Chapter 12
The next day, around noon, Kate wanted to enter her department when she saw Mike talking to her assistant. She gasped, turned on her heel and quickly walked away.
Five minutes later, she was back, peering carefully on the corner of the hallway to see if he was gone.
Relieved, she entered.
"Harry? What was Mi… the captain doing here?", she asked.
"Huh? Ma'am, how do you know that?", Harry asked.
"I saw him".
Harry frowned, "Yes, uh, and? Why?", wondering why she hadn't come in to see him.
"There is no need to see him", she said, heading for her office as he followed her.
"What was he doing here?"
"Oh, he thought he was having lunch with you, but since you weren't in, he left you one of your favourite sandwiches", he said, showing her the sandwich.
"Oh? And what should be one of my favourite sandwiches?"
"Caesar salad, ma'am".
"Oh? He remembered. Harry, do you like Caesar salad?", she asked.
"Oh yes ma'am. It's delicious!", he answered enthusiastically.
"Well, it's for you", Kate said.
"But ma'am".
"Look, Harry, it would be disrespectful to this tasty sandwich if I had to eat it because it would taste like shit knowing who it's from. So do me a favour and enjoy it", she said.
"Ouch, so there must be something wrong between you two".
"Something? That's an understatement, Harry!", Kate said sitting down at her desk.
"Oh, I see. Never mind and thank you for the sandwich", he said before leaving.
In Canberra, the same day, but a few hours later .
Lieutenant Lyne called Rebecca.
"Chief Warrant Officer Brown speaking", she answered the call.
"Chief, it's Lieutenant Lyne. Can you come to my office?".
"Yes sir".
A minute later, she knocked on the doorframe of his office. "Sir?"
"Yes Chief, come in and close the door. And take a seat".
Rebecca did as she was told and sat down.
"You know we are going to have a new vice-admiral and that usually brings some changes. Unfortunately, I don't have good news for you. He insisted on bringing his own cook. This caused you to get another posting. I'm sorry", he said.
"Ahum…. Was there something wrong?", Rebecca stammered.
"No, no, it's not that. Your dishes are delicious, it's just that he has his own habits, his own preferences", he said.
"And there can't be two chefs in the kitchen?"
"Chief, you should know better. Would you allow a competitor in your kitchen?"
"Hmm, no".
"Well. But the good news is that I have found you another posting taking into account your familial situation. You can go to the ADFA kitchen. So you stay here in Canberra", he said.
Rebecca swallowed, "I see. Is this definitive, the posting I mean?".
"No, it's a suggestion. You can always see with the HR department if they have anything else. You don't have to decide right now. Think about it and keep me posted", he said.
"Okay sir. Thank you. I'll keep you posted", she said, standing up.
Rebecca's mood was suddenly below zero. In a foul mood she drove homewards, forced herself to smile at Jo and Eddy and nagged Robert by telling him that stupid vice-admiral sacked her and that Maccas would send her to the cadet kitchen to be the chef of a food factory. What a humiliation! She needed to vent. Robert had already had his share. After supper, she plopped down on the couch, grabbed her smartphone and called Kate.
"McGregor speaking", she heard.
Kate, why do you always sound so stern? You're not like that at all.
"Hey Kate, it's me", she said.
"Oh Becca! I'm glad to hear you. How are you?", Kate replied happily.
"Pfft, it sucks".
"Ow, what's the matter?", she asked concerned.
"The vice-admiral is bringing his own cook and they don't need me anymore. Our lieutenant offered me a function in the ADFA kitchen. My gosh, this isn't fine dining anymore. It's making Spam for cadets and the midshipmen", she ranted.
"Ouch, it stings. And do you have no other option?", Kate asked.
"I dunno. He said I should contact the HR department. But then what? It certainly won't be Canberra. I could live in Sydney or Melbourne, but I really hope that they won't pop up with Darwin. It's a forlorn place with only bush around. Jeez, then they'd bury me alive and my family too!"
"Becca, calm down. There are other bases than Darwin. Who said it was going to be Darwin".
"Nobody. I'm just scared".
"Just have a chat with the HR department. Then you will have ideas".
"Yeah. But now I'm considering my own restaurant again", Rebecca said.
"Indeed, I understand, but keep in mind you'll be at work when Rob and the kids are at home", Kate said.
Rebecca sighed, "Yeah, I know. That makes it so hard! In a restaurant you can try new things, but in a barracks kitchen, it's ordinary stuff".
"Look, Becca. I know you're shaken now. Calm down and have a drink of something strong. It will give you some rest. Do you have anything like that?", Kate said.
"Yes, I do. I've cognac. I use it for sauces".
"Well then, give it a try and crawl into bed to give your head the rest it needs".
"Uh-hu, I think I'll do it. But how is it with you?".
"Gosh, Mike is chasing me for having me at his table for coffee, lunch or dinner. He'll probably use his well-known charms to butter me up. Seems like I'm more busy trying to avoid him than tending to my department", Kate said with a sigh.
"Can't you just tell him 'sod off'?".
"If only it were that simple! Today I called the head of the HR department and asked him for another posting. He answered me that he was going to look into it. So, in the meantime, I'm on the run", she said with a wry smile.
"Then we are in the same boat. Keep me posted on what's going on for you, will you?", Rebecca answered.
"Absolutely and it's the same for you, huh?".
"Certainly!"
They ended the call and Rebecca followed the advice of Kate. She poured herself a glass of cognac and swallowed it in one gulp. She told Robert she was heading to their bed and he replied that he would follow after finishing the chapter of the book he was reading.
The next morning Kate entered her office in a better mood. She put on her spectacles and opened her digital agenda.
"Damn!", she mumbled seeing that Mike had planned a lunch meeting with her. It was impossible to decline because the subject was the actual situation of the Intelligence Department. And the worst part is that it was in his own office.
Half-heartedly she went to his office at noon and knocked at the door.
"Come in", she heard and winced.
"Aah Kate! Please come in and take a seat!", he greeted her joyously.
"Sir", she greeted him coldly and sat down.
"I have your favourite sandwich here, smoked salmon. I understand you're a busy woman and meetings are a waste of time but we all have to eat, so I thought of combining both", he said handing her one.
She gave him a weak smile, "Thank you sir". She was hungry and a smoked salmon sandwich was indeed her big favourite. Denying it would be a crime!
"You wanted to talk to me about my department?", she asked before taking a bite.
"Yes, absolutely. What are the major problems you hear about?", he asked before taking a bite out of his bacon and egg sandwich.
Kate gave him an overview and he nodded, but then he popped up with his major question, "Interesting, but It's been a long time now. Can't we catch up outside the Navy? I know a very good restaurant. A dinner between friends. You're still as beautiful as before".
Kate raised her eyebrows. She had indeed expected a private matter, but it was a real frontal assault. "Uh, Mike, it doesn't work that way. Not anymore. I have my own life now and my son is waiting for me".
"I read that in your file. He's twelve years old, right?"
Kate shook her head, "Of course, you've been snooping in my file. Yes, he's twelve years old".
"But then, that's when we… So he's mine!", he said, raising his eyebrows.
"Jeez Flynn! Stop that! No, he's not yours! It's typically you. So self-righteous. You do think all is yours after touching it. Well, it's not", she replied angrily.
"So you must have cheated on me before we even got married", he said smugly.
Kate looked at him wide-eyed as if he had insulted her in front of the whole base, but she quickly composed herself.
"Mistake! I'm not like you and as for your next logical question, the answer is no, I don't know and he's definitely not yours. I feel it. Nothing else on the agenda, …. Sir?", she replied, giving him her commanding gaze.
"Not for the moment, and what about our dinner?", he asked.
"I answered diplomatically, but my answer probably escaped you, so I apologize for my confusing answer and I'll give you a better one and that is no!", Kate said and stood up.
"Oh, and thank you for the sandwich, sir", she said giving him a polite smile before leaving his office.
"Damnit!", he mumbled and threw his napkin in the direction of the dustbin and missed it, of course.
Kate went out and walked around the place to destress before entering again. Her mood was still screwed up and she made herself an espresso to calm down.
What does he think? That I'm going to fall in love with him all over again? For his blue eyes and charming smile? And what else? Coffee, lunch, dinner and sex. That's what it is. That's what it was and that's what it will be! I was a stupid, blonde sheila who fell for those stupid charms. When his desires are fulfilled he drops me for another blonde chick and when the excitement is over, he recovers his old faithful Kate who still naively believed that he was the man of her life. Well, Flynn Casanova. Not this time! I've already wasted too many years of my life.
But what will I do? I know he won't give up until I'm between his bedsheets. No, I have to go away. And far enough! I'll even content myself with the cold in Tasmania or the heat in Darwin.
She raised her eyebrows seeing that her cup was empty. She had drunk it without realising it. She made another one and sat down sighing.
An hour later, she got a phone call.
"McGregor, Intelligence Department, what can I do for you?"
"Commander, Captain Hogan speaking. I have news about a possible posting", said the head of the HR department.
Kate straightened her back immediately, "Sir! Yes, I'm listening".
"There's in fact a vacancy that needs to be filled urgently. From seeing your records, having combat experience on HMAS Anzac in the Gulf, being executive officer and commanding officer on a patrol boat, executive officer on a frigate, assistant in the Operations Room, head of the Planning Group and head of the Intelligence Department, it's a nice career path. So, I'm persuaded you'll be able to command a naval base. What do you think?", he said.
"Commanding a naval base? It's…and honour", Kate replied baffled.
"Should I take that as a yes?"
"Yes sir, as long as it is not under the command or in the vicinity of Captain Flynn, sir", she answered.
"Well the commander of that base had a car accident and his assistant temporarily took over command of the base and, as he had complications, it looks like he won't be back anytime soon. Moreover, his assistant hasn't the ad-hoc profile and rank to run the base. He's a lieutenant and outranked by the commanders of the ships. It just doesn't work there. We need a senior officer with patrol boats experience. And it's you, commander", the captain said.
"Yes sir and which base?", Kate asked anxiously.
"Cairns!"
Oh my Gosh!
"Yes sir and when?"
Everything is going to surface, the memories, Mike, the waiting, the cheating. I will have to face my former friends. On the other hand, it was twelve years ago and it's quite far from Mike. So.
"As soon as possible in fact. Brief your assistant and we are looking for a replacement. You'll have a furnished flat until you have found something that suits you. Start packing your things and we'll send you your belonging and furniture afterwards. How long do you need before you move?", the captain asked.
"Uh… I think…uh…that's a lot of stuff to pack, it's hard to say".
"We'll send you someone with boxes to help you. It will speed up. We need a commander there. Only take the bare minimum and go there", he said firmly.
"Yes sir. You can count on me. I have a question sir, what about my leased car?", she replied.
"We'll send you the link of the car leasing company in Cairns so that you can choose your vehicle. You can pick up the car when you arrive in Cairns. The car leasing company will await you. And for your current car, hand the keys over to the petty officer who will bring you to the airport", he said.
"Okay, thank you sir", she said.
"All right! It's settled. Good luck, commander. You'll receive your orders by email", he said and they ended the call.
Kate put her spectacles down on the desk, rubbed her face and called her assistant to brief him.
That evening, on entering home, Kate was greeted by her son as usual.
"Hi mum"
"Hi Duncan. I've to tell you important news. I've a new posting and we need to move as soon as possible", she said putting her hat on the shelf in the entrance hall.
"Oh? Where are we going to? And what are you going to do?", he asked.
"I'm going to be the commander of the naval base in Cairns", she answered, taking off her shoes and socks.
Duncan was seemingly happy, "Cairns? Yay! So I can see Uncle Dutchy and Hazel again! And Aunt Nikki and crazy 2Dads", he exclaimed joyously.
Kate sighed relieved, "Well, I'm glad you see it that way, but there's work to be done. We have to move there in two days", she said putting her briefcase next to the living room table.
"Wow! It's fast and where are we going to live?".
"Yes, I know it's fast. We have a furnished flat and in the meantime I can look for something of our own. That means we have to pack everything. We're going to have help, but we have to take the bare minimum and catch the plane. They will send the rest afterwards. So dear, start thinking about what you will need the first few days like clothes, your laptop, favourite books and of course your school books", Kate said.
"Oops, looks pretty urgent".
"Yes, it is. I want to get away from here as soon as possible and they need me there quicky, so. As soon as you have decided what you need, you can help me pack our things", Kate said looking around trying to draw up plan for packing.
"Ah, now I get it. Late in the afternoon, a Navy man brought a pile of cardboard boxes. There you go", he said, pointing to a pile of cardboard boxes. They had to first make the boxes by folding the cardboard.
"Wow, they are really fast now", Kate mumbled.
"And what about my school?"
"Indeed. Now! I was thinking about it this afternoon. I have to call some schools right away before everyone goes home", Kate said reaching out for her private laptop to search for schools.
Thirty minutes later, she sighed relieved, putting her smartphone on the table, because she had found him a school and they were waiting for him within two days.
"What are we going to eat?", he asked from his room.
"What's left in the fridge and in the cupboards. We can't take it with us to Cairns you know", Kate said back.
Meanwhile she had received the link of the car leasing company to choose a vehicle. She was rather surprised to see the categories of cars she could choose from. Becoming a naval base commander had many advantages. Kate didn't have to choose for long, she chose Landrover's Defender version.
Satisfied with her choice, she stood up and headed for the kitchen to see what she could cook for both of them.
To be continued
