Chapter 9

Their holiday went well. The enlarged Dixon family took a tour of the reefs and interesting sites around Cairns. A memorable day for the kids was the day that Dylan had asked them to come to the farm to see his neighbour's horses. It drew Rebecca's attention that Duncan followed Dylan in everything he did. During the afternoon, Bird showed up. She had found out that Rebecca was there and she wanted to see her old friend. Rebecca took the opportunity to try to worm information out of her.

"Bird, since working and living in Canberra, I've lost touch with the old crew more and more", she started. It was a small lie, because the reality was quite different. The crew had found her.

The girl nodded, "Yeah, that's true. Everyone has his own life, huh".

"Indeed, it's been a long time since I heard from Nikki. Is she all right?", she tried.

Bird looked at her with her almond eyes and seemed to think. "Yeah, she's fine. Why?"

"Oh, a few days ago during the barbecue, I had the impression that she was acting a little weird".

Bird shook her head, "Nah, she was tired. It was a long patrol with a lot of disturbed night, nothing to worry about", she said sweeping Rebecca's investigation under the rug.

"Okay, It's a great relief. Thank you. Now I'm going to see where my kids are", she said with a smile.

An hour later, on their way back to their holiday cottage, Robert noticed how quiet his wife was, "Any problems?"

She rubbed her face, "I asked Bird about Nikki and she answered me lip service. I feel that something's going on, but I also know that Bird will never say something".

"So Shirly Holmes, now what?", Robert asked grinning.

"Well Dr Watson, take me to 2Dads' apartment. I know I can get information from him!"

"All right, Chef, you're the boss", he said and turned to the right to go to 2Dads.

A few minutes later, he stopped and she got out of the car. "It won't take long Rob. I'll be right back", she assured him with a smile.

Rebecca rang the doorbell and a moment later, the door opened. "Hey Becca. What a surprise!", he chuckled.

"Hi Leo, may I come in?"

"Yeah, sure, but when you start calling me Leo, I'm getting worried", he said.

"Hi", his blonde girlfriend greeted her.

"Good to see you. Leo told me a lot about you, but we've never really met. And on the barbecue….", she waggled her hand, "was not exactly the best time to chat, no?", she said.

"Indeed. Leo also told me a lot about you", Amelia said and Rebecca looked suspiciously at 2Dads who raised his hands in defense.

"No no! It's not what you think", he said.

"Leo, I want to ask you something. How's Nikki?", she added straight away.

"Ah, uh, I'm uh, well uh, she's … fine", he said the same way he had tried to evade Kate's investigation.

Rebecca shook her head, "uhuh, No go, Leo. I know you too well for that. What's really going on,?"

"Nothing. Truly!", he hastened to say.

"And I still don't believe you. Listen 2Dads, I need to know. I want to help her. I can always pull rank on you. I'm a chief warrant officer and I outrank you a few ranks. So, don't force me to do that", she said sternly.

He sighed, "Damn Bomber, you're incorrigible! I don't know how you do it".

"Well?"

"Okay, but promise me you won't say it's from me huh? Otherwise she'll kill me with a blunt knife. Yes, she's drinking, not a little bit and not just ashore", he said desperately.

"Not only ashore?", she asked frowning.

He took a deep breath, "No, aboard too and …"

"And what?"

He shrugged and shuffled his feet, "Not just a sip. When we see it, she's already drunk".

"Always?", Rebecca asked flabbergasted.

"Ahum, not always so bad, but you can notice it", he said patting his nose. "In the evening, she used to drink in her cabin and when she comes out, you can smell it".

"Pffft, what a mess. I knew it. She was drunk at the barbecue and no one looked up, just like you're all used to it", Rebecca said.

He shrugged again, "It happens every time and Pete doesn't help either".

"He gets drunk too?"

"Bomber, you know him huh. Drink, have fun and get drunk".

"This must sound familiar to you, right?"

He grinned, shaking his head, "No, not anymore. I agree that I did, but not anymore", he said and took Amelia by the waist, "I've something better to do".

Rebecca smiled, "I do believe you. But, what happens aboard? In that state, she can't command a ship".

He shrugged his shoulders, "Of course not, but like I said. She drinks in her cabin and sometimes it gets out of hand, so she's really drunk. At that moment Bird and Dutchy take care for her. She puts her to bed and he takes over the ship until her hangover is over. And we all keep quiet to save her own skin. It's even worse during the short breaks in a local port. She's a real party animal, dancing, laughing and drinking. The problem is, that she doesn't stop when she's drunk. She only stops when she can no longer stand on her legs. Every time, we have to bring her back to the ship" he said sadly.

Rebecca sighed and shook her head, "Shit! And how long has this been going on?"

He shrugged again, "It's hard to say. When she took the ship over we didn't see anything. Step by step I suppose. At first we thought we smelled something, but we all refused to accept it. We have all seen the situation ashore as an accident, but these situations have become frequent".

Rebecca nodded, "Yeah, thank you for sharing. I must admit that it doesn't make me happy".

He nodded, "I know, but telling the base commander will destroy her career".

"Let me think about it, Leo. It's complicated".

"It's the least we can say".

"Okay, I leave you to it. I have to see my family or Rob will organise a safety and rescue operation".

"Yeah, see you soon".

Thirty minutes later, she was home. She kicked off her shoes and dropped her handbag on the table. "Hi", she said dully.

"And?", Robert asked.

"It sucks Rob. She drinks, not only ashore, but also aboard".

"Shit", he started but at the same time the doorbell rang.

"I'm going", Rebecca sighed.

She opened the door.

"Hazel?", she said surprised to see the girl with a sport bag.

"Aunt Becca, may I stay with you?", asked the girl with tears in the eyes.

"Yes, of course dear. Come in", Rebecca said, stepping aside to let her in.

Hazel sat down on the couch and Rebecca next to her, "What's the matter, sweetie?"

"Mum and Dad are drunk again. I can't stand it any longer. She stumbles around and knocks over everything", she sobbed.

Duncan, Jonathan and Eddy poked their head through the half-open living room door to welcome their friend, but Robert motioned them away with his hand. Duncan understood and led the two younger boys back to the garden.

"Did they hurt you?", Rebecca asked fearing the worst.

"No, not at all. They never slapped me. They're just drunk".

"Do they know you are here?", Robert asked.

"I said I was going to Aunt Bird.

"Uh, whether your parents are drunk, is it recent or….does it happen often?", She asked.

The girl nodded, "Mum and Dad go out to dance and then they come back drunk. Sometimes she can't reach her bedroom and then she sleeps on the couch. I can't imagine a day without wine or beer. They always drink something, not always so much, but it's there", Hazel told.

"Hazel, you can stay here, but we need to call your parents and Aunt Bird. If we don't, we'll be in trouble", Rebecca replied.

The girl nodded.

"Why did you come to us?"

"Everyone says you are good for them so I thought I'd go to you and my friends and Duncan is here too", she answered with a shrug.

Rebecca nodded, "Yeah, okay".

Rebecca dialled Bird's number and waited until she heard, "Hi Becca, what can I do for you?"

"Hi Bird, yes, it's me. Listen, Hazel is with us".

"Shit, here we go again", sighed the brunette.

"Hazel told her parents that she would be with you, but she came to us."

"Yeah I understand. Don't call Nikki and Pete. You probably won't get a reasonable answer", she replied bitterly.

"Bird, we know everything."

"It was to be expected".

"Jessica, why didn't you say anything. You're also a medic. You could see that it would bring nothing good".

"Becca, do you really think I didn't try? Nikki is older than me and our CO. She even gives Dylan a lip service. There are only two people who have an influence on her and it's Kate and you! But Kate is missing, so it's just you", Bird replied bitterly.

"Yeah, sorry. I shouldn't say that. I can and I'll try. I just wanted to let you know that Hazel is here in case Nikki or Pete contacts you. "

"Okay, thanks for mentioning it".

They ended the call and Rebecca looked at Hazel. "You can stay here. Tomorrow, we'll see further. But, we have a technical problem. We don't have an extra guest room in this holiday bungalow. So, you'll have to share the room with Duncan. Does it suit you?".

Hazel nodded, "Yeah, it's better than being home and Duncan is a cool guy!"

She patted Hazel on the shoulder, "Okay, we'll make you comfortable".

Later that night, Rebecca and Robert sat on a deck chair on the terrace looking out at the sea in the distance. He looked at her, "You're quiet and I'm not used to that from you. Hazel, I guess?".

She shrugged, "Not only is the crew coming back to me, but now their children are doing the same. Do I have something special? I'm not an officer and in the days of the Hammersley I wasn't even a NCO".

"Darling, that was just a known fact. Everyone could tell you something without risking being blamed. Moreover, you have a knack for worrying about everyone and you try to give advice or a reassuring word. And the habit has remained . They talked about you and the children took it for themselves too and found refuge in you. See Duncan and Hazel", Robert said.

"I'll have to accept it, no? Anyway, for Hazel, I'll have to talk to Nikki tomorrow. We can't hide the girl here".

"How are you going to do that?"

"Dunno yet. It was enough for today. Tomorrow, after a good coffee!"

The next morning, Rebecca went to the Tomasewskis. Pete was mowing the lawn.

"Hey Becca. It's great to see you again. Nik is inside. The door is ajar", he greeted her.

"Hi Pete. Thanks", she said.

He looks pretty sober to me. Nah, at the time he was still up and until the morning after.

How is it here?

She pushed the door open, "Hi Nik. It's me!", she said.

She heard a voice coming from the kitchen, "Hi there".

Rebecca went further.

"Do you want a brew? I'm just making one", Nikki said looking at her friend.

She nodded, "Yes, I'd like to".

She looked at Nikki. She stood barefoot and wore a long fluffy dress with a flower pattern. She smelled of shampoo and her hair was still damp and uncombed.

"Here you go. I'll make one for myself", she said, pushing the cup to Rebecca.

She started the coffee-maker and blew, rubbing her face.

"Didn't you sleep well?", Rebecca started prudently.

"Yeah, I did, but it's still a bit fuzzy in my head. We had a party last night and you know…"

Rebecca took a sip, "Nik, Hazel slept at our house. She wanted to see her friends".

"Oh? That's great", Nikki replied before taking a sip.

"She loved it".

You don't even know Hazel said she went to Bird!

"Well, I'm happy for her. She need friends around her and that boy, Duncan, right?. He seems like a good friend to her. Almost the same age, I suppose?"

"Indeed, twelve years too. But, Nik, I've heard rumours. Don't you drink too much and too often? Think of Hazel".

Nikki's mood began to change. "What's wrong with partying and having a few drinks? I want to live a little, have fun. Am I not allowed to?"

"Of course so. But so much? Getting plastered is not particularly funny", Rebecca tried to push a little further.

Nikki waggled her hand, "Plastered? That's saying a lot. Feeling happy and being a bit tipsy. Is that a crime? Okay, on rare occasions, I'm drunk. But, since when is that bad? You were also drunk on Hammersley".

"I know. But that was twelve years ago and occasionally. Look Nik, I'm worried about your health and Hazel. A drunk mum is not what a girl needs!".

"Becca, I like your concern, but it's not necessary. Everything is under control. Another one?", she said pointing to Rebecca's empty cup.

Rebecca looked at her empty cup and shook her head, "Nah, too much Italian caffeine is not good for me. I'll have to go, but Nik, if you want to talk about it, you know where to find me, huh".

"Yeah sure!", Nikki said.

With a 'Seeyah', they parted.

Rebecca realised that she lived too far from Nikki and Pete to help them. How could she achieve something while her friends couldn't either, since they were always with them. Maybe they didn't try hard enough. Anyway, she focused on her family and temporary members, Duncan and Hazel. They had planned to visit Barron falls and Dylan had proposed to accompany them.

As they admired at the waterfalls, Rebecca suddenly asked him, "Dylan, how long have you been protecting Nikki and condoning her behaviour?"

He turned around flabbergasted and replied, "Who did you get that from?"

She looked at him with a smug expression.

"Shit Becca, you're evil!", he said, rolling his eyes.

"So, it's true".

"What can I say? Someone has to command the ship and keep the unit within the crew. She was already drinking as soon as I boarded. It just got worse. I have the impression that she drinks until she passes out. If it were up to me, I wouldn't organise R&R's, but she does and every time we have to bring her back to the ship, totally out of control", he said.

"And no one ever tried to stop her?", asked Rebecca bitterly.

He looked at her irritated, "What do you believe? That we say, go on. Here's the bottle. Every time we tried, we got answers like 'sod off' or 'mind your own business' and when we pushed too far, she pulled the ranks. Okay, I could have talked to the base commander, but you know as well as I do that she'd be out of the Navy at once. I can't do that to a friend. So, I'll make the best of it as long as I stay XO aboard", he said.

Rebecca made a face, "Yeah, I know. A few days ago I tried to talk to her, but in vain".

They were interrupted by Duncan, "Hey Uncle Dutchy, I found a path to get closer to the falls. Can we go there?".

"Yeah, I'm coming", he said.

"He likes you, huh?", She concluded.

"Yeah, there's something. Looks like he's talking to me like his father", he said.

Rebecca watched the way he followed the boy.

Dylan, you don't know how close you are to the truth. But the point is that, neither you nor Kate know.

To be continued