Chapter 4
"Hey X!", she was greeted by Bomber.
"Hi Bomber", she replied dully, entering to get a brew.
"What's wrong? You seem gloomy. Something with the boarding?", asked Rebecca concerned.
"Becca, I don't want to talk about it", Kate replied, grabbing a mug.
"Come on! Keeping everything to yourself is not good. You will consume yourself with grief. You can tell me", Bomber said, drying her hands with towel.
Kate looked at her sideways as she refilled her mug and shrugged, "I don't know. It's a whole thing, I think".
Bomber opened one of the cupboards, grabbed a packet and opened it.
"Here", she said, pushing the packet towards Kate.
"Timtams!", she exclaimed. "I didn't know we had them aboard", she said enthusiastically, grabbing one.
"Yes, we do, but I'm sparing them", said Rebecca who took one too.
Kate frowned, "Why?", she mumbled with her mouth full
Rebecca gave her a huge grin, "Well, because I like them too and if I don't do it they'll all be eaten by our geezers".
Kate gave her a questioning look, "Naughty girl! Don't hide them from me anymore, because I'll know where to find you!", she said, taking another one.
"What went wrong with the boarding?", Bomber asked again, refilling her own mug.
She is more relaxed , maybe she can do it now.
Kate shrugged and sighed, "These people, three Afghan families on the run for a better life. They're really convinced they could find it here. I couldn't tell them that they were going to be locked up in a refugee camp behind barbed wire. They could have stayed in their country, at least they would be free", Kate said before taking a sip.
"X, it's bad for them, but you can't take all the misery of the world on your shoulders. Think Australia first and what we are doing for our country", Bomber said.
Kate nodded slowly, "Yeah, I was thinking that too".
"Was that all? I've noticed worry on your face over the last few days", Bomber asked cautiously, as she knew that Kate could put up walls if you got too close to her personal environment. It takes time to become real friends.
Kate didn't answer but stared at the opposite wall.
"It's the buffer, Jerry, his behaviour pisses me off", she said quietly before taking another sip.
Bomber nodded, "Yeah, he's a bully".
"Another one?", she asked, presenting the packet of biscuits.
Kate's hand was halfway but it stopped. "No!, I'd love to take one, but I have to have the will or I'll look like Charge", she said with a grin.
"Oh, yeah, I almost forgot, the boss wanted a brew too".
"Okay", Bomber said, turning to grab another mug from the cupboard.
"Becca?", Kate asked, watching Bomber fill the mug.
"Yeah?"
"Keep this chat for yourself, okay?"
"Yeah, of course!"
Kate left and Rebecca continued preparing supper.
I'm not going to screw up this otherwise I'll loose a potential good friend and jeopardize my career!
A few minutes later Kate reappeared on the bridge with a mug for Mike.
"Sir, here you go. Enjoy!", she said with a smile.
"Thanks X", he said, accepting the brew and looked at her.
She's more relaxed, a slight smile on her lips. Bomber did a good job without her knowing. A good chat can do a miracle.
A few days later on 30th December. The Hamersley was still patrolling in bright, scorching sunshine.
The crew was in a good mood as they were just started to head for base. Normally they all went to celebrate the New Year at home.
Kate and Mike had just finished their lunch and headed for the bridge.
"I'm looking forward to our evening", Mike whispered to her.
Her eyes twinkled, "And what do you think I was doing?"
Mike grinned at her.
"And for the next day, I know a pretty secluded bay with a nice beach…", he whispered.
"The bridge", she whispered back.
"Hmm, okay", he mumbled.
"Who's on duty this afternoon X?", he asked.
"Us, Bomber at the helm, RO and 2Dads", she said.
"Okay", Mike said, sitting down.
"Sir?", RO asked, "Navcom call for you".
"Yep, I'll take it", Mike said, standing up to walk over to RO.
"Mike Flynn speaking", he said.
"Mike, Max here", he heard Maxine say on the other side of the line.
"What's up?", he asked.
"Look, I've bad news for you. The Kingston can't replace you and must remain at base because her radar has failed. And the Launceston is going to undergo a major maintenance. You've to stay a few more days. By my calculations you have enough fuel and supplies, don't you?", Maxine said.
"If you say so!", Mike replied.
"Yes, I know Mike. I'm sorry. New Year's Eve is screwed up because of that. For me too because I wanted to invite you to dinner that night", she answered.
"Ah? Oh? Hmm, the crew is not going to like it".
Shit, what was I supposed to tell her? That I had a date with Kate? No, it's begging for trouble on my knees. Denying her request would have been suspicious. Maybe this extended patrol is the best way to get me out without mishap. On the other hand, it sucks because I had my expectations too!
"It's the Navy Mike. They had to know that before they started!", Maxine said emotionless.
"Yeah, of course".
"Okay Mike, fair winds".
Jolly good Max. With just one sentence, you also screwed up our year end.
He handed the phone to RO and looked at Kate who was also looking at him. He went up to her.
"Our replacement, the Kingston, can't sail because her radar isn't working and there's nothing else", he told her softly.
She looked at him in dismay. "No? Are you serious?"
He shrugged, "Yes Kate, unfortunately it is. On New Year's Eve we will be at sea".
Her face turned gloomy. "So okay, then. Our evening is all over", she mumbled.
"I can't help it either", he mumbled, to which she replied with a shrug.
Mike grimaced and grabbed the microphone. "Do you hear there? The captain is speaking. Unfortunately our stay in the patrol area has been extended for several days as our replacement can't come due to radar failure. We'll make the best of it. Carry on".
Kate looked at him with a gloomy look and she mouthed "We'll make the best of it".
Mike shrugged again.
"I'll plot a new course", Kate announced emotionless as she walked to the chart table.
With fierce strokes she plotted a new course for the patrol area.
Damnit! Why now? Why me? Christmas is screwed up. And now New Year's Eve! My intentions of spending a romantic evening with Mike melted like snow in the sun. Snow? What am I saying now? Bloody sun! Not even a bit of snow like in England. For once couldn't this be going well for me?
Her attention was drawn to the buffer who was going at somebody fiercely.
And that jerk too! I'm wondering whether he can have a normal conversation without barking.
Jeez Katherine, you're terribly pissed off. You're not usually like that. I don't care! I just want to be pissed off! I also have this right!
"Steer 1-5-3!", she said emotionless.
"Steer 1-5-3", repeated the sailor at the helm.
With a stormy grey face she sat down behind the radar again. Mike noticed it and wanted to gauge the seriousness of her mood.
"I'm wondering what's for supper tonight", he mused.
Kate glared at him.
Idiot, you're only interested in this bloody ship and food!
"I don't know and I don't care", she replied annoyed.
He raised his eyebrows.
Ouch, it's not a rain cloud, but a typhoon. I better keep some distance.
He didn't add anything more and they continued in silence.
They didn't have supper together that night because Kate was on watch. The next morning they met again in the officer's mess, but the mood hadn't improved. An outburst was supposed to happen, but it was sooner than expected. Unfortunately, Bomber was going to be the victim.
She was sitting behind the helm and Kate was plotting a course.
"Steer 2-8-0", she said barely audibly.
Bomber frowned and looked at Kate, "Steer 2-8- what?", she asked.
Kate turned her head abruptly and glared at her, "I just told you! Steer 2-8-0 and try to remember something!", she snapped.
Bomber raised her eyebrows and repeated "Steer 2-8-0".
Everyone on the bridge had noticed this outburst, including Mike.
"X, a word in my cabin!", he said, standing up and came down.
Kate put down her pencil and followed him grimly.
Mike entered his cabin and leaned against his desk, arms crossed. He waited for Kate to close the door.
"X, I've just heard your remark to Bomber. Are you okay or would this be your period?", he asked.
Kate raised her eyebrows and looked daggers at him, "Sir, I'm fine and my hormones have nothing to do with it!", she snapped fiercely.
Mike smiled slightly, "Look, now you're doing it again", he said kindly.
Kate suddenly realised what she had done and looked down. "Sorry sir, it won't happen again".
"X, what's going on?", he asked her again.
Kate shrugged and looked at him, "I don't know, it's a whole thing, I'm afraid. The behaviour of the buffer irritates me tremendously with his snapping, his barking and his unprofessional behaviour during boardings. Our New Year's Eve is screwed up and… you're right, it's my period", she said in a small voice, bending her head.
"Kate, I noticed that too. Pete and Dylan were perfect and it's going to be very hard to find one as good as them. You've to rely on him and if he mess up the boardings I'm going to let him down", Mike said.
"He messed up the last two boardings and he doesn't fit here", she added.
He nodded, "I'll let him down. And about our evening, it's not lost huh, just a week late, of course if it still suits for you?", he said with a smile.
Kate smiled at him too, "Yeah, sure. I had nothing on the agenda yet".
"Moreover, I've planned to spend New Year's Eve on a beach with a barbecue. It will cheer the crew up after the bad news of the extended patrol", Mike said.
"Indeed, good idea".
"And about the other thing, aah, uh, I'm afraid there's nothing I can do about it", Mike said scratching the back of his head.
Kate smiled again, "No sir, this is something I've to deal with on my own".
He grinned at her, "Okay then. Well, we can go back", he said, reaching out for the doorknob.
They both walked back to the bridge. Kate noticed that Bomber's place has been taken by another sailor. She looked at her watch.
Yeah, sure, she has started with lunch.
"Sir, I'm going to the galley", she said.
"Uh-hu".
Kate headed for the galley where Bomber and Bird were busy preparing lunch.
She stopped in the doorway. "Bomber?"
Rebecca looked up and looked at Kate, "Ma'am", she said emotionless after a moment.
"Becca, I'm here to apologize. I acted like a real bitch and I'm sorry. I don't know what got into me and I'm not looking for an excuse because my behaviour was unacceptable for my function", Kate said, guilt palpable in her voice.
Bomber washed her hands and walked over to Kate. Bird was acting as if she hadn't heard anything.
"It's okay X, like I said before, sometimes you keep everything to yourself and it's not good", Rebecca said.
Kate shrugged and took a deep breath , "Thanks".
"Should I tell you the reason?", Bomber said, opening a cupboard.
"You missed this", she said, offering Kate the open packet of Timtams.
Kate gave her a grateful glance.
"Yeah, indeed, for sure", Kate replied, grabbing one.
"A brew?"
"Yes please"
Bomber grabbed a mug and filled it with coffee then added some milk. "Here you go".
"Thanks. You know those little glass frames that hold a dollar note or a cigarette, to break in an emergency?", Kate said.
"Uh-hu".
"Maybe I'll hang one with a Timtam in it", Kate mused.
"Well, hang them all around then", Bomber said with a smirk.
Kate looked at her baffled for an moment and smiled sadly, "Touché. We're equal now."
She handed her the empty mug. "Thanks for the brew and the cookie, I've to go now", She said as she walked out of the galley.
"And has she has made it up to you now?", asked Bird.
Rebecca nodded, "Yeah, indeed and I think we both came out of this stronger than before".
To be continued