A/N : Dear audience,
Sorry for the delay, but my beta reader was away for a while.
Now we can post again on a regular base.
Merry Christmas and lots of luck for 2019!
Ch. 14 The day after
The next day
Kate and Dylan missed each other at Navcom in 10 minutes apart. Dylan went there to see the commanding officer, Commander Maxine White and Kate to the Human Resource Department to finalise her career.
They were in the same building at approximately 25 meters apart and they ignored that this distance would be the shortest that would separate them over the next two years.
Dylan had squeezed his visor cap under his arm and knocked the door frame of Commander White. She looked up and said, "Come in and take a seat!"
He entered her office and sat down. Meanwhile she grabbed a file that lay next to her, his service record. She opened it, glanced at the documents inside and looked at him.
"Petty Officer Mulholland, you're one of the few who stay employed. Be happy", she said showing her indefinable smile.
"Your capabilities and experience are highly needed elsewhere and we focussed on your experience with weapons and ground fighting. Your medal of gallantry is a good proof of it. Therefore the Navy is sending you to Perth to follow a combat training and afterwards you'll lead a team to assist an observation officer of an artillery team. Therefore you're promoted to the rank of chief petty officer. Congratulations!", she said.
"Thank you ma'am", he replied, "And when will my transfer take place?"
"I would like this afternoon. There's a flight departing for Perth this evening and the training starts tomorrow", otherwise you're going to miss it and the Navy can't afford to leave a person like tou on the sidelines for weeks", she said coldly.
He swallowed. "Ok, ma'am, no problem. And afterwards, what will happen when the training is completed?"
"Well, consider that you'll have to move. Perth, Darwin, Sydney, that are the bases for these units."
"Ok, I see", he said.
Crap!
"So chief petty officer, that's it for now. I guess that you'll have to do something before you leave?", she said, indicating in this way that the meeting was over.
"Of course ma'am", he said, stood up and left the office.
He left again walking past the Human Resource Department where Kate was signing the last papers, but he didn't see her.
This is something I didn't expect. Ground forces of the Navy. I can imagine much more pleasant jobs. Anyhow, it's the Navy and you can't discuss.
He looked at his watch.
I still have time to see Kate. It's a nice hour to ring her doorbell.
He got on his motorbike and rode to her house. In vain he tried to ring the doorbell and remained in the vinicity for 30 minutes hoping that she would be absent only to do some shopping. Finally he left the place with a shrug and with a feeling of pity. He made a mental note that he would come back after the training.
Kate had affixed the last signature and got her resignation document. She folded it and she put it in her handbag. She smiled wryly at the HR department people of the and left, but she passed first to ladies room. Inside she checked her appearance.
I don't want to sit at home and wait. Direct action. I have my CV with me and a couple of addresses where I can apply for a job.
She adjusted her ponytail and removed imaginary dust particles from the green suit. Then she checked the collar of the pale green blouse and looked down at her pumps and trousers that were the same colour as the jacket.
Trousers are best when applying for an officer position with a carrier. This is more serious and gives a impression of authority.
Right, take your chance girl!
She nodded to herself and went out with confidence.
In the afternoon she returned home. Kate slammed the door behind her and walked to her living room while taking off her shoes. She took off her jacket and threw it on the club chair. Then she plopped down on the couch and rested her head at the seat back. She stared blankly at the ceiling.
No, it didn't go as I expected. They don't want me.
'Applying for an officer's function? But you're a woman? Not that it's bad, but you know, in this business women have no influence on crews…'.
'Oh missy, there have been already ten people before you…'
'Officer? In the Navy you did? Ah, but this isn't the Navy huh…'.
'And what if you're getting pregnant? I can't afford to have a valuable officer staying at home'.
"Assholes!", she yelled but only the walls could hear it.
Kate remained sitting there until she calmed down a bit. Then she got up and grabbed her mobile.
Mike, I need to talk to him, he will understand me. Perhaps I can finally tell him that I'm pregnant.
She made a face and looked at the waist-band of her trousers.
It's becoming tight.
She opened her trousers and looked at her belly and sighed.
I think that I'm starting to show.
She dialled his number but she had no answer and she raised her eyebrows.
Bizarre, his phone if off?! Normally he always answers.
But why didn't he try to take contact with me? I haven't received a call or a text.
That morning
It's a gloomy Mike who stepped into Navcom and hesitated wondering if he should drink coffee first before heading to Maxine's office.
Coffee!
He turned on his heel and walked to the mess for a cup.
While sipping his coffee he stared into the space.
Why didn't she pop up yesterday? It was the occasion to see everyone together for the last time. That would mean she had a date with someone else. I thought that I was the only one. Why didn't she tell me clearly? I was not going to bite her.
No, it's not fair from her. Always thinking that I wasn't carrying for her. Agreed, it's not easy for me to talk about feelings, but I did really care for her.
Now it's over. Shall I call her? For what? To hear 'sorry Mike, it's not going to work between us'? No, I also have my pride. She has to make the first move to tell it's over.
With a fierce gulp he emptied his cup and walked out of the mess to Maxine's office.
He wasn't calmed down yet when he reached it. Mike rammed violently into the doorframe without even realising it, forcing Maxine to suddenly raise her head.
"Uh? Mike? What's up? You came close to having the doorframe in your hand!", she said.
"Hi Max!", he grumbled and tried to show a smile.
"Please, sit down", she invited him .
He sat down and sighed.
"How are you doing?", she asked showing him her most charming smile.
He couldn't help himself, but he smiled back at her seeing her radiant one.
"Somewhat confused. The situation with the reorganisation, our last patrol", he replied.
"And… my girlfriend put an end to our relationship", he blurted out.
Maxine's heart made a huge leap in her chest.
This is too good to be true! I didn't think everything would go so fast. One of them had to make a very bad move or, perhaps, no move at all which makes one of them think that something is wrong. Nice, now I'm going to explore immediately this opportunity.
"Ouch, that's too bad. So, all of a sudden?", she tried to sound compassionate.
Mike shrugged, "Yeah, I had no news from her. She has dumped me, for sure!", he said bitterly.
"Mike, you know, what would you think of having dinner tonight? This will allow you to clear your mind. Being alone is alone huh?", she said.
"Hmm, well yeah, that's a good idea, otherwise I'm going to climb walls", he said nodding.
"Good! I'll book a table", Maxine said satisfied.
"What now Max?", he asked her.
She scowled, "Hmm, the Admiralty was quick enough to stop the Patrol Boats, but they weren't in a hurry to give the remaining people another function."
"Jolly good!", he replied sarcastically.
"Meanwhile, we still have here the surveying ships, the hydrographical and the landing crafts...", she was saying but Mike cut her off.
"Max, are you really going to say that I've to take over the command over these shoe boxes?", he said annoyed.
She glared at him, "Mike, let me finish, yes?"
"We're going to get a section of mine sweepers here too. That makes our fleet a bit bigger again and that makes you my assistant again."
Mike's face lightened up, "Ah! That's a relief".
"Yeah, but what I'm going to tell must stay between us! It's just a rumour."
"Uh?", he murmured frowning.
"I had a rumour that the Admiralty is looking for a CO's for the frigates. I know that one of the commanders is going to take up the function of director the ADFA with a promotion and the other one, I don't know. I had slipped your name, reluctantly", she said.
"What do you mean by reluctantly? That I'm not capable of doing it?", he grumbled.
"No! On the contrary. You'll be a good captain, but then I'll miss you", she replied with a bone melting smile.
"Hmm. You would miss me?", he asked raising one eyebrow.
"Of course!"
He gave her a smile, "Promising!"
Maxine frowned for a moment.
What's promising? The idea that I'll miss him or the idea of having a frigate?
She couldn't think further because Mike popped up with another question.
"And what about Ryan?"
"He's going to be posted on one of the mine hunters. By then and it will be in a short time, he will have obtained his rank of sub-lieutenant. And for his girlfriend, Jessica Bird, I'll send her to a medical training. When she comes back, I'll make her an able seaman", Maxine said.
"Uh-hu, and meanwhile for me?", Mike asked. Meanwhile he settled more comfortably in the chair. He had calmed down.
She pointed with her thumb to the wall, "You can start to install yourself in the office next to mine. I'll call the telecom guys to give you a phone number. When you've done that you can scroll through the open files with which I'm busy", she said.
"Right!", he said and he stood up and walked to the door.
"Oh Mike?!", she interrupted him, "Do you take coffee breaks?", she asked with sparkling eyes.
"Always Max, you don't have to ask for", he said giving her a wink.
He headed for his new office and grabbed the mobile out of his pocket.
The screen was black.
Damn! Broken. Yesterday I loaded its battery and now it's down again. After the job, I'm going to buy a new one.
That evening.
Mike and Maxine
Mike walked through the streets of Cairns looking carefully the houses he was passing through.
'Cosy Corner', never heard from it before. I don't know where she knows this restaurant.
Ouch! I already walked past it.
He stopped and looked at the front of the restaurant.
Hmm, it doesn't look like a restaurant. The name is written in small black print with, outside, a small support displaying the menu. You would not know it's here. Just a normal house.
He walked to the front door and pushed to it, expecting it to be closed.
No, it's ajar!?
"Sir?", greeted the server as he entered.
"Hi, I'm Mike Flynn, there should be a table booked at the name of White", he said.
"Yes sir, please", she said showing the table, "the lady has already arrived",.
"Thank you", he said and he walked to the place where small tables, comfortable chairs, candles where set and a soft music in the background.
Wow, it's more a living room than a restaurant. Where does Max know this place?
"Hey Mike!", he heard next to him.
He looked at Maxine who stood up, "Hi Max, I haven't seen you", he said with a smile.
As she stood in front of him, he could better contemplate her.
"Max,… you look beautiful!", he said impressed.
She wore a black silk dress whose shoulders and sleeves were made of clear shiny fabric. Maxine had chosen black lacquered pumps and a golden necklace. Her hair lay in thick waves on her shoulders and she was perfectly made-up and discretely perfumed.
"Thank you Mike!", she said with a twinkle in her eyes.
They sat down and he looked at her with a smile.
"You're staring at me", she replied with smile.
"No wonder Max, you look gorgeous", he said still impressed.
Meanwhile a waiter appeared next to their table and offered them the menu.
"Do you already want something to drink?", he asked.
"Dry sherry please", Maxine answered.
"A beer will do", Mike replied.
While they were choosing, Mike looked at Maxine over the menu.
Hmm, I've never seen her like this. Wonderful!
"Max, this is great, but what gave you the idea?", he asked her.
"Quite easy Mike, there have been too many turbulent actions and it's time to take a break and to catch up. And I think this is a good start", she said.
"I fully agree. I want to focus on something else. A new target on business and personal level. I'm tired of thinking with what, how and why!", he said determinately.
Maxine responded with a bone melting smile.
Yes, we're on the right track. What, how and why, that's for sure about Kate.
"Have you made your choice?", she asked.
"Yep, the season menu with the according wines!", he said.
"Me too", she replied closing the card.
They kept talking about everything and nothing but Maxine carefully avoided addressing Mike's relationship.
"Max, do you have any idea what's going to happen in the next couple of days or weeks?", Mike asked while they were waiting for the main course.
She shrugged, "I don't know anymore. This morning I told you that we're going to have mine hunters here and that you would become my second man, but late this afternoon I heard something else too."
Mike took a sip from his glass of wine. "Ah? What then?"
"The Brass plays on the idea of reducing the Navy contingent in Cairns. So no more mine hunters. But the landing crafts will remain and the Army will also settle down, especially for these landing crafts. The smallest contingent of the Navy will be led by a lower rank, a lieutenant-commander", she said.
"Uh? And we on the sidelines?", Mike asked frowning.
"No, between the lines I understood that we'll have to move to Sydney, and you too. Me on shore and you, probably an operational one. I saw a few open places on ships",she said looking at him to gauge his reaction.
"Operational on ships? This is going to be interesting", he said enthusiastically.
She nodded, "Yes, I thought so. Cheers, let's hope!", she said lifting her glass.
"Cheers", Mike replied as they gave a toast.
They chatted the entire evening and they left in a good mood. Maxine insisted on paying for dinner. They went out and stopped right outside the front door.
"Thanks Max, it was a marvellous dinner. I'm going to remember this restaurant", he said and he leaned over to kiss her on the cheek.
Maxine quickly turned her head and the kiss, to which she responded settled on her lips, "With pleasure Mike", she said and noticed that the response to his kiss had pleased him too.
"Come, let's make a stroll before heading home", he suggested.
Maxine's eyes twinkled on hearing that, "Good idea!", she said.
After three steps he grabbed her hand, "The atmosphere is perfect now, don't you think?"
"Yeah, it's quiet, and peaceful, just what we need", she said.
It's working!
"You're wonderful", Mike replied.
"Thank you", she said faintly with a radiant smile on her face.
But he wasn't aware that a few streets further someone else cried her eyes out in her pillow…
To be continued.