The Dark Shadow of Thursday

by H P Steven

  “Nah man should be sweet, I haven’t seen any horses,” Cam replied, making his way back over to us all.

  “What?”

  “Always a good rule of thumb Phil if you’re travelling and you don’t see the animal on the menu don’t order it,” Cam replied.

  “That’s actually, a pretty good call,” Devin agreed. Hannah agreed with a smile, taking another sip of beer.

  “Hey Phil, here’s that book it’s really good. Shouldn’t take you too long to read it,” Susan said.

  “Ah thanks Susan, I’ll put it on my bed and come straight back up,” I replied taking the book from Susan. I quickly finished my drink and wandered off down to my room. Sort out my swimming kit for later. Just when I’m about to head back up the stairs I notice we’ve stopped. Ah cool, I thought to myself must be lunch time. Just then I heard the triangle and got my stuff sorted as quickly as I could and headed back up the stairs into the dining area.

  “Hey guys, just before lunch gets served. I’d like to apologise, that’s going to be the roughest part of the trip. I know some of you were not feeling to well. We hope you’ll feel better after drinking some water and having some lunch. Again, that will be the roughest part of the trip, we are back into the islands now so that’s the only open sea we should see. Depending on other boats,” The Captain announced smiling.

  As I looked around. There were some worried looks on some of the other guests faces. I also notice Cam smiling.

  “Hey bro any spare seats over there?” I asked.

  “Nah man,” Cam replied.

  “Hey Phil, come sit with us,” Nat suggested.

  Sitting with Mike, I thought. Yeah why not.

  I high fived her as I sat down. “Thanks Nat, how’d you go during the rough stuff?” I asked.

  “Oh I had no problems with it, I’ve been in rougher waters splashing around in the bathtub,” Nat replied. I laughed as I saw Pete’s green face.

  “Ha, nice one Nat,” I laughed, as we high fived again.

  “Oh man, what’s the go with all the bread?” I asked.

  “Looks like, a three-course meal man,” Mike answered.

  As soup gets past around the table, with a vegetable plate and some cured meats and sausages and other meats on a platter put down on the table.

  “Oh man this looks good, so who wants to say grace?” I asked, just loud enough that everyone hear me. I know Hannah’s smiling but I hear her piping up with a grace. That has us all laughing and saying amen at the end of it.

  I turned. “Mean grace Hannah, but I was only joking,” I remarked.

  “Yeah I know, but I thought I’d play along,” Hannah insisted.

  “Well played, Hannah,” Mike added.

  “Yeah brilliant,” Nat laughed.

  So, we tucked into the meal and the basic sort of thing we got use to over the next few days. So, good, I can see the captain waving at me so I got up to see what he wanted, but quickly turn to Mike.

  “Hey man if you order a beer, or beers for the table get me one and put it next to Cam’s name,” I suggested just loud enough that Cam could hear me. I waved and smiled at him. As I turned to go and talk to the captain

  “Afternoon skipper, what can I do for you?”

  “Hi there Phil, we were thinking of having the BBQ tonight do you think that’ll be a good idea? Or we can take the boat to Hvar and have the BBQ some other night?” The skipper asked.

  “Probably not tonight with everyone being so sick, lets head to the place Hvar,” I replied. “But, I’ll ask the rest of the guests and get back to you after lunch,” I added.

  “Thanks, that’ll be good,” the skipper remarked.

  As I head off back to my seat. Ripping some of the bread into pieces and enjoyed the soup. First course, while eyeing up the sausages.

  “Hey guys,” I whispered as I turned to Mike, Nat, Cat and Lisa. “Probably not a good idea to have the BBQ tonight aye the skipper was just asking me?”

  “Yeah with everyone feeling awful, might be a good idea to have one night and if its smoother tomorrow go from there,” Lisa added.

  “Yeah sounds about right,” Mike agreed.

  “Hey Phil,” Pete remarked. “Make it another night bro, I think we need a day to recover,” Pete added.

  “Yeah guys cool. We seem to be off to Hvar then somewhere tomorrow where we will be having a BBQ and a party so bring your dancing shoes,” I announced, so everyone can hear me.

  Quickly getting up. I picked up the plate of soup and drank it straight out of the bowl. Turning around winking at all the sick people. Wobbling from side to side and heading out to go and quickly talk to the skipper smiling.

  “All right all sorted,” I told everyone. “Oh man I need a sandwich, where’d that sausage I had my eye on go?” I asked.

  “Cat ate it,” Lisa replied.

  “Oh why Cat, why?” I laughed.

  “Sorry my bad, but it was incredible,” Cat replied.

  “Hey man take a couple of these ones,” Pete suggested, passing me a couple of sausages off his and his crews platter, team green faces. To add insult to injury, there’s dessert, ice cream and fruit salad. The meals stayed the same throughout the trip, but helped with the hangovers.

  “Awesome,” I mumbled.

  I quickly had a snag sandwich or three. Tucking into the dessert with speed. Probably didn’t help with the massive brain freeze I suffered that day. This was pretty much our trip, but Hvar was amazing. Korcula was brilliant, but it took us to get back to Split for me to see Anna again. The people on the boat all become great mates. We only had a problem with one of the girls who was a bit full on. Some of us kept in touch, I ended up having a drink with most of them again randomly catching up in London.

  4

  The Follow Up

  Our last night in Split, we were still on the boat for one more night, we had the chance to catch up with a few of the other boats we had met up with and had a chance to have a drink, I also had the chance to see Anna again.

  “Oh man, how’s it being back here?” I asked Devin.

  “Bro so good, Cam’s just gone to see the people at the hotel, we might have our bags there,” Devin replied.

  “Oh sweet, where are the girls?” I asked.

  “Oh man, they’re still sleeping I think. Hey bro check it out,” Devin said.

  “Hey Alex and cattle creek, what’s been happening?” I asked

  “Oh and here’s my email address so I can get some copies of those photos,” I added taking a piece of paper out of my pocket and handed it to them.

  “Oh thanks, what’s the plan for tonight Phil?” Alex asked.

  “Um, there’s a line of bars just over there on the other side of the small beach. Will probably check that out tonight. But, we’ll probably try and find a restaurant for dinner with the boat,” I declared.

  “Oh cool, well if we don’t see you, you made our trip memorable,” Alex responded, with cattle creek agreeing.

  “Oh thanks,” I replied, leaning in, and hugging them both. It was great running into them. As both of them and their boat were with us on that first night.

  “Thanks for the story about my shirt and yeah I will be wearing it tonight,” I added.

  “Oh man, you’ll have to, then take it home and get it framed,” Alex laughed.

  “Thanks I’ll do that,” I replied.

  “Okay, we’ll see you later-on Phil,” Cattle creek declared. So, I turned to walk back to Devin. Just as Hannah and Susan joined us both on the wharf.

  “Where’s Cam?” Susan asked.

  “Oh he’s, just gone up to the hotel see if our bags are there,” I replied, to Susan.

  “Oh sweet, I’m running out of clothes,” Hannah announced.

  “Yeah so am I, can’t wait to have a shower and put on some clean kit,” I joked.

  Just then the hotel courtesy van turned up and Cam jumped out and yelled at Devin and I to give him a hand.

  “Ah sweet, our bags are here,” Devin
declared. As we both rocked over to the van to help Cam unload.

  “Oh man, great call Cam. Getting up early and scoring these bro,” I remarked.

  “Yeah, someone had to and I was running out of undies,” Cam joked.

  “Ha, brilliant bro. Let’s get these bags back on the boat and have some breakfast.” I laughed. “What a wicked trip,” I added.

  As we all headed off back to the boat joking amongst ourselves.

  “Yeah it’s been a good break,” Hannah added.

  “Sure has,” Susan remarked.

  “What time do we have to pick up the car tomorrow?” Susan asked Cam.

  “Ask Devin, he’s sorted out that part of the trip,” Cam said.

  “Um, whenever we leave here. I’ll leave my gear with you guys and jump in a cab to the airport. Pick it up then come back to get you guys,” Devin commented.

  “Ah cool man, we should head to a cafe, so you know where we will be bro. That way you’re not having to drive around and look for us. Of course, then you can park up and come and have some breakfast,” I suggested. Just then, Hannah punched me in the arm. “Ow, what the hell Hannah?”

  “Don’t look now but the Perth girl is talking to your friend over there and they’re both looking at you,” Hannah whispered.

  “Ha, that can’t be good,” I joked.

  “Yeah, you’re screwed,” Hannah laughed.

  “Maybe not Hannah. Anyway, I’ll wait for a bit,” I remarked as Hannah goes and punches me in the arm again. “Ow, seriously cut that out,” I laughed.

  “Cut that out, how does that keep happening to you?” Hannah insisted.

  Susan heard this and started smiling, before she added.

  “Alright let’s go have some breakfast. Hopefully find out what everyone wants to do today and tonight.”

  As we all walked towards the boat. The Perth girl asked me over.

  “Hey how are you two doing, can’t believe this is the last night.”

  “Yeah, what have you got planned for later?” Perth girl asked.

  “Um, I’m probably gonna hang with this crew for a while and see what everyone wants to do. How about you two?” I asked.

  “Yeah, I’m probably gonna do the same. But we heard you might be going over to those bars from a few other boats,” Perth girl enquired.

  “Oh wow, yeah definitely be heading there at some stage,” I added. “How about you Anna?” I asked.

  “Um, I’m gonna have a word with Cam. I’m back to work in a couple of days and he was mentioning you guys are going up to the national parks,” Anna replied.

  “Yeah, we head up that way tomorrow. I think Devin has sorted all that out, so should be fun,” I added.

  “Ah cool, Plitvice is pretty incredible,” Anna declared.

  “Yeah can’t wait to head there. Should be a fun part of this trip,” I added.

  Just then the Perth girl, is waiting for me to say something that never eventuates so she wandered off. Walking off she said, “I’ll see you both later for a drink.”

  “Yeah absolutely,” I replied.

  “Nice to see you again,” Anna added.

  “Oh man, that boat she’s on is cool. We partied with them so much on this trip. How about you guys?” I asked.

  “Yeah we had one night, on one of the smaller islands. They kept asking for a Phil. Were they talking about you?” Anna asked.

  “I hope not, I’d be gutted if they were.” I smiled.

  “Sounds like you’ve had a pretty awesome trip. By the sounds or noises from other people.” Anna laughed.

  “Yeah, it has been pretty fun. The all-nighter the first night probably set the standard.” I joked.

  “So how have you been?” I asked.

  “I’ve been good, don’t look at me like that,” Anna ordered, smiling.

  “Why not?” I asked.

  “We should probably talk,” Anna sighed. Though before she could speak, Cam came over and interrupted us.

  “Hey Anna, back to work soon. How’s your trip been?” Cam asked.

  “Oh really good thanks Cam,” Anna replied.

  “Sorry guys. Hate to break this up but we’re having a very important meeting on our boat and we need Phil,” Cam insisted.

  “Um, can it wait a few minute’s bro?” I asked.

  “Ah not really man. Unless you want Miss Devine to say where we going tonight,” Cam explained.

  Shaking my head no, sighing. “Oh all right, I’ll come back now.”

  “Have fun at work on Monday, I should be in for a few hours on Friday,” Cam announced to Anna. Before heading back towards the boat.

  “Wow, sorry about this. Where’s your boat parked up?” I asked.

  “It’s just over there, why?” Anna replied.

  “Cause once I’ve sorted this out, I’m gonna want to talk to you. At least try and meet up with us. So, I’ll let you know where we are going, I’d like to see you,” I declared smiling.

  “Okay, but, if you don’t turn up,” Anna teased.

  “Hey, I’ll turn up,” I replied as we stood there just staring at each other and I started smiling. “I have to get back to the boat.”

  “I’ll see you soon. I’m gonna have some breakfast but should be around here for at least the next hour,” Anna added.

  “Cool, I’ll see you soon,” I replied.

  So, I turned and quickly headed back to the boat, thinking, I should have kissed her. Damn it.

  As I got to the boat ramp, I heard. “Aye Phil, get in here quickly!”

  Running up the ramp and charging through the door into the dining area where everyone was sitting down trying to get organised.

  “All right guys and girls, what’s going on?” I asked.

  “We need a plan for today?” They all asked me.

  “All right what have you come up with so far?” I asked.

  Which led to everything from pizza on the tables near the port to eating fish and chips also on those tables.

  “That’s all terrible. Listen, go out and do all of that stuff today, this place is pretty cool. Let’s meet back here around 4:30pm no later than 5pm, if you are later than 5pm, you’re on your own. I’ll have a plan sorted and guess what everybody,” I announced.

  “It’ll be awesome,” one of the Waikato lads announced. Everyone started laughing.

  “Yeah it’ll be sick. I’ve mentioned to some of the other boats that we will end up over at the strip by the beach, where there’s a heap of bars. So we can go there after my surprise,” I announced.

  Nat added, “Why don’t we just go there first and meet there?”

  “Well,” I added, pausing for effect. “My plan is so much better if people want to go there, go. But, if you’ve had a drink with me so far on this trip you’ll be missing out on a great start to our last night. I think you know what I’m like. But we are all adults so, lets finish up breakfast and meet back here in a few hours okay,” I finally added.

  Sitting down next to Cam with a bowl of cereal and a coffee he leaned over and asked, “What have you got in store for us bro?”

  “Um, no idea just yet bro, But I’m the Phil,” I laughed. “Trust me bro, it’ll be mad,” I added. Hannah and Susan, hearing this just laughed.

  Devin, looks at me and said, “I’m up till you crash bro, have to attempt at least one big night.” Hannah just looked at me, and I knew that was never going to happen.

  After breakfast, I had to sort out my bag and unpack my good digital camera, I had in my suitcase and put it in my back pack.

  “All right, where to first?” I asked, when I re-joined the others.

  “Um, it’s all on you today man,” Cam said.

  “The night or the day?” I asked.

  “Both,” Hannah joked.

  “Okay, let’s go for a wander around and look for a restaurant and bar, to have a meal with everyone tonight and do some Jagger bombs,” I suggested. “I think that’ll probably keep me up for a while,” I added.

  “So
unds good,” Susan agreed. With us all agreeing, we headed off towards the old town for somewhere to have dinner.

  “Oh crap, just a second,” I whispered. Quickly turning around and spot Anna walking my way. “I didn’t forget you,” I quickly pleaded, heading back towards her.

  “Oh so you weren’t just about to walk off with your friends,” Anna questioned smiling.

  “Well, maybe, for a second, as I had to come up with a plan for tonight,” I insisted. Adding, “What are you doing right now, come with us?”

  “Yeah okay, sounds like fun,” Anna agreed.

  “Oh cool.” Leading her back to the crew,

  “Hey guys, this is Anna,” I announced.

  “Yeah we know bro, you haven’t stopped talking about her since you saw her,” Devin mocked.

  Anna just blushed and smiled at me.

  “Anyway we are off to find a restaurant for tonight and hopefully a bar, quite close to said restaurant that we can all have a drink at,” I mentioned.

  “Oh, one of the crewman on our boat was telling us there a small square in the old town that could be perfect for that,” Anna suggested. “Do you want to go and check it out?” Anna asked.

  “Yeah sounds good to us,” Susan agreed smiling she looked at me, then back to Anna. Probably thinking Anna was too good for me.

  “Nice call,” Cam added.

  “See I told you guys it’ll all come together, where’s the faith,” I laughed.

  All right, so as the six of us headed off through the maze of small streets that is the old town. Till we came up to the place Anna must have been talking about.

  “Alright, it’s all closed apart from that gelato place,” Devin said.

  “I turned to Anna, would you like some gelato?” I asked.

  “Yeah, sounds like the thing we do here in Split,” Anna smiled.

  Luckily Hannah let that one go.

  “Hey, do you guys and girls want some gelato?” I asked.

  “Nah bit early for me bro,” Cam replied.

  The other three soon joined us and we all get different flavours. Laughing at each other describing them.

  “This strawberry one taste like raspberry,” Devin announced.

  “Maybe it’s because you got raspberry and strawberry and you’ve taken a bit of both,” Hannah joked.