A nice little trip

Daisy, hatha ana-Ted."kana thalika el mofattish el mohaqqiq Singleton yohatifo el mofattishah el khasah el mofadhalah ladayh.

“Daisy, it’s me - Ted,” Detective-Inspector Singleton was telephoning his favourite private detective.

Laqad el taqaya sabiken ala qadhiyyah, wa min yawmiha sara yakhrojani ma-an, kollama samaha el amalo bi thalik.

They had met on a case and ever since they had been going out together, when work permitted.

"hel ladayki iltizamaton lil-ayyami el qalilati el moqbilah?"

“How are you fixed for the next few days?”

Kanet Daisy tashrobo koozen min sharab Ovaltine es-sakhin ith inna el mekteb kana ma yazalo bariden.

Daisy had been drinking a boiling hot mug of Ovaltine as it was still a bit chilly in the office.

Faqad kanet ez-zohoor el oola motaraddidaten filkhorooj, lakin esh-shems kanet sati-a fi es-sama.

The first flowers were hesitating at coming out but there was a bright sun in the sky.

"hassanen, inna es-sayyed Floodbridge atin hathihi el-laylah li yabda-a fi tabyeedhi el mekteb,wa alayh fa-ana horrah mata shit.matha honaka ya Ted?"

“Well, Mr. Floodbridge is coming in tonight to start whitewashing the office, so I’m free whenever you like. What’s on, Ted?”

"sa akhothoki ila faransa hathihi el laylah bi-ththat-ila bolonia,li royati el ma-alim,mowafika ala el awda yawm eth-tholatha el mokbil?"

“I’m taking you to France this very evening - to Boulogne, to see the sights. All right to come back next Tuesday?”

"ana mowfikah." Qalet Daisy thalik wahyia tajoolo bi thihniha fi khizanati malabissiha.

“That’s fine by me.” Daisy was already going through her wardrobe mentally.

"ataqid anna el jawwa akthara dif-an fi bolonia minho fi East Anglia.”

“I believe it’s a bit warmer in Boulogne than here in East Anglia.”

Wa sakata Ted lahdhaten kama yaf-alo da-imen indama yahosso bi eth-thenb.

Ted paused a moment as he always did when he felt guilty.

"oh , bilmonassabah,lem ya-od li shawarib.

“Oh, by the way, I haven’t got my moustache any more.

Laqad konto mostajalen hatha es-sabah li darajet enna-ni qassasto katheeren min jihatin wahidah fa qarrarto en-naho mina el ahsen el bed-o min el bidayah."

This morning I was in such a hurry that I cut too much off on one side and decided I’d better start again from scratch.”

"oh kella ya Ted!la astati-o an atassawwarek bi dooniha! Ala ayati hal yajibo en ansarif el an, fahonak ashya-o orido et-tekhallossa minha."

“Oh no, Ted! I can’t imagine you without it! Anyway, I must go now, because I’ve got some throwing-away to do here.”

Nadharet Daisy ila es-sowar el kabirah el-lati kanet qad allakataha ala el jodran-sowaro misra wa israeel-wa tanahhadet.

Daisy looked at the posters she had put up on the walls - of Egypt and Israel - and sighed.

" aliyya en atakhallassa minha el an.innaha momezzaka wa wassikha jidden.

“I’ll have to make do without them now. They’re so torn and dirty.

Wa lakin robbama yomkinoni el hossool ala sowarin katheeratin okhra min wikalati es-safar.wa mahma yakon, sawfa yakoon ladayya mektebon ra-i wa nadheef li a-ooda ilayh.

But maybe I can get some more from the travel agency. Anyway I’ll have a nice clean office to come back to.”

Kamet bi ittissalatin hatifiah lizzobana wa okhra li es-sayed Floodbridge, el mobayedh,li et-ta-akkodi min anna mafatih el mekteb ma-aho.

She made a few phone calls to clients and one to Mr. Floodbridge, the whitewasher, to make sure he had the office keys.

Thomma itajahet sawba menziliha li towwadhiba zojajata itriha, badha malabissi montassafi el fasli, wa mitafen matariyyen min es-soofi ed-dafi-ah.

Then she made her way home to pack her bottle of Opium perfume, some mid-season clothes and a warm wool-lined raincoat.

Laqad sabaqa li Daisy en thahabet ila el qarrah iddata marratin, wa lakinnaha lem tathheb abaden ma-a Ted.

Daisy had been over to the Continent several times, but never with Ted.

Wa li annaha ahasset biljoo, faqad a-addet li nafsiha sandweechen min et-tamatim wa lehmi el baqar el mahfoodh bilmilh.

As she felt very peckish, she fixed herself a bumper tomato and corned beef sandwich.

Wassal el mofattisho el mohaqqiqo Morris Singleton hassaba el maw-id, es-sa-a es-sabi-a wannisf tamamen.

Detective-Inspector Morris Singleton arrived perfectly on time for their appointment at 7.30.

Haddaket Daisy fi Ted:" inneka tebdoo ra-i-an bi dooni shawarib, lakin adhonno annani ofadhdhiloka bi esh-shawarib."

Daisy stared at Ted: “You know, you look quite nice without your moustache, but I think I prefer you with it.”

"hassanen, " wa-ada Ted,"len ahlikaha marraten okhra."

“All right,” promised Ted, “I won’t shave it off again.”

Wa fi athna-i tareekihima bi es-sayyarah ila Dover bada-a el mataro yahtolo bi ghazarah.

As they made their way to Dover by car it started to rain quite heavily.

Wa qal Ted mo-alliken:"amolo alla tassifa er-riho kathalik."

“Hope it’s not going to be windy as well,” remarked Ted.

Wa indama sa-ada alqaya nadhraten shamilah ala es-safeenah Dovercraft.

Once on board they had a look round the Dovercraft.

Wa kana el mahel el mofa min edh-dhare-ib moktadhen bi es-sowah wa hom yashtaroon hadaya akhir daqiqah.

The duty-free shop was full of tourists buying last-minute presents.

Wa fi ghorfatin mozarkashah kana atafalon sighar mostayqidheena jidden wa hom yatassalowna bi royati sahirin wahwa fi hay-ati moharrij, amma awliya-ohom fa kano yajlissoona fi hojrati el joloos el qareebah.

In a colourful room, small childen were wide awake being entertained by a magician dressed as a clown, and their grateful parents were having a ‘quick one’ in the nearby lounge.

Wa kana honaka aydhen mat-amon yabdoo ghali eth-thamen wa akhara arkhassa minho moktadhen bi el mossafireen el ja-ieen.

There was also a restaurant which had the air of being very expensive and a much cheaper one full of starving travellers.

Kanet ghorfato el joloos tebdoo sarrah bi ara-ika kabeerah wa moreehah,wafi akhiriha kanet hanaton mamloo-ah bilhayawiyah jarra-a aswati ezzojajat el motawassil.

The lounge looked pleasant with big comfortable armchairs, and at the end of it there was a lively bar clinking glasses continuously.

"Ted ana amooto min el joo, hel yomkinona eth-thehabo litilka el wajba er-ra-i-a el-lati wa-adtani biha?" qalet Daisy monashidah.

“Ted, I’m starving, can we go for that wonderful meal you promised me?” Daisy pleaded.

Wa fi tilka el-lahdga tamayalet es-safeenah janibiyen wa kadat tatassabbabo fi soqoot Daisy.

Just then the boat rocked sideways and nearly made Daisy fall over.

" oh Ted,el bahro ha-ij,alaysa kathalik?"

“Oh Ted, it’s a bit rough, isn’it.”

Lakin Ted lem yastiti er-rad.laqad kana shahiben ila aqsa hed wa kana yalhatho min ajli hawa-in jadeed.

But Ted couldn’t reply. He was deathly pale and gasping for fresh air.

"Ted, mel-amr? Anta  lesta mossaben bi dowar el bahr, alaysa kathalik?"

“Ted, whatever’s wrong? You’re not seasick, are you?”

Lem yesbeq li Daisy abaden en osseebet bi dowar el bahri abaden wa la hatta bi doawr el jaw, wa lem yador bi khaladiha anna shakhssen ma yomkino en yossaba bi ed-dowar aw hata kayfa kana ed-dowar.

Daisy had never been seasick, or even airsick and it had never entered her mind anybody else could be, or even what it was like.

"Ted, dana nakhroj lahdha."

“Ted, let’s go outside for a bit.”

Wa sa-adat-ho Daisy lilkhorooj min hojrati el joloos il el hawa-i en-naki.

Daisy helped him outside the lounge into the fresh air.

Lisso el hadh kanet tahobbo rihon kawiyyah jidden wa kana alayhoma bilawdah marraten okhra.

Unfortunately a very strong wind was blowing and they had to go back in again.

" la taqlaqi bi shani ya Daisy." kana Ted yatanaffaso bi omkin.

“Don’t worry about me Daisy,” Ted was breathing heavily.

" anti tathhabeena wa takoleena shay-en.amma ana fassa-ajlisso hona li wahdi fi hojrati el joloos."

“You go ahead and have something. I’ll just sit here by myself in the lounge.”

Fa-alahhet Daisy qa-ilah:"kalla ya Ted, sa abka ma-ak."

“No, Ted, I’ll stay with you,” insisted Daisy.

" la ya Daisy.haqeeqaten ofadhilo el joloosa hona fi hodo min ghayri en atakallama ma-a ayyi ahed."

“No Daisy, really, I’d prefer just to sit here quietly and not talk to anybody.”

"Hassanen, itha kana hatha ma toreed…fa len yatoola ghiyabi."

“All right, if that’s what you want...I won’t be long.”

Itajahet Daisy ila el mat-am thi el khidmati eth-thatiyah amilten fi el awdah ila Ted bi asra-i ma yomkin, lakin kana honak tabooron taweelon jidden.

Daisy made her way to the self-service restaurant hoping to get back to Ted as soon as possible, but there was an incredible queue.

Ghayra anna el amileen kano fa-aleen fafi dharfi ashri daqa-iq hassalet Daisy ala samaki el qad,shara-ih el batatis el maqliyah bilbazilla ma-a el mohallabiyah,wa finjan qahwah.

However, the staff were efficient and in ten minutes Daisy was having her cod, chips and peas, followed by Spotted Dick and custard and a cup of black coffee.

Adet Daisy ila Ted el-lathi kana hina-ithin yajlisso qobalata en-nafithah wa qad qalaba yaqata el jakeet el modhaddah lilmatar.

Daisy returned to Ted who was now facing the window and had the collar of his waterproof jacket turned up.

" hel tohisso bi tahasson ya ted?" wa lem yastadir Ted.

“Feeling better, Ted?” Ted didn’t turn round.

Wa wassalet Daisy kalamaha wahyia takhla-o mitafaha ed-da-fi:"el hararah aliyah hona el an, alaysa kathalik?"

“It’s rather hot in here now, isn’t it?” continued Daisy taking off her warm mac.

"Ted, mal-amr?"

“Ted, what’s the matter?”

Wa masset Daisy katifah bada en lahadhat annaho lem yarod.

Daisy touched his shoulder, noticing he hadn’t answered.

"Daisy," hamasa Ted wahwa ma zala yowajiho en-nafithah,"ta-ali wa ajlissi bi qorbi! La astati-o el istidara." Wa bada joloossi Daisy, sharaha laha ted ka-ilen:"inna William Rowles jalisson fi akhiri hojrati el joloos wahwa yatanawalo ji-ah!"

“Daisy,” hissed Ted still facing the window, “come and sit next to me! I can’t turn round.” Once Daisy was seated, Ted explained: “William Rowles is sitting at the end of the lounge having a beer!”

Wa shahaqet Daisy bi sor-a.

Daisy breathed in rapidly.

Thomma hamasset:" tani William Rowles, qati et-tariq el anif!wa lakin dhananto annaho fi es-sijn."

She whispered, “You mean William Rowles, the violent Soho gangster! But I thought he was in prison.”

" na-am laqad kan,wa ana bi nafsi wadhatoho fi es-sijni li moddati arba-ata ashara amen."kana Ted yatakallemo bi so-oobah wa kana yastariho kolla bidh-i thawani

“Yes he was, I put him in prison myself for fourteen years.” Ted was speaking with difficulty and paused every few seconds.

" laqad hawwalooho ila sijnin iskotlandi wa najaha el osboo el madhi fi el horoob!innaho saminon akthara mimma kan,lakinnaho howa biththat."

“They transferred him to a Scottish prison and he managed to escape last week! He’s fatter than he was, but that’s him all right.”

Wa tajannabet Daisy en-nadhar nahwa mo-akhirati hojrati el joloos.

Daisy avoided looking towards the end of the lounge.

Wa wassala Ted kalamaho:"la ataqido annaho arafani li annaho lem ya-od li shawarib lakinnaho itha ma arafani fa-innaho yomkino en yossabbiba katheeren min el mata-ib.

Ted continued: “I don’t think he has recognised me because I haven’t got my moustache any more but if he recognises me he could cause a lot of trouble.

Daisy, innaho aneefon jidden wa yomkino en yatassallaha bissohoolah bi shaklin ma.

Daisy, he’s very violent and could easily be armed in some way.”

" matha  naf-al ya Ted?" laqad tho-iret Daisy qaleelen.

“What shall we do, Ted?” Daisy felt a little scared by now.

" yajib en tossa-ideeni.la astati-o mowajahata el wadh-a liwahdi.ana dha-eefon jidden.

“You must help me. I can’t manage the situation alone, I’m too weak.

Yajib en tathhabi ila er-robban, qooli laho an hatha kollih li-yamala ala tawqeef Rowles.sa ajlisso hona ila heen wossool el mamooreen."

You must go to the captain, tell him about all this and get Rowles arrested. I’ll sit here until the officers arrive.” 

Wa hawalet Daisy et-teharrok doona wodhooh wa saret abra hojrati el joloos nahwa el bab.

Daisy tried to move away inconspicuously and walked along the lounge to the exit.

Inda-ithin dakhala thalathato shobbanin wafi aydeehim olabon min el ji-ah.

Just then three young men came through the door with cans of beer in their hands.

Wa faj-aten tamayalet es-safeenah marraten okhra fa saqata wahidon min esh-shobban ala Daisy doona qasd, sakiben el ji-ah ala qameessiha el hariri thi el-lawni el akhdhar.

Suddenly the ship lurched again and one of the young men fell against Daisy accidentally pouring beer down her new green silk blouse.

" oh kalla,qameessi el jadid"qalet Daisy fi nafssiha"laqad khorriba bi dooni shek wa ra-ihato el ji-ah tanba-itho minni."

“Oh no, my new blouse” Daisy thought “it must be ruined and I smell of beer now.”

Bi idrakiha annaha robbama tajlibo el intibah nahwaha, afet Daisy esh-shabba bi sor-ah min mas-ooliyatih wa asra-at abra er riwaq bittijah ghorfati el mamooreem    wa ataraqet el bab.

Realising that she might be drawing attention to herself, Daisy quickly absolved the young man from his responsibility, hurried away along the corridor towards the officers’ room and knocked on the door.

Wa akheeren fataha mamooron el bab wa hamlaqa fi Daisy wa fi qameessiha el molattekh bilji-ah.

An officer opened the door at last and stared at Daisy and her beer-stained blouse.

" hel  astati-o mossa-adatiki ya anissa?" kan wadhihen anna Daisy qad qata-at wajbataho el massa-iyah haytho kana la yazalo bi yadihi mendeel.

“Can I help you miss?” Daisy had clearly interrupted his evening meal as he still had a napkin in his hand.

" nahno bi hajatin ila mossa-adatikom,ani el mofattish Singleton bi hajatin ila mossa-adatikom.

“We need your help, that is Detective-Inspector Singleton does.

Honak mojrimon khateer, mahkoomon alayhi wa harib,fi hojrati el joloos yatanawalo sharaben- William Rowles howa ismoh-wa…"

There’s a dangerous criminal, an escaped convict, in the lounge having a drink - William Rowles is his name - and.....”

Istata el mamoor shamma ra-ihati el ji-ah ala malabissiha wa fassaraha bi shaklin kha-ti

The officer could smell Daisy’s beery clothes and interpreted it badly.

"andhori ya anissah,limatha la ta-oodeen wa tajlisseen qaleelen.

“Look, Miss, why don’t you go back and sit down a bit.

La yoojado mojrimoona khatiroona ala metni hathihi es-safeenah.wadhihon annaki nemti wa ra-ayti holomen moz-ijen.

There are no dangerous criminals on this boat. You clearly fell asleep and had a bad dream.”

"la taj-roo ala mo-amalati ha katha." Raddet Daisy bi ghadhab ala nabratihi el moheenah.

“Don’t you dare treat me like that.” Daisy angrily reacted at his patronising tone.

"inni la ahlomo bi thalika itlaqen,wa lesto thamilah aydhen,laqad sakaba alayya ahadohom el ji-ah baynama konto ohawilo el isra-a lilwossooli ila hona.

“I’m not dreaming it all up. I’m not drunk either, someone spilt their beer all over me while I was hurrying to get here.”

Wa sara sawto Daisy akthara tasmeemen.

Daisy’s voice became even more determined.

"Honaka dhabito shortah fi hojrati el joloos wahwa mossabon bi dowar el bahr wa arsalani li talabi el mossa-ada.

“There is a police officer in the lounge who is very seasick and he sent me to get help.

Fa itha lem tossa-iddoh, fa innakom satata-arradhoona antom bi anfossokom li katheerin min el mata-ib."

If you don’t help him, you’ll be in a lot of trouble yourself.”

Wa shaqqet Daisy tareeqaha qorba er-rajol dakhil el hojrah haytho kana arba-ato mamooreen akhareen yatanawaloona wajbatahom wa bila rayb sami-oo ma qalet.

Daisy pushed her way past the man into the room where four other officers were having their meal and had probably heard what she had said.

Qabl en yatamakkano min idraki ma kana yahdotho,kanet Daisy tosdiro el awamir:

Before they could realise what was really happening, Daisy was giving orders:

" ta-aloo hona,kollokom,yajibo alaykom tawqeefa mahkoomin alayhi harib fawren."

“Come along, all of you, you have to arrest an escaped convict immediately.”

Kanet Daisy jiddo mokni-ah, indama aradet.

Daisy was very persuasive when she liked.

Wa nahadha rajolon taweelo el qamah ramadi es-sha-ar:"ana er-robban Granger,sayyidati, matha konti taqooleen?"

A tall grey-haired man got up: “I’m Captain Granger, Madam, what were you saying?”

" ayyoha er-robban,itha atayta ma-i liliqa-i el mofattish el mohaqiq Singleton fi hojrati el joloos fi innaho yastati-o an yokhbiraka bi nafsih.

“Captain, if you come with me to meet Detective-Inspector Singleton in the lounge he can tell you himself.

Yajib en tahtat li anna Rowles hatha itha ma ra-a wajha sadiki fa innaho yomkin en yarifaho li annaho  howa  el-lathi awqafaho qabla sanawat."

You must be discreet because if this Rowles sees my friend’s face he might recognise him as he was the one who arrested him years ago.”

Bada el awdah ila hojrati el joloos ittajahet Daisy nahwa Ted wa jalasset bilqorbi minh.

 Back in the lounge Daisy went over to Ted and sat down next to him.

Bada thawanin wassala er-robbano kama low kana yatafaqado dona qasd amma itha kana kollo shay ala ma yoram ala metni Dovercraft.

After a few seconds the Captain came by as though he were casually seeing if everything was all right on the Dovercraft.

Wan-hana nahwa Ted el-lathi araho hawiyataho bi hather wa ghadara hojrata el joloos.

He bent over Ted who discreetly showed him his identification and left the lounge.

Bada daqeeqah wahidah kana ahado el mamooreena qad ghayyara malabissah wa awwadha es-saqi baynama kana thalathaton akharoon yadkholoon hojrata el joloos min el abwab eth-thalathah.