Taylor on the High Seas

By H. David Campbell and Darlene Kay Thomas

This is a story about a girl named Taylor. She’s eleven and grew up in a very unusual place. She didn’t go to a regular public school and rarely saw her parents.

Taylor made friends with some kids, but only for just a short time. She did have some kids who were in the same circumstances that she was, so that helped.

Taylor got to do some marvelous things that most kids will never get to do in their lifetimes.

So, where did Taylor live? What marvelous things did she get to do?
I hope you’ll enjoy reading about Taylor, and I bet you wish you could change places with her.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Sep 10, 2019
• ISBN: 9781532082030

H. David Campbell

H. David Campbell is a retired sales executive. He is a grandfather and a great grandfather. He worked in the public schools as a volunteer for twenty years, helping kids with their reading. These books are for kids who are eight to twelve years old. He hopes that the kids will continue to enjoy reading his books.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

TAYLOR AND THE NEW CRUISE SHIP

Taylor was an eleven-year-old girl. Her life was very different from other girls her age. What was different about Taylor? Well….she lived on a cruise ship, and not just any cruise ship. This one was big and new. It was called ‘The Columbus of the Seas.’

They sometimes called this big cruise ship a floating city. It had only been in service for just about two months now.

Taylor’s grandfather was the captain of this new ship. His name was Captain Phillips. Her mother and father, Charles and Megan Phillips, also worked on the ship, were responsible for all areas of the ship. They coordinated with all the area supervisors and managers on the ship and even helped take care of some of the customer’s complaints. One of the other things her parents loved to do was to take some of their time to welcome passengers coming aboard the ship. Taylor was sometimes with them. As her parents were so busy with their many responsibilities, Taylor didn’t see them very often, except for special occasions.

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This ship, ‘The Columbus of the Seas,’ was the second ship that Taylor had lived on. She was born on a smaller ship that was called ‘The Viking.’

There was another thing that made Taylor different. She had an individual teacher to tutor her in her school work. She liked her teacher, whose name was Mr. Wilson. He was funny, and they got along so well together. He told her that she was doing so well in her school work that she was at least two grade levels ahead of other kids that were going to public schools. She was so happy that Mr. Wilson wanted to continue to be her teacher when her parents changed to this new ship in January. It was now early March.

The last thing that made Taylor different from most other girls was that she had a nanny to watch over her. She was so attached to her nanny. Her name was Annabella Blair, but Taylor just called her Anna. Anna had been her nanny ever since she was born. They always had good times together.

Still, Taylor was sad at times because she had no particular friend to play with on this new ship. She had made friends with a lot of the kids on the first ship that she was on, and she was sure missing them.

One of the things that Taylor did love to do was to visit with her grandfather up on the bridge of the ship where she would see the First Mate guiding the ship’s course. As captain, her grandfather would even let her steer the big ship once in a while. Taylor knew all of the crew on the bridge, and she was always welcome.

Taylor and her parents would sometimes be invited to eat dinner at the Captain’s Table. She started meeting some famous people, including even some television and movie stars.

One of the things that Taylor’s parents let her do was helping the activity directors. Parents who were on the ship were grateful that the ship provided such a lovely place where they could drop their kids off to play. There were three different places. The first one was for little kids that were up to five years old, the second was for kids six to eleven, and finally, there was a neat place for the teens.

Taylor’s favorite place was where the six to eleven-year-old kids were. She had so much fun with them since there were some kids her age. She occasionally did enjoy helping with the little ones in the first group. She sometimes wished she had a brother or sister. Being an only child was okay, though, she thought.

One afternoon her mother came into their stateroom where Taylor was watching TV with her nanny, Anna. Taylor, I have some good news for you. Your grandfather has invited us all to join him at the Caption’s Table this Friday. Isn’t that wonderful? We can all eat together as a family. That doesn’t happen very often.

Her mother continued, I also have some more good news for you. A new family is coming to work on the ship, and they have a daughter named Savannah. I think she’s thirteen, and hopefully, she could be a new friend for you to do things with on the ship.

When are they coming aboard, and which deck will they be on? Taylor inquired.

I don’t know, but they told me that they would be here soon, responded her mother.

Our ship sails this Friday, so that’s only three days from now, cried Taylor.

I know, Taylor. The Porters will be here with their daughter before then.

May I join you and Dad to greet at least a few of the passengers this Friday? Please, Mom!

Yes, that will be okay, Taylor. We are always happy to have you with us. By the way, your grandfather also will be there this time to greet some of the passengers as they board. It’s usually only crew members greeting the incoming passengers, so having the captain there will be special for some of the passengers coming aboard.

Friday finally arrived, and the passengers started boarding. Taylor was there for the first hour. Mom, it’s going to take a long time for all these passengers to board the ship, isn’t it?

Yes, it surely will, Taylor.

Taylor was looking for Savannah that first hour, but there were just a few girls who looked like they might be thirteen-years-old. Finally, Taylor decided to give up.

Mom, I was looking for Savannah, but it was too hard to see which girl she may have been.

Oh, I’m so sorry, Taylor, I should have told you. Savannah came aboard Wednesday, the same day I told you about her. They are now getting settled. I’m sure you’ll meet her in a day or two. Savannah and her parents wouldn’t have come aboard with the regular passengers anyway.

After a busy day, all of the passengers had entered the ship. Taylor and her parents looked forward to dinner that night at the Captain’s Table. They did have a wonderful time together that evening. Taylor was happy to be there with her parents who she didn’t see that often, and, of course, her grandfather too.

It was Saturday morning, and Taylor thought she would meet Savannah that day, but as the day wore on, she never heard from her. She thought, "Maybe I should go over and call on her, but I don’t know where her stateroom or cabin is.

CHAPTER TW0

TAYLOR MEETS SAVANNAH

It was about 4 p.m. on Sunday. Taylor and Anna were sitting in the living room reading. The phone rang, and Anna went to answer it.

Hello, said Anna.

Is this Mrs. Phillips?

No, this is Anna, the nanny. Who is calling?

This is Mrs. Porter, Savannah’s mother. I was hoping I could bring Savannah up to meet Taylor.

Yes, that would be fine. Taylor was wondering when she would get to meet Savannah. You may come now if you wish.

Thank you, Anna; we’ll be up shortly. You’re on deck nine, stateroom 34, right?

Yes, Mrs. Porter, that’s correct.

After Anna had hung up the phone, she said, Taylor, that was Savannah’s mother. She’s bringing Savannah up to meet you. She should be here shortly.

"Great! It’s about time! We’ve been sailing since last Friday night, and it’s already been three days now. I can’t believe its Sunday already. Anna, I hope I like her!"

"I’m sure you will, Taylor."

It was about ten minutes later when they heard a knock on their door. I’ll get it, Anna, shouted Taylor.

As Taylor opened the door, she saw Savannah with her mother. Savannah was a very pretty girl. She hoped they could be good friends.

Hi, Taylor! I’m Savannah.

Taylor invited them in. Anna stepped forward, saying, Come, let’s all sit down over there.

Taylor had a lot of questions for Savannah and her mother, but she first addressed Savannah’s mother. Mrs. Porter, my mom didn’t say what you and your husband would be doing on the ship.

We’ll be supervising several areas of the housekeeping on the ship, making sure everything is running smoothly, replied Mrs. Porter. We’ll be working under your parent’s supervision.

Savannah, is this your first cruise ship experience? inquired Taylor.

"No, I’ve been on three different cruise ships. ‘The Columbus of the Seas’ will be the fourth one now," Savannah replied.

How old were you when you were on your first ship? Taylor asked.

I think I was about three, right, Mom?

Yes, Savannah, you were three. It was the first ship for my husband and me too.

Anna then asked, Where was your home before you started serving on cruise ships?

We lived in Miami. Cruise ships are always hiring. We tried it and loved it! responded Mrs. Porter.

Savannah, were you born in Miami? Taylor further inquired.

Yes, but I don’t remember much about living in Miami. I’m like my mom. I also love being on cruise ships, Savannah responded.

I was born on a cruise ship, Taylor smiled. I especially love being on this new ship. I was so glad when my parents were able to get work on such a huge ship like this one.

Taylor, I hope you and I can be friends, and that we can do lots of fun things together, expressed Savannah.

Then Mrs. Porter added, I better be going now. I’m due to start my shift in just twenty minutes.

Mom, could I stay with Taylor a little while longer? I can find my way back to our cabin, pleaded Savannah.

Is it all right with you, Anna?

Yes, we’d love to have Savannah stay. Wouldn’t we, Taylor?

Yes, please let her, Mrs. Porter, Taylor also begged.

"All right, Savannah, but not too long. Anna, could you be sure she gets back to our cabin?"

Yes, I’d be happy to see to it. Nice to have met you, Mrs. Porter, Anna smiled.

Come on, Savannah. Let’s go to my bedroom and play! shouted Taylor.

As they both made their way to Taylor’s bedroom, she asked Savannah, What deck do you live on?

We’re on deck two. It’s quite nice. These new ships have made the lower decks much better for their employees. You sure are lucky to be up here on the ninth deck in this big stateroom. How did you ever get it with your parents being employees?

My parents have one of the top jobs on this ship. They are in charge of all the areas of this huge ship, making sure every manager and supervisor are doing their jobs properly. Oh, and, Savannah, my grandfather, is the captain of this ship. You and I can go up on the bridge to see my grandfather and all of his crew. I know them all!

Taylor continued, Are you allowed to attend activities around the ship without paying for them? she questioned Savannah.

I do have to pay for my activities; however, I do get a discount since my parents are management employees on this ship, replied Savannah. My mom said we soon shouldn’t have to pay for any of the activities on the ship.

Well, for now, Savannah, I can bring one guest on my card. All of my activities are free. I have a card that gets all of my meals free too.

"I also have a card that gets me my meals free as well. It’s so much fun deciding where I want to eat, and then it’s free, free, free!" shouted Savannah.

They played in Taylor’s bedroom for over an hour. Anna came in saying, It’s almost 6:00 p.m. and time to go and get something to eat. Savannah, would you like to come with us?

Can we pick the place we want to eat, Anna? asked Savannah.

"Yes, Savannah, anything you want is fine with me."

Taylor and Savannah picked pizza, at the Italian counter and they all had a perfect time together that evening. Savannah, it’s time we took you to your cabin. Which deck are you on, and what’s the number of your cabin?

It’s deck two, number seventeen, Savannah told her.

As they arrived, Savannah invited Anna and Taylor to come in. Please, come in. I want to show you how nice these lower cabins are on these new ships compared with the older ones.

They were both surprised.