All Aboard! Part II

Meet me in the Winter Garden

The next morning he woke up to find the bed empty. He looked around and looked at the clock, 8 am local time since the clocks went backwards by one hour last night. There was a note on Freddie’s pillow saying ‘Dearest, meet me at the Winter garden café at 10am for breakfast’. He sat up straight and slowly got out of bed slipping into his green silk dressing gown. He opened the curtains of the bedroom and looked outside. The sea was calm, the snow was still on the balcony but the sky was a pale blue with still some low hanging clouds, as he looked out over the sea he wondered what Freddie was doing. He walked to the bathroom and took off his pyjamas and after showering he started to get ready. He walked over to the dressing table and opened one of his talcum powder boxes and took off his dressing gown and applied a thin layer of powder followed by a few dabs of scent. He brushed his hair and pulled a powder blue shirt from his wardrobe followed by a pair of pink corduroys, a navy Shetland jumper and a paisley neckerchief around his neck. He slipped on a pair of brown brogues that he inherited from his father and checked the time, 09:45. Perfect he thought, he stood up and walked to the corridor and draped his mink coat over his shoulders and set off to find the Winter Garden café. He walked up to the main deck and made his way towards the stern via the Promenade deck, the brisk walk in the cold morning air woke him up and as he asked for directions for the Winter Garden café he noticed the sheer size of the ship and how much there was yet to discover. When he almost reached the stern he got out of the Promenade deck and walked down one flight of stairs wrapping his coat around him as he was swept up by the icy wind. He found a door back inside and walked into a broad a brightly lit lobby with a sea green rug with a floral pattern and found his way to the entrance of the winter garden. He reached the maître and gave his name, the maître gave him a friendly nod and gestured to follow him. The Winter Garden was an extraordinary place, a large semi-circular room that stretched almost the entire breadth of the ship. It was positioned directly below the Esplanade du Grill and had the same wonderful view of the stern and the ocean. The room was light and bright due to the large rectangular curved windows that stretched all along the edge of the garden room. The floor was covered in light wooded parquet and covered with countless of Persian rugs. There were a fantastical amount of large glass plant and flower cases which housed all sorts of tropical and exotic flowers. The large cases all had a frame of brightly polished brass that reflected the morning sunlight coming in from all the windows. In-between all these crystal plant cases there were countless of tables of various sizes all covered fine damask tablecloths edged with a dusty pink embroidery. The chairs were u-shaped and made of dark red lacquered wicker with pink cushions. The maître walked towards the side where Freddie was waiting for him at a table next to the wall in front of one of these spectacular plant cases. The wall behind him was covered in a sea green embroidered silk in a chinoiserie style that matched the carpet of the lobby. The entire garden room felt so light and bright and crisp on this winter morning, with the sun streaming in from all its windows. Freddie got up as he saw him approach and he thanked the maître. Freddie, dressed in his brown prince of Wales checked jacket a blue shirt and a burgundy cardigan and navy corduroys gave him a broad smile and kissed him on his cheek, smelling a whiff of his fougere scent. He whispered, ‘ a rose by any other name…’. He looked at Freddie and smiled and said ‘Good morning Petal, pun intended, naturally’. He winked at him and Freddie blushed at bit and helped him in his chair and sat down too. ‘Did you sleep well dearest?’ He nodded and said ‘ I was surprised not to find you there this morning, but I saw your message and you texted me’. They received their menus and continued talking. ‘ You might be surprised to hear that I went to find the library, followed by a walk since I was up very early’. ‘ oh did you? Any nice books for you to read? Or should I should I say even more books for you to read’ he said. Freddie chuckled and continued, ‘ apparently it’s the largest library at sea. And I have to say, It certainly did not disappoint.’ ‘ Oh I am glad to hear that dearest, I might have a look myself tomorrow.’ He replied. Freddie told him about his walk and the places he already discovered as they looked at what to have for breakfast. Freddie settled for toast with marmalade and two eggs and bacon and he ordered creamed eggs with toast and sausages and they had a large pot of tea to share. Breakfast carried on at a leisurely pace and without a trace of haste. The Winter Garden was indeed a special place, the waiters walked past them immaculately dressed in their sea green aprons and navy waistcoats and poured their tea at all the right moments. Freddie was telling him about his latest drawings and showed him pictures on his phone and drawings he took with him in the morning. He listened to Freddie talk and talk until they finished their tea. Once Freddie realised, he stopped talking and they decided to get up and they got their coats from the cloakroom in the lobby. 'Time for a Promenade methinks' he said and Freddie agreed. They started with a brisk walk along the boat deck since it was no longer snowing and to take in the sea air. 'My papa always said that sea air is the cure for everything!' He said whilst pausing for a moment and looked out at sea. 'That's sounds like a wise thing to say. It's probably the iodine' Freddie remarked. He smiled at him and looked out at sea for a little bit longer. They walked almost two laps around the boat deck until they were, what felt nearly frozen solid. As they were about to go in the horn blasted once. 'Midday' Freddie remarked and with red cheeks and wind swept hair they sought refuge on the Promenade deck where it was much less cold to walk and as they got to the doors of the main lift lobby a bell rang twice and a group of stewards was handing out hot chicken consommé with a salted cracker before lunch. They both took a a large mug and sat on one of the sun loungers and drank their consommé. Freddie held his mug with both hands to warm up his red and cold fingers and they rested their legs for a while. 'Well I must say, this came at exactly the right time!' He exclaimed. Freddie nodded and smiled since he was too cold to talk at that given moment. Once they finished their consommé and rested their legs a bit longer they went to what was called, Vendôme on one side of B deck that was filled with shops. A broad corridor was lined with beautiful sleek wooden and brass shopfronts. There was a stationery shop that sold writing paper, books and magazines. A souvenir shop, a few shops that sold men's and women's clothes and accessories and there was even a little florist, with bunches of roses, carnations and more beautiful flowers. At the end of the corridor there was an information desk where you could book train and aeroplane tickets and gather more information about your travel destination. They didn't buy anything but it was amusing to look at they thought. Next they took the cream marble staircase all the way down to look at the spa, and the swimming pool. They filled their afternoon by walking through long corridors, getting hopelessly lost and finding nice spots to sit, preferably next to a large window where they could see the ocean sail past. Later in the afternoon they got their books and sat in the writing room, one of the intimate rooms in the Grand Lobby with cosy sofas where he had sunk away in and read in there for a little bit and Freddie reading passages from his book to him when no-one else was around and occasionally chatted with their fellow passengers who had also discovered the writing room with an impressive desk by Ruhlmann, hence the name. They didn't have a lot of lunch but settled for a little snack in the tea room with a pot of Lapsang. The tea room was a delightful room which was made up of dark wooden panelling and faceted mirrors that intricately reflected angles and people who were sitting in the room. There were comfortable mint green and silver chaises, sofas and upholstered chairs and a large table in the middle that boasted a large flower arrangement underneath a large rectangular skylight and a pianist who played some gentle tunes whilst people chatted away and poured cup after cup. He and Freddie sat there for quite a while and Freddie remarked that the tea room resembled a fashionable London Hotel, but since their expedition to discover the liner they came to the conclusion, whilst they had their second pot of tea that the SS Bretagne was supremely elegant, incredibly refined, with an extraordinary attention to detail, quite formal but overall very comfortable without being aggressively fashionable. 'I think they struck a good balance between being formal and quite luxurious without being too much' remarked Freddie and he wholeheartedly agreed. 'Apart from supper in the Grand Salon of course' he added. 'The Grand Salon? Is that where we're having supper tonight Freddie?' He asked whilst looking over the edge of his magazine. Freddie looked at him nodded 'Yes, we are dearest. So we can dress up in all our finery and make a nice evening of it". His face lit up, he always enjoyed dressing up for something, he saw it as a mark of respect towards himself and his surroundings. Freddie noticed the cogs working in his head and he was right, for he was planning what he could wear on an occasion like tonight. ‘So what are you planning to wear dearest?’ Freddie asked ‘I’m probably wearing my tailcoat since the dining room is very grand’ Freddie added. ‘ Well, in that case I shall join you. We can both look impossibly elegant for the evening, and every other evening since we’re here’ he replied with a beaming smile. Freddie threw his head back with laughter ‘ I knew it! And I just adore it when you dress up for the evening’ he said whilst giving him an adoring look. He smiled rather coyly and responded, ‘well, I’ll take that as a compliment’. Freddie stopped laughing and looked at him rather seriously, ‘Dearest, it was more than a compliment’ and he grabbed his hand. He looked at Freddie and squeezed his hand ‘I know dearest’. ‘In that case we shouldn’t wait too long since I have a reservation for 8.15 and we need to of course have an aperitif in the lobby before going in, that’s essential’. He beamed with anticipation which made Freddie blush with excitement and he gave him a mischievous smile. ‘Now, why should that make you blush Freddie?’ he asked him. ‘Oh, I don’t know’ Freddie tried to say casually but failed miserably and looked the other way and he finished his cup whilst observing Freddie. Freddie looked at his phone and noticed the time. ‘In that case, shall we head back slowly and start to get ready?’ He nodded ' Yes, since I also want to have a bath tonight' and they slowly walked back via the Promenade deck with the sun setting at the horizon pouring a pink winter light over the ship and through every porthole. 

The Jardin D'Hiver

The Grand Salon

In their suite Freddie made himself comfortable in the drawing room and put his feet up. He was on his phone for a while and then grabbed his book. He walked to the bathroom and opened the tap of the pink marble bathtub. He poured a delicately scented bath oil in the running water and took off his clothes and slipped on his green dressing gown and leather slippers. He sat on the edge of the bath watching the water slowly fill it and inhaled the powdery scented fumes and tested the temperature of the water. He got up and walked towards Freddie and stood in the doorway of the bedroom looking at him. Freddie looked up from his book and smiled, 'are you getting ready dearest?' He asked. 'I'm running the bath first and then I'll get ready. We have plenty of time.'  They looked at one another and spoke without words, as they often did. He smiled and returned to the bathroom throwing his dressing gown on the bed. He dipped his toe in the water and thought it felt comfortable and turned on Chopin on his phone, dimmed the lights and quickly slipped into the large square pink bathtub and felt the warm scented water envelope him. He sighed and put his head under water and when he got back up relaxed and listened to a nocturne. After floating there for a while there was a knock on the door. 'Yes' he replied. 'May I come in?' Freddie asked. 'Of course you can' he replied and the door opened and Freddie appeared in his shirt sleeves and his pyjamas trousers. He looked at him laying in the bath tub and sat on the edge, 'the water is nice' he said as he put his hand in the water and grabbed his hand. 'Would you like to join me?' He asked whilst holding Freddie’s hand and he kept looking at Freddie. Without saying anything Freddie got up and kicked off his slippers, took off his trousers and unbuttoned his shirt. He looked at Freddie's long and lean body, how pretty he thought him whilst he rested his hands and chin on the edge of the bath. He observed his slim and fine torso and long arms and even longer legs and smiled a little. He reached for Freddie's hand and he held his and slowly stepped into the bathtub. As Freddie sat down they didn't say a word, and he got very close to Freddie who looked at him. He dipped his sponge under water and gently poured water over Freddie's shoulders, his back and his chest. When He was covered in the milky scented water he held Freddie's face and slowly caressed his cheeks and forehead and stroked his dark and curly hair with his wet hands. Freddie smiled not having stopped looking at him, their eyes locked on each other the whole time. He came closer to Freddie and wrapped his legs around his waist as they both sat upright in the bath. He reached for his sponge again and poured more warm water over Freddie's shoulders. Freddie smiled as he looked at him and he traced Freddie's nose and lips with his fingers. They both were locked in each others arm as they submerged themselves in the bath. 'Dearest' sighed Freddie. And he looked at him with a tender look 'Yes?' He replied and Freddie smiled and kissed him over and over again. After while, when the bath water started to cool down they decided to get out and wrapped themselves in the large towels that were hanging from the chrome towel rack. They looked at each other and leaned against each other wrapped in towels and laughed, 'that was a lovely bath' said Freddie 'It was rather, best one in a long time actually' he replied. They dried off and he grabbed a gold coloured jar and spread a few dabs of cream on his face and did the same to Freddie, who squinted as he rubbed the cream in. Freddie brushed his hair in his usual side parting and applied some hair cream to keep it lightly in place. 'Keep it nice and fluffy dearest' he said 'you look so handsome when your hair is like that' he smiled at Freddie and Freddie stood behind him and kissed his neck. He walked to the dressing table and took off his dressing gown and applied a large amount of scented talcum powder to his chest, arms and back. He grabbed a large square green bottle of Vol de Nuit and with the square metal stopper he lavishly applied it to his neck, behind his ears, in his hairline, the crook of his elbows and wrists. Freddie walked over to him and grabbed the bottle and the stopper and gave it a whiff. He turned him around and then lightly applied some scent with the stopper between his shoulder blades all the way down his spine. He kissed his shoulder and closed the bottle and placed it on the dressing table and started to get dressed. Freddie was almost done and sat down in his white marcella waistcoat on the chaise longue looking at him getting ready, a thing he always liked to do. He walked to the dresser and got his collar, studs and a little box from the top drawer and socks from the other. He pulled up his deep purple silk socks and slipped on a crisp cotton shirt with a stiff linen front. From a rectangular dark green box, edged in gold he removed a set of platinum shirt studs set with tiny diamonds and sapphires set in a geometric design with matching cufflinks. His trousers were held up by silk braces which matched his socks and he fiddled with his collar and silk bow before he put on his silk ivory waistcoat that matched his bow. Freddie got up and they helped each other with their tailcoats and he slipped on his black patent pumps and as he stood in front of the mirrored door he pulled Freddie towards him. 'Don't we look handsome dearest?' Freddie looked at their reflection with a beaming smile. 'I was about to say the same thing!' He exclaimed. They looked at each others reflections and then set off. Calmly they made their way to the lobby. Walking down from the cream marble staircase towards the promenade deck, they reached the main lift lobby where they noticed that excitement was in the air. The lift lobby and the gallery were busy with people going to and fro and most people were like them, dressed in their finery since it was the first proper night at sea. They made their way through the long gallery to the stairs of the grand lobby, and walked slower as they reached the top of the stairs, then, slowly they walked down the stairs together being observed by onlookers. The usual little dance floor was formed at the bottom of the stairs where a few people slow danced and the pianist was joined by someone who played the bass. The light coming from the light pots was low and warm and casted a golden rosy glow over the room and its guests. There was a low rumble of people talking, glasses clinking and animated laughter for the lobby was exceptionally busy that night. Together they walked through the Grand Lobby and took in the buzzing atmosphere and looked for a table which they found in front of one of the great light pots. They sat down carefully spreading the tails of their coats and he sat in front of the light fixture and Freddie sat down opposite him. Freddie looked radiant, bathing in golden pink light and the light reflecting on the pearl dress set he was wearing that he gave him once for Christmas, a waiter arrived and they ordered their drinks, their evening had begun.

'A Side Car please' he asked the waiter and Freddie ordered a gin martini with a twist. The waiter disappeared and they looked around the lobby, taking in the atmosphere, they felt the ship sway a bit in a swell. Freddie looked at him with his large brown eyes illuminated by the light coming from the light pot. 'You look like an angel' Freddie told him 'The light just floods in from behind you, its quite magical'. He chuckled, 'you flatterer! But I'm glad to hear it. You are basically drenched in this glow of ethereal light' Freddie smiled, it might be the light or your presence' he said quietly as their drinks were served accompanied with the usual snacks. They raised their glasses, sipped their aperitifs and nibbled on their snacks whilst they secretly enjoyed each others little compliments. He observed Freddie who, he thought looked resplendent in his starched bib and tailcoat but was looking rather fidgety. He looked from left to right and at him. 'Are you enjoying yourself dearest?' he asked. Freddie looked at him 'well, I'm with your aren't I my dear? So can only enjoy myself' He smiled broadly and his eyes glimmered in the light. They enjoyed each others company and being observed by their smartly dresses fellow passengers who walked past their table. Freddie who was talking in a lively manner suddenly realised the time. 'Dearest, I think we best be off!' He remarked whilst looking at his thin silver pocket watch, a thing he had always liked with its stylised Arabic numerals and the number eight that was shaped as an hourglass he always thought. He placed his glass on the table and got up and adjusted his waistcoat and reached for his hand which he took and got up as well. Slowly they walked to the gilded staircase and made their way to the central stairs of main deck. As the light grew brighter and the music faded, they reached the staircase and walked down one deck. In the seating area of the lift lobby people had gathered and chatted lively. They made their way to the ceiling high brass doors which led to an ante-room that was lined in dark pink veined marble in where a desk was housed. Freddie went up to the reception and gave his name and suite number and the maître nodded politely and summoned one of the head waiters that were all lined up at the main entrance of the grand dining room. 

The grand dining room was the largest afloat. Spanning the height of three decks, and over a hundred meters in length it could sit nearly 800 people in one sitting. It's proportions were breath taking as were the furnishings. They entered the dining room through a large doorway made of a brass grate in an open geometric design that separated the ante-room from the main room. The pink of the ante-room extended for a bit into the dining room and ended where the stairs began. The slowly descended the stairs that led into the the most exquisite room afloat. Floor was covered in a navy lacquered wooden floor panels in a star pattern and every square inch of the walls were covered with back-lit etched glass that each had their own cartouche of an individual design. Set with faceted floor to ceiling sconces trimmed in gilded fittings. The gilded coffered ceiling that span the entire length of the dining room was hung with twelve Lalique chandeliers in a thin baguette cut crystal design. The room was completely covered in square, rectangular and round tables with black and burgundy lacquered round back chairs, set with heavy damask table cloths and napkins. The seats of the chairs were a deep vivacious hue of pink that complemented the ends of the pink marble and the gilt coffered ceiling. In between the tables six huge cut crystal light pots were placed, almost like a colonnade similar in design to the Grand Lobby that bathed the dining room and its guest in a pinkish golden glow. The room was arranged in such a way that with the use of low coromandel folding screens, navy and gold lacquered sideboards intimate alcoves were created without compromising the astonishing length of the dining room. Both Freddie and he slowly walked down the stairs and followed their waiter in awe of their impossibly elegant surroundings. A pianist and band played Rachmaninov's Lilacs in one of the corners as they were seated in the center on a table for two next to one of the impressive light pots ensconced in between a coromandel screen. He glowed as he sat down and Freddie smiled broadly as they were left with their menu's. 'I think, in all honesty, this is the most impressive and opulent room I have ever seen' he said. Freddie looked at him, still broadly smiling and looked around the room and listened to the clinking of knives and forks and the hubbub of people talking. 'It is rather perfect is it not?!' He exclaimed. They were quiet for a moment or two to absorb the atmosphere of the dining room and observe the people around them. People like them dressed in white tie and tails, sleek evening dresses made of lame and velvet and stole of fur. In the pink glow of the light pots, jewellery shimmered with great allure and there were even a few girls who wore a tiara he noticed. 

The waiter and the sommelier came and went as they placed their order for their grand supper. Freddie sat back in his chair and draped his hands on his lap and looked at him in a contently. They were quiet as they observed each other framed by the splendour of the dining room. ' I can't believe we're here!' he said with a large grin. 'It is extraordinary, isn't it?' he replied as he was looking at Freddie and at the room. The first course was served, in the middle of their table a silver tray placed covered in ice that was studded with oysters, accompanied by a plate of lemon wedges. They each received a little plate that contained a large tin of caviar on checked black and white stand that served as a cooler along with a mother of pearl spoon. An array of little plates was served with blinis wrapped in a damask napkin, tiny triangles of toast, a dish of crème fraiche and a some chopped egg yokes and whites. He looked up in excitement and Freddie chuckled, he rearranged a few of his plates and the sommelier poured their champagne. They raised their glasses and they enjoyed their food, he placed a large dollop of his Oscietra caviar on the back of his hand and ate it. He nodded in approval and Freddie followed suit. Whilst talking they arranged their toast and blinis and carefully scooped the oysters out of their shells. 'It is astonishing how they are able to make a room for nearly eight hundred guests feel like a intimate restaurant' Freddie remarked. The music continued, the waiters waltzed between the tables and poured champagne and the guests laughed and talked and in the dark glow of light jewels glittered, all in a rapid succession. Their plates were removed and it was followed by a light chicken consommé which in turn made place for a magnificent plate of pressed chicken with a sauce of morels and truffle with a slice of seared foie grass. 'Well this looks resplendent!' Freddie remarked. 'Yours is without truffle I hope?' he asked. Freddie who didn't like truffles that much, nodded and he remembered a time where he brought him truffle crisps one evening to accompany a glass of red wine and endless conversation. He opened the bag that evening and Freddie pulled a face and pretended to scratch his tongue in agony after he tried them, which made him laugh to no end. A large dish of heavenly creamy mashed potatoes were serves and they resumed their meal. They tried to discussed their projects during supper and talked about colours and inspiration but always drifted off to talk about their favourite topic namely, each other. The room, the people and the music would drift to the background when this happened and at certain moments seemed to disappear in its entirety until the were called back to reality by their waiter pouring them more champagne. 'I can't stop thinking about the fact that I'm stuck at sea with you in this grand dining room, to be honest' Freddie remarked halfway through their meal. He looked at Freddie and smiled. 'You know, I think this was one of your, if not your best idea ever Frederick.' he said with a smile followed by a large scoop of mashed potatoes. Freddie looked up 'Well, when you say it like that, you must be serious!' he replied widening his eyes. He only ever called him Frederick when he was in company of people he didn't know that well or when he was cross with him. He smiled as he swallowed his food 'Well it is!' he exclaimed 'But the best part is that we for once just can be alone together. For the longest time there were always people around us. Now we can just be ourselves with each other for a few days' he continued. Freddie looked at him for a while and gave him the most loving look he could muster and reached for his hand over the table which he held. 'Well, in that case I'm the luckiest man at sea, and probably the planet' he replied. 'I'd like to think that we both are' he replied. After a while they ordered pudding, he had a spectacular ile flottante and Freddie ordered a Grand Marnier soufflé, which they both happily finished, followed by a tiny cup of coffee. Time had passed and they noticed that some tables next to them had already finished their meals . Freddie fiddled with his napkin and looked at him,' Dearest,' he started. 'Yes?' he replied. But Freddie closed him mouth and smiled at him 'Nothing, Later!' he said. 'Shall we go for a little walk and then have a night cap in the lobby or the Fumoir?' Freddie suggested. 'Excellent idea!' He exclaimed. They placed their napkins on the table and they got up and slowly made their way to brass doors. Freddie enjoyed they're walk towards the exit as he held on to his arm and the music accompanied them and people looked at them as they passed by their tables. In the lobby they stood, the light was much brighter than in the dining room. It was 10.20 and the lobby and the grand stair case was still quite busy with people meeting and talking. 'Dearest shall I get our coats quickly and we go out for a little stroll on deck?' Freddie asked. 'Yes please, bring my fur since it will be cold, you can use one of mine too if you want?' He added. Freddie pulled a face and kissed him on the cheek 'I'll be fine' he said and he skipped up the marble stair one deck up to their suite whilst he sat down on one of the green leather chaises in the lobby, looking at other passengers coming ou of the dining room. He saw the girl with the tiara coming towards him and they smiled when their looks crossed each other. Followed by another handsome couple of two men who like Freddie and himself wore white tie and made their way to the theatre. He enjoyed looking at people, as he waited and took note of their clothes and accents as they walked past and wondered where they were going once the liner would dock in Southampton. Freddie appeared all of a sudden with his navy overcoat and a brown fur scarf he borrowed from him wrapped around his neck. He draped a black broadtail fur cape over his shoulders as he got up and he fixed the clasp for him. 'Oh, you are kind dearest' he said with a wink to Freddie. 'You're not going to comment on the fact that I didn't bring your mink down?' Freddie remarked. 'Well, should I?' he replied. 'Well, I though the black fur cape would compliment your tails and our evening attire' Freddie mentioned with a wink and they walked toward the doors for the boat deck. 

The night sky was crystal clear that evening, the wind despite the sub zero temperature at sea wasn't dreadfully cold and they calmly walked a few laps around deck meeting other people who had the same idea. They walked past the upper windows of the lobby with light pouring out of the windows on to the deck and the sea. Hand in hand they walked talking and sometimes in silence taking in the fresh sea air and looking at the pitch black waters of the Atlantic ocean as they passed through at a comfortable speed towards the continent. They reached the stern of the ship and walked up a flight of stairs and stood on the Esplanade du Grill with its polished teak benches with the light and the music from the Grill pouring out onto the deck where they were standing all alone. Freddie looked up at the sky and from where they were standing you could catch a glimpse of the second funnel brightly lit, like the rest of the ship of lights. He looked at Freddie who stood there on his own in the middle of the Grill's deck and walked towards him and Freddie reached out for his hand. He came close to him and noticed Freddie holding him tightly with both arms all of a sudden. Freddie looked up, 'look at how extraordinary the sky is tonight' he remarked. 'Every star in the heavens is in attendance tonight' he said with a smile. 'Yes they are' Freddie replied looking at him. Freddie who was still holding him looked at him, rather intensely he thought and they didn't speak for a while, they just listened to each other and to the wind and the sea that was crashing by and the music coming from inside. Freddie reached for his hands and slowly they started to dance to the music coming from the Grill. He laughed as Freddie moved around slightly awkwardly, as he always did when trying to dance, but they danced around the deck giggling with their hair and his fur cape swept up in the wind.  Suddenly Freddie stopped, holding him very close to him again. 'You're looking rather serious all of a sudden?' he said. Freddie smiled but still looked serious. 'I am' he finally said. 'Dearest, there's something I've been meaning to tell you for a while now and it never felt like the right time for some reason'. 'Okay, tell me please' he said also looking rather serious. 'You see, I never mentioned to you how important your are to me and how you make me feel when we're together. And I feel I really want to tell you now and at this place.' Freddie, I appreciate that, but don't feel like you need to...' He placed his hand on his mouth and smiled. They were quiet again for a bit and Freddie kept looking at him serious but with a twinkle in his eye. 'Dearest, I should have told you eight years ago actually, or whenever I realised it' he scoffed. 'Realised what?!' he exclaimed. Freddie continued,  'I'm terribly sorry it took me so long to gather all my courage to tell you but, I want to tell you that I love you, which you know, but it doesn't hurt saying it again. But what I'm asking is, if you'd like to spend the rest of your life with me Dearest?' Freddie looked at him with widened eyes and he looked back at him. 'Freddie, Freddie, Freddie, I couldn't dream of spending my life with anyone else but you dearest.' he said and Freddie kissed him and they held each other as close as they possibly could. 

A little while later they walked back hand in hand via the promenade deck that sheltered them from the wind. 'Do want to go back to our cabin yet?' Freddie asked. He looked at him and smiled 'No, not yet. Shall we perhaps have a digestive in the lobby?' he suggested. Freddie laughed out loud and lent into him and he placed his head on Freddie's shoulder as they giggled. 'I knew it!' Freddie exclaimed and they walked towards a door to get inside. Via the embarkation hall they walked to the long gallery and towards the lobby. It was quieter in the gallery and they made their way down the stairs into the lobby which had only a handful of people sitting there. The pianist was still playing and the lights were low. Freddie walked all the way to the side of the lobby and looked around, when he noticed no one was looking he opened the curtains and the brass grate the covered the window at night to have a clear view of the sea that was lit by the light coming from the liner. He looked very content as he did that and they both sat down on a large sofa overlooking the sea racing by and the black waters beyond it. A waiter appeared out of the blue and they ordered a drink. He looked out of the window and at the gilded walls and he noticed they were all alone in this part of the lobby. He felt Freddie's hand on his and he turned around and looked at Freddie who was sat back on the sofa and looked at him too. The waiter served two large glasses of brandy and placed them on the lacquered table in front of them and walked off again. Freddie brought his hand to his lips and kissed it and sat up with him and they reached for their glasses. 'Here's to us dearest, and for always being together' Freddie raised his glass. He raised his and replied 'To always being together Freddie' They took a sip and Freddie lent in and kissed him whilst holding his cheek and smelled his scented neck. He smiled and kissed the tip of Freddie's nose and fell back on the sofa, Freddie looked at him for a while and followed suit. They were laying there for a while, holding hands leaning against each other and looked out at sea as the pianist played and the watched the ocean go past. Freddie sighed, and looked at him and he turned his head too. Freddie looked serious and seriously in love, he knew the look, his eyes slightly widened and eyebrows slightly raised. ' I'm not sure what to say to you dearest, to explain to you what I feel right now' he said eventually. ' Don't worry, I know what you feel. For I feel the same. And after what you said earlier... well now I know it for certain' he replied as tenderly as he could. Freddie looked at him and lent forward and kissed him. They kissed for a while half hidden in the sofa in the dark and quiet corner of the grand lobby. They felt perfectly happy and content. Time passed, they had finished their brandies and the lights were dimmed even further, they noticed and the music was slower. 'Perhaps we should go to our cabin?' Freddie said sitting up. He nodded at Freddie and sat up too 'Yes, but let's not rush' he said and got up and walked towards the window and looked out at sea whilst holding the curtain. Freddie followed and stood behind him and rested his chin on his shoulder. 'Still a few days of this dearest' he whispered 'Yes, thank heavens yes' He replied. They turned around and slowly walked across the lobby towards the stairs when he suddenly stopped when he heard the pianist play a song they both knew. On the deserted little dancefloor in front of the stairs they looked at each other and Freddie grabbed his hand and his waist and they slowly danced to the gentle tinkling of Ivor Novello. 'Well, this is all quite impossibly romantic, isn't it?' he chuckled. Freddie smiled but had his gazed transfixed on him and he was quiet. They danced slowly, with the lobby almost to themselves but for a couple sitting in silence at the far end of the lobby and a small group of friends who had just arrived. The pianist noticed them dancing and kept playing the same song for a while as Freddie held his as close to him as he possibly could, looking in his eyes the entire time. The room with its gilded back lit walls and pinkish golden light pots that glowed like large embers seemed to fall to the background like a golden cloud around them whilst they slowly danced. He felt that it went on for an eternity just like the last time they danced like this. Eventually the music stopped and they were pulled back to the lobby where they noticed they were the only two people left. The pianist got up and closed his grand piano and smiled at them and they both nodded back politely. For a moment or two they stood there motionless on the dancefloor and Freddie held his face as he often did and whispered 'I love you!' he smiled and whispered 'I love you too' back and kissed one more time. Arm in arm they slowly climbed the stairs together and looked back at the darkened room when they reached to top of the stairs and continued. they realised all the lights had been slightly dimmed in the public areas and made their way up the stairs to their suite.

Up in the suite, their steward had drawn the curtains and readied the bed and placed the itinerary for the following day on the dressing table. He was in the bathroom wearing his lilac and navy trimmed pyjamas and had just finished brushing his teeth and he was ready for bed. Freddie he saw, had also changed into his navy pyjamas with a burgundy trim was tidying their clothes and flicked through the papers and menu for the next day. ' How sweet' he said to himself and tidied the cream jars. He switched off the light and walked over to the dressing table and applied a tiny dab of scent whilst he looked at Freddie trying to distract him. Freddie looked up and all of a sudden picked him up and he squealed with laughter. 'Put me down!' he exclaimed but Freddie slowly turned around in circles and he held on to Freddie's neck as he slowly and carefully placed him in bed. As he did he held onto Freddie and pulled him on top of him and kissed him. Freddie rolled to the side over to his side of the bed and they pulled up the crisp duvet cover and quilt. He switched off the lights and lay down on his back and he rolled over towards Freddie and placed his head on his chest and Freddie placed his hand on his head. 'Today was fantastic Freddie' he said quietly. ' It was quite fantastic' Freddie whispered back. 'Lets have a relaxed morning tomorrow' he said and Freddie nodded in agreement. They disused possible plans for the day as they both giggled and shifted to their sides to talk for a while. Freddie then held him very close, as close as he could and kissed him goodnight 'Sweet dreams dearest.' They kissed again and slowly dozed off to sleep in each others arms as the superliner moved across the Atlantic ocean.