Francis

This story is for persons of eighteen years or over. All comments, good or bad, are welcome and all will be answered.

Part Thirteen

`Miss Francis looks the picture of health,' Wen Chi said, as she bowed to me in the open doorway as I stood on the steps. I returned the bow and told her that she looked younger than the last time I saw her. She smiled and beckoned me to follow her along through the lovely rooms that still made me envious at the easy elegance they portrayed, until we stopped at what I now called the tea room.

I went in with Kim following me and seated as before was Lee Chen and standing off to one side was his other son Wang. Lee Chen rose up and bowed to me, as did Wang.

`Welcome again to my home Francis,' Lee Chen said.

Thank you honourable father,' I said, stopping and bowing to them both, I am most grateful that you would see me at such short notice.'

`It is a pleasure to these old eyes to see you again, and looking so beautiful too! Please sit with me.' By sit with him was not to be taken literally, as Wang placed a chair for me opposite Lee Chen with the lovely coffee table between us. No sooner had I sat down, a servant placed a tray down and served us tea in the same delicate and beautiful cups as before.

As we drank our tea, I thanked him for the gift of china that he had given me and for the advice on the Bethune shares. These thanks he waved away with his hand saying that it was the least he could do for me, and so we talked of other things, including Aden, avoiding the real reason for my visit until this tea ceremony was over. This was over half an hour before the tea things were taken away. Kim and Wang were still in attendance, standing a little way back from Lee Chen but taking no part in our conversation. When the servant had left the room, Lee Chen sat back and waited for me to speak of the reason for the urgent visit. I sat still, Lee Chen's eyes on me as I pointedly looked first at Kim and then at Wang and he understood, for with a few words of Chinese to his sons, they bowed to me and left the room.

`I apologise for my lack of trust honourable father because no one in the world knows what I am about to tell you. It will then be your decision as to who else knows,' I said to him, bowing my head in deference to him.

`Very wise Francis,' he replied.

I then told him the story of the handbag, as I took it out of the paper one. Then I took the leather pouch out and spilled the diamonds out onto the coffee table.

Ah, the Cape Town diamonds,' he sighed with a speculative gleam in his eyes as he looked from them to me, and you have not told anyone of these?' I shook my head.

`You have a wise head on the shoulders of one so young Francis. You were quite right to send my sons from the room, but they will be told in due course. The caution you showed was most admirable and the wisest choice you made was to come to me, for I think I could have been the only one in the world to help you with these.' He started to put them back into the pouch, holding the odd one up so that he could see it better before adding it to the rest. He gave a small clap of his hands after he had tied the drawstring, and when Kim entered the room, he gave him the pouch and said a few words in Chinese, to which Kim bowed in acknowledgement and withdrew from the room.

`Let us dine Francis, and I will tell you of the diamonds.' He clapped his hands again and Wen Chi came in and waited to escort us to the dining room where we had eaten before.

Simplicity is the art of Chinese decoration and the table was laid like this and this time I was given chop sticks to use. This gave Lee Chen some amusement as Wen Chi stood by to help and show me how to use them to pick up the delicate pieces of food with them. The array and variety of the dishes was superb and it all tasted delicious, Lee Chen only taking small morsels as opposed to my large helpings. Then he told me about the diamonds, speaking freely in front of Wen Chi which showed me how much faith and trust he had in her.

`As soon as I saw them on the table, I knew that they were the missing Cape Town diamonds. You were most fortunate in this Francis, that when your bag was stolen that you had your pass inside and no stones. This cleared you from the search that was made for them. They were a consignment of stolen diamonds from the mining fields that were being sent out of South Africa to Amsterdam where they would have been cut and polished before being slowly fed into the market. The search was intensive and they were never recovered, but the body of the original courier was.' I gasped at this.

`Yes. The body of an unidentified naked woman was washed up on a beach about five days after you had sailed from Cape Town. Her clothes had been found on a beach a couple of days previously and it was thought that she had gone swimming and drowned. She was German and her name is of no consequence to you, but she had been the courier who was to have taken the stones to Europe. That is why I said it was very wise of you not to have told anybody about them. A week later there was a gun battle in Hamburg which resulted in the deaths of six men from two rival gangs. One had been responsible for the transfer of the diamonds and had thought that the other gang had hijacked them, hence the battle.

This information I learned from my sources, though the woman's death was but a small item in the South African newspapers and the gang battle quite prominent in the German ones, nowhere were diamonds mentioned. All the pieces were fragments until I was told that it was urgent that you speak to me.

That was the last piece of the jigsaw. Your ship had been in Cape Town when they went missing and I should have made the connection myself, but I didn't know that you had changed ships.' He gave me a huge smile as he finished.

You have a charmed life and are a very lucky person as we read about you in Aden. Now you needn't worry about the diamonds anymore. I will see to the disposal because the underground reward for them was paltry compared to what they will be worth when we've finished with them. Then you will find yourself rewarded at a later date. Now your chamber has been prepared for you as I wish you to enjoy your stay here with us once again.' He held up his hand to stop me from speaking. I know your ship leaves at noon and we will see that you are back there in plenty of time.'

`It wasn't that, honourable sir. It was that my friend is having a cheongsam made and I promised to pay for it in the morning, so I must be back early to do this for her.'

`That will not be a problem. Give Wen Chi a description of your friend and we will see to it that you can pick it up on the way to the ship.'

`But we don't know what shop she will have gone to,' I remonstrated.

`With your description of her, we will find what shop she went to, so do not worry about that. Now if you will excuse me, I am feeling rather tired and it is time for my rest. Please go with Wen Chi and have that lovely bath and a pleasant night.' I stood up from the table and gave him a deep bow.

`Thank you honourable father for a wonderful meal and the hospitality and help that you are giving to me.' He bowed from his chair and I then followed Wen Chi out from the room. She led me through the house and upstairs to the same chamber that I had occupied the last time. Another servant had just filled the enormous bath with hot scented water and left as we entered. Then I was made to stand still while Wen Chi undressed me and also taking off all her clothes, took me into the hot water where she washed me from head to toe in that beautiful smelling water.

You are a favourite daughter of my master,' she said as she scrubbed my back. When he was told that you wanted to see him, he clapped his hands and made us all rush about to see to your room and your food. He smiled also for the first time in many weeks and when he is happy, we are all happy. So I thank you for all of us for making him happy.' I smiled and blushed at this, but it wasn't noticed as I was already red and hot from the scrubbing I was getting, but it gave me a warm glow inside too.

I liked the look of her body as she washed me, her small tight breasts and the neat triangle of hair at the join of her thighs. If Lik wasn't available for tonight, then I would like to spend the night with her, but I had the need for a male so he would be first choice. I wanted to take her into my arms and kiss her and then to part her legs and taste her, but she would be offended if I did this to her and then took Lik, so even with a hard on, which she was quite aware of, I restrained myself from touching her.

I see that you desire me and yet you do not touch me,' she startled me by saying. Is it because of Lik that you do not do so?' I could only nod dumbly at this reading of my thoughts. `You have the desires of both man and woman. That is good. You could have many pleasures in the willow world, which I think would mean that you could have the cake and eat it too!'

You are right Wen Chi,' I replied as we got out of the water and she began drying me. I do desire you, but also have the need for Lik, and I do not wish to offend either of you.'

`It would not offend if you took both my Lady. Be the man with me if you wish and then the woman with Lik. That way all will be happy.' She was offering me both and it was not something I could refuse. I took the towel from her hand and let it drop to the floor and I took her in my arms and kissed her. My erection pressed up against her stomach and her small breasts squashed against my chest as we kissed.

I'm not really very strong in the arms, but I was able to lift her naked body up and carry her across to the bed and then lay with her. Her lips were soft and sweet and her tongue tasted of honey as I trapped it between my teeth to suck upon it. Her breast was a firm round mound that fitted my palm perfectly as I caressed it, the little nipple hardening under my touch. I took it into my mouth and teased it with my tongue and teeth as I sucked it. Her hands ran through my long hair as I did so, carrying on till my head moved out of reach as I went down lower on her body. Her thighs opened and the damp hair of her pubis tickled my nose as it buried its way down to her jade gate as they call it.

It was sweetness itself as I licked at the very insides of her, delving as deep as my tongue would go, sucking at the trickle of juice that came from within. I teased her little bud with my tongue and teeth, stroking and nibbling, only pausing to take deep breaths before continuing to arouse her. With just my mouth, I was pleased to bring her to an orgasm, her thighs clamping my head tight as she bucked in the throes of her first one. I was thankful that I had taken one last deep breath before she began, for her legs were like a vice as her juice flowed into my waiting mouth.

Then I began again, bringing her once more to the peak and this time I slid up her body and stuck my piece inside to get my release at the same time. I managed to hold on till she began to come and then I was able to let myself go too, so that we were both bouncing about in the frenzy of copulation. When we stopped, with me still inside of her, we looked into each other's eyes and both of us saw the satisfaction we had received. I then swung round and put my mouth down to her again, to take back what I had given her and also take what she had spent. She then took me in her mouth to squeeze out my last drops and clean me of both our juices.

It was then back into the bath to clean away the sweat from our bodies and we still kissed again while in the water. When dried, I was then given that wonderful massage which, strong as it was, nearly sent me to sleep. The scent and perfume of the oils she used were heavenly and roused me up again, but this rousing was to be now kept for Lik. She sensed this, so refrained from touching my erection as she finished off doing my thighs, and she then saw that I was safely in bed with a large gin and tonic before bidding me goodnight.

I lay pleasantly tired in this gloriously comfortable bed for nearly an hour before the door quietly opened and Lik came into my room. He gave me a big smile as he approached the bed, dropping his gown as he did so, his erection large and ready as he climbed in, the sheets already thrown back for him.

We were soon kissing each other and I think his need was as great as mine, because he soon offered himself to me which I gladly took. I held his strong brown body in my hands as I entered and rode him hard. Revelling in his tightness as my cock slid in and out of him until I held his bum tight up against my thighs as I jerked my hips, coming inside him in short sharp bursts. I pulled out of him when I'd finished and lay back on the bed while he got a wet flannel and cleaned me before seeing to himself. He then got onto the bed and sucked on me for a little while before motioning me to roll over for what I really was waiting for.

Even being prepared, it's still a nice little shock when an erect cock first touches me there, and I relaxed and let him push into me. The thrill sent tremors into my stomach as he swelled and filled me with his raw hardness. This alone was worth the trip to the island, being fucked by this young man well versed in this form of sex. I revelled with every thrust he made, his strokes soothing and easing the need within me as he moved. His hands were firm on my hips, his upper thighs slapping me with every forward movement and I tingled as he reached a depth he hadn't before. I loved his expertise in managing to excite me more than anybody else had ever done with his erection inside me. Then he came with quite some force, holding me tight up against his body, I could feel the head really swell up before shooting out his cream and feel it inside. I found I was dribbling again with the sheer pleasure I was feeling deep within me and tried to hold him as long as I could, but he eventually pulled out. I cried out as he did so, and after our washing, he soothed me with his kisses and gentle stroking. Then we lay in each other's arms till we fell asleep.

Wen Chi woke me up early, and as before, Lik was no longer in my bed. He'd left as quietly as he had come, no pun intended because his sexual coming was not exactly what you'd call quiet. But he had gone and I was just left with the memory of him being with me. The bath water was running and I was soon in there being washed. Then dressed and having my face made up by Wen Chi before doing my hair. Breakfast came into the bedroom and I enjoyed a lovely meal again before saying my thanks and goodbyes and leaving by car with Kim.

He came across the water with me on the launch and into the other car that awaited us. He spoke to the driver and off we went into the town and after a few minutes, the car stopped. He told me to stay in the car and off he went with his bodyguard and was away for about ten minutes. He got back in and gave me a brown paper parcel, telling me it was the cheongsam for Diane. When I protested that I hadn't paid for it, he waved away my words in much the same fashion as his father had.

So I was dropped off at the ship well before sailing time, minus the diamonds but with a cheongsam and a sexually well satisfied body. It wasn't until I was going up the gangway after thanking Kim and saying goodbye, that I hadn't asked how he knew which shop to go to. I knew that Diane would ask me and she did so when I strolled into the cabin and dropped the parcel into her lap.

We were starting to get worried about you,' she said as she started to unwrap the parcel. The time's been getting on and we nearly went to the shop ourselves. How did you know where to go and get it? Oh look at it! Isn't it gorgeous?' she said, holding it up against herself and trying to see herself in the dressing table mirror. Fortunately she was so absorbed in the dress that she didn't ask the question a second time, but asked another.

`What was so important that you had to dash off somewhere, and I see that you changed before you went? I can guess where you went by the make-up because I know that you didn't do it yourself, it's too good.'

It was a false alarm,' I said lamely, forgetting that I had said I would tell them afterwards, I thought I had remembered something from when we were here last time, but I was wrong.' It was all that I could come up with on the spur of the moment, but it seemed to be enough, for Diane went on to tell me about her trip ashore. I poured out a much needed drink and gave Diane one, and then Ralph knocked on the cabin door and came in, so I poured out another. He too asked the same questions though worded differently to which I gave the same answer.

I managed to divert them by asking Ralph to put something together for both Diane and myself to do wearing our cheongsams for the afternoon show. Something Oriental that would be in keeping with our leaving Hong Kong. They both liked the idea, and so we worked out a show that we only had a couple of hours to prepare for. When we'd put it down, Ralph went and got some food for us while Diane went and had a shower and then I helped her dress, and whilst we ate what Ralph had brought us, I helped Diane with her make-up.

This made a change for us, me helping her do her face. I found it rather difficult and had to help her by doing it from over her shoulder as I compared my face in the mirror with what I was doing to hers. But it was a very good first effort and the more we did it, the better it would get; just like sex.

We had sailed at noon and it was coming up to our show time in the after lounge and after a quick run through of our songs we started our performance with "A Slow Boat to China".

That one and a half-hour performance went down so well that we did the same show for the forrad lounge that evening, with a few more songs thrown in. Our dancing was limited because of the tight fitting cheongsams even though they did have a slit up both sides showing our stocking tops and a flash of thigh. Word had already filtered through the ship about the show, so we had a packed lounge that night and it was gratifying to get such an enthusiastic applause when we finished.

Everyone on the ship seemed brighter because we were now on the homeward bound course, and because it was tiring doing two shows a day, we cut right down on our rehearsals. We only did any when we wanted to make some really new changes to the act. Diane and I had permission again to use the flying bridge for sunbathing, being the only two female members of the crew, so that's where we spent most of our mornings. That was in the good old days when people were only using ships as the cheapest form of travelling. It's not like that now when a lot of the passengers are using the ship for holidays. We'd be out of a job because the modern ships have a full size theatre and quite often put on proper West End productions and the like, employing twenty or more people for the shows. The number of females has increased also, having them in the Purser's office, nursing, shops, hairdresser's and beauticians. But that was still in the future, so we were allowed the privacy of the flying bridge for the time being.

It was only a short stop at Singapore, so we didn't go ashore as we had an evening show that night. Then it was soon time for crossing the line and I was done up in my seaweed costume being hailed as the Queen of the Seas as I took my place beside King Neptune for the ceremony. I did enjoy this because everyone had so much fun

We didn't go ashore at Colombo either. We were there till midnight, so there wouldn't be an evening show so we played cards. I did like playing this game because I got a chance to play with Ralph's dick and him to play with mine as well as the ultimate coupling at the end. I was careful not to elect that we play, but always used some sort of artifice to get one of the others to suggest it, if they didn't seem like making the suggestion.

Up the Red Sea we steamed and into the Suez Canal for our last port of call, Port Said. Here we went ashore to have a drink and watch a floor show to see if we could cull any ideas for one of ours. Ralph liked the belly dancing and Diane later tried it but finished up saying no. I had already flatly refused to do it, but it was a good show as they go, for the dive we were in.

We walked through the bazaar on the way back to the ship, stopping at the odd shop or stall, and then I heard someone behind me say Leopardi. I turned round to see a swarthy shopkeeper beckon us to his stall outside his shop. `Is it Miss Lyon of the Leopardi family?' he asked in a low voice as he waved his hand across the covered stall.

`Yes,' I said, making sure Diane and Ralph were close to me.

Allah be praised,' he said. Please look at these three bags here,' he indicated the three on his stall, and point to the one on your extreme left.' I looked at him confused. Please, I beg of you.' So I pointed to the one on the left and he then held up five fingers. Now you shake your head and hold up one finger.' I did as he asked, feeling slightly amused at this charade he was playing. I will keep on talking and when I next hold up my hand of four fingers, shake your head again and hold up one. Do this every time I hold up my hand. Do you understand what I'm saying?'

`Yes,' I said, and then he held up his four fingers making me change from nodding to shaking my head and holding up one finger again.

`I am being watched and there is something in that bag that must be delivered to the Foreign Office in London, but I cannot get it out by my usual means. Do you understand what I am asking?' I again started to nod and then he held up three fingers and I countered with one and now shaking my head.

Good, you see we are now haggling over the price of the bag. That is good. Now take the bag and contents to the Foreign Office and say for Jervis from Hood. Got that?' I nodded and he held up two fingers and I again shook my head and held up one finger. Someone will come and see you and say that his name is Frobisher. To him, give the bag and contents. Now hold up one finger again and I will concede defeat and sell you the bag. Give me one pound and then go straight back to the ship.' I held up one finger again and then he threw up his hands as if in despair and held out his hand for the pound. He took it and gave me the bag, whispering, `Good luck Francis.'

`What was that all about?' Ralph asked as we began walking back to the ship.

`I think I know, but I'll tell you when we're back on board,' I said, holding the bag tight under my arm.

We got on board without any problems and were soon down in the cabin where I poured out some drinks.

`Now can you tell us?' Diane enquired.

`I think I've just been recruited as a spy,' I said, my voice a little shaky as I gulped at my drink.

`A spy?' echoed Ralph, with an incredulous look on his face.

`Well let's have a look, shall we,' I said as I emptied the bag onto the bunk. A dirty brown envelope fell out and without any compunction, opened the flap and took out twelve photographs. I spread them out and we looked at them, all being photos of pages of writing. Some were of full pages, some only half and one of just a few lines. Most of them were in Arabic, one in English and three in French, that much I could make out. You really needed a magnifying glass to be able to read them properly. I couldn't read any of the English page because the writing was too small, and of the French ones, I could only just manage to read three names. One was King Farouk, one was Mohammed Naguib and the last one was Gamal something Nasser.

Of those three names, the only one I knew was that of the King Farouk, the King of Egypt, the others meant nothing to me or to the others.

`Why did the man pick on you?' Diane asked.

I heard him say Leopardi,' I said, fingering my brooch, and he also knew my name, which is strange in a place like this.'

`I think fame is going to drop you right in the shit one day,' Ralph predicted gloomily.

You might be right in that,' I said, scooping up the photographs and putting them back in the envelope, but at least I'm not being asked to smuggle drugs, that's the main thing.'

`If they're state or military secrets, you could be shot you know,' said doom and gloom Ralph.

Thanks a lot,' I said, putting the envelope back into the bag and then putting it in the wardrobe, do I look like Mata Hari?'

I don't know, I never met her,' Ralph said with a grin now, what ship is she serving on?' I threw a pillow at him for that.

Our departure from Port Said was uneventful and we steamed through the Med. for home, passing Gibraltar in daylight and it looked most impressive from the sea. I wondered if we'd ever get the chance to stop in there one day on one of our voyages and get to go up onto that massive rock fortress.

Out into the Atlantic and only a couple of days from home, we had to start making our plans for when we were on leave and the following voyage. First we hashed out three programmes in case we were going to be on television. Then I had to get their telephone numbers to contact them if we were definitely going to be on, but I needed them anyway in case anything else cropped up. It was agreed that even if we didn't do the show, we would still spend the last few days at my place.

We also had to make sure that we packed our costumes to take home if the television thing worked out, the rest we would leave on the ship. Then I said that seeing as I had to go to London, they might as well travel in the car I would be hiring instead of taking the train.

With all the arrangements made, we finished off the voyage with a successful final show before docking in a cold and wet Southampton. In a draughty entry port, we said farewell's to the departing passengers, wishing they would get off quickly so that we could too. In the middle of this, I saw the familiar face of Pietro Leopardi come up the gangway and into the ship.

`Good morning Francis,' he said, giving me a little bow.

Good morning to you too Pietro,' I said, giving him my hand which he gallantly bowed over and kissed, and how is Carlo?'

`He is well and sends his greetings too. I also have greetings from Lee Chen along with these.' He then withdrew from his pockets, an envelope and a small box, which he gave to me. I opened the box first and inside were two lovely diamond earring studs each set with a golden clasp. I gasped at the beauty of them as they sparkled even in the dim light of the foyer. There was a folded note, which I opened and read, "Forty less two". These must have been from the Cape Town pouch, and Lee Chen had had them cut and polished and set in the gold fixings.

I thanked Pietro for delivering them and then opened the envelope. It was a short note saying that a bank account had been opened in my name in Nassau and the money put in was for a quarter of a million pounds sterling. I gave another gasp as I re-read it. There was also the details of the branch and the account number and password.

`Do you know about this?' I asked Pietro, showing him the letter.

`Yes. I set it up on the instructions of Lee Chen. I will also add that what you should do is contact the bank personally and get the number and password changed, that is common sense, so that then only you will know the full details.'

`Do you know where the money came from?' I asked casually.

Seeing the earrings, I have my suspicions,' he smiled, but I am the only one who knows,' he added.

`How much did Lee Chen get do you think?'

`About half a million all told after everything has been done, so I think it is a fair deal. His expense and risk and most of the profit is there in the bank for you.'

`Thank you very much, Pietro. I will be travelling up to London later, would you like a lift?'

`No thank you Francis, my car is waiting. So till we meet again,' he kissed my hand again and was gone.

A lovely pair of diamond earrings and a quarter of a million pounds! I was quite giddy at the thought. That's one in the eye for you Truell, I thought I won't have to ask you for money again.

The number of departing passengers began to dwindle and I watched the empty handed stewards coming back on board for maybe the last few chances to get extra tips. There was also a man in chauffeurs uniform and cap coming aboard too, and it wasn't till he stepped inside the ship that I recognised that it was Allen Farthing.

`Allen, what a surprise,' I said, going forward to meet him.

Mi'lady,' he said, tipping two fingers to his cap before removing it, it's a pleasure to see you.'

`How's married life?' I grinned at him, gripping his arm.

`S'wonderful,' he said with a shy smile.

`How's Beatrice with the house?'

`Over the moon mi'lady.'

`But why are you here dressed in...oh. The car! We've got it already?' My heart giving a leap.

`Yes mi'lady, I'll show you,' and he led me to the top of the gangway, and there down on the quay was a huge black shiny Rolls Royce.

How wonderful!' I exclaimed, clapping my hands. Come with me. Let's tell the others.' Then I left the entry port and turned the corner and bumped into Diane. `Diane! The car's here! Brand spanking new and you know Allen.'

`Miss,' Allen said, touching his cap again.

`Hello Allen. How's married life?' she asked.

`I've already asked him that. He thinks it's great. Now come on, let's get below and off the ship. Have you seen Ralph?'

`No, but I think he's already gone below.'

So we went down to our cabin and Allen waited outside while we changed into our travelling clothes. Then with the suitcases packed, sent them down to the car with Allen, telling him to wait down there for us. We collected Ralph and his suitcase and we went down and signed off. Then it was down to sit in my very own first car and clapped my hands when I saw the registration number plate. 1 FGL.

My initials!

`How did Donald manage this?' I said half to myself, not knowing that Allen thought I was talking to him, because I would have said the vicar otherwise.

`I don't know mi'lady,' he replied to my own question, as he held open the rear door for me. It was gorgeous to slide into that back seat, feeling the leather and breathing in deeply that heavenly smell of a new car. Diane got in beside me, but Ralph went round the other side so that I would be sitting in the middle like a queen. Allen got into the driving seat and without hardly a murmur, the car moved off so smoothly that you had to look out of the window to make sure that it was actually moving.

`This really is beautiful,' said Ralph, running his hand across the back of the seat.

`What's this?' asked Diane pulling at a handle in front of us, and down came a hinged door that was actually a small table and behind it was a bottle of gin and some tonic waters, plus glasses.

`A bar!' Ralph exclaimed.

`How appropriate,' I said, clapping my hands for the umpteenth time at this car.

`Shall I be mother and pour?' Ralph asked, and we all burst out laughing and had a good drink as we drove off to London.

`Do you know London at all?' I asked Allen after tapping on the sliding glass between us, which he slid back saying that he didn't.

Leave the glass open,' said Ralph. I'll direct you as we get closer.'

We went round Parliament Square three times before Ralph directed us into Whitehall to eventually stop at the Foreign Office. I got out, with difficulty over Ralph's legs as Allen held open the door. The bag was passed out after me and I then asked Allen how long would it take him to drop the others at the station and return?

`About an hour mi'lady.'

`Okay, now don't get lost. If you do, ask a policeman,' with that, I turned and went through the big doors and into a huge lobby, hugging the bag to me.

There was a large reception desk before me and there were two uniformed men sitting behind it, and one stood up as I approached it.

Yes. I ...I have, no. I want... oh Lord! I've forgotten what I'm supposed to say. Give me just a moment. Er...dammit. It's a sea captain. It's not, no that's too obvious.' I gave a nervous laugh, I was just going to say Nelson, but... I know, I know. Yes! Jarvis from Hood,' I said proudly, standing there waiting for their reaction. Blank faces looked back at me.

`Don't you mean Jervis, with an E?' the man asked.

`It could've been, he was whispering and talking a lot of nonsense.'

`Who was?'

`The man called Hood.'

`Where was this man?'

`In Port Said, Egypt. Six days ago.' The man nodded and sat down and picked up a phone and dialled a number. I couldn't hear what he said, but he was nodding and after a few more words, put the phone down.

`Somebody will be right down if you wouldn't mind taking a seat over there, thank you.'

I turned and saw a leather covered bench and I did as I was asked and went and sat down. I kept looking up as people came in and left and others moving about behind the reception desk and didn't really notice the man that suddenly stood before me.

Good afternoon,' he said, holding out his hand, I'm Frobisher.' I shook his hand remembering that that was the other name, the name of the man I was to give the bag to.

`My name is Francis Lyon.'

`Yes I know. We've been expecting you. We had a communiqué to that effect from, er, Hood. Can I have the bag please,' and he held out his hand.

`Oh I'm sorry, of course,' I said, handing him the bag.

`Thank you Miss Lyon. Well that's it then. Thank you again, goodbye.'

`Is that all!' I asked.

`Yes.'

`I thought I would be here longer. I sent my car off and he won't be back for nearly an hour. What do I do till then?'

Oh I'm sorry Miss Lyon,' he looked at his watch, well I can spare some time. Would you like some tea?'

`Very much so, thank you.'

Scott?' he said to the same man behind the desk, when Miss Lyon's car arrives, please ring me.'

Yes sir,' and the man Scott turned to me, what is the registration please Miss?'

`1 FGL. It's a black Rolls Royce.'

`Well, well. A Rolls Royce for one so young?' Frobisher said in a somewhat condescending voice. I stood still in the middle of the floor and gave him a cold hard stare, not moving, waiting for him to say something, anything.

I apologise for that remark,' he said, giving a glance down towards his shoes, it was patronising and I'm very sorry. I shouldn't have said it.'

No matter,' I said, breaking off the stare and giving him a smile, you said something about tea I believe.' He smiled back at me and led me up the big wide staircase to go along a hallway that was disproportionate to the downstairs lobby. He stopped and opened a door that I noted was room number six, the number being in roman numerals. This was only into the outer office and his secretary looked up from her desk as he asked for tea for two and some of her lovely biscuits. We then went into his office and he indicated the chair in front of his desk and he went and sat down behind it. A few minutes later the tea arrived and we sat in silence for a little while just sipping from our cups.

`May I call you Francis, Miss Lyon sounds so formal?' he asked.

`You may, and what do I call you?'

Frobisher. Ever since I went to school I've been called by that name. I don't think I ever had a first name,' he smiled. How old are you Francis?'

`Seventeen in a few weeks.'

`How long have you been in the Merchant Navy?'

`Since I was fifteen. Nearly two years now with another five to go.' Then I wanted to bite my tongue for that last bit.

`Why another five years?'

`Because I set myself a target of seven years before I settle down.'

I see,' he mused, do you get to meet any interesting people?'

`A Count, a Lord and Lady, a Prince, a ...'

`A Prince? Who was that?'

`Prince Hassan al-Khoum of ...'

Of Kuwait,' he finished for me, so that is where I heard your name before. Please tell me the whole story.' Leaving out the sexual aspects, I told him it all and I'd only just finished when his phone rang. Telephone! I'd forgotten to phone Donald.

`Your car is here,' he said, replacing the receiver.

`Thank you. May I telephone home? I forgot to do so and they will be worrying that I'm not there yet.'

`Certainly,' he said, turning the phone round for me to dial. I found out later that he memorised the number that I dialled.

Hello, Donald? Sorry I'm not, no, no problem. It's just that I had to come up to London first.' I wasn't letting Frobisher hear what Donald was saying. Yes, I'm about to leave now. Yes darling I will. About half seven or eight. If Flora wants to go home, she can always leave dinner in the oven. What? Yes, you too. Love you too.' I then put down the receiver and thanked him for the use of it and for the tea.

My pleasure Francis. You've been most entertaining. Till we meet again,' he stood up and offered his hand which I shook and said my goodbyes. Miss Rosewood,' he called out, `would you be so kind as to see Miss Francis down to the lobby?' He smiled at me and picked up some paper and started to read. Miss Rosewood led me downstairs and watched me leave the building.

Allen was quickly out of the car and opened the door for me, and I got in and he then drove off for home. We had to keep the glass partition open so that I could help give him directions to get out of London. He told me that he'd no trouble finding the train station for the others, but it was more difficult getting back to Whitehall.

Once we were out of London, it was easy going all the way, and I asked him to stop at a flower stall near Oxford where I bought three bunches of flowers. Then off again and it wasn't long before we entered the village and home. Donald came out of my house, followed by Flora and I ran up to him and kissed him in full view of both of them. I didn't care anymore who knew that I loved Donald as I kissed him on the path. We then went into the house and Allen brought in my case and flowers before leaving to go and put the car away. I found out that it was being kept in his father's barn and that was where he washed and cleaned it every day.

`Oh Donald it's so nice to be home again with you,' I sighed in his arms when we were alone in the parlour.

I'm glad you're back too,' he said, kissing me. What do you think of the car?'

`Oh it was heavenly seeing it there waiting for me and how clever of you to get my initials on the number plate. It was nearly as good as seeing you.'

`Yes I rather liked that touch. It cost me near on fifty pounds to get it. First the man who owned the number and then the licensing people to get it changed over; it wasn't easy.'

You're so wonderful,' I said as I hugged him. Let's have a drink before dinner, and I've been through a lot this trip and you are just not going to believe the half of it.' So I started off with the Cape Town episode, breaking off when Flora announced dinner was ready. I had to ask her how were Beatrice and Allen coping etc. and then to give her a little gift. Donald poured out some wine while she served us and I continued on with the story. The finding of the diamonds and getting rid of them and how I got the earrings and a quarter of a million pounds in an off shore account. This shocked him enough to make him spill his drink.

He hardly said a word during the meal and then remonstrated with me about getting involved with the diamonds in the first place as we drank our coffee. It took some time to explain that I didn't know about them in the first place, and when I did know about them, and got rid of them as quickly as possible. I didn't know what Lee Chen was going to do, let alone send me that much money.

That was enough to start with, because I was hungry for Donald, so as soon as we had finished our coffee, I dragged him up to bed to make love to me. It was glorious to have him sliding back and forth inside me once again; the familiar hands on my hips as he held me firm as he fucked me. I only had to wait for an hour before he was able to do it to me again. I couldn't kiss him enough afterwards as we lay in each other's arms. Then I told him about Port Said and the bag and that was why I was late coming home, but I was there now, in his arms and then promptly fell asleep.

I don't know what time Donald got up, but he brought my breakfast up to the bedroom around ten the next morning and sat with me, dunking my toast into my egg and then eating it himself.

`Haven't you eaten this morning?' I demanded.

`Yes, but yours looks better,' he said smiling through egg smeared lips. I slapped him with the napkin and nearly spilt the coffee. I had to wait till Beatrice went home before I could drag him back into bed for me to make love to him.

We didn't get out of bed till the afternoon; both sated from a surfeit of sex. I showered and got dressed and then with my flowers, made my usual visit to the graves in the churchyard. Then I inspected the work that had been done to the church and its grounds. The church, for the first time in my life, was a warm place to walk into, so the heating was working okay. Some of the pews had been replaced and the hassocks were now fit to kneel on.

The grounds looked much better, and it was possible that new gravel had been put down, though with the weather, it was hard to tell. The fencing was new as was the gate and the sides of the path were neatly trimmed and overall, the whole place looked much better. Looking up the lane showed that Allen had been doing his work, because the hedges were all trimmed and the drainage ditch was clear and free of weeds and the like.

Rather than get Allen out to drive to Trowbridge, I decided to phone Mr. Truell instead. The first thing I did when he came on the line was to apologise for my remarks and behaviour the last time we had met, which he tried to dismiss, and I could imagine his hand waving as he said it. Then I asked him how much loose money did I have floating around. With interest and dividends, just about half a million pounds. So I instructed him to use half of that to buy shares in the shipping line I was working for. The lesson had been learnt, because he didn't demur at all but said that he would see to it.

I then put in a transatlantic call to the bank in the Bahamas, and half an hour later was talking to the manager and after establishing my credentials, changed the code for me to access funds. For some inexplicable reason I suddenly changed my mind and gave the code word as Catamite. I felt foolish afterwards, but it was done, so I didn't give it any more thought.

Donald came in whilst I was on the phone, and when it was over suggested that we went up to the pub for a drink before dinner. It was there, in the bar that I remembered about the television thing that we had talked about before our last trip.

Yes it's been agreed and set up for Friday the 29th. The show goes out live at 9 p.m.,' he said, sipping at his beer. That means you three will have to be there by six at the latest, and I've arranged for you all to stay at an hotel that night after the show.'

`Will you be coming with us?' I asked.

`No. Having the only television set in the village, I'm going to have a full house of those who would want to watch you performing for the thousands of people all over the country. It's going to be quite a night here!'

`Oh dear, I hope I don't let them down. Now tell me all the details.'

Donald then told me the time, the place and how much we were getting; also that the hotel was thrown in too as part of the package. The one show was equal to a month's pay in the navy, so it wasn't to be sniffed at for Diane and Ralph.

`Does that included Allen? He's got to drive me down there and then bring us all back,' I asked.

`Yes, it's all taken care of. The car will be garaged in the hotel car park and he has a room too.' So Donald and I had nearly two weeks of bliss. It's a pity it wasn't summer time, but on the cold evenings we would sit in front of the fire, contented by just being together. Then we would stay in bed till late morning and have breakfast at lunchtime, feeding each other and generally having fun.

I had already phoned Diane and Ralph about the television show and I agreed to pick them up at the station in London before going to the studio in Shepherd's Bush. So on the Friday just after lunch, I said goodbye to Donald and he wished me luck and said that they would all be watching that evening. Allen drove up the lane and lots of the villagers were out waving and shouting out as we drove out of the village. We collected Diane and Ralph as agreed and went on to the studio and arrived dead on time.

The producer and director took our three programmes to go over them for timings etc. whilst we were taken off to the make-up room. Their idea of make-up was far different from what we normally did. They were heavy on the mascara and powder, explaining that the harsh lights made faces shine and features disappear. The hairdresser saw to our hair, using far too much lacquer I thought. Then came our costumes making Diane change hers completely because of the colour. Next came the lighting of the set, making us stand and move so that they could set the lights in relation to the cameras that they had, four; two for long shots and two for close ups and we had marks on the floor to show us where we had to stand for each camera.

The producer and director had decided what we would be doing and these were written up on boards so that we would know which would be the next song before we'd even finished the one being sung. The director told us that he would be just behind the cameras pointing out which one was about to come on for us to be sure to turn towards that particular one.

At half past eight, the audience started filing in to take their seats. This was a free show for them, but it was good because we preferred to sing to an audience unlike the radio show we did in Australia. Allen was there I noticed, sitting down in the front and he gave us a thumbs up sign of encouragement and I smiled my thanks back to him.

The stage manager spoke to the audience explaining that they must be quiet during the show and to applaud only when he held up a board with those words on. We could see the clock ticking round to nine o'clock and everybody started to take their places and it became very quiet as a hand was held up for silence and his fingers started to disappear as the seconds passed.

A sign flashed on to say we were on air and the introduction music started and the show began, and before we knew it, it was over. We had sung our songs getting a wonderful applause after each one and the compere telling the camera that they would be seeing more of us as we each said our goodbyes in close up.

Everybody was smiling and laughing when the on air signs went off and we were heartily congratulated. Then it was off to the complimentary bar where everybody patted each other's back on a perfect show. We were asked when could we do another and I said that they would have to get in touch with our agent, i.e. Donald. Then it was off back to the make-up room to have our pancake faces taken off and put on fresh ones for the outside world.

Allen was waiting outside for us with the Rolls and whisked us off to the hotel we were staying for the night in Bayswater. As soon as I got into my room I phoned Donald to ask him what he thought of the show. He was ecstatic and used many superlatives in his description of our performance and that he had over twenty people crowded into his little parlour to watch us and had only just got rid of them. They all enjoyed it and were very proud that their lass had been on national television. I went to bed happy, but would have happier if he had been in there with me. Next morning, the four of us had breakfast, seeing as it was all paid for by the B.B.C. before setting off back home. Allen stopped just outside of Oxford to phone ahead to say what time we should be home, and we arrived amid a fluttering of flags and handkerchiefs being waved by the people of the village. As the pub was open, I made Allen stop and we went in and I bought everybody a drink which was much appreciated, especially by Dave the landlord.

Allen had taken our bags down to the house and came back with Donald before putting the car away and coming to join us. Donald, much to my embarrassment, kissed me in front of everybody when he came in and then told them all how wonderful I was along with Diane and Ralph. Those that had been able to get into Donald's front room were telling the others how good the show had been, so it was quite a good afternoon drinking session.

Beatrice helped Flora with the dinner so that she could also listen to us tell Donald how it all worked and what we had to do. It was a lovely dinner with the wine flowing freely and on top of the afternoon's drinks, a noisy and happy evening.

Flushed with success and happiness, Donald and I took each other with intense lust and vigour when we got to bed.

`My television star,' Donald panted as he rammed into me.

`My favourite champion,' I told him, as I in turn fucked him.

Next day, as we had in the pub, many people kept calling to ask if we could put on the same show in the hall for those who were unable to see the television that night. This we agreed to, so at half past six that evening, we did the show to a packed hall. The applause was better than at the studio and after many a reprise, finally packed up and into the pub we went till it was time for dinner.

We had agreed to the show because we wouldn't be able to give them a proper performance like before, as we had to leave on Monday to return to the ship and we couldn't really do the show on a Sunday night. We even got applause as we went into church for the Sunday service, much to our embarrassment as we sat down in the front pew.

We lazed away the afternoon in front of a huge fire until the evening service and we all went to bed early. Which I wanted, it being my last night with Donald, though we didn't do much sleeping. Allen was ready with the car after breakfast and I spent many minutes alone with Donald as we kissed each other goodbye, because it was to be my seventeenth birthday two days after we sailed. The others waited as I took my time with Donald behind his closed door before finally leaving him almost in tears at my departure.

In two hours we were in Southampton and Allen took our bags up to our cabins before leaving us to go back home. We signed on and then went and unpacked our things and checked over the dressing room. No, we didn't play cards that night, though we did have a good drink, and I made it quite clear that they were not to tell anyone that it was soon to be my birthday.

We had just finished breakfast when a bellboy came and told me that I was wanted up in the Staff Commanders office. With a puzzled look at the others, I shrugged my shoulders and went up top, not liking to be called up there at all. It could only be bad news and I was rather worried when I came to knock at his door. After knocking and being told to enter, I was surprised to see Frobisher in there with the Staff Commander.

`Well I'll leave you two alone then,' Staff said to Frobisher, shaking his hand and after saying good morning to me, left the cabin.

Hello again Francis,' Frobisher said, holding out his hand. I shook it, wondering what he was doing here, and getting the use of the Commander's office and cabin. Sit down please. I know it's early, but would you like a drink?' He hovered by the array of bottles on a sideboard. I shook my head and waited.

`To Peter and Linda Lyon on the 5th November 1931 was born a son, christened Francis Gervaise Lyon,' he said, sitting down. I felt my face go white and I shook inside as he looked at me.

`Since that day, except for a few weeks to join the navy, you've always been dressed and acted as a woman. Why?'

My heart was hammering away inside my chest and my mouth was so dry that I couldn't speak.

Would you like that drink now?' he asked. I nodded, and watched him get up and go and pour me a drink. Gin and tonic is your preferred drink is it not?' I nodded again as I took the glass and drank deeply of it.

`Relax Francis. I'm not here to arrest you or anything like that for what you do with Donald or anyone else. I neither condone nor condemn because I cannot afford such luxuries in my line of work. You intrigue and fascinate me in the fact that you came into my office as a woman and I believed it to be so. Even now, seeing you again makes me want to disbelieve what is written on the birth certificate.

What intrigued me was that you were the only crew member to go ashore in Aden on that trip, with Prince Hassan, who is known to us for his sexual orientation. Your exploits there were admirable and very brave and you are to be commended for that, but why were you with him at all? It didn't take long to back track to your entry into the Mercantile Marine to see that you entered as a boy and through oversight, have managed to make other people believe you are a woman. But before I go any further, can you tell me why the change of gender? The reason I ask this is because I want you to work for me. If you could fool me and all the people of this ship, you could do it to many more.'

My heartbeat had been slowing down as he had been speaking, but now it was starting to beat fast again. I held up my empty glass for him to refill it, knowing that he could destroy me at this time with just a few words to the shipping company. I didn't speak for several minutes, trying to gather my thoughts together so that it made sense.

`Well I can't really give you a straight answer to that because I don't know myself. Ever since I can remember I have worn a dress. I didn't even know I was a boy until I was twelve. I was very well educated by my aunts but of the sexual difference, they did not tell me. Donald found out by accident and then had a long talk with my aunts about this. But I liked being a girl like I like being a woman. I think and feel like a woman and it's not easy to explain why. In fact I can't explain why because it's just how I feel. I'm not going into the sexual aspect of it except to say that I like what I do.'

`Why did you join the navy where you had to be a boy to join up and then revert back to being a female? You were fairly certain to be found out.'

National Service in a year's time,' I said simply. With my inclinations how long do you think I would last? Here I only have to do seven years as I am and then I am free to be just that.'

Yes I can see what you mean,' he mused after thinking it over for a few moments. How many people on the ship know?'

`Two. Diane and Ralph.'

`The village?'

`Only Donald.'

`How many others?'

`The few people at the training school and the odd man or two I've been with since then,' I said, my face going red.

I like the way you blush Francis,' he said, making me go even redder. That's what's so beguiling about you. You can even blush like a woman,' he said smiling at me. `But let me be serious now. I liked the pluck you showed in Aden and the way you handled the approach to you in Port Said. That was very well done and I must thank you for those photographs you brought me. You saw them didn't you?'

`I gave you a bag. The contents were of no concern to me.'

Admirable!' he said, sitting back in the chair. You kept a straight face and didn't tell me anything. Your fingerprints were on them. I know because we checked them against what you touched in my office.' I kept a steady gaze at him as I seethed inside at his underhanded means of getting my prints on file.

Also,' he went on, your previous ship was in Hong Kong at the time of a little fracas there where a man was shot dead. The description of a young woman there was vague, but it fits you.' I still kept my eyes on his and my face unmoving at this bit of news. `This I also admire that you got out of the way and didn't become involved with the authorities. You seem to have special qualities that I need and that is why I am here.'

`What would you be wanting me to do if I said yes?'

`I can't tell you at the moment. You would have to say yes and then sign the Official Secrets Act before I could tell you anymore, but it would be rewarding and you would be helping your country.' I gave a snort at that last bit.

`How rewarding? I don't need money if that's what you're implying.'

`I know you don't need money. Especially after the last two financial killings you made, which shows me how resourceful you can be. I can get the National Service thing squashed, as you would be working for the government. You can still stay in the navy for a while and you can still stay as a woman.'

`That sounds like a little subtle blackmail to me. Does that mean if I say no you'll turn me over to the police for having immoral tendencies and actions?'

`I don't work like that. The answer to the question is no. You can carrying on as before and I wouldn't interfere, but I believe that you like some excitement and intrigue as well as travelling.'

He was right of course. I did like excitement and the travelling and getting out of having to do the whole seven years in the navy as well as not having to go in the army seemed good.

`Okay,' I said, having it come out before my mind made up excuses as to why I shouldn't.

Terrific,' he said, getting up. I'll even have a drink now.' He made himself free with the Staff Commanders drinks and made me another one. Now let's get down to it,' and he pulled out a briefcase from behind the desk and pulled out some papers. If you'll sign these three forms for me, I can then tell you more about my work. The first is the Official Secrets Act. The second is a statement that you are in no way connected to the British Government and the third is for some documentation that I'll be giving you. Read them all first and ask any questions before signing them.' I did as I was told and read them first.

`This second one puzzles me,' I said.

`If you sign the first one, then I can tell you about that.' So I then signed the Official Secrets Act that meant that I could not tell anybody about my work for the government, including Donald.

Splendid.' He said, taking that copy and putting it away. This one is so that if ever anything went wrong, you cannot sue the government in relation to your work or be acknowledged by them either. The same applies to me. Though I'm in the Foreign Office I am in fact in Intelligence. Ferreting out plots and intrigues against Britain from outside our borders. I'm known as Frobisher, though that is not my full name. There are only two pieces of paper with my name on it and it is the same as the one you have just signed and this one. These will be buried forever in the most secret of secret places. From now on in all correspondence or contacts, you will be known as Pearl.'

`First Queen of the Seas and now the Pearl of the Oceans,' I laughed.

As well as the Flower of the Desert,' he reminded me, and we both laughed. So I signed this and he put that away with the other. Now this third is for your passports.'

`Passports! Plural?' I asked incredulously.

Yes, three. When you are carrying anything that is extremely dangerous or sensitive, you use this one.' He held up a red passport emblazoned with the Royal Coat of Arms. This is a diplomatic passport, which gives you licence to travel anywhere in the world without let or hindrance. Your baggage is protected at all customs posts and cannot be examined and you cannot be arrested either. This other is the normal British passport to which you use when unencumbered with anything official. The last is a French passport. We know that you speak fluent French and it is the name of Gervaise Francoise Lyon,' he pronounced it the French way, `and a little bit of history for you to learn to go with it to make it authentic.' He pushed the passports across the desk and I signed the paper for them.

`Now here we have a suitcase,' this had been hidden behind the desk as had his briefcase been. He opened it up on the desk top and showed me two secret catches, which then revealed a space in the lid for my passports and any papers or documents that I might carry. When the compartment was closed he explained, they could rip the lining out from the lid but not find that there was anything wrong with it. Into this space he put my three passports and closed it up and gave me the suitcase.

`Now we come to your very first job that I have for you. Before I go on, are you willing to have sex with a strange man or woman if the need arose to achieve a successful conclusion to the job?' I said that I was, getting a warm glow deep inside me as many sexual thoughts raced through my brain at his question.

`Good, because we are going to use what we call the honey pot for this job. There will be a man travelling on this ship bound for Egypt. We want you to entice him into having sex with you so that you can get access to his cabin and swap a briefcase for the one he will be carrying with him. It is going to be difficult, because he will be guarded and I'm not quite sure how you'll be able to do it, but I think you will come up with an answer to the problem.

Now he is an officer in the Egyptian Army and we know of his sexual persuasion, which is why I thought of you. He speaks good English and has been to several military colleges here in his time. He has also been spending a lot of his time here at the Egyptian Embassy and we know that he will be carrying a briefcase like this one.' Like Houdini, Frobisher pulled yet something else from behind the desk he was sitting at. It looked rather like the bag I had bought back from Port Said. I asked him if it was the same one? `Yes it is, but you will see that the handle is now broken. This is because you are to take it back to the shop for a replacement.' He then opened it and brought out a briefcase.

`This is the one we want you to switch with the one the man will be carrying. Now if you are successful in doing the swap, as soon as he leaves the ship, you go up onto the boat deck and stand facing the dockside for several minutes before going back down below. If unsuccessful, you still go to the rail, but stand with your back to the quay. Do you understand that, because somebody will be looking for this signal?

Next, whichever way you stood, successful or not, put the briefcase into this bag and take it back to the shop you bought it from and give to the man you know as Hood. And that, as they say, is it. Here are two pictures of the man, one in civvies and the other in uniform. His name is Abdul Newar and he is a major in the army. The photos are recent, will you recognise him?' I told him yes and a thrill surged through me at the job I had to do. The thought of pay etc. never crossed my mind.

`Excellent! Well here's to a successful switch,' he said, raising his glass and finishing off his drink. I drank too, then asked the question that had been submerged but now surfaced.

`What if I had said no?' I asked with a smile as I put down my empty glass.

Good heavens!' he exclaimed, the thought never crossed my mind.'

He smiled at me and shook my hand. `Well done Pearl.'

I left the Commanders office with the Egyptian bag inside the new suitcase and went down to my cabin to be confronted by Diane.

`What was that about? You've been up there for ages and what's with the new suitcase?' she asked.

`Oh. It's a present from the chap at the Foreign Office for taking that other bag to him,' I said, and managed to duck the other questions she threw at me.

I could barely sleep that night, thoughts running through my head as to how I could switch the cases. First though, was to get him to want to take me to his cabin. The photograph had shown a strong featured man, not exactly handsome but not unattractive either. I had to masturbate to get rid of my erection before I could get to sleep.

Sailing day was here and we had our breakfast and were dressed up to receive the passengers for our voyage to Australia. I spotted the man immediately when he entered the entry port.

He was shorter than I imagined, but still looked strong. Two other men flanked him and I pushed Diane out of the way to be the hostess to show them to their cabins. I gave him my sweetest smile and an appraising look along with the usual spiel, and took them up to their cabins on A deck. So first contact had been made and now the next would be at the cocktail party if he showed up.

He did. We were well out to sea when it was party time and the three of us circulated, getting the passengers names before introducing them to the captain. I outflanked Ralph and Diane to get to him first.

Hello again,' I said, offering my hand to him, which he shook. My name is Francis and I'm a hostess on the ship as well as part of the cabaret. Can I have your name sir so that I may introduce you to the Captain? Well actually, he is the Commodore of the fleet but we call him captain.' He told me his name and in the small talk, let him tell me that he was only going as far as Port Said.

Then you must make sure to see our show,' I said sweetly, and then in a half whisper to him, I get great fun out of dressing up as a woman. It makes me feel so sexy when they don't know what's under the dress.' I gave a little laugh and was pleased to see his eyes light up at my remark.

`I will definitely make sure I see your show. Do you reveal yourself on the stage?' he asked.

`Oh no. Half the fun is watching the men ogle me, stripping me bare with their eyes.'

`Do you strip for any of the men?'

`Only those that intrigue me,' I said coyly.

`Do I intrigue you?' he asked.

`I don't know really. I prefer strong men to boys,' I said as I laughed.

I'm strong and not a boy,' he said with a smile, feel this,' and he made an arm and put my hand up to his biceps, and it was solid.

`Is the rest of your body as strong?' I asked with, I hoped, a measure of awe in my voice.

`Yes.'

`Then I'm intrigued. Ah, here is the Captain now.'

I did the introductions and drifted off to round up some more passengers. Hooked was the word that ran through my mind, but I would have to wait till the following night to find if I could land him.

We did our afternoon show and then got ready for the evening one, where I paid special attention to my dress and face. We then sat and had a drink at the bar before the lounge started to fill up before going to our dressing room. Then it was time for the show and we went out on stage and Ralph bowed and introduced himself before announcing Diane and myself in turn, we curtsied and I then saw that he was there in the audience and my heart gave a little leap.

The first part of the show went swimmingly and at the interval, I left the stage and as I walked through the tables, I gave out a little exclamation of surprise and accepted his invitation to sit down.

`What did you think of the first half?' I asked him.

Excellent. I wouldn't have dreamed that you were other that what you say you are.' I accepted my drink from the steward as he continued, would it be too much to ask if you would visit me in my cabin tonight?'

`Only if I can see more of that arm of yours,' I said, giving his muscle a gentle squeeze.

`You can definitely see more of me if I could see the same of you,' he said with a smile.

`My arm's not much to look at.'

`I wasn't thinking of your arm.'

You naughty man,' I said coyly, if you're still here when the show's over, I would like to see more of you. But I must go now and do the second half. See you later,' I said with a smile as I left the table.

The second half went as well as the first and we got a wonderful ovation as we finished.

I'll be late down to the cabin,' I told Diane as we took off the stage make-up, so don't wait up for me.'

`That was quick work picking somebody up on the first night.'

`It's only a short engagement. He's getting off in Port Said,' I told her, putting on a decent face and seeing that I looked okay. He was waiting for me in the near empty lounge when I emerged from the dressing room, and without a word, followed him out of the lounge and up to his cabin. His minder didn't come in with us, for which I was grateful and the first thing I saw as I went in was his briefcase. It was by the side of the dressing table and I wondered how the hell was I going to swap it. I couldn't very well walk in with the other one in my hand and hope to get away with it, so I would have to think of some way to do it.

`Alone at last to see if it is true,' he said.

`Oh it is,' I said as I stood before him and slowly eased the straps off my shoulders and then let the dress slither down my body to the floor. He gave a little gasp and his face creased up in a huge smile.

Beautiful,' he said. Turn round.' I did so that he could see my backside as well, framed by the suspender belt and my stocking tops. `Beautiful,' he said again, moving closer and running his hands over the cheeks of my bum. I turned round and put my hand at his crotch, feeling his erection pressing hard against the cloth of his trousers.

`Let me see your strong arm then.'

He didn't need much persuasion to quickly strip off and stand naked before me, his erection looking hard and strong jutting out from his hairy bush.

`My what a big one,' I said with awe in my voice, though it wasn't as big as I thought it might be, but flattery will get you what you want. I went down on my knees before him and took the head of his cock into my mouth and sucked on him. I think he liked that, moving his legs slightly apart and seemed to be holding himself upright as I moved my head on him.

That's enough of that,' he said after a few minutes, pulling himself away and lifting me up. Let's put it in the right place.'

He turned me round so that my hands could rest on the dressing table as he bent me over. I heard him spit into his hand and I could imagine that was to take the place of cream. Then with one hand on hip, he guided himself to me and pushed himself inside. He was hard and a little brutal, but it was a steel hard cock that he was using and I loved it. What I didn't like was the seeing of his briefcase almost within reach and being unable to do anything about it. So I gave myself up to the pleasure of being fucked by this very strong man.

When he pulled out, leaving me gasping and a little sore, I quickly ran to the bathroom and brought out some wet cloths to clean him up before cleaning myself. Then it was onto the bed where I played with his cock, saying how wonderful he was as a lover. Such a big man in that department and generally flattering him over the size of his manhood. Then I took him into my mouth again and this time took his eruption that way, swallowing it and telling him how sweet and lovely he tasted.

I could feel him preening himself as I told him these lies as I lay in his arms, still fondling him until it was time for me to leave. I'd stayed in my underwear and only had to put on my dress and shoes. I asked him if we could do this every night till we reached Port Said, and he said he would look forward to my visits. So we fucked every night, him telling me in our post sex position on the bed that he was in the army. He even gave me his address and phone number, saying that if I ever got the chance to visit Cairo, I was to call him.

In the meantime, I had come up with an idea of getting his briefcase. There was a vacant cabin not far from the entry port, a few doors along from the Purser's office. In this cabin, as well as the normal fittings, was an armchair that was covered with a cretonne that would be perfect for the swap. So the day before our arrival at Port Said, I pushed the armchair close to the dressing table leaving the left hand side of it clear. Then I put my briefcase underneath it, and now all I had to do was entice him into this cabin.

The day arrived and I took special care of my make-up and was up there at the entry port before anybody got ashore. I missed breakfast because I couldn't have eaten anything anyway. Then he appeared and my heart started to beat faster because it was now or never. I intercepted him well before he reached the foyer.

`Abdul. Please. Just one more taste of you before you go,' I begged of him. I'd only left his bed about six hours before and I hoped that I looked as though I couldn't really let him go. I had a hopeful look in my eye as I had my lips slightly parted and I ran my tongue round lips.

`Just a few minutes and you won't be disappointed.' I prayed that he would take the bait. He was wearing his uniform and carrying that all important briefcase in his hand, and that he wouldn't give the case to one of the others if he accepted my offer. He said a few words to one of his aides in Arabic, which I didn't understand and he then nodded to me. It was with relief when he took my arm and still kept hold of his briefcase.

`Just along here,' I said, hanging onto his arm and took him into the spare cabin. I manoeuvred him round and then pushed him so that he sat down in the armchair as I went down onto my knees in front of him. He still had his briefcase in his hand resting on his lap and I tried to push it aside. There was only one place he could put it, and that was down by the side of the chair. I soon had his fly open and I gave him the best head that I could. Jerking him off with a heavy hand as I sucked as hard as I could, tonguing him at the same time.

He began breathing very fast and it wasn't long before he came in great gouting bursts, filling my mouth with his come. I swallowed and sucked out the last, leaving a red ring of lipstick quite high up on his cock, and then flopped down onto my bum, leaning on the arm of the chair. As he was putting himself away, with my right arm that he couldn't see, I pushed his briefcase behind the chair and pulled out my one from underneath to replace it.

Well darling,' I said, standing up and smoothing down my dress. My heart was pounding away inside my chest as though it was trying to burst out. It then leapt into my mouth as I saw that I had put the briefcase the wrong way round and just stood there praying that he wouldn't notice it. That was simply heaven. How was it for you?' He stood up and pulled down the sides of his jacket and smoothed down the front of his trousers.

`Better than ever. I'm real sorry to be leaving. Now don't lose my address,' he said with a smile as he picked up the briefcase, and with a quick peck on my cheek, went out of the cabin. I sagged down onto the arm of the chair, my heart still pounding.

I had done it, but then I was hit by a horrible thought. What if he opened it before he left the ship, while he was in the car, before we had left Port Said? So I was still in danger if he discovered the switch, but I still had more to do. I quickly got out of the cabin and raced up to the boat deck and leaned against the rail to catch my breath and was just in time to see the last aide get into a grey-green car. I watched it move off and wondered who was watching me for this signal that the switch had been made. Then I went below and recovered the other briefcase and took it down to my cabin, and there I was sick into the washbasin.

I cleaned myself up and had a stiff gin and tonic and then put the briefcase into the other bag to take ashore, plus my red passport in case the customs or police stopped me. I then undressed and went for a shower and when I got back to the cabin, Diane had come down from up top.

I'm going ashore for awhile,' I said, taking off my dressing gown and stark naked, started ferreting around for fresh underwear, are you coming?' I asked as I started to put these things on.

`I don't think so. I'd rather get some extra sleep. What about asking Ralph?'

`No it's all right. I just wanted to pop back to that shop and change the bag I bought last time.' I now had my dress on and I then sat down and did my face. She didn't pick up on the question she had asked before about what went on when I got the bag in the first place. So I was able to keep that part to myself. I picked up the bag with its broken handle and said that I wouldn't be long and I left her to go back to bed.

I kept to the middle of the road where I could or be at least in a crowd as I made my way back to that shop in the bazaar. I had to poke about the stall for a few minutes before Hood made himself available to me. He invited me into the shop and sent the boy out to get some tea and then he invited me to sit down.

We got your message,' he said, well done. Do you have his bag?' I handed over his broken bag after taking out my diplomatic passport, and he took out the briefcase and hid it under some clothes that were hanging from a rack. The outer bag he threw to one side and gave me a new one to walk back out of the shop with.

`One thing that worries me is that what will happen when he finds out that he's got the wrong briefcase. He knows my name and the ship, if you know what I mean.'

You've no worries on that score,' Hood said as the tea arrived in little glasses with a lump of sugar in the small dish that served as a saucer. We took our tea and he waited until the boy went back out front again. I heard just before you arrived that his car blew up on the road to Cairo.'

What?' I was shocked and nearly choked on my tea. What happened?' I demanded.

`We don't really have any details yet. It was on a virtually deserted stretch of road. Whether the car was hit by a missile or ran over a planted mine, we don't know.'

`A bomb in the car?' I asked, having a dreadful thought that I had been carrying a bomb in my briefcase and planted it on the major. I didn't want to ask any more questions in case I got the answers that I didn't want to hear.

`How will you get the bag to London,' I asked, changing the subject.

`Not the bag, but the contents will go in the diplomatic bag. They should be in London within a week. Don't you worry about that part, you've done yours, so enjoy the rest of your trip.' I took the hint and finished my tea and left the shop with my new bag. Back on the ship, I prayed that the ship would sail early just in case something had gone wrong. I was thankful when I saw the gangway heaved away from the ship's side and we moved out for our passage through the Canal. Even then I didn't feel secure until we were actually deep into the Red Sea.

We were having a drink in the lounge bar before our evening show when the Staff Commander came up to us.

`Can I have word Francis please,' he said, moving down the bar a little way.

`Sure,' I said, picking up my drink and moving down to where he was standing.

`I er, haven't had a chance before to ask about that chap who came to see you. Er a Mr...'

`Frobisher,' I supplied for him.

`Yes, Mr Frobisher. He came on board showing papers that he was from the Foreign Office and he had a suitcase with him. He left without the suitcase and I wondered what happened to it.'

`He gave it to me, a present. He heard my story about the incident in Aden and it was just a thank you. Public relations I think.'

Well it did us some good in that department,' he gave out a false sounding chuckle, but not all things are good for the company image.'

`I always think of the company's image otherwise I wouldn't have invested in it.'

`You've invested in the company? Bought shares?' he asked, looking at me askance.

`Yes. I bought some. You can check with head office if you want to. Now if you'll excuse me sir, I've got to get on with the show.' I finished my drink and went back and joined the others and then the three of us went off to the dressing room.

It was two days later when he approached us at the bar again, same as last time, just before we were due to go on the stage.

`Miss Lyon. Can I have a word please,' and he moved down the bar a little way again, and I had noticed his change of address to me.

`Yes sir?' I said as I moved alongside him.

`I must admit I underestimated you Francis. I must also add that I was overwhelmed at how much of a major shareholder you are within the company. If you were a passenger on this ship, you would be rated to be sat at the captain's table. I'm amazed as to why you are even an entertainer when you have no such need to work. Why do you do it?'

`Simple. I like singing. I was brought up with music and that is why. I travel, meet new faces, new friends, and am happy in what I do.'

There was nothing for him to say after that, so he withdrew, leaving me to go back to the others.

`What did he want?' Ralph asked.

`Oh, he was just being nosy into my affairs,' and I left it at that.

It was after the show when I was trying to brush my hair that I decided that it was too long and that I should have it cut. Making it about shoulder length and then I could have it curl up at the bottom. Then I had a good idea, so next day, I went up to the hairdresser's and asked him if it could be done. He said yes, but only in Sydney. He couldn't do it.

So I had him cut my hair and I saved the long tresses to take ashore in Sydney to be made into a wig. This I would have made in the same style as my hair so that Diane could wear it and we could then do a good sister act. She looked astounded when I was back in the cabin to see my hair cut so short, but liked the idea for the act. Apart from that, it was easier to manage and didn't make the back of neck so hot in the tropics. They both soon got use to my new style so the subject was dropped.

When I was up top, and had just left the hairdresser's, I looked into the small little shop that the ship's photographer had. It wasn't the same photographer that was on the Indus, but he had got hold of some of the photos of when I came aboard that ship in Aden. These he had duplicated and were on sale in his shop. He also had newspaper articles and pictures of me up there too. There were also large single portraits of the three of us and one of us all together, with the caption

"As seen on television" with the date and time we appeared. During our breaks in the evening show, we were encouraged to sit with the passengers so that they could have their photographs taken with us. These he then sold to them and it's surprising the number of times we autographed these photos. The only pictures I refused to sign were those of me boarding the ship in Aden covered in blood. It was too macabre for my liking. But the man made a small fortune out of us with his snapshots.

It was the night before we were due to dock in Bombay that I looked at the ship's itinerary that we had pasted up the wall and realised that I had forgotten my birthday. What with the excitement of the chase for the army major, and also telling the others not to remind me, I simply had let it go past without even wishing myself a Happy Seventeenth Birthday. Ralph and Diane were in the cabin, so I rounded on them, telling them I was disappointed that they hadn't said anything.

`But you told us not to,' Ralph protested.

`Well I didn't mean it to be taken so literally. I meant not letting anyone else of the crew or passengers know,' I said with tears in my eyes.

`Wait a minute,' Ralph said, and he left the cabin.

Here,' said Diane, opening her drawer of the dressing table and bringing out an envelope and a small box. I had them with me. Happy Birthday darling,' she said, taking me in her arms and giving me a kiss.

`We hadn't forgotten. It's just that we didn't know when to give them to you.' Then Ralph came back in, also with a card and present all wrapped up.

`Happy Birthday Francis,' he said, also giving me a hug and a kiss. I opened the cards while he poured out some drinks and we toasted my seventeenth birthday nearly two weeks late. The cards were lovely and the presents were a small pair of jade earrings from Diane and a thin gold ankle bracelet from Ralph. I kissed them both for their presents and basked in the friendship.

What I had originally looked at the itinerary for was to see the sailing time from Bombay, and whether we had a show that night or not. We wouldn't be sailing till the early hours of the morning, so that meant I could take them out to dinner in Bombay to celebrate my birthday.

This we did in style, going to the best hotel there and having the most expensive things on the menu to eat and drink. We had the trots the next day. So much for the pleasure of eating ashore. We were never off the toilets all day and half the next. We got some medicine from the ship's doctor, but that took over twelve hours before it started to have its effect. For our two shows that next day there was only two of us on the stage at the same time. We had to take it in turns going to the toilet and we had to make a joke of it to the passengers, some of them had the same problem, so we did win a sympathy vote. We sure did have sore and burning arses and it wasn't from sex.

To be continued.