A Cruise with a Corpse

Chapter 1 - Agnete

Agnete opened her closet for the third time, only to close it again with a sigh. She had been looking forward to this trip for so long. Imagining herself posing in front of the great Sphinx dressed in a light flax outfit with a scarf casually draped around her hair - like in old photos of Hollywood starlets. How come she hadn't been shopping for something more suitable to wear? She didn't even have a headscarf, and her shelves were full of big jumpers and jeans. Nothing right for this kind of journey. Perhaps she could find what she was missing in one of the airport shops?

She loved to travel. The excitement. The adventures. New people. Food. But this time felt different. It was the first holiday James and she would spend without Kamilla, their daughter. She had turned 18 last month, so she was officially not a child anymore, and she was busy with school, her boyfriend and lots of parties and friends to see. It just seemed wrong to leave her behind, to start new adventures without her. As Agnete was folding the sweaters and pushing them into the suitcase, she assured herself it would be okay. James and she still enjoyed each other's company, and she was sure they'd have a wonderful trip.

They'd never been on a cruise before, so when she stumbled upon the small advertisement online, she was thrilled. A cruise on the river Nile sailing from Luxor to Aswan. The website described the cruise ship as cosy, with only eight guest cabins and a selected crew. Furthermore, there was a full-time guide staying on the ship who knew all about the history of Egypt. It would be both a lovely holiday and an opportunity to learn about the fascinating ancient civilisation. The ship's captain had sailed on the Nile for 25 years. He was originally from London, but now lived in Egypt. They would be in the best of hands - and when she booked the tickets, she had been filled with excitement for the upcoming trip.

'Honey, do you know where my white travel shirt is?'

James called from the kitchen.

'I think it's in the box on top of your wardrobe, with the rest of your summer clothes.'

The suitcase was full, and she pushed the lid down so she could close it. They needed this time off from their daily lives. If you weren't careful, every day would end up looking like the day before and finally you wouldn't be able to tell the days apart. You had to do something different to break up the routine - and it was so much easier on a holiday. Tombs and crocodiles were about the furthest thing from grocery shopping and cooking dinner.

Thursday

A warm gush of dry air welcomed them as soon as the door to the plane opened. They had left their home, the rainy city of Copenhagen, behind them and were now greeted by the busy and loud Cairo airport; the heat just adding to the exotic feel. Agnete had actually been cold on the flight, but now she was standing on the hot asphalt of the landing field, and she was sweating.

'Oh dear, it's going to be a hot holiday.'

James smiled and took her bag.

'I think there's a pool at the hotel, and room service.'

It had been peculiar at first to have a stranger sitting next to them. In Kamilla's seat. But it had been nice to chat with James and it almost felt like when they first started travelling together, before they had Kamilla. So perhaps it would be all right.

It was dark when they exited the airport, the city still buzzing with sound and movement. There were bright lights, McDonald's and ancient ruins all mixed in a delightful chaos. The traffic was kind of crazy, and Agnete was relieved they decided to take a taxi to their hotel. James had this thing for local transportation Agnete didn't always share. It felt much safer and more comfortable to sit in the nice taxi without having to figure out how to get to the hotel on their own.

'Do you think I need a hobby?'

Agnete had just come out of the shower after a nice dip in the hotel pool. James was lying on the bed trying to find a channel that wasn't in Egyptian. He hadn't been lucky so far, so he turned the TV off.

'A hobby? Why? Do you have anything in mind?'

'It's just with Kamilla off on her own. I feel empty - and kind of useless, to be honest.'

James came over and gave her a hug.

'I know how you feel, but I'm sure we'll figure something out. Let's enjoy this wonderful little break and see if any ideas pop into our heads while we're thinking of something completely different.'

Friday

One thing Agnete appreciated about travelling was the hotel breakfast. She normally skipped the meal at home, but on holiday, she loved to go all in. There was something so calm and luxurious about walking down to a set table. White tablecloth and crisp napkins waiting for her.

James took his seat and asked for a cup of tea, then he started studying the guidebook. He hadn't had time before they left, and he preferred to come prepared. Agnete filled up her plate with fruit, scrambled eggs, bacon, and a delicious-looking scone. Last but not least, she got a nice, big cappuccino.

'I think we should start with the Sphinx. The guidebook says the lines there are shortest early on.'

Giza wasn't a part of the cruise they booked, but Agnete had insisted they included it in their tour. What's the point in visiting Egypt and not seeing the Pyramids?

James had found them a seat at the front of the bus, the transportation to Giza being complementary with hotel stay, and they sat watching as the other guests walked past them. Most Agnete recognised from breakfast, but the last passenger seemed out of place. He didn't appear to be a guest at the hotel, more like an acquaintance of the driver. She guessed him to be local, perhaps in his 60s and he sported a rather full moustache. As he stood staggering, trying to hold on as the vehicle moved, she noticed his long brown duffle coat that seemed too warm in the Egyptian heat. The overcoat was bulky. He kept it closed with a firm grip, all while scouting out of the door, searching.

The driver was speaking to him in Egyptian, so Agnete couldn't understand what they were saying, but it was clear he wasn't happy with the ride-along. She recognised the word Luxor before the chauffeur shook his head and broke off the conversation. The man stayed where he was and when they finally stopped; he jumped off and started sprinting. It was a strange sight seeing this older gentleman in a long coat, holding on to whatever he was carrying underneath it. He was shooting in and out of the crowds lining up for tickets. Agnete leaned forward, her gaze following him as he ran. That's when she saw the police setting after him, shouting and waving their hands.

'Did you see that, James?'

Agnete was all excited, but James had his head in his guidebook and hadn't even noticed the strange passenger.

It was a funny place, Giza. In pictures, you always saw the Pyramids with an endless desert in the background. In real life, it was the smell from KFC that hit you first. To maintain the illusion of walking through history, you needed to keep your eyes firmly locked on the Pyramids. Luckily, it was an easy enough task. You didn't want to turn away from the impressive structures.

As soon as they got inside the perimeter Agnete walked fast, only focusing on her mission; a picture of her with the Sphinx. She had found the perfect scarf at the airport and was ready.

'James, hurry, there's a line forming behind me and I want it to look like I'm all alone.'

It was amazing to see these ancient monuments up close. Agnete soon got over her missed photo opportunity and marvelled at the sights. It was like strolling through history. They were wandering in one of the secluded spots, admiring the enormous structures, when a young man with a headscarf appeared as if out of nowhere.

'Souvenirs?'

It's like you read my mind, Agnete thought as she stretched her neck to see what interesting things he had with him.

'He's not allowed to sell inside the premises.'

James grabbed a hold of her arm so she couldn't approach the vendor. But as she turned back towards the man, he had multiplied, and instead of one, a crowd of eager traders had materialised. They were coming straight for them, holding up various baskets and trinkets.

It wasn't particularly funny now, though. The sheer number of traders made it scary, and she contemplated running when the group dissolved just as suddenly as they had appeared. They were both standing, wondering what had happened, when they heard someone behind them.

'Have you seen this man?'

A police officer in a crisp white uniform stood in front of them, holding a picture of a man with a big moustache. They both shook their heads, and the officer nodded as he continued to the next group of people.

'Actually, I think it was the man from the bus, the one I saw running. I'm not sure. I didn't get a good look, but it would make sense, wouldn't it?'

Agnete confided in James when the officers were out of hearing range. He shook his head with a smile.

'You have only been in the country for a day and you're already getting mixed up with the police.'

They were on their way out of the giftshop, the last stop before leaving the grounds. Agnete had found the most amazing novelty pyramids and had bought one for herself and one for Kamilla. Egypt had so far exceeded her expectations and she was getting more and more excited about the coming cruise. The only downside to the holiday was that she missed Kamilla a lot, and she was having a hard time coming to terms with this being a holiday they would tell Kamilla about, not one their daughter would experience herself.

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