Scars - Part 11
Bernie swallowed thickly, gazing up at the cruiser in the near horizon as they queued in the harbour of Southampton, preparing to board. Clusters of enthusiastic holiday goers bustled around the dock, hauling their luggage and chattering idly.
"Bern?" Serena repeated again, firm yet laced with hints of perturb, and nudged the blonde with a sharp jab of her boney elbow.
"Uh..yes?" Eyes diverting briskly, she compelled to focus on her friend and blinked, words spiralling vacantly in the salty air as she tried to sound riveted rather than vague and drifted, "Sorry, what did you say?"
"I asked if you have your passport! But forget that, are you okay?"
"Passport right here." The army medic pulled the maroon document from her jacket pocket, "And I'm fine." She curled her lips into a flaccid smile, sucking in a breath. Right now, a whiskey would be marvellous; or five, or six.
With a slight nod, she acknowledged though wasn't entirely convinced. Serena observed, her lips pursed. Bernie's muscles were abnormally tense, strained with an unknown source of pressure. Shoulders uptight and rigid. Perhaps with an edgy tremble. A bland expression of apprehension creasing her features.
Waves coiled and swirled at the dock wall, a melody of soothing toppling and crisp fizzling as the ocean rippled with elegance. It was fresh. The crests of sea water twirls were relaxing and pleasant to Serena, though did not appear to have the similar pacifying effect on the younger woman. The major was not at ease.
"You are not fine, Bernie. What is the matter?" Arms folded, Serena adopted a compassionate assertion, imploring tenderly.
Bernie exhaled a sigh, continuing to stare ahead. A cigarette would be wonderful right now, as well. She dipped her head momentarily, muttering her fading reply, "Maybe there was another reason why I was a medic in combat zones as opposed to the Royal Navy in the forces.."
"Go on..."
"Awaiting my official deployment, there was an unfortunate disaster with a marines regiment. They drafted in any available medics - myself included - to treat the influx of casualties. We got caught in a horrendous storm. The ride was so rough and choppy, and I suffered with awful sea sickness. That incident definitely influenced my final choice to be stationed in a combat zone. It is highly embarrassing when the medic requires a medic. I've never stepped foot on a boat since."
The blonde twisted to look at her fellow surgeon after a fleeting pause, "Showers and swimming pools are fine. Don't you think the open water is such a perilous place? You are at the mercy of nature."
"I guess it is, however, I haven't had an experience like yours." A petite nod, "Flying on the other hand; I am terrified of heights. It probably won't ease your apprehension, but there are no storms forecast and the journey on these ships is very much different. Smooth; you probably won't even realise you are on water - or at least not when you've got a couple of glasses of wine in you! It's not like we're going to sink!" She added a short chuckle, trying to lighten and diffuse the situation.
Bernie puckered her eyebrows into sharp arcs, "The titanic sunk!"
"That is a minor detail." Serena mused, persisting her articulations in a cool and controlled manner, "Look how far technology and machinery had evolved since then, I can assure you every precaution and etiquette has been taken to ensure that doesn't happen. But, if you really are not happy and don't want to do this, we can turn around and go home."
"No, no. You're right. I'm just being silly." Blowing out a deep breath, she straightened her posture and located a flame of internal positivity. "I need to incapacitate this apprehension. We both need a break and this is going to be it. As you said, I'll have forgotten all about my worries after a few free drinks from the bar."
"Your courage has always been admirable." The brunette suppressed a smile, "As for the sea sickness. There are methods to alleviate symptoms. It all begins with the brain receiving conflicting signals; your eyes don't see any movement, but part of your balancing-sense system, like the inner ear, senses movement such as the motion of the waves. The discordance causes mental alarms and the mind responds with shutting down certain activities, including the complex digestion process. Sleeping and focusing on the horizon often help and allow synchronisation."
Bernie returned the smile, "The science and jargon always helps. Let's get on this ship. I think we both deserve some time at that bar after these past weeks."
They located their suite simply, Bernie inserting the key card into the lock. Gasps and amplified eyes reacted, scanning the room intently. A blend of crisp white and deep purple complimented the ocean visible through the full length panels of glass that made up one wall of the suite, opening up onto a private balcony.
The bright walls of white would radiate and dazzle when continental sunshine flooded through the great windows. A queen bed was situated against a feature wall in the middle, linen feathery soft and a cordial waft of the fresh laundry soap tickled the air. Decorative pillows and a textured throw matched the feature wallpaper.
Anchored in one corner was a sleek, glass desk that curved with the room, spacious and elegant; purple chairs added to maintain the theme. And at the foot of the bed was a freestanding bath tub, adorned with mini jets to create a bubbly jacuzzi effect if desired.
Luxury, stylish and classy.
And to finalise the beautiful suite, Henrik had evidently purchased and requested a generous bottle of exquisite champagne, chilling divinely in a bucket of ice on a stand.
"No, no. There has to be a mistake!" Serena frowned momentarily, racking her brains back to a previous conversation, "Mr Hanssen specifically informed me that it was a twin suite, and he was here solely for business."
Bernie snorted, lips twisting into a dry smirk, "did he state what type of business, though?!"
Wrinkling her nose, the brunette pulled a repugnant expression, "Bernie, that is not a pleasant imagery!"
She laughed wryly, pacing towards the table, curious of the leaflets and booklets that neatly concealed the polished glass, "Technically, he wasn't lying. These set of suites are named 'Twinn Suites' - this one is Berry Twinn, apparently. He just didn't specify details."
The army medic continued to talk after a pause, "Relax, Serena. It'll be fine. It's not like we haven't shared a bed before; and I remember, don't steal all the duvet!"
Serena couldn't help but chuckle, flashing a smile at her friend as she flopped down onto the bed, "You know me, I like plans and formalities. Surprises aren't that welcoming."
"I used to like sticking to the rules," Bernie shrugged, "I'm going to go explore the ship, and more importantly find that bar. Are you coming?"
"Aren't you going to unpack first?"
"I prefer to get my bearings first, worry about the boring details later." She explained simply.
"I'll meet you at the bar in a while, a glass of shiraz waiting would be perfect please."