Sophia Holmes and the Tilly Briggs Cruise of Terror *Completed*

Chapter Seven

Dad comes back to meet us when he sees John trying to push his way back through the crowd, and together we manage to pull him onboard.

"I want an explanation," John huffs as we lead him up the ramp.

"Yeah, and we'll give you one once we're inside," I hiss, before breaking off and sinking into the crowd. It's important now that I don't associate myself with them, otherwise it'll seem suspicious that we arrived together.

As I move to the side, I spot the guy who spoke just a moment ago and go over to speak to him.

"Excuse me, are you Mr Cambola?" I ask, adopting a deeper voice to try and pass as a male.

"Ah, yes!" he says, turning to smile at me, and again I see his icy white teeth. "And you must be Scott."

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you sir," I say and he chuckles, shaking his head.

"We have no need for formalities here, Scott. All our staff are told to use first names, so you may call me Francis."

"Thanks, I'll certainly try and keep that in mind sir - er - I mean Francis." He laughs again at me as I continue laying the foundations for my new personality.

"Here, let me show you to your cabin," he says, and says a hearty 'welcome' to the last few stragglers before leading me into a small side door which had almost blended in with the shadows if not for the light shining through from the corridor beyond it.

The walls down this corridor are painted a pale yellow, and we walk up some stairs before we get into the section of staff cabins. Cambola takes a small keycard from his jacket pocket and slides it to open the door.

"I'll give you a while to unpack, someone will be down later to break you in and show you the ropes," he says, gesturing me inside. "You seem like a bright lad, I'm sure you figure everything out in no time."

"I can't think of any ship I'd rather work on," I smile, and he gives me a small nod before handing the card over and closing the door as he leaves. I drop my smile immediately after the door clicks shut and fish my phone from my pocket.

I'm in

S.H.

I click send, and I recieve another message within the minute.

Room 164

-S.H.

The game is on.