NAVCOM.

Steve received the signal that Hammersley would be alongside in 48 hours. The FFV had been swiftly dealt with, and Hammersley resumed her course for home. He walked into Mike's office to report it. Mike looked up at Steve who thought he could see a secretive look pass across his Captain's face.

Mike looked like a man who had been keeping something significant to himself; Steve wondered what it could be. There had been an uptick in physiotherapy appointments, and exercises in the gym, but Steve thought that was to do with his returning to work which made him work harder on his recovery.

Mike finished the work on his desk, and wheeled out of his office, to be met by Robert at the end of the ramp. They continued home toward Mike's place, where Philip and Jessica were waiting. Mike had advised Robert of Bomber's posting onboard Childers, and said to him, "Right. I've done my bit, you do yours."

"Yes sir. I will sir." Robert walked back to his place.

Jessica threw herself into her father's arms, and Philip said, "She's excited about her Mummy coming home."

Mike looked up at Philip over Jessica's head. "Me too Philip. Me too."

Philip had cooked dinner; not quite up to Bomber's standards, but edible and tasty. They finished dinner together, then Jessica said, "Grandpa, can I sing a song?"

"Why, mo ghaoil, I'd like to hear you sing a song. What song are you going to sing for us?"

She clapped her hands and said "The Wellerman, Grandpa." Her little voice started, then Mike and Philip joined in. Mike thought, I keep hearing this song. I'm sure Kate sang it to me once.

When they finished singing, Philip said, "You know that was Katie's favourite song when she was a wee girl."

Mike said, "Really? I'm sure I have heard her singing it somewhere."

Jessica said she wanted to sing another song, and she launched into "Mairi's Wedding" the words of which Philip taught her.

Charge, Amy, Buffer, Nikki and 2Dads decided to go to the usual pub for a meal and a few drinks. 2Dads was volunteered to buy the first round; as he went into the bar, he saw Dutchy sitting there. 2Dads called out to him, "Dutchy! Mate, we're all here. Come and join us!"

Dutchy followed 2Dads where he was greeted enthusiastically. They made him welcome, and made room for him. Charge introduced him to Amy his wife, and asked him what he was doing up here. Dutchy explained that he was a Clearance Diver now, and was temporarily assigned to HMAS Diamantina. Charge talked about his life in the Hammersley Ranges, and Amy's three kids who looked on him as their dad. Dutchy was pleased.

The conversation lulled as the food arrived, and everyone tucked in. Presently Robert came into the pub, looking for Buffer. 2Dads saw him first and said, "Look who's here. It's the Robot!"

"Good to see you too, 2Dads," Robert said flatly. "I need to speak to Buffer, alone." Oblivious to all the "ooooohs" that followed this announcement, Robert moved around to Buffer. The two men went outside, then minutes later Buffer returned alone. "What was all that about?" Nikki asked.

"Robert had a message for me." Buffer would say no more, and asked whose turn it was to buy the round? Charge stood up and said, "I believe it's my turn."

"Here come the Guava Mojos!" said 2Dads.

"I believe Hammersley will be in port day after tomorrow," Nikki said.

"How did you find that out?" asked Buffer.

"The Boss told me," Nikki answered, "I was up at NAVCOM seeing him today. My maternity leave finishes next week, and the Boss wanted to have a chat about my coming back as CO of Kingston."

At this point Charge returned with a tray full of Guava Mojos. "Nikki says Hammersley will be back in port day after tomorrow," Buffer told him.

"That's great news! I was hoping I'd see my favourite XO before we went home," Charge spread a pleased grin all over his face.

Buffer finished his drink and stood up. "Well, I'll say goodnight now, we have an early start tomorrow." He signalled to 2Dads who was deep in conversation with Dutchy. "You too, mate."

2Dads sighed, "Righto, Buff."

HMAS Hammersley.

Last Dog Watch.

Kate handed the bridge over to her XO David Miles, and went below. She was surprised to receive an email from Robert Dixon, of all people, requesting her to send him a message half an hour before Hammersley came alongside. She thought, Curious indeed. Why does Robert want to know?

She saw another email, this one from her father, saying how he was looking forward to seeing her, and talking about Jessica's singing. She smiled at that, thinking how much she missed her little girl.

Putting her laptop aside, she sighed and began on the reports of this patrol. Aside from the FFV and the illegal protesters on the gas-rig platform it had been a routine patrol, almost boring. Yet her crew took everything in their stride, and Kate knew they were looking forward to their three-week turnaround.

She finished the reports and returned to the bridge.

Cairns.

Robert turned up at the Flynns' promptly at 8:00, causing Philip to say to Mike, "That lad is like clockwork, with his sense of timing."

Mike, forgetting that Jessica was well within earshot, replied, "Yeah, his nickname on Hammersley was 'Robot.'"

They laughed, then Mike called out to Robert to come in. As he did so, Jessica looked up at him with large round eyes, and said, "Are you REALLY a robot?"

Robert responded primly, "No, I'm not a robot, young lady."

This caused Philip and Mike to laugh all the more, with Robert looking discomfited. He said to Mike, "I'm ready to take you to physiotherapy, sir."

Philip said to Jessica, "You'd best get ready for pre-school. Off you go."

Obediently Jessica went to her bedroom, but clearly disappointed that there was no "robot" for her to play with. Mike followed her to her room where he was immediately told, "I can get dressed by myself now, thank you Daddy."

"Yes of course, you're a big girl now." Chastened, he wheeled to his bedroom to shave and dress.

Down at the wharf, Buffer reminded 2Dads they were needed the next morning at the Naval docks when Hammersley came alongside.

"What for?" asked 2Dads.

"You'll see. Now make sure there are no bookings for Swaino tomorrow, and that Gaz and Bill are right for taking Katie Mac out with the diving party."

Philip had taken Jessica to her preschool, and then called on Amelia and Gregory. He said, "I'm going to see Hammersley come in tomorrow. The little one has missed her mother, and I can't say I disagree with her."

Gregory said, "Well now, we may join you there."

They walked into Gregory's backyard, and Amelia pointed out the various little plants she had in the greenhouse. Philip said to Mike's parents, "I can't get the thought out of my head that something is going to happen tomorrow. Something good, but I just have this feeling."

Mike emerged from his latest physio session looking pleased. His physiotherapist was more than pleased with his progress, and the effort he was putting in. He said, "You can use these now, for the next few weeks, to help you gain movement and strength. I'll see you next week," and he handed over the equipment Mike required. Robert again met him outside the clinic and took him to work.