North West Mining Company, Hammersley Ranges, Western Australia.
Charge and Amy came home together after a long day. Both were tired; Charge's mind was on the cool beer he was about to have, Amy's on the long relaxing bath. They planned to take the kids out for some takeaway, then a movie at home. Emmett had been setting up the new computer and the smart TV, which was a wedding gift from the Flynns. As they turned into their front gate, their next-door neighbour appeared waving the local newspaper.
"There's something here, about a Navy Officer being hit by a drunk driver," she said. Mrs. Forrester, along with just about everyone else in the mine and town knew that Charge was ex-Navy. Amy took the newspaper and looked where her neighbour was pointing. "NAVY OFFICER IN HIT AND RUN", the article was titled. Amy read on; "Police say Captain Michael Flynn, RAN, was hit by a drunk driver as he walked out of the NAVCOM building at the front HMAS Cairns. He was taken to hospital in a critical condition. Police have arrested and charged a man at his home in the Cairns suburb of—"
"ANDY. Oh my God, it's Mike Flynn. He's been hit by a drunk driver. Look," Amy waved the newspaper under Charge's nose. Taking the paper from her, he read the news article and went pale. "Oh shit, he muttered, "I had a missed call from Buffer. I bet that's why he was trying to call me."
"Thanks for showing us the paper, Betty," said Amy, and she and Charge went into their house, away from Betty Forrester and her numerous questions.
Charge said to Emmett, "Hey mate, let me at the computer for a sec, ok?" Emmett stood up obligingly and went to the kitchen. Charge opened his emails and saw the message from Buffer.
Hi Charge, hope you, Amy and family are well. I don't know if you've seen any news or read any papers, but Mike was hit by a drunk driver outside NAVCOM yesterday. He's critical mate; in a coma with fractures and a compressed spine. He has swelling on the brain, doctors operated for six hours on him. He's made it this far, but not yet out of danger. That's all I can tell you except that the bastard who hit him and drove off was my employee, 'Mad Dog' Morgan. 2Dads and I went around to his place, and I called the coppers. The bastard was still pissed Charge, and I feel so bad about it all. We can't see Mike yet; they're only letting immediate family in to the ICU. Nikki and I are supporting Kate as best we can. Little Jessica is bearing up, but she is crying for her daddy. Anyway mate, I wanted you to know. Take care, Buffer.
Charge read and re-read the email. Shit, poor Kate. She can't take a trick with that feller. First, he gets himself blown up on Samaru Islands, then almost gets killed in a sub, now this. What a worry…
He went into the kitchen to get a beer. Amy looked at him. "We should do something to help out, Andy. Why don't we take Jessica for a bit? The kids will be on holidays in a couple of weeks, I'm sure Darcie would love to have her to play with."
"I'll get back to Buffer and see how things are going."
HMAS Kuttabul. Fleet Base East. Sydney.
LSMED Jessica Bird had disembarked HMAS Choules. She didn't see Ryan among the crowds welcoming their loved ones home, and while she was disappointed, she wasn't too upset over it. She wondered where he was; not like Ryan to miss a homecoming, she thought. She went to the Junior Sailors' mess, to check if there was any mail for her, that hadn't been sent while she was at sea. As she went in, she saw the daily orders and promulgated signals. One signal leaped out from the notice board; confronting her in ugly black and white. "Captain Mike Flynn CO HMAS Cairns, was critically injured in a hit and run accident outside the NAVCOM building. On behalf of all Navy, we extend to him and his family fair winds and following seas for his recovery. Vice-Admiral Michael Noonan, AO, RAN Chief of Navy."
Oh my God, thought Bird, that explains why Ryan couldn't get here. She hurried out of the building, fumbling for her mobile phone, when a familiar-looking Harley-Davidson motorcycle pulled alongside her. The rider raised his helmet visor, and Dutchy said, "Welcome home, Chicken Legs," then he saw her face pale, and her eyes staring dully at him. "What's wrong? Is it Ryan?"
Bird shook her head. "Didn't you see the signal? Captain Flynn has been hurt in a hit and run accident. I need to get to Ryan," she said as she tried to find her mobile in her steaming kit.
Dutchy produced a second helmet. "Hey, I'll take you home. Where do you live?" Bird took the helmet, and gave Dutchy the address.
Ordinarily, Bird would have enjoyed the ride on the Harley. But she hardly paid attention to the powerful machine she was sitting on, and it seemed like it was no time before they had arrived at her block of flats. Bird led the way and let herself in. She invited Dutchy in also, and then went to phone Ryan.
"Jess! Oh my God I'm so sorry! It was today you were coming back. I'm so sorry I missed it, but, listen, there's been news. Uncle Mike –"
"Yeah, I know Ryan, I saw the signal. All it said was he was in a car accident of sorts."
"Steve Marshall called me. He said he's in hospital in a critical condition, and they operated on him until near midnight last night. Steve says he's made it through to now, so chances of survival are good. Where are you now?"
"I'm home, Ryan. Dutchy gave me a lift. Where are you?"
"I'm at Mum's. Look, I'll come home now. We need to get up there as soon as we can, Jess. How long are you home for?"
"A month."
"OK. Look we'll work out something when I get home, bye Jess. Love you."
Bird ended the call and turned to Dutchy. She offered him a coffee, then filled him in on Mike's injuries.
Cairns.
Kate had managed to persuade Jessica to have a nap, allowing her to do the same. The little girl wanted to curl up with her mother, and in that manner the two of them fell asleep. Kate did not hear the footsteps come to the front door, drop something and leave.
It was late afternoon when Jessica stirred, and woke her mother. Kate said, "Hello sweetheart, you're awake too."
"Yes, Mummy, where's Daddy?"
"Darling, he's in the hospital, remember?"
"When's he coming home?"
"When he's better."
"When's that?"
Kate wrapped her little daughter in her arms," Sweetheart, I don't know. I don't know."
Jessica began to cry, "I want Daddy, I want Daddy!" She said it over and over while Kate rocked her and held her close, her own tears flowing. As the storm subsided, the child quietened down, and Kate heard a knock at the door.
"That will be Grandma and Poppy," and putting Jessica on the bed, went to the bathroom to wash her face.
When she opened the door, Amelia and Gregory were standing there with a large basket overflowing with groceries, wine, and some toys for Jessica. Accompanying the basket was a large flower arrangement. Kate looked astonished at them, and Gregory said, "Not us, we're not responsible."
Amelia found a large card on top of the basket. She gave it to Kate who read, "To our CO; Boss, from HMAS Hammersley, XO, Senior and Junior Sailors." And below that every member of the ship had signed their names. They'd even included a Hammersley cap for Jessica.
Kate took the basket, overwhelmed at this gesture of kindness. The crew had thoughtfully pooled resources, and instead of going off to the pub, they went shopping to buy whatever they felt the Boss needed. The flowers were from NAVCOM.
Amelia had thoughtfully prepared a meal for everyone, and encouraged her daughter-in-law to eat something.
Later, after she had showered and changed, Kate kissed her little girl, tucked her into bed, and with Amelia went up to the hospital. Gregory stayed behind, singing Jessica's favourite songs, and the little girl fell asleep. Gregory looked down at the sleeping child, so like her mother, yet with her father's hair colour and so many of his mannerisms. She is so like Michael was at this age, Gregory thought, as he drew the sheets around her chin.
In the hospital, the nurses led Kate and Amelia to Mike's bedside. Kate again took his hand, and sat down by him. "Hello darling, I know you can hear me; I love you. Everyone is asking about you, and I got a big basket of goodies from the Hammersley crew. Jessica misses you honey; she keeps asking when she can see you. She has her own Hammersley cap now and she's so proud of it."
Kate paused; she was trying to find things to tell him. Suddenly, for some inexplicable reason, a song came to her from her childhood. In a pure voice she began to sing:
"There once was a ship that put to sea
The name of the ship was the Billy of Tea
The winds blew up, her bow dipped down
Oh blow, my bully boys, blow (huh)
Soon may the Wellerman come
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day, when the tonguing is done
We'll take our leave and go
She'd not been two weeks from shore
When down on her a right whale bore
The captain called all hands and swore
He'd take that whale in tow (huh)
Soon may the Wellerman come
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day, when the tonguing is done
We'll take our leave and go—"
Songwriters: Alexander Oriet / David Phelan / Nathan Evans
Wellerman - Sea Shanty lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
