Chapter 16
A little later, she rang the Tomasewski's doorbell.
Pete opened the door, "Hey Kate! What a surprise!"
"Hi Pete, how are you?", she greeted him and he gave her a peck on the cheek.
"Still so charming! Is Nikki at home?"
"Yeah, please come in. She's in the kitchen
"Baby! Kate for you!", he yelled.
Nikki came out of the kitchen, wiping her hands. She looked unkempt with her uncombed hair, scruffy T-shirt and three-quarter length pants.
"Hey Kate", she greeted her friend.
"Hi Nik, how are you?"
"Pfft, I'm fine and you?"
"I'm better now. Nik, we need to talk", Kate said.
Nikki nodded, "A drink! That's we need" and entered the kitchen again.
Kate followed her and, with disgust, saw her take a sip of white wine. She looked at her watch and noticed it was barely 11:00 am.
"A drink too?", Nikki asked.
"No, thank you, I'm good. Can we sit down? Together with Pete", she asked.
"Yeah, sure", Nikki said and returned to the living room with her glass.
They sat down.
"Look Nik, yesterday evening we cleared up what hampered between us and I understood that you had found a solution by drinking to forget. But, it got more than that, didn't it?", Kate said, but didn't get a response.
"I know you' start drinking too much. Your guilt from twelve years ago has become an addiction."
She was interrupted by Nikki, "That's not true! Can't have fun?"
"Absolutely! But up to a certain limit and you exceed that limit".
"That's not true!", she pouted.
"Nik, I'm sorry but you have a problem. I heard enough since I've been here".
"Who betrayed me?", she yelled angrily, tears in her eyes.
"No one betrayed you. Everyone is concerned about you. But you created a more than huge problem and no one was able to deny or hide it anymore. It even goes to the point where you drive away the people you love the most".
"What? Who? Pete? Hazel?", she asked frightened.
"I'm still here baby", Pete said extremely calm.
Kate didn't say anything and looked at her friend.
Nikki shook her head, "No! no! Not Hazel! She may not! She must stay!"
"Nik, it's not too late. Last time, she stayed with Becca, Robert and Duncan. Look, I'll be honest with you. You can consider yourself lucky to have such a loyal crew. They covered your back all the time. But the Navy can't afford a hooked commander on a million dollar warship. Under normal circumstances, you're out! But you're my friend and I'll turn a blind eye", Kate said and saw that Nikki was listening intently.
"On one condition! That you are in therapy for your alcohol addiction, from now on!"
"Uh? But, the ship?", she stammered baffled.
"That's my problem. I think you have yours", Kate said.
"Uh, do I have a choice?"
"No. It's like that or you're out!", Kate said sternly.
"Do you really mean it?", Nikki asked desperately.
"Absolutely and I'm starting right away!", she said, standing up. Kate took Nikki's glass and headed for the kitchen. She poured it into the sink and did the same with the bottle.
Pete and Nikki followed her. "Kate, I..", Pete stammered.
She turned around to face him, "Pete, honestly? You disappointed me. I can't believe that you didn't see that and couldn't have stopped it. Where are the other bottles and a box?", Kate asked.
"I didn't realise it and the bottles are in the fridge and there's a cardboard box, from Coles, of our latest shopping", he said pointing to a corner.
"Nice!", Kate said, starting to put the bottles in the box.
"Hey, that's my beer!", he said.
"Yes, indeed. Wine, beer, whisky, it doesn't matter and you have to set a good example. Do you really think it will help Nikki if you are drinking right under her very nose?", Kate said sternly.
"Uh… no".
"Well. So, here are your drinks", Kate said, setting a bottle of mineral water and orange juice on the table.
She looked at Nikki, "You have an appointment today and tomorrow you'll show me a written proof that you started".
Nikki nodded defeated, "Yes Kate, I will".
"Where's Hazel by the way? I wanted to meet your daughter", Kate asked.
"Uhm, she's with Bird. She stayed there overnight", Pete said hesitantly.
Kate's eyes narrowed, "I think you both have job to do, don't you?"
They both nodded and Kate took the box and left. She put it in the trunk of her car and looked at her watch.
Ouch, already so late. It's lunch time. Where? Hmm, yeah, there are some good sandwiches at the esplanade. Twelve years ago, it was my favourite place and it still exists, so.
She called Dylan and drove homewards to pick up Duncan.
When they arrived, she noticed that he was sitting on the terrace.
"Hey, how long have you been waiting for us?", she greeted him.
"I just arrived and I told the waitress I was expecting two more people", Dylan replied.
"Good, I'm starving and I'd like a glass of wine", she sighed, sitting down.
He looked at her, "How was the conversation with Nikki?"
"Pfft, tough. I don't like this kind of conversation. It disappoints people".
He made a face, "I'm afraid you'll have more such talks, given your position as CO of Cairns. But, what was the result?"
"She's going to therapy. She already has an appointment today and she'll give me a written proof that she has started.. Nik wasn't happy but she realised she had no other choice", Kate said as she perused the menu.
"Smoked salmon sandwich for me. And you dear?", she asked Duncan.
"Something with chicken?", he answered.
"Okay, a Club Caesar then and did you find anything?", Kate asked Dylan.
"Yeah, the Spanish one with Pata Negra ham, manchego cheese, tomatoes on thin slices of country bread and a good beer", he said.
The waitress took their orders and moments later they were brought their drinks.
"Cheers!", he said.
"Yeah, I need it", Kate said and took a sip. "It's a bit with mixed feelings. I'm drinking wine while I just took Nikki's wine away. I took all their bottles and brought them home".
"They can always buy new ones".
"I know, but when it's in the fridge, the temptation to drink is greater", Kate said.
"Yes, it's true. So, she's going to therapy and what about the Hammersley?", he asked.
"You'll be the acting captain of the ship. From what I've heard and I know you, you'll be a great commander. I'll find you an executive officer and I think I already I know someone. Ryan White is serving as navigator on the Woollongong. I think he's ready to take the leap", she replied.
"Oh! That's a great step forward. Well Kate you won't regret it", he replied.
They were served their sandwiches and Kate received an incoming message.
She looked at her smartphone and saw it was from Rebecca.
Hey, we have a GO. On Monday, we'll be at Navcom.
Kate looked at Dylan, "Good news. Becca and Robert will be here on Monday".
"Great! We're finally going to have decent food. Do you already have a flat for them?", he asked her.
"Yeah, sure. But I promised her to find a cottage for them".
She texted back, Great. A Navy flat has already been booked for you.
"That's kind of you, but what about looking for something for both of you?", he asked.
"I know, but I promised her and I don't want to break my word", Kate said.
He nodded, "Yeah, in that case, we'd better start after lunch. We'll need it. We'll have coffee in the afternoon, okay?"
"It looks like a good plan".
"Oh, mum, don't forget I'm seeing Hazel this afternoon", Duncan said.
"Yeah sure. Call me when you're ready, we'll pick you up", Kate told him.
They finished lunch and Kate paid. They dropped Duncan off at Nikki's and they started looking for cottages. They visited several houses, she scribbled two addresses and they took a break with a coffee.
"Dylan?"
"Yes?"
"I've to tell you something", she started, fiddling with the spoon.
"I'm listening to you".
"I understood from Duncan that you taught him how to drive a car. I don't think that's a good idea because he's still too young for that. It's dangerous", she said.
"Kate, I know, but trust me. If he were my son, I would have", he said.
"Really? So, it's not that dangerous?"
"Nope. It was a long deserted, road. Nothing could happen. I learned to drive a car on the farm when I was eleven years old.".
"Oh… hmm….okay then", she replied hesitantly.
He covered her hand with his, "Hey, no worries Kate. I would never do anything that would hamper any of you".
She smiled back at him, "Thank you".
To be continued
