It was 1 and half weeks before Hammersley arrived back in Cairns. In that time summer had officially ended and winter had started to roll in. Stepping out of NAVCOM Kate sighed, it was pouring down with rain. Looking up at the skies it didn't look like it would break anytime soon in fact it was actually getting heavier. Placing her hat on her head she pulled the brim down slightly before making a run for it towards the underground carpark where she parked her car whilst she was at sea. Despite it only being a 5-minute walk, by the time she reached the car she was soaked to the skin. She could feel the water running down her back causing her shirt to stick to the skin. Pulling her hat off she brushed the damp strands of hair from her face
Sighing all she wanted was her fluffy pyjamas, a long hot bath and a rich hot chocolate with a mountain of cream and not necessary in that order. It didn't take long for her to drive the short distance home. Although the roads did seem a tad busier than they did a few weeks ago despite the lockdown still being in place and inter-state travel being banned
Pulling the car on to the drive the rain had died down a little thankfully but it was still a miserable afternoon. Switching the ignition off she pulled her bag off the seat next to her and made a run for the front door.
"Hey" she called as she made her way through the house.
Dropping her bag in the hall she walked through in to the kitchen. Grace and Chris were sat on the counter with Mike icing what looked like cupcakes.
"Mummy" a huge smile grew across Graces face. "we've made fairy cakes" she said licking the wooden spoon she had been holding.
"i can see that" Kate grinned. Looking at her 6-year-old daughter who had icing sugar smudged across her face.
Mike walked round the counter pulling her in to his arms teasing her in to a kiss. "why are you all wet?" he asked
"well in case you didn't realise it's been chucking it down outside" she grinned.
"well I can't say I noticed" he smiled walking back round the counter. "Hot chocolate?" he smiled already pulling the milk from the fridge.
"that would be amazing" she smiled sitting on one stools.
"mummy do you want one of our cakes mummy."
"i would love one" she smiled
"here you go" Grace brandished one of the cakes in her mother's face,
"thank you" she smiled biting in to it. It was a basic box mix cake but still tasted okay
"do you want another one?" Grace asked picking up a second cake
"umm, maybe later" Kate forced a smile. They were alright but they were piled high with a mountain of over sweet icing.
"owww" Grace hug her head
"Gracie, I will have one later, but I need to get changed because right now I am really cold. She said heading upstairs.
Walking in to the bathroom she began filling the bath adding in her relaxing bubble bath she needed it after the fortnight she had. Making sure the bath was steaming hot which was the way she liked it. After checking the children and the cat were downstairs and nowhere near the bathroom. Climbing in she slid right under so the water was right up covering her shoulders. It was like a warm hug enveloping her and taking away all the troubles and stresses.
A long undisturbed soak under the water was just what the doctor ordered. Soaking away the knots she had developed in her shoulders and the cold. Resting her head against the top of the bath. As much as she wanted to, she couldn't wallow in the water all evening and it had grew cold.
Climbing out she pulled her robe around her plodding across the landing in to her room. Pulling her fluffy pyjamas out of the back of the wardrobe she changed and headed downstairs.
"feeling better" Mike smiled handing her a second hot chocolate
"now I have warmed up yes" she smiled wrapping her arms around him. "what smells so good" she grinned looking over his shoulder at the cooker.
"Thai curry and rice" he smiled
"yummy" she said walking over lifting the lid on the pan inhaling the aromas from the pan bubbling away on the stove
"its almost ready" he smiled
"good because I am so hungry" she grinned as he began to spoon rice in to the bowels.
It was almost like magic as all three kids appeared in the kitchen.
"Nicole" Mike called "Can you please get the cutlery and set the table"
"fine" Nicole sighed opening the draw in the kitchen.
Sitting at the table Kate could slowly feel the last few days catch up on her. It hadn't helped drinking 2 hot chocolates when she walked in as they always sent her sleepy. picking up her half empty bowel mike smiled. Despite them having a rule that whoever cooked the other would wash up. standing up Kate made to move for the sink.
"you go sit down I'll sort this" Mike smiled
"thanks" she yawned walking over to the sofa curling up. Resting her head on the arm she was fighting to keep her eyes open as Mike came over to sit next to her scooting over, she rested her head on his shoulder as he wrapped his arm around her.
"so what did Smith have to say about the PPE" she yawned
"he said that it was ordered..."
Sitting up Kate was about to protest
"but I contacted the stores and the suppliers and no order had been put in for Hammersley or any of the other patrol boats. Smith is on his last warning" Mike smiled
"good" Kate yawned "he is worse than knocker and that's something I never thought I would say"
"hey Maxine was okay apart from the little green monster on her back" he said.
Realising she was now fighting hard to keep her eyes open. He smiled lifting her up in to his arms and carried her upstairs placing her in the bed he pulled the covers up over her. Kissing her softly on the top of her head he headed back down to finish tidying up.
so hope you like this and do let me know it really helps. I still have a few more ideas planned and I shall continue with this as this is one of the only fics where I haven't struggled to think of something after I have passed 10 chapters.
I shall update soon xxx