On the day of the trip you scan the thick roiling clouds scud over the capital shedding their rain as they fly past overhead. You look out of your home's front window as you await your transport to Greenwich pier. Re-reading the missive again, you wonder to yourself which part of the night you are looking forward to the most ... is it the fireworks; the American Jazz-band; the fact that you are simply going to be there with the rest of the invitees; or does something else drive you to attend?
You arrive at the pier at between 7 and 7.30 p.m. and are pleased to be met at the bottom of the gangway by Thaddeus Grant himself.
"Hello there and welcome to my pride and joy! What do you think of her then?" Thaddeus intones whilst puffing out his chest. "Hopefully the weather will hold off at least for the display tonight This is my good friend Mr William Cunliffe, whose help tonight has been invaluable." You notice that William is looking somewhat exasperated as he checks your name off his list before handing you over to one of the crew-members to escort you to your cabin as another guest comes up behind you on the pier and so you hand your luggage to the crewman.
At the top of the gangway you are met by a man who introduces himself in a bluff manner as follows;-
"Good evening and welcome aboard. I am James Blunden, captain of this vessel." Your impression of Blunden is that he would rather be anywhere than here welcoming you aboard his ship.
The crew are all polite as they go about their jobs, if a little harried as they show you to your cabin before scurrying off to receive the next guest. As you pass through the reception area on the main deck you cannot but help being impressed by the lavish decor - this paddle steamer has been excellently appointed with the finest furnishings that can be bought.
Your cabins are located at the forward end of the Saloon Deck and some of you are slightly surprised and perhaps a little dismayed to learn that you possibly have to share a cabin with someone else. If you question one of the crew-members about this they will tell you that all the cabins are being utilised tonight and due to people being added to the guest list doubling up is regrettably unavoidable. On the way to your cabins the crewman points out the water-closets at the top of the stairs before leading you forward to your cabin. The cabins have been allocated as follows;-
- Hugo Bart and Henry Boles are housed in cabin #20
Fr Edward Mason is lodged in cabin #21
Albert Spenser and Tommy Jackson are housed in cabin # 22
Cynthia Knight is housed in cabin #23
Melisa May Higgins is housed in cabin #24
OOC: Roll spot hidden please |