Alfred & April's Brush With Disaster

AtoZ Challenge...Letter A's 'fiction from forgotten fotos'

April 10, 1912...Southampton, UK

"Alfred, be a darling, and ring the concierge for a cup of Garfield Tea."  April's request, as she reclined on the settee in their posh honeymoon suite, caught Alfred in deep thought as he stood before the window overlooking the dock.

"Yes, of course my dear, right away," was his response as he gave the ornate bell pull a firm tug.  "I am so sorry, my Sweet, that you are feeling indisposed.  Perhaps we should postpone our return trip home."

Before April could reply, there was a courteous rap on the door, and within seconds Alfred was requesting a pot of the herbal tea for his ailing wife.  "Be certain the tea is Garfields, as my wife has a splitting headache and please, see that it is steaming hot," said Alfred as his peaked wife bound off the settee and made a dash for the 'Lue'.  Alfred's next request came as no surprise to the hotel service staffer, "please, send up a chamber maid as well".

When April returned, she courageously began packing their trunks while sipping the medicinal tea which Alfred had laced with a generous splash of Scotch.  "I am feeling some better, Alfred.  I believe we will make our departure time without delay," she said as she hurriedly packed her vanity items.

While Alfred saw to checking out of the hotel and engaged a porter for their trunks, April finished the pot of tea, made a quick study of the room, donned her hat and met Alfred in the lobby.  Soon they were crossing the busy street in front of the hotel to the departure dock where the porter placed their trunks in line with the other passengers waiting to board.

Suddenly, April let out a shriek as she opened her vanity case where she had placed their tickets for safe keeping.  "Oh no, my brush is not here.  I must have left it on the dresser in my rush.  Alfred, would you go back and get it for me.  I could not bear to leave without my lovely wedding gift from you, my Darling.  I will wait right here with our trunks."

Alfred checked his pocket watch, calculated the slow moving boarding line, handed April his hankerchief and turned to cross the street.  Now busier than before, the street was filled with passengers, their luggage and an extraordinary number of photographers and reporters.  The hotel lobby was a hub of activity as well, and getting to the desk for a key took forever.  Alfred checked his watch once he had retrieved  the forgotten brush, and noted that he had been gone more than a half hour.

A feeling of panic and dread overcame him as he rushed across the street in time to see the ship slowly being tugged out of the harbor. The massive crowd yelled and waved their goodbyes to the passengers now throwing streamers and confetti from the crowded decks.  Alfred pushed and shoved his way through the crowd to no avail all the while searching the decks for a glimpse of his bride.

As the ship floated farther and father away, the forlorn husband stood staring at the embroidered roses on the back of the brush envisioning his lovely wife sitting in their stateroom her hair a mess.  The crowd began to disperse, and still he stood there in disbelief.   Moments later he was shocked out of his despair when his wife flung herself into his arms sobbing uncontrollably.

Oh Albert...sob sob... I'm so sorry, I must have fainted from too much Tea.  I don't understand it's never affected me that way before...hic..sob..sniff..hic.  Now look what has..hic..happened!! 

 

We have..hic..missed the boat!

Five Days Later!