Ch. 29 Recruiting

He went straight to his hotel room and started with the first name on the list.

He dialled the number and waited anxiously for someone pick up the phone.

"Blake speaking?", he heard a clear female voice.

"Sally, it's me, Dutchy, how are you?"

"Hey! It's ages since we've heard from you! I'm fine and you? Chris was already wondering why you didn't give news", she replied enthusiastically.

"Well Sal, I'm fine, or better said I've never felt so good you know. Is Chris around?", he asked.

"Yeah, he's in the garden, hold on a sec", she replied.

He smiled when he heard her yelling in the distance.

A few moments later he heard the well known voice of his mate.

"Dutchy, bastard, I thought you had disappeared from the face of the earth", Chris said.

"Well Swaino, you're not so far from the truth, the one difference is that I'm still here", he amusedly countered in reply.

"What happened?"

"Oh, some bad luck in Afghanistan, but it's over now. What kind of job are you doing?", he asked.

"Wow, it's direct question. You're up for something, no?", Chris replied a bit surprised.

"As a matter of fact it is, but I would like to know what you're doing now. Maybe I could make your life easier", he said.

"Is it? Well then, I'm the swain on a tugboat in Sydney harbour".

"How would you feel about being the second officer aboard of a small cargo vessel? Short sea traffic", he replied.

"Uh? Did I hear you well? Second officer? Jeez mate, where did you get this from?", Chris replied baffled.

"Yep, mate, second officer. I'm setting up a crew for a vessel of a brand new shipping company. What do you think of it?", Dylan reminded him the function.

"Well, uh, officer…. I've never been an officer you know and that company, is it a reliable one?", Chris asked doubtfully.

"Chris, I know your feelings, but I believe in it even more because I'm one of the business partners. I believe in it because I'm going to set up a reliable crew with men like you! And with regard to the officer function, you're able to take it on. It's just a bit larger than the Hammersley, you'll see".

"Hmm, who are the first officer and the captain?"

"I'm the first officer and for the captain, I don't know yet", Dylan replied.

In fact, I already know who will be, but it will not be an easy task to convince her!

"And you'll not starve. Bomber is the cook".

He smiled when he heard Chris roaring with laughter.

"Yeah mate you've convinced me! Wait, Sal says something", he said.

"What's going on?", he heard in the distance.

"Dylan offers me a job as second officer on a cargo vessel"

"And? "

"I'll take it"

"Great! Finally I can see a smile on your face again", Dylan heard and grinned.

"I'll take the job mate!"

"Splendid mate, I'll contact you again to sign the contract"

A bit later he called another number.

"Reef Boat Tours", Dylan heard and frowned.

"Andy, it's you?", he asked.

"Yeah, absolutely, and you're Dutchy", Charge replied.

"Yep, it's me", he said.

"You're still alive?", he heard Charge say with a grin.

"Yes, I am, how are you? And Lani?", he asked.

"Oh, we're fine, thanks", he said.

"Great! What are you doing right now?"

"I'm running a small company renting small boats for tours".

"Hmm, what a pity.", Dylan said.

"Why?"

"Well I'm setting up a crew for a small cargo vessel and I was looking for a chief engineer and I thought about you. Playing with a big, huge engine, huh?", Dylan said waiting for the reaction on the other side of the line. He hoped for the best.

Silence.

"Andy?", he tried.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm thinking. Sounds good, the idea to feel a real engine,… hmm, it's far better than the lawn mower engines of my boats. By the way, would you also need an electrician?", Charge asked.

"Yeah, indeed, you know one?"

"Yep, 2Dads".

"2Dads?! Is he free and does he want to?", Dylan asked a bit surprised.

"Don't worry about that mate. I own him a bit. When I go, then he goes too!"

"You own him?", Dylan asked frowning.

"I'll tell you later, mate, but I have my doubts. I have my own company you know", Charge said.

"It's an officer function. It pays well and the crew consists of former members of the Navy. And the officers are Hammersley's", Dylan said by way of argument.

"Listen Dylan, I'll think about it and let you know, ok?", he said.

"Right, how soon can I expect a call from you?"

"Hmm, before tomorrow evening". Andy said.

"Ok, I'll wait for a your call before looking for another engineer".

"Yep, promised", Charge said closing the call.

Dylan took a sip of his coffee and looked at his list.

His cell phone rang and he thought it was Charge again, but no.

"Mulholland speaking", he said answering the call.

"Mulholland? Dylan?", he heard a questioning voice.

"Yes, speaking with", he replied.

"Ah! Dutchy, it's Dixon here. RO, you know. I call you for the job advertisement for a radio operator, am I at the right place?", RO asked.

Dylan smiled.

Looks like he hasn't changed an inch.

"Yes RO, I recognise you and it's for the radio operator", he replied.

"Is the job still vacant?"

"Sure it is. Interested?"

"Yes, if it's possible."

"Sure it is. You're in mate!"

"Ah! Great thank you".

"Where are you now?", Dylan asked.

"Brisbane. I'm working for a radio station, but it's not really interesting", Robert answered.

"Nice Robert. I'm setting up a crew and all of them are former members of the Navy. So you'll be at your place and it's an Australian company and an Australian cook. I suppose that reassures you?"

"Hmm, sounds good. When can I start?"

"Give me week or so and then you can come to Melbourne to sign the contract and to board. I'll give you a call".

"Oh, thanks Dutchy!", Robert said closing the call.

Dylan shook his head.

He didn't even ask for the salary!

He looked back at his work station list and wrote OK next to the radio operator. Then he put a 'X' next to chief engineer and electrician. Finally he drew a circle around 'captain' and made a face.

This one is obvious, but probably the toughest task!

He looked at his watch.

Food! It's later than I thought, but first call Kate.

"Hey honey..."

The next day he got the confirmation from Charge. He was going to be the chief engineer and 2Dads the electrician. Happy, he walked to the bar where he had a appointment with Arthur.

"And?", Arthur stood up to greet him and shake his hand.

"Great! I've a crew, but still no captain, but it's not so bad. Just a matter of a good chat. But I've something to tell you", he said to him.

"Ah?"

"Yep, sit down mate and I'll get you a good drink", he said as he patted Arthur's shoulder.

Arthur sat down again and raised slightly his eyebrows.

A minute later Dylan was back and put a glass of whisky in front of him.

"Glenrothes, the one you like", he said to him.

"Thanks, and you have?", he asked.

Dylan raised his glass, "Talisker. Cheers".

"Well old chap, what do you have to tell me?", Arthur asked after taking a sip.

"Well, I've found Kate", he said looking at him carefully.

Arthur straightened immediately, "What are you saying?!", he asked baffled.

"Where is she? What is she doing?", he fired questions at him.

" Arthur, I can tell you even more. I'm in love with her", Dylan confessed.

Arthur was obvoiusly surprised, "And... how long has that been going on?", he asked calmly.

Dylan rubbed his face, "Hmm, three months I think", he said.

Arthur looked at him suspiciously, "And you didn't think to tell me earlier?"

"Arthur, mate, it's not as easy as you think! Kate is coming back from a deep depression and I didn't know if she was ready to meet you again", he said.

The worry was all over Arthur's face, "What depression?"

Dylan made a face. "She was one of the fired sailors and she couldn't find a job. Finally she started in a cleaning company and she got robbed. That would put the strongest man on his knees, no?", Dylan said.

If I tell him the whole truth with the role played by his ex-wife, either he dies instantly or he explodes. It's too big a mouthful!

"And, is she feeling better now? What is she doing?"

"She's indeed feeling a tad better and she's happy with what she does. She's a waitress in a tavern in Port Campbell, not far from here", Dylan said.

"A waitress? But, with her knowledge as executive officer, then she could do anything!", Arthur said baffled.

"I know mate, that's why I haven't a captain yet. I want Kate for that!", Dylan said taking a sip.

Arthur grabbed his glass and took a big gulp. "Need another one!", he mumbled.

"By the way, do you have a photo?", he asked.

"I don't have one in my wallet, but I've some on my smartphone", Dylan answered grabbing his device and opening the photo map. He handed it to Arthur who seemed to be in trance while looking at the photos.

"My goodness! She became a wonderful woman what I expected. Do you remember that show case when we first met?"

"Sure, I'll never forget that moment", Dylan replied recovering his smartphone.

"So you're going to ask her to become our captain and when can I meet her?", Arthur said. All of a sudden, he looked a tad younger.

Dylan scratched his temple, "Hmm, it's not an easy task. Firstly, the problem is that she hasn't got much self-confidence when it comes to serious jobs and secondly, I don't know how she's going to react when she sees you. She's still convinced that you made no effort to look for her".

Arthur nodded, "Yes, I can understand that. Well I'll leave it to you. You know her better than me now", he replied smiling.

"I'm going home tomorrow. I've been away too long already. I'll try to convince her to be our captain and then I'll talk to her about you", Dylan said.

He pointed to Arthur's glass, "Another one?"

The old man's face beamed, "Yes, why not. You don't get good news every day!"

To be continued