The Dark Shadow of Thursday

by H P Steven

  “Cut it out,” Anna laughed. We unclasped hands as we turned the corner to the bar, and laughed at each other.

  Noticing the others already sitting at a table.

  “Hey guys you look empty. What’s everyone having I’ll get the next round?” I asked.

  “Shot bro,” Cam replied.

  “Just beers and white wine for the ladies,” Cam added.

  “Cool bro.”

  I turned to Anna and asked what she would like, as she leaned in and whispered her soft lips brushed my earlobe causing my heart to race with a sudden urge to kiss those soft lips. “I’ll have a beer.”

  I leaned in and told her to cut that out.

  “If I can’t kiss you stop making it awkward,” I whispered back.

  Anna grinned as if she knew exactly what she was doing to me.

  “Do you want to give me a hand with these drinks?” I asked her.

  Heading off up to the bar she laughed at me and tried to hold my hand again.

  We both laughed at each other when I said “Hey easy on the PDA.”

  After ordering and paying for the drinks we wandered back to the table, Anna sat next to Cam and I sit next to her and Devin.

  “So how was the gelato?” Susan asked.

  “Oh wow it was better than what I thought it’d be,” I commented.

  “Yeah we thought you’d be kicking yourself bro,” Cam joked.

  “Well, it won’t be the last time I kick myself on this trip.”

  Hannah eyed me suspiciously, Anna smiled and everyone else didn’t notice.

  “Oh man, I could get use to this,” Devin declared.

  “So what are you doing for dinner Anna?” Hannah asked.

  “Oh, I’ve got to head back and pack my stuff for tomorrow, luckily I’ve got luggage. But I went to the market this morning and picked up a few things,” Anna replied.

  “Must be nice having luggage,” Hannah added, staring at me smiling.

  “Hey it wasn’t my fault, anyway we are here now let’s try and make the best of it,” I remarked. Slightly irritated that they won’t let it go when I’m simply trying to enjoy myself. It’ll sort itself out in due course.

  “All right, lets finish these and head back to the hotel,” Cam added.

  “Yeah man, I could go another swim before dinner if we have time,” Devin added.

  “Sounds good,” Susan agreed.

  Hannah nodded coolly.

  “Where are you staying Anna?” Hannah asked.

  “Oh, just around the corner up on the hill there,” Anna motioned turning to pointed where she thought her hotel would have been.

  “All right so we’ll meet you back at the hotel Phil,” Hannah added.

  “Yeah, okay Hannah,” I replied, eyeing her suspiciously.

  “I guess I get to walk you back to the hotel,” I whispered, into Anna’s ear.

  “Well, I was going to ask if you wanted to.”

  “No, I got the hint when you pointed to the place.”

  “All right you guys let’s hit it, see you later Phil,” Devin commented.

  “Phil if we’re not in our rooms we will be at the pool,” Hannah added.

  “Hey Phil, do you want us to take you’re shopping back?” Susan asked.

  “Yeah that would be great thanks Susan, there you go Cam,” I replied.

  “Yeah to easy bro, see you back at the hotel.” Unhappily taking my shopping.

  Watching on as they all slowly got up to leave, as I turned to Anna.

  “So another wine or beer before leaving?” I asked.

  “Yeah, but I’ll get it,” Anna said.

  “Um, okay I don’t mind.”

  “No no, it’s all good, I’ll grab us both another beer,” Anna suggested.

  Before getting up and heading to the bar, I can’t help but smile as she walked back.

  “Thanks.”

  Taking the beer from her hand.

  “So do you know what boat you’re on?” Anna asked.

  “I think we might be on the one called the Miholva, or something,” I responded.

  “Yeah I think I’m on the one that sounds like Luna,” Anna said.

  “I’ll have to check once I get back to my hotel.”

  “Nice, so let’s get you back and I’m going to head back for a swim as well I think.”

  “I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for your boat though,” I added beaming.

  “Yeah, and I’ll keep an eye out for your Phil top,” Anna joked, smiling back at me.

  We made our way back to her hotel in no time. Still holding my hand, I leaned in again. Anna reciprocated and I finally kissed the girl who took my breath away. As we parted and she leaned in again.

  Lost in the embrace, I leaned away and said, “I’m sorry, I have to go.”

  “Actually, so do I, wow who would have thought?” Anna remarked.

  “Yeah I know,” I whispered, kissing her one last time, before she walked through her hotel foyer doors, and I turned to walk away.

  2

  30 Days Now my Body Hates Me

  It must have taken me thirty minutes to stroll back to the hotel, I was kicking myself for not staying longer, but something told me I’d see Anna again.

  So, I walked up to the lift, pushed the button for the pool level and walked out to find everyone splashing around in the pool. I decided to order a beer, then take my shoes and top off and dive head first in.

  “Excuse me sir,” I heard, when I resurfaced.

  “Ah sorry mate forgot, won’t happen again,” I explained.

  “Have you learnt nothing from Dr Soul Glo!” Devin yelled.

  I just laughed back.

  “Excuse me sir the beer is at your friends table and we’ve put your clothes by the table also. We’ve also taken the liberty of getting you all fresh towels,” the Valet mentioned.

  “Oh thanks man, that’s really cool,” I thanked him.

  Turning around to everyone else.

  “How come you guys didn’t bring any towels down?” I asked.

  “To be fair mate we forgot,” Cam answered.

  “There was a mention of a cleaner’s trolley that had towels on it,” Hannah laughed.

  “Oh well not to worry, all sorted now.”

  “Has anyone checked out where the restaurant is?” I added.

  “Yeah it’s just up there, on the next level up,” Susan pointed, to a few floors up from where we were.

  “Ah cool, how good is this pool?” I mentioned as everyone now floating around the side thinking about getting out for a drink, but the pool felt too good.

  “Yeah, good choice on the hotel Cam,” Devin agreed.

  Just then Hannah swam up to me and tried to punch me in the shoulder. I splashed her in the face with the pool water, stinging her eyes.

  “Hey, I was just gonna ask you what happened with Anna?”

  “Nothing, just walked her back to her hotel after a couple more beers,” I reframed from telling Hannah the truth.

  “Wow, your terrible at lying,” Hannah laughed.

  “Ha, I wish I was lying. I’ll see her again. Even if we are on different boats,” I added.

  “Useless,” Hannah shook her head. Swimming away to talk to Devin. I could have sworn he mouthed. ‘You can’t teach game.’ To Hannah.

  “Well, I don’t kiss and tell Hannah,” I said.

  Looking at everyone as I spoke trying not to laugh, or come across as a dick.

  “Anyway, I could eat now and have an early one, the flight and the beers are starting to catch up with me,” I added.

  Not that it stopped me from jumping out of the pool and picking up my beer and sculling it. As I took in our surrounds and smiled to myself.

  “What’s the plan Cam?” I asked.

  “Ah a couple more drinks, quickly up to the room to change, we’ve got your bag as well bro,” Cam replied.

  “Oh Cool.”

  Sipping away at what is now a slightly warm beer. As everyone goes
to get out of the pool I chucked them their towels. “There you go ladies and gents.”

  “Thanks man,” Devin said.

  “Thanks Phil,” both Hannah and Susan said together.

  “Shot,” Cam added.

  As I quickly set off to the bar and order three more beers and two white wines.

  “Oh man the hotel is awesome.”

  Walking back over to the others as the sun was starting to go down and we could all reflect on the fact we were in Croatia, especially with the stupid grin on my face.

  “Yeah bro, and if our bags arrive they’ll look after them till the end of our trip and they’ve let the airline know,” Cam explained as we all enjoyed the drinks that had just arrived at our table.

  “Oh well can’t do anything about it now, cheers everyone,” Hannah declared, holding up her wine that had just arrived. We all clinked our drinks together while we replied cheers back.

  “Here’s to a great trip and watching Phil strike out with Anna!” Hannah joked.

  Thankfully the others didn’t reply though, I saw Cam wanted to.

  “Wow!” I’m sure there are plenty of other women running around Croatia I tried to say, but thought better of it.

  “Thanks Hannah,” I laughed back.

  We finished our drinks and then all headed back to our rooms, once inside Cam knocked on the adjoining door. So, I opened it. As Cam and Susan stared back at me smiling, handing me my bag of shopping from earlier.

  “Thanks guys.”

  “Yeah, no problems Phil,” Susan replied.

  “So how’d it all go with Anna?” Cam asked.

  “Oh terrible bro,” I answered, not wanting to let on too many details.

  “Well, she’s always a bit busy around the office mate, shake it off, I’m sure you’ll meet someone on this trip,” Cam confessed.

  As Susan stood there nodding her head in agreement before turning around to head back into their room. I could have sworn I heard a giggle.

  “Oh thanks man,” I added.

  “See you both in about five minutes, I’m just going to get changed then I’ll go get Hannah and Devin,” I mentioned.

  “Yeah sounds good, bring them over here and then we’ll head down,” Cam suggested.

  “Sounds like the plan,” I remarked, as I closed the adjoining door and got sorted.

  A few moments later I opened my door to Devin and Hannah’s room and knocked on theirs,

  “Hello, Phil service, nope sorry that sounds dirty. You guy’s decent?” I enquired.

  Waited till Hannah opened the door, shaking her head at me. Just then Cam and Susan walked through my door,

  “Way to lock your door bro,” Cam remarked.

  “Guess I won’t be sleeping in the nude tonight.”

  “Come on mate, we’re about to go eat,” Cam implored.

  “Where’s Devin?” Susan asked, changing the subject.

  “I’m just out on the deck!” Devin yelled.

  “Awesome view aye bro,” I added.

  “Yeah man, let’s go eat you guys look ready,” Devin declared.

  “I’m pretty hungry now as well,” Hannah added.

  “Let’s hit it!”

  As we all headed to the restaurant laughing and bumping into each other as we walked down the hall, we didn’t see any other guests till we go to the restaurant.

  “Table for five please?” Cam asked.

  The concierge found us a table on the deck so we could eat and check out the storm that’s putting on a show out to sea. We must have been there for a good two hours, when we got up we had finished two meat platters, a small fish meal for Susan and four bottles of wine.

  “What a way to start a trip,” I cheered raising the last glass of wine and toasting all of us.

  The others doing the same, luckily Susan had only the one glass. I suppose someone had to make sure we all woke up on time.

  “To a great trip, with great mates, and here’s to an even better greater time,” I cheekily roared.

  “The 3G’s,” Cam remarked.

  As we all laughed and yelled as one, “To the 3G’s!”

  “Oh man what time do we have to be up tomorrow?” I asked.

  “Breakfast ends at 9.30am and we have to be at the boat for 10am,” Cam explained.

  “Okay so breakfast around eight in the morning then get sorted and get them to take us down to the boat?” I suggested.

  “Yip, sounds good Phil,” Hannah agreed.

  “Yeah bro we gonna head off, catch you guys tomorrow,” Devin yawned.

  “Cool see you both in the morning,” I replied.

  “Yeah man, might go sit on the deck and watch a bit more of this storm before crashing,” Devin announced.

  “I’m beat, I’ll see you three in the morning,” Hannah sighed. They both got up and wandered off back to their room. Followed closely by Susan. Cam and I hung around for a quick beer.

  “Hey man, so what really happened with Anna?” Cam asked, again.

  “Nothing, really bro.”

  “Just had a beer and chatted for a bit, then walked her to her hotel. Was going to see if she wanted to join us tonight for dinner,” I added.

  “You should have mate. Time waits for no man, you know,” Cam insisted.

  “Yeah thanks man, I guess the fact it’s all about us tonight, I didn’t want to feel like I’m bringing someone into the group. This groups tough enough on each other bro,” I explained laughing.

  “So what you gonna do?” Cam asked.

  “I’m gonna finish this beer and head up to bed I think.”

  “About Anna?” Cam asked.

  “I’m going to ask her to marry me and have a couple of kids with her bro,” I joked.

  “You’re a dick!” Cam remarked.

  “Dude, I’ve only just met her. I think I’ll say hello to her if I see her tomorrow. Haven’t thought much past that. You done bro?” I asked.

  “Yeah man, let’s head back up. Big day tomorrow,” Cam added.

  “Cool man.”

  It didn’t take that long to get back to our rooms. As he headed to his door Cam turned to me and suggested, “You couldn’t do much worse, might aswell give it a crack mate.”

  “Yeah I know man, but that’s my life. I always meet incredibly amazing women at the most random times. See you in the morning bro,” I said, before heading into my room. Crashing out it felt like I had only just closed my eyes when I had to get up.

  “Hey Phil you decent?” Cam yelled knocking on my door.

  “Yeah bro, just trying to fit as much as I can into my backpack, I might tie the reef shoes bag underneath?” I replied, yelling at the door.

  “Yeah bro, that’s what we’ve done aye,” Cam, replied.

  I heard a knock and opened the door to Cam and Susan smiling at me

  “All ready bro?” Cam asked.

  “Yeah bro, let’s get the show on the road, come in guys,” I suggested.

  Just as I heard a knock on the other door.

  “Hey Cam, that’s either Hannah or Devin, could you open the door bro,” I suggested.

  “Morning Susan, how’d you pull up this morning,” I asked.

  “Um, I was fine, but I think Cam was feeling a bit rough,” Susan explained with a massive smile on her face. Just then Devin walks in with Hannah.

  “Well, Cam’s always been a bit of a light weight,” Devin joked.

  “We all are these days’ bro,” I explained shaking my head looking at my bag making sure I had packed everything.

  As my stomach made a little rumble, luckily the others didn’t hear.

  “So who’s keen for breakfast?” I asked.

  “Yeah guys let’s hit it,” Devin suggested, again no doubt hungry.

  All packed and leaving the room we all walked down the hall and stepped into the lift carrying our bags. Ready for a nice relaxing cruise.

  “Oh man, buffet breakfast, great hotel Cam,” I said.

  “Yeah, great call on the hotel Cam,�
�� Devin added.

  Our eyes lit up looking at the buffet table, for three kiwi guys and slightly hung over, we were topping the plates till they could hardly fit anymore. We all wondered what Susan and Hannah were doing with a lot of fruit on their plates and a bowl of yoghurt. They must have known something about cruises around the Mediterranean. We laughed, as we enjoy our buffet breakfast with cheeky smiles on our faces.

  “So Phil, are you excited?” Hannah asked smiling.

  “Oh yeah!” I replied a little too loudly, so most of the tables near to us over heard. “I can’t wait for this trip, should be awesome. Why’s that Hannah?” I asked.

  “Oh no reason, do you think you’ll see much of that Anna?” Hannah asked.

  “Um, probably not, but who knows?” I replied. “There must be quite a few boats and some pretty small ports I can’t see us following each other around the whole time aye,” I added.

  “Yeah, I think its each to their own plan,” Cam said.

  Smiling at me Susan added. “Ah, too bad she seemed really nice.”

  Smiling back, “All right, I’m going back to finish this, and let’s get down to the port.”

  Changing the subject all together, I tucked back into my breakfast.

  “Excuse me guys, the courtesy van is ready when you are,” The waiter declared. As he saw we were the only guests with bags and must have taken a shoot in the dark.

  “Ah cool. We done?” Devin asked.

  “No one wants another quick coffee?” I asked.

  “Oh well, I’ll make it really weak,” quickly getting up to make one. The crew stared at me. Cam gave me a filthy look. I smiled and waved back, while I quickly drank a warm coffee and walk back to the table.

  “All right all sorted, let’s go,” I insisted. Making our way down and jumping into the waiting taxi van. “Oh man, I need to pee,” I joked. Just as the van pulled out of the hotel.

  “Are you serious?” Hannah snapped.

  “No, I’m just joking,” I laughed back.

  “Good, let’s get down to the port and see if we can find our boat,” Cam added.

  For whatever reason, the courtesy van took forever but we still ended up at the port, thirty minutes early and as we stepped out of the van, our boat was right in front of us. The whole harbour was packed full of boats that were probably just big enough to carry thirty something people, they looked like old wooden fishing boats. Though they were the type of wooden looking vessels I always imagined I’d see in the Mediterranean. I wasn’t sure about the masts but some sounded like they had motors. Either way ours wasn’t the best looking, but we didn’t care. We were all pretty excited to get on board and enjoy a relaxing cruise, not knowing what was in store for us or the amounts of fun that laid ahead.