got planned for this week dearest?’ Freddie raised his eyebrows and then smiled, ‘to spend as much time together with you as I possibly can’ and grabbed hold of his hand. He smiled and said ‘I can get behind that’ and winked at Freddie. They sat on a sun lounger which was covered in plush burgundy and gold cushion to rest their legs for a bit before quick marching across the deck, ‘two laps now’ he said. ‘I think we deserve a cup of tea and something nice soon. After resting for a little bit longer they got up and went back to the main lift lobby where they took stairs one floor down to the Main deck and went looking for the lounge. Arriving in the main lobby one would see a set of enormous doors to the theatre on the left, which was towards the bow of the liner and the grandest of staircases to the right towards the mid ship. ‘La grande descent’ as they called it, was a staircase of only 20 steps but due to its design incredibly impressive. It overlooked almost the entire length of the liner in one sweeping and supremely impressive enfilade. From the main lobby through the gallery down the stairs into the grand lobby, the fumoir and up the stairs to the Grill where one could see the stern of the ship and ultimately the sea. The main lobby led to the long gallery which was a wide corridor that was lined with little burgundy leather canapés and tables where one could rest and have conversations with fellow passengers or read a newspaper. The walls covered in beige marble and the length of the gallery was lined with narrow carved columns which all carried alabaster urns that were dimly lit from the inside casting a warm glow over the corridor and its passengers. The floor covered in a carpet with a navy and beige geometric design. Like the main lobby and the gallery, the staircase was lined in beige and dark veined marble in a slighty darker tone and wooden steps and large brass rails on the sides and in the middle and covered in plush carpet. The staircase was straight and subtly illuminated with narrow and wall height sconces in gilded brass fittings. The impressive staircase which at night looked like it was gilded, led into to the impressive Grand Lobby which was the perfect place to make an entrance due to it being the meeting place for a cocktail before supper in its elegant surroundings. Shaped almost like the nave of a church it was almost 3 decks high and had a supressed vaulted ceiling which was left plain purposely to draw your attention to the impressive wallcoverings and furnishings. Enormous lacquered screens depicting mythological scenes in a stylised way created by layers of paint, mother of pearl, lacquer, gold leaf and little pieces of foxed mirrors. The centre piece featured a large round sofa of patterned crimson velvet which was built around an enormous carved alabaster urn reminiscent of the little ones in the gallery, flooding out warm pinkish light. The Grand Lobby was lit in an ingenious way from the bottom of the room creating subtle shadows and drenching the passengers in a warm glow. Every wall panel was flanked by almost ceiling height sconces that gently lit the room and the panels itself in subtle beam of light making the panels glow like gold. The room was filled with countless little chaises and poufs in matching crimson and gold velvet upholstery, each embroidered in its own subtle design. Round or square tables with little brass lamps provided just enough light for passengers enjoying a cocktail before and after supper. On the sides of the ‘nave’ there were two smaller more intimate rooms where one could meet for a drink or conversation without being surrounded by the imposing grandness of the lobby. Filled with plush dark beige sofas made of quilted velvet and large oval coffee tables and comfortable armchairs. One of the little drawing rooms featured a piano by Ruhlmann and the other a large writing desk. In every corner of the Grand Lobby there stood an enormous lamp, called a ‘pot de feu’ made of 3 tiers of milky baguette cut crystal sheets encased in gilded brass, the intensity of the light could be changed according to the time of day. From bright in the morning, subdued in the evening, to a low ember glow at night, covering everything in the softest haze of light. In the middle of the long walls of the lobby, on either sides, were three floor to ceiling window which were half covered by a set of sheer curtains and in front of the windows on both sides of the lobby as demi circle sofa and four matching chaises were placed with a large oblong table by Ruhlmann where one could observe the ocean by day. The windows let in floods of light by day and by night they could be closed by means of brass shutters that extended from the walls on either side of the windows. The shutters were richly decorated and matched the décor of the lacquered wallcoverings giving off the effect of a centrepiece over a fireplace. He and Freddie looked around, in awe of the splendour of the grand staircase and the sheer size of the Grand Lobby. He grinned from ear to ear as he looked at Freddie and held his hand as they descended from the staircase into the lobby. ‘Oh isn’t this just fantastic?!’ Freddie explained. ‘It is. It truly is.’ He replied. The lobby was relatively busy with passengers walking around admiring the general décor and with people like them who thought it was time for a little refreshment. The found a little table for two against the wall in front of one of the lacquered wallcoverings. As Freddie looked around he found a waiter almost immediately and placed their order. They looked at each other and took in the room with its countless details for a moment and made a few observations. Moments later the waiter returned to them with a large tray with a silver tea pot, two tea cups and plate with 4 madeleines and whipped cream. Freddie, who had a sweet tooth looked at them with widened eyes and he laughed. The waiter vanished and he poured Freddie and himself a cup. ‘How many sugars dear? Two or three?’ he winked at Freddie, who squinted his eyes at him and grinned and said ‘You know I’ve actually cut down on that’. ‘I know dearest, I’m only pulling your leg’. They sat back and they enjoyed their steaming cups of earl grey and observed their fellow passengers whilst eating their madeleines. They spent a while in the Grand Lobby, sipping their teas and watching the world go by and even catching glimpses of the ocean through the tall windows, they sat there until it started to get dark. ‘Shall we return to our cabin dearest?’ Freddie asked. He looked up and nodded his head and draped his coat over his shoulders as he got up. They slowly climbed back up the grand staircase and through the gallery to the main lobby where they observed that the placed four chairs and a table on either side of the main hall now they were well on their way and slowly made their way to their cabin.
Upon return he draped his coat on one of the chaises and let himself fall on the sofa, closing his eyes for a moment. He heard Freddie talking on the telephone but didn’t ask who he was calling since he slowly dozed off. He wasn’t the kind of person who enjoyed a nap but the enormous amount of beauty and excitement made him rather tired. After half an hour or some he woke up on the sofa with a blanket draped over his shoulders. He saw Freddie in one of the bergères reading, he swapped his jacket for a jumper as well and he was wearing his leather slippers. ‘Hello you’ he said as he woke up and Freddie looked up from his book. ‘Hello you’ he replied. ‘Did you sleep well?’ He looked at Freddie for a while and said ‘thanks for the blanket.’ ‘You needed it, feeling better?’ He nodded and got up and folded the blanket and left it on the sofa. ‘I think it’s time we should get ready for aperitif and supper don’t you think?’ Freddie asked. He smiled and nodded and without saying anything disappeared into the bedroom. He walked to the dressing table and pushed back the pouf and sat down. He brushed his hair and arranged it in the usual way, and looked at himself in the mirror for a while. He looked better he felt, less drowsy and he got up and undressed himself slipping into a green spotted silk dressing gown. From the wardrobe he picked up an ivory shirt with a tall rounded collar and a navy double breasted suit. From the dresser he got a freshly pressed fine linen handkerchief and a navy silk tie printed with little ivory lozenges. He walked to the dressing table and doused himself in a little bit of No. 89 and rummaged through Freddie’s toiletries and opened his scent bottle with its little crown stopper and smelt his fougere scent. He took off his robe and slipped into his shirt did up his buttons and tied his tie. He secured it with rather a large pearl pin he once received from his parents for Christmas and put on his trousers and cerise silk braces that matched his socks. He slipped on his jacket and carefully folded his linen handkerchief in his breast pocket. He put on his black oxfords and he was ready to go. He bumped into Freddie as he walked out of the bedroom and Freddie caught him, ‘All ready I see?’ and Freddie pressed him against his chest and they looked at each other. ‘Yes, and we wouldn’t want to be late now would we?’ He replied cheekily and Freddie let him go. He walked back to the dressing table and sat down on the pouf again. He watched Freddie getting ready as they talked. ‘Did you book a restaurant for the first night?’ he asked Freddie. ‘Yes, I did. All is sorted. But first a drink in the Fumoir I think?’ he said from the bathroom. He answered as he looked in the mirror and noticed Freddie rummaging through the second drawer of the cabinet. ‘Are you just wearing you knickers tonight?’ He asked as he saw Freddie holding 3 pairs and nothing else. Freddie blushed and stammered. ‘Ha-ha, no I thought I misplaced something as I was unpacking earlier. But I found it’. And he returned his underwear to the drawer. He got ready quickly, wearing a dark grey suit but unlike his double breasted suit, Freddie chose a single breasted jacket with a double breasted waistcoat a blue shirt and a green silk tie. He brushed his dark curls back into his sleek side parting and jumped from the bed once he put on his shoes. ‘Ready when you are?!’ he exclaimed and they left their cabin.
The mood in the Grand lobby was decidedly different at night the lights were low and there was a buzz in the air. There was a small band that was playing in the corner near one of the light pots and a pianist was leading. The area in front of the centrepiece was cleared and was transformed into a small dancefloor where a few couples slow danced and other gathered with a drink in hand. The first night at sea was always a more toned down occasion but nonetheless exciting and the grand lobby was rather busy. They looked around for a little bit and observed some of the changes that were made in this night time setting and then slowly moved on towards the Fumoir. There was large set of double doors at the end of the lobby which were made of semi matt subdued gold coloured metal which had a hammered appearance. They entered and the Fumoir was more toned down in comparison to the Grand Lobby. Subtle, less opulent, but still supremely elegant. The ceiling wasn’t vaulted but flat and fitted with several faceted light fittings that followed the rectangular shape of the ceiling and a starburst light in the centre just below it central sofa and tables. The metal and leather like wall panels were mixed with tall sheets of natural beige marble and had smaller sconces fixed to them. The inside of the doors were covered with floor to ceiling oxblood velvet curtains that were fixed to a brass rail at the ceiling elegantly encasing the doorframe. They were soon approached by a waiter who showed them to their seats in the middle of the Fumoir. They sat down in a booth like seat the echoed the star like shape of the lights on the ceiling which was built around a large brownish veined and cream marble urn, the dark brown leather seats tied in well with the muted gold of the wall panels and the oxblood curtains. Freddie ordered a gin martini with a twist and he ordered a White Lady. They sat next to each other so they could both observe the room. Olives and almonds were promptly served in little silver dishes followed swiftly by their cocktails. They looked at each other and raised their glasses. ‘To the first night’ and they both took a sip. ‘One really shouldn’t dress up for the first night at sea’ he remarked and Freddie nodded his head. ‘That’s why I didn’t book the main restaurant. I just didn’t feel right to do that straight away.’ They looked at each other and both chuckled and were very happy with the fact that they agreed once again with each other without one telling the other. They looked around at some people who did dress up and were happy that they made an effort. The fumoir was lively but a little bit quieter than the Grand Lobby but the music from the lobby could still be heard well from a distance. ‘So where are we having supper tonight dearest?’ he asked. ‘Or is that a secret too?’ Freddie looked up from his glass and said ‘No, no. No secret at all. We’re having supper at the Grill; I thought that would be quite intimate for the first night at sea.’ He looked at Freddie and smiled and looked away as he took a sip. He heard the pianist play a soft but lively tune accompanied by a bass and Freddie looked at ease in his chaise overlooking the lobby. After a while Freddie said, ‘Golly, I was thinking earlier this week, sometimes I feel we’ve always been together.’ He stammered a bit. ‘What I mean to say is that life seems a bit of a blur, a rather unhappy blur when I think of those years without you dearest.’ He looked at Freddie and he smiled gently. ‘I agree completely, but that’s the thing with soulmates isn’t it? Once you're together you feel like life has always been like this, like it was meant to be like this, so effortless, so natural.’ Freddie looked at him for a while and he saw by the look in his eyes that he understood. Freddie sat up in his chair and moved around a bit nervously. ‘Dearest, I agree and you know that even if I haven’t really said it often in the beginning, you know how much it means to me?’ Freddie looked at his glass for a bit feeling confident but at the same time a little bit scared by having said something like this. ‘Yes’ he replied, ‘but one does need to hear it from time to time and some people more than others, I suppose.’ He smiled at Freddie and as Freddie wanted to reply a waiter appeared. ‘Gentleman your table is ready.’
They finished their drinks and got up and followed the waiter, through the Fumoir, past countless of little tables where other people had their aperitifs, towards the opposite Grand Staircase. They walked up the stairs and Freddie held his hand firmly and looked at him with a broad smile. He squeezed Freddie’s hand and smiled back at him and as they reached the top of the stairs they walked through a corridor lined in beige marble with gold coloured fittings that was lit with lights thats were half hidden in gilded alcoves that led to the Grill. The Grill was a semi-circular room that stretched the width of the ship and overlooked the ‘Esplanade de Grill’ through it large windows that by day would offer a spectacular view of the ocean. They entered via the right door and he noticed the Grill was divided in two semi circles. The first one was a large and elegant cocktail bar against the wall with an intimate seating area. A wall covered in mirrors mounted by shelves with brass fronts that contained dozens of bottles of spirits of all kinds and glasses of various shapes next to it, reflecting the lights and movements in the room. The second part was raised by two steps and had an array of tables of various sizes which were all arranged around beautiful light fitted pillars, the floor of the grill was laid in large and rather spectacular looking sunburst pattern starting from the bar, fanning out towards the widow increasing in width. The maître took over from the waiter and escorted them towards their table. An intimate table for two between one of the large green marble columns that were spread around the outer edge of the Grill in between the windows and in the front next to the bar. The tables were covered in fine linen tablecloths and linen napkins with navy edging. The Maître presented the menu and left them alone for a while. They looked around and enjoyed the location of their table, they were able to see everyone and be seen from where they were sitting. The tiers of the light pillars were almost similar to flower petals and drenched the grill at night in golden light reflecting in the mirrors of the bar and on the walls. Freddie looked around an noticed that the Grill was busy to the point of being almost fully booked. The bar was busy but not overcrowded and a few people were casually standing at the bar watching their drinks being mixed. He was thinking how glad he was that he booked all dinners ahead. The fashionable Grill had the same atmosphere as a Parisian brasserie with its layout, tables and menu, it reminded them of the Vaudeville or La Coupole on a busy evening. The mood at the Grill was fun and relaxed as the pianist in the corner played a few mellow jazz tunes and they listened to the buzz of people talking and glasses clinking. They looked out of the window and saw snow coming down in what was almost a blizzard, blowing past their window. In the distance, looking over the Esplanade, they saw the stern and the wake of the ship and dark and foamy waters indicating the speed of the superliner. 'I'm quite happy to be inside, by the way it looks outside' Freddie said. 'Yes, it's really coming down now isn't it?' he replied as they both looked out of the window. 'What do you feel like having tonight?' He asked Freddie. Freddie looked at the menu and looked pensive for a moment. 'I'm feeling vintage tonight, so I might start with a prawn and avocado cocktail followed by some grilled chicken'. He looked at the menu as well, lots to choose from he noticed. 'Aren't you always feeling vintage?' He said to Freddie once he looked at the menu. Freddie squinted again and he winked at Freddie, 'That's why I love you, silly. You're my favourite old fashioned person.' The waiter returned and they placed their orders, Freddie had his vintage prawn cocktail to start, followed by grilled chicken in fine herbs and he chose a crab and avocado tower followed by a soufflé Suisse. He choose a Pouilly Fumé to drink and bread with rather a lot of butter to start. 'I could easily live just off bread, butter and wine. Oh and cheese!' He said. Freddie looked at him and laughed. 'Well that would make everything much easier' Freddie replied. 'But you are right. The essentials are far better to have than all those little annoying fashionable dishes people have nowadays. Good honest food'. He said as he jokingly tapped his hand quietly on the table. The waiter poured the wine after letting them try it and after a while they indulged in their meals. How relaxed Freddie looked, he thought. Frequently throwing his head back with laughter, and guffawing at each others jokes and remarks exposing what he thought his adorable and slightly crooked teeth. Pudding arrived and Freddie had settled for a large ice-cream coupe and he choose a few scoops of almond and pistachio ice cream. It came with a delicate tuille biscuit which always reminded him of his childhood. Freddie noticed how much he enjoyed his ice-cream and they were both quiet when they finished it. After sitting there for a while once they finished their supper, they got up. They understood why the Grill was so sought after. It was glamorous in a low key kind of way and had a buzzing atmosphere and was still very busy and served meals and cocktails until well after midnight. They walked around the bar and left the Grill via the other door and returned to the aft lift lobby. 'Do you want return to the cabin yet?' Freddie asked. 'Shall we have a coffee and a Brandy in the Fumoir perhaps?' He remarked and Freddie nodded with excitement. They descended the grand staircase again back into the Fumoir. 'Welcome back gentlemen. I trust you had a nice dinner?' The waiter remarked as they entered the Fumoir again. 'Oh yes, quite lovely' he replied. They sat down at an intimate table for two in the corner and were surround by people who had a similar idea as they did and settled into the evening with their coffee's, tisane or nightcap. They ordered a pot of coffee and both had a glass of brandy. The lights in the Fumoir were turned down low and people spoke at a lower tone and they drank their coffee in peace. As they swirled their brandies he looked at Freddie, 'Well, this a lovely end to a most remarkable day. I never thought, not in a million years that I'll be having a Brandy after having supper at the Grill with the love of my life aboard the SS Bretagne tonight'. Freddie looked at him and smiled. ' Well, I hope you enjoyed it so far, dearest? We still have 6 days to go'. They looked at each other for a while, 'if this is only the beginning, than I can't wait for the rest of the week.' They got up after while, the Fumoir was quieter. They returned via the Grand Lobby, with its light pots turned all the way down and climbed up the stairs which in this low light had taken on an almost coppery colour. They walked up to A deck with a slight detour. There were quite a lot of people about having a stroll after supper. They reached their cabin and they both undressed and slipped into their silk dressing gowns. After they both got ready they stepped into bed pulling up the gold coloured quilt and he kissed him and placed his head on Freddie's chest. 'Goodnight dearest' he whispered and they held on to each other tightly for a while. 'Goodnight my dear' Freddie replied and he placed his hand on his head and both fell asleep as the SS Bretagne made her way through the snow on the icy Atlantic.
Le Fumoir
Upon return he draped his coat on one of the chaises and let himself fall on the sofa, closing his eyes for a moment. He heard Freddie talking on the telephone but didn’t ask who he was calling since he slowly dozed off. He wasn’t the kind of person who enjoyed a nap but the enormous amount of beauty and excitement made him rather tired. After half an hour or some he woke up on the sofa with a blanket draped over his shoulders. He saw Freddie in one of the bergères reading, he swapped his jacket for a jumper as well and he was wearing his leather slippers. ‘Hello you’ he said as he woke up and Freddie looked up from his book. ‘Hello you’ he replied. ‘Did you sleep well?’ He looked at Freddie for a while and said ‘thanks for the blanket.’ ‘You needed it, feeling better?’ He nodded and got up and folded the blanket and left it on the sofa. ‘I think it’s time we should get ready for aperitif and supper don’t you think?’ Freddie asked. He smiled and nodded and without saying anything disappeared into the bedroom. He walked to the dressing table and pushed back the pouf and sat down. He brushed his hair and arranged it in the usual way, and looked at himself in the mirror for a while. He looked better he felt, less drowsy and he got up and undressed himself slipping into a green spotted silk dressing gown. From the wardrobe he picked up an ivory shirt with a tall rounded collar and a navy double breasted suit. From the dresser he got a freshly pressed fine linen handkerchief and a navy silk tie printed with little ivory lozenges. He walked to the dressing table and doused himself in a little bit of No. 89 and rummaged through Freddie’s toiletries and opened his scent bottle with its little crown stopper and smelt his fougere scent. He took off his robe and slipped into his shirt did up his buttons and tied his tie. He secured it with rather a large pearl pin he once received from his parents for Christmas and put on his trousers and cerise silk braces that matched his socks. He slipped on his jacket and carefully folded his linen handkerchief in his breast pocket. He put on his black oxfords and he was ready to go. He bumped into Freddie as he walked out of the bedroom and Freddie caught him, ‘All ready I see?’ and Freddie pressed him against his chest and they looked at each other. ‘Yes, and we wouldn’t want to be late now would we?’ He replied cheekily and Freddie let him go. He walked back to the dressing table and sat down on the pouf again. He watched Freddie getting ready as they talked. ‘Did you book a restaurant for the first night?’ he asked Freddie. ‘Yes, I did. All is sorted. But first a drink in the Fumoir I think?’ he said from the bathroom. He answered as he looked in the mirror and noticed Freddie rummaging through the second drawer of the cabinet. ‘Are you just wearing you knickers tonight?’ He asked as he saw Freddie holding 3 pairs and nothing else. Freddie blushed and stammered. ‘Ha-ha, no I thought I misplaced something as I was unpacking earlier. But I found it’. And he returned his underwear to the drawer. He got ready quickly, wearing a dark grey suit but unlike his double breasted suit, Freddie chose a single breasted jacket with a double breasted waistcoat a blue shirt and a green silk tie. He brushed his dark curls back into his sleek side parting and jumped from the bed once he put on his shoes. ‘Ready when you are?!’ he exclaimed and they left their cabin.
The descent into the Fumoir
The mood in the Grand lobby was decidedly different at night the lights were low and there was a buzz in the air. There was a small band that was playing in the corner near one of the light pots and a pianist was leading. The area in front of the centrepiece was cleared and was transformed into a small dancefloor where a few couples slow danced and other gathered with a drink in hand. The first night at sea was always a more toned down occasion but nonetheless exciting and the grand lobby was rather busy. They looked around for a little bit and observed some of the changes that were made in this night time setting and then slowly moved on towards the Fumoir. There was large set of double doors at the end of the lobby which were made of semi matt subdued gold coloured metal which had a hammered appearance. They entered and the Fumoir was more toned down in comparison to the Grand Lobby. Subtle, less opulent, but still supremely elegant. The ceiling wasn’t vaulted but flat and fitted with several faceted light fittings that followed the rectangular shape of the ceiling and a starburst light in the centre just below it central sofa and tables. The metal and leather like wall panels were mixed with tall sheets of natural beige marble and had smaller sconces fixed to them. The inside of the doors were covered with floor to ceiling oxblood velvet curtains that were fixed to a brass rail at the ceiling elegantly encasing the doorframe. They were soon approached by a waiter who showed them to their seats in the middle of the Fumoir. They sat down in a booth like seat the echoed the star like shape of the lights on the ceiling which was built around a large brownish veined and cream marble urn, the dark brown leather seats tied in well with the muted gold of the wall panels and the oxblood curtains. Freddie ordered a gin martini with a twist and he ordered a White Lady. They sat next to each other so they could both observe the room. Olives and almonds were promptly served in little silver dishes followed swiftly by their cocktails. They looked at each other and raised their glasses. ‘To the first night’ and they both took a sip. ‘One really shouldn’t dress up for the first night at sea’ he remarked and Freddie nodded his head. ‘That’s why I didn’t book the main restaurant. I just didn’t feel right to do that straight away.’ They looked at each other and both chuckled and were very happy with the fact that they agreed once again with each other without one telling the other. They looked around at some people who did dress up and were happy that they made an effort. The fumoir was lively but a little bit quieter than the Grand Lobby but the music from the lobby could still be heard well from a distance. ‘So where are we having supper tonight dearest?’ he asked. ‘Or is that a secret too?’ Freddie looked up from his glass and said ‘No, no. No secret at all. We’re having supper at the Grill; I thought that would be quite intimate for the first night at sea.’ He looked at Freddie and smiled and looked away as he took a sip. He heard the pianist play a soft but lively tune accompanied by a bass and Freddie looked at ease in his chaise overlooking the lobby. After a while Freddie said, ‘Golly, I was thinking earlier this week, sometimes I feel we’ve always been together.’ He stammered a bit. ‘What I mean to say is that life seems a bit of a blur, a rather unhappy blur when I think of those years without you dearest.’ He looked at Freddie and he smiled gently. ‘I agree completely, but that’s the thing with soulmates isn’t it? Once you're together you feel like life has always been like this, like it was meant to be like this, so effortless, so natural.’ Freddie looked at him for a while and he saw by the look in his eyes that he understood. Freddie sat up in his chair and moved around a bit nervously. ‘Dearest, I agree and you know that even if I haven’t really said it often in the beginning, you know how much it means to me?’ Freddie looked at his glass for a bit feeling confident but at the same time a little bit scared by having said something like this. ‘Yes’ he replied, ‘but one does need to hear it from time to time and some people more than others, I suppose.’ He smiled at Freddie and as Freddie wanted to reply a waiter appeared. ‘Gentleman your table is ready.’
The Grill
The dancefloor at the Grill
They finished their drinks and got up and followed the waiter, through the Fumoir, past countless of little tables where other people had their aperitifs, towards the opposite Grand Staircase. They walked up the stairs and Freddie held his hand firmly and looked at him with a broad smile. He squeezed Freddie’s hand and smiled back at him and as they reached the top of the stairs they walked through a corridor lined in beige marble with gold coloured fittings that was lit with lights thats were half hidden in gilded alcoves that led to the Grill. The Grill was a semi-circular room that stretched the width of the ship and overlooked the ‘Esplanade de Grill’ through it large windows that by day would offer a spectacular view of the ocean. They entered via the right door and he noticed the Grill was divided in two semi circles. The first one was a large and elegant cocktail bar against the wall with an intimate seating area. A wall covered in mirrors mounted by shelves with brass fronts that contained dozens of bottles of spirits of all kinds and glasses of various shapes next to it, reflecting the lights and movements in the room. The second part was raised by two steps and had an array of tables of various sizes which were all arranged around beautiful light fitted pillars, the floor of the grill was laid in large and rather spectacular looking sunburst pattern starting from the bar, fanning out towards the widow increasing in width. The maître took over from the waiter and escorted them towards their table. An intimate table for two between one of the large green marble columns that were spread around the outer edge of the Grill in between the windows and in the front next to the bar. The tables were covered in fine linen tablecloths and linen napkins with navy edging. The Maître presented the menu and left them alone for a while. They looked around and enjoyed the location of their table, they were able to see everyone and be seen from where they were sitting. The tiers of the light pillars were almost similar to flower petals and drenched the grill at night in golden light reflecting in the mirrors of the bar and on the walls. Freddie looked around an noticed that the Grill was busy to the point of being almost fully booked. The bar was busy but not overcrowded and a few people were casually standing at the bar watching their drinks being mixed. He was thinking how glad he was that he booked all dinners ahead. The fashionable Grill had the same atmosphere as a Parisian brasserie with its layout, tables and menu, it reminded them of the Vaudeville or La Coupole on a busy evening. The mood at the Grill was fun and relaxed as the pianist in the corner played a few mellow jazz tunes and they listened to the buzz of people talking and glasses clinking. They looked out of the window and saw snow coming down in what was almost a blizzard, blowing past their window. In the distance, looking over the Esplanade, they saw the stern and the wake of the ship and dark and foamy waters indicating the speed of the superliner. 'I'm quite happy to be inside, by the way it looks outside' Freddie said. 'Yes, it's really coming down now isn't it?' he replied as they both looked out of the window. 'What do you feel like having tonight?' He asked Freddie. Freddie looked at the menu and looked pensive for a moment. 'I'm feeling vintage tonight, so I might start with a prawn and avocado cocktail followed by some grilled chicken'. He looked at the menu as well, lots to choose from he noticed. 'Aren't you always feeling vintage?' He said to Freddie once he looked at the menu. Freddie squinted again and he winked at Freddie, 'That's why I love you, silly. You're my favourite old fashioned person.' The waiter returned and they placed their orders, Freddie had his vintage prawn cocktail to start, followed by grilled chicken in fine herbs and he chose a crab and avocado tower followed by a soufflé Suisse. He choose a Pouilly Fumé to drink and bread with rather a lot of butter to start. 'I could easily live just off bread, butter and wine. Oh and cheese!' He said. Freddie looked at him and laughed. 'Well that would make everything much easier' Freddie replied. 'But you are right. The essentials are far better to have than all those little annoying fashionable dishes people have nowadays. Good honest food'. He said as he jokingly tapped his hand quietly on the table. The waiter poured the wine after letting them try it and after a while they indulged in their meals. How relaxed Freddie looked, he thought. Frequently throwing his head back with laughter, and guffawing at each others jokes and remarks exposing what he thought his adorable and slightly crooked teeth. Pudding arrived and Freddie had settled for a large ice-cream coupe and he choose a few scoops of almond and pistachio ice cream. It came with a delicate tuille biscuit which always reminded him of his childhood. Freddie noticed how much he enjoyed his ice-cream and they were both quiet when they finished it. After sitting there for a while once they finished their supper, they got up. They understood why the Grill was so sought after. It was glamorous in a low key kind of way and had a buzzing atmosphere and was still very busy and served meals and cocktails until well after midnight. They walked around the bar and left the Grill via the other door and returned to the aft lift lobby. 'Do you want return to the cabin yet?' Freddie asked. 'Shall we have a coffee and a Brandy in the Fumoir perhaps?' He remarked and Freddie nodded with excitement. They descended the grand staircase again back into the Fumoir. 'Welcome back gentlemen. I trust you had a nice dinner?' The waiter remarked as they entered the Fumoir again. 'Oh yes, quite lovely' he replied. They sat down at an intimate table for two in the corner and were surround by people who had a similar idea as they did and settled into the evening with their coffee's, tisane or nightcap. They ordered a pot of coffee and both had a glass of brandy. The lights in the Fumoir were turned down low and people spoke at a lower tone and they drank their coffee in peace. As they swirled their brandies he looked at Freddie, 'Well, this a lovely end to a most remarkable day. I never thought, not in a million years that I'll be having a Brandy after having supper at the Grill with the love of my life aboard the SS Bretagne tonight'. Freddie looked at him and smiled. ' Well, I hope you enjoyed it so far, dearest? We still have 6 days to go'. They looked at each other for a while, 'if this is only the beginning, than I can't wait for the rest of the week.' They got up after while, the Fumoir was quieter. They returned via the Grand Lobby, with its light pots turned all the way down and climbed up the stairs which in this low light had taken on an almost coppery colour. They walked up to A deck with a slight detour. There were quite a lot of people about having a stroll after supper. They reached their cabin and they both undressed and slipped into their silk dressing gowns. After they both got ready they stepped into bed pulling up the gold coloured quilt and he kissed him and placed his head on Freddie's chest. 'Goodnight dearest' he whispered and they held on to each other tightly for a while. 'Goodnight my dear' Freddie replied and he placed his hand on his head and both fell asleep as the SS Bretagne made her way through the snow on the icy Atlantic.
Le Fumoir
Comments
Post a Comment