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Bigatoni? Passengers love that sort of thing.’
    ‘Ah.’ said Enzo, with obvious delight. ‘I have already thought of that.’ He produced a very large box labelled Piddling Pursuits. ‘This box, Admiral, contains five thousand questions, together with answers - and I alone have the key to it! Each day at a prime time in the afternoon I intend to have a team quiz with prizes for those who complete the course.’
    The Admiral nodded in satisfaction at the innovative skills of his new team. Harry had certainly chosen well.
    ‘Now, Mr Duvet, your turn. What have you to report?’
    If the truth were known, Mr Duvet’s purchasing experience was rather limited. He had in the past made a bi-weekly journey to the local supermarket in Scarborough to purchase breakfast cereals and the ingredients for a Full English Breakfast, and on the Cross-Channel ferry all he had to do was to pop a cheese or ham sandwich under the grill. But he had spoken with a friend who at one time served in the Army Catering Corps and was now in charge of catering at Durham Jail, and had received invaluable advice.
    ‘Think big’ was the gist of it. Mr Duvet did just that and ordered massive tins of baked beans and sacks of powdered milk. He was able to buy at a reduced price some out-of-date provisions from a charity food store and dozens of cases of powdered egg. For the cabins he obtained a huge quantity of Army-surplus blankets.
    ‘The kitchen is equipped,’ Mr Duvet said, ‘and the larder isvirtually ready. As for the cabins, as I speak an army of volunteers are assembling some excellent flat-pack furniture from a well-known store that recently went into liquidation. All I need now is a quick visit to France to collect some duty-free wine - and I shall buy a lot as I know our passengers love a drink - and of course there will be a vast mark-up for the company.’
    ‘Gentlemen,’ declared the Admiral, ‘I am proud of you all. You have certainly got the situation well under control and there is not the slightest doubt in my mind that we will enjoy a cruise that will be an unforgettable experience for all who take part.’
    He stretched out his hand and grasped hold of a small rope, hanging beneath a polished brass bell. He tugged it, sending a deafening noise throughout the study.
    ‘Onward ever!’ he cried. ‘And now for some tea.’

7
    For the second time in a week Albert Hardcastle found himself in the private office of the Manager of the Yorkshire Prudent Bank - Grimsby branch. This time the Manager’s chair was occupied by none other than Darren Worthington who, following the rapid departure of his predecessor to unknown territory, had received swift promotion.
    ‘I am delighted to see you again, Mr Hardcastle, and under much happier circumstances. I should inform you immediately that the lottery money is now safely in your joint account, and a cash sum has been transferred to Mr Jason Smith to ease any inconvenience he may have suffered as a result of the bank’s error. Of course we have asked him to keep this whole matter confidential, and Mr Smith has no idea that the money belonged to you. We are strict on confidence at the Prudent Bank, Mr Hardcastle, very strict.’
    ‘Well, thank the Lord for that,’ said Albert. ‘You gave me and the missus a nervous moment, I can tell you. Do you know that Jason Smith, thinking he had won millions, actually phoned the Head Office and told them what to do with his job? Had henot had a drink or two which befuddled his reasoning, he would have been in real trouble. As it was, he mistakenly got through to the Co-op Funeral Department, who thought someone was ringing to arrange Jason’s funeral. His wife herself nearly died when the Funeral Director called round with his little black book.’
    Mr Worthington maintained a discreet silence and jotted something down on a pad before him. He looked up and addressed Albert once again.
    ‘I well understand you wanting to keep the fact that you