At eight pm Captain escorted May-lee into the dining room for the welcome aboard dinner. He was a small framed man in his mid-forties, who looked refined in a Captain’s cap, pristine white naval officers’ uniform, and neatly trimmed ginger beard. She was a picture of elegance in a mango coloured evening gown.
At the Galley doorway, an excited Julio watched May-lees entrance, and tingling sensations swept his body at the sight of her radiance.
“Ooh, tanta belleza... such beauty,” he mumbled then raised a glass of champagne and had a sip to steady his nerves.
He couldn’t wait to go to the Captains table and introduce himself. Due to him not arriving until the previous evening and needing to rest up, he had not yet had the opportunity.
“But tonight I will ‘ave zee privilege,” he murmured and had another sip of Champagne.
Julio first glimpsed May-lee when she had performed at a restaurant he had been cooking at in Spain some months ago. Her songbird voice had drifted into the kitchen as he prepared his specialty dish Paella. Listening to her singing whilst creating his cuisines was the most fabulous night of cooking he’d ever had. To his delight she had ordered his Paella, and complimented to the maître d as too how delicious it was. However he had not had the opportunity to meet her. By the time he had finished his cooking duties she had departed. And alas, the following day had left Spain. By chance he came across Kristy’s web page. When he saw May-lee would be entertaining onboard Maddy, he immediately applied for the position of Chef,
‘Ooh how sweet it will be to meet zee famous and élégante Mayo-lee,’
Mitch stood at the buffet table preparing for his drinks el Garzón duties, with serving tray in hand and a uniform the same as Jordie’s. He was greeting the passengers as they helped themselves to an array of cold meats and salads, when Kristy entered. She was tastefully dressed in a low cut, dazzling violet evening gown; her auburn hair curled down onto her shoulders. She paused for a moment; her sparkling emerald eyes caught his, she sent him a wink, then continued toward the Captains table positioned against the viewing windows.
Seeing Kristy in all of her loveliness, brought a spring to Mitch’s step as he began waiting on the tables with enthusiasm.
After taking his first drinks order he strode to the bar. When he arrived he did a couple of sharp hip moves, grabbed the tangy fizz he’d left behind it and had a gulp.
“Easy on that,” Jordie told him.
“Life is goood,” Mitch laughed then placed the drinks onto his tray and returned the table, bopping to the beat of the music that drifted through the PA system.
Everything ran smooth until Julio came from the Galley looking slightly drunk.
Mitch greeted him with a grin, but Julio rushed past and strode toward the Captains table repeatedly clicking his fingers. “Speed, speed, Mitchio, zee customers are waiting,”
On his arrival Julio bowed and gave May-lee an adoring smile. “Julio De la Cruz at your servicié señorita Mayo-lee… I have been an admirer of yours for sooo long,” he took her hand, kissed it, and whispered, “When I discovered you were entertaining on Maddy, I dropped everythin to honour you with my cuisine,”
May-lee smiled up at him, “I am glad to meet you Julio, and I must say your reputation precedes you,”
Julio gave a delighted chuckle at her compliment. May-lee continued, “Would you care to join us?”
Julio glanced toward Captain who nodded, and he sat at a seat beside May-lee.
As the evening drifted on the thirst of the passengers had increased. Mitch felt the pressure, but kept smiling as he took orders and served them with efficiency. However, the pressure of waiting on the tables, and Julio ordering him to speed up whenever Mitch passed by, became unbearable. He returned to the bar for an order, reached behind and grabbed the tangy fizz and guzzled.
“Ease up you moron,” Jordie growled, “What’s got into you,”
“Julio is trying to impress May-lee at my bloody expense,” Mitch snapped and slammed the glass down. Jordie placed the drinks onto the serving tray, Mitch picked it up and strode back to the dining room floor.
When Mitch finished the order, he spotted Julio waving his hand.
‘Shit,’ he thought and turned his head attempting to avoid eye contact. But a couple of sharp finger clicks, followed by two rapid fired Garzón’s to gain his attention changed that. Mitch reluctantly wandered over.
“Champagne Mitchio... for my belleza Mayo-lee,” Julio ordered then turned and spoke softly to May-lee. “A sparking delicacy to titillate you voluptuous lips,”
“Why thank you Julio, you are so galante’,” May-lee smiled.
‘What a bloody tosser’, Mitch thought as he charged back to the bar, “old blubber guts is gonna cop it,” he snapped, then gave Jordie the order.
“Don’t take any notice of him,” Jordie placed the Champagne onto the bar.
Mitch let out a low growl, picked up the bottle, marched back to the table and stood between May-lee & Julio, with his back to the viewing windows. He grabbed the cork and twisted. It didn’t budge.
‘Shit, how do I get this thing off?’ he muttered, then gave Kristy a pitiful smile and made another meager attempt. Kristy watched his struggle, and a slight sympathy mixed with an urge to giggle swept her. She reached over the table, “would you like me to do it Mitch?”
“I’ll be right,” he told her, not wanting to look like a boob.
Julio became agitated. He stood up, grabbed the bottle, pushed Mitch to one side, and beamed at the girls. “An experto is required... you place zee thumbs like sooo.”
He clasped the bottles neck with both hands, positioned his thumbs either side of the cork and added pressure. The cork moved slowly up, up, up, then... Pop! It shot out; the champagne frothed over the bottles mouth and ran down the neck.
Julio smiled triumphantly and bent slightly to fill May-lees glass, as the cork continued on, spinning through the air. It ricocheted off an imitation crystal ball that hung above the dance floor and shot back toward May-lee.
Mitch spotting it, dove across the table, caught the cork, then in one motion did a forward roll and landed beside Kristy. The dining room erupted in applause.
May-lee, unruffled by the near miss, laughed and joined the clapping; Mitch turned to face the cheering crowd and casually took a bow.
After the incident, Captain, realizing Julio may be more than a tad drunk suggested he retire to his cabin.
But Julio was reluctant to leave his Mayo-lee.
However, with May-lees encouragement, and her promise of a glass of champagne on the upper sundeck the following day, he reluctantly staggered off.
Kristy walked to the stage, “Ladies and gentlemen, thanks to Mitch we have avoided a mishap to the lovely May-lee. However, she has informed me it won’t stop her serenading us as we cruise along and admire the glorious sunset, before mooring in a secluded spot for our first night.
The passengers were unfazed, for Christmas Eve had brought both a touch of serenity, and a bit of excitement, on their first night onboard Maddy.