24 August 1936
Norman stopped his timer, eyeing his stopwatch, then looking at the ship who had just broken his record. "4 days, 27 minutes. Not bad for a girl." He mused. He should've been annoyed, irritated that the British had taken away France's most prized transatlantic possession. But he would be a gentleman about it, and politely hand over the Blue Riband. He'd warn it as a belt ornament though he knew that the girls preferred it in their hair like a true ribbon.
He approached the massive liner docked a few berths down from his, all lines tied off and passengers disembarking. Norman weaved his way through them, halting at the hatch. "Permission to come aboard?" He asked the guard, his English heavily accented.
The guard looked at him. "And you are?" He asked.
"Norman de Penhoët. I bring a gift for Mary." Norman replied.
The guard let him aboard. "She's on the bridge." He said.
"Merci." Norman made his way forward. He was somewhat familiar with this ships' design. He had been aboard once before, along with several other ship spirits docked in the harbor, to welcome Mary to New York at the end of her maiden voyage. The Frenchman found the Scottish girl to be a well mannered lady, a credit to her prim and proper upbringing with Cunard Line.
The officer closest to the door said "Normandie on the bridge." as Norman stepped in.
Mary had sensed him the moment he set food aboard. She stood with one hand on her wheel, gripping the spokes. She wore a red dress with a mink overcoat to protect her from the cold sea breeze. Bright green eyes looked out at him through long dark lashes. Her red hair was partially put up in a clip while the rest dangled.
"Salutations madame." * Norman kissed her extended hand.
"And to you sir." She replied, her Scottish accent almost nonexistent beneath her high toned and proper sounding British.
"A gift, to celebrate your momentous occasion." Norman brandished the blue ribbon he'd been wearing on his belt.
Mary turned around, pushing her hair back and he gently wounded it into the thick red locks. He finished with a kiss on her neck which earned him a slap. "Don't try your French charm on me sir." She said. "Maury taught me a few things."
"Of course. Mes excuses mon cheri." ** Norman replied, smartly backing away from another well aimed slap.
"Don't you already have Aquila?" Mary asked, speaking of Aquila Peskett, the RMS Aquitania.
Norman decided he'd overstayed his welcome and took his leave. "Beautiful, fiesty, she's perfect!" He murmured to himself.
...
14 August 1938
Though most of Europe was concerned there would be a war on in the next year, that didn't stop Norman from pursuing his goal. He fingered the blue ribbon in his pocket. Much smaller than the coveted Westbound Blue Riband, the eastbound was equally sought after. Now Mary Bates had both. Norman had given her the two ribbons once before, then earned them back until last week that is. Mary had not only broken his record, but set the bar so high he couldn't possibly catch her. So that's why while Mary would get her ribbon, he'd added a little twist. In France, one might call it puppy love and as a Frenchman, Norman was well versed in the arts of amour. Sewn into the ribbon was a deep blue sapphire, Mary's birthstone.
Norman nervously boarded the RMS Queen Mary. The last time he'd been aboard, he'd disembarked dodging fancy cakes and pies thrown at him by an angry kitchen maid. Apparently pinching her breast was not a good idea. The guard didn't question his presence, Norman and Mary had exchanged the Blue Riband so many times it was almost routine for one to be aboard the other. Norman let his feet carry him to the bridge while his mind wondered. Would Mary like her present? Would she finally drop her hard to get act and admit she liked him?
Mary was in her usual spot on the bridge, facing him. He kissed her hand as custom. "You're going to have to work for this one mon cheri." He said.
"Norman, I already have." She whined.
The Frenchman was having none of it. For once, things were going to happen his way. "Close your eyes." He instructed.
Huffing, the young lady did as she was told. Norman guided her off the bridge, for a brief moment worried about his partner's ability to step down the stairs with her eyes closed. He needn't have worried. This was her ship, her own body! Mary navigated the obstacle with ease. He halted at the door to her stateroom.
"Open it." He instructed.
Mary for once did as she was told without complaining first. He led her in, stopping her in front of the mirror. "Stand perfectly still." He said as he untied the ends of the ribbon. "Do you trust me?" He asked, hands pressed to her sides.
Her breath hitched momentarily before replying "I trust you."
Norman, with an expert gentle touch, pulled her hair back off the front of her neck and placed the ribbon there, drawing the ends back around. He expertly tied it before stepping back, though he kept a hand to her waist. "You can open your eyes now, beauté anglais." ***
Mary did and gasped, her right hand going up to touch the sapphire gem resting gently in the center of her neck. "It's beautiful." She whispered. "You-you made this for me?"
"A small token for such a beautiful work of art." He replied, both hands going around her waist.
For once, Mary didn't try and stop his advances. Instead, she twisted her head around, green eyes meeting hazel. "Aquila was right, you are trouble." She said.
"Does trouble bother you, mon petit cheri?" **** He asked.
"Little? I'm not little." Mary giggled.
"Non, you are Frenchmans un rêve à l'amour. Ma douce." *****
"I should kick you off this ship you know." Mary said, eyes sparkling with humor.
Norman called her bluff. "Go on then." He said.
She smiled this time, leaning forward. Norman grabbed her shoulders and met her halfway.
...
*Greetings, madam
** My apologies, honey
*** English beauty
**** My little darling
***** A Frenchmans dream to love. My sweet
...
Normandie and Queen Mary were the Affirmed and Alydar of the transatlantic races. They were so close in their times, it was no small wonder the Riband passed between them once each week. Though Queen Mary eventually won out over her French rival, a sort of love-hate relationship formed between the two. A friendly rivalry the two enjoyed. I for one think they would make an adorable couple!