A/N To Little Rosie
Thanks for the reviews, especially the long one.
You're right, Maxine is playing a dirty role here.
If you log in, then I can send you a PM. Now, it's impossible.
Ch. 19 A second chance
One week later
St Vincent hospital Sydney
Doctor Charles Bickmore was looking out of the window of the break room. From there one could have a nice view on the entrance path of the hospital. He didn't notice that his colleague Dr. Peter Harvey was coming to him with two mugs.
"Here Charles, an awful cappuccino from the machine", he said sarcastically.
"Thanks Peter, you're right, it's awful, but it's better than the ordinary coffee", Dr Bickmore said.
"We should make things easier. Raise money together to buy a Senseo machine for our team here", Dr Harvey said blowing in his mug.
Both men stared outside and saw a cab stopped in front of the entrance and how a nurse helped a young woman get in. She wore a large bandage around her head and sunglasses.
"You've done a miracle with her, Charles", Harvey said.
"Uh-hu, indeed it was a mess. The surgery was a success, but I was persuaded that she had become a plant and I was wrong. It looks like she can function normally again", Bickmore said sipping from his cappuccino.
"She has been lucky, the bullet broke a little piece of her skull. If the angle had been a bit sharper, then there would have been a penetration and no work for us, but for the undertaker", Harvey added.
"The only thing about which I have my h now, is her psyche. She wanted to end her life and she woke up realising she was still alive. And I really can't predict wether she'll be able to get on with her life or not", Bickmore said concerned.
"Strange case. She's not married and no boyfriend showed up, but she still has her mother and it was also very weird. When our welfare service contacted her, they got an answer they will never forget", Harvey said.
Bickmore looked at his colleague, "What did she say?"
"Don't bother me with her and get rid of her", he replied frowning.
"Hmm, indeed strange. She seemed to be a Navy officer. She was dressed in an official uniform and she left a note. Something was seriously wrong.", Charles Bickmore said.
"You've read in the newspapers about the reorganisation of the Navy. She's probably one of the victims with a fatal result", Peter Harvey replied.
"Uh-hu".
"Where is she going to now?"
"To a convalescent home. Her head has to heal and she has also to heal mentally. These people will also ensure her reintegration into society. Not easy", he said and looked in his mug.
"Empty. Ok Peter, back to the job. What's next?", Bickmore said.
End flashback
(after this long flashback we pick up the thread again after Dutchy said goodbye to Arthur McGregor and left the terrace)
The parking place near the limestone stacks, called 12 Apostles.
"I'm happy to have seen them in real life. It's completely different than in photos. Have you see them before?", Jessica Bird asked Ryan as they stood on the cliffs overlooking the stacks.
"Nope, neither have I. Mum, dad, Stuart I mean, and I always spent our holidays in the Blue Mountains. Come, I'm a bit thirsty and we can then look for our hotel room", he said ushering his brand new wife to their car.
They drove to the nearby village, Port Campbell, which is the tourist base to visit the stacks. Near the small bay there's a tavern, the '12 Rocks café & Beach bar'.
Jessica chuckled when she saw the name, "Hmm, they didn't use much fantasy to find a name". They looked for a table on the terrace and sat down.
"Hey, there's a performance tonight. Someone is going to sing songs from musicals", he said to Jessica who was busy to choose a drink.
"Nice, let's come to here tonight", she said.
"Hi, have you made your choice?", they heard the waitress say, but the voice was so familiar that both looked up surprised.
"Kate!", Jessica said.
"Ah? You both?", Kate reacted rather uninterested.
"Jeez, what a coincidence to find you here! ", Jessica exclaimed joyously.
"Hey Kate", Ryan said, "You really work here?", he asked.
"Yeah, it's my job", Kate replied, her pen still on the notebook ready to write down their order.
"How are you?", Jessica asked again.
"As you can see, I'm fine", she replied dryly.
"I really thought you were doing something else", wondered Ryan.
"No, it's job", she replied firmly. "Have you chosen?", Kate asked again.
"Uh… yes, a beer", Ryan replied.
"White wine", Jessica added.
"Thank you", Kate replied writing down the order and walked to another table.
Both looked at her appearance in a polo-shirt, jeans and flats.
"Is it the same one as we have known?", Jessica whispered to her husband.
"Barely! If we didn't know her, we could say it's another person", Ryan answered.
"Have you seen her face? She looks almost ten years older", she said again while her eyes followed Kate.
"And her hair is shorter", she added.
A few minutes later Kate was back with the drinks.
"Here you go", she said as she put them on the table.
"Thanks! We saw that there's a singing event tonight. Do we have to book a table?", Ryan asked.
"No, it starts at 08:00 pm and make sure you're on time to get the best seats", she said plainly.
"Ok, thanks", Ryan replied and Kate padded away.
Jessica stared in the direction where Kate was gone.
"Is...this...the same...person we used to know?", she said slowly.
"Uh, of course, but... I don't know", Ryan answered hesitantly.
"Yeah, 's true, but… it looks like that she doesn't want us anymore", Jessica mused.
"Why should that? We didn't get in her way", Ryan said before sipping his beer.
That evening they went back to the 12 Rocks café to have dinner and see the show. They sat down and looked around to see Kate again, but they were other waiters.
"She's not on duty", Jessica said.
"Indeed. Her service is over probably", he replied.
After a dinner composed of chicken nuggets for her and spare ribs for him they were waiting for the event. The light dimmed and a few bright spots lit up now a small stage they haven't noticed before. The owner of the tavern appeared on the stage and waited until the babbling of the audience gave way to silence.
"Dear customers, thanks for coming. It's an honour for me tonight to introduce you Mrs Kate McGregor and her repertoire of musical songs!", he announced before stepping down to give way to Kate. The room burst into laud applaud.
Jessica gave an uncontrolled poke in Ryan's ribs and both looked baffled at Kate appearance on stage. She looked completely different from that of the afternoon.
She had curly hair and was made-up. Kate was dressed in a medium blue dress with matching heeled pumps.
"Good evening and thank you. I'll start with 'My favourite thing' from 'The Sound of Music'", she announced.
Jessica and Ryan could see for the first time a radiant smile on her face and stars in her eyes. Kate started singing and Jessica and Ryan were listening baffled.
"Did you know that Kate had such a golden voice? You've been on board longer than me", Ryan asked.
"N…no, this is a real surprise for me too. I never could imagine that Kate could sing", Jessica replied confused.
Kate continued with songs like 'Do re mi', 'Getting to know you', 'I would have danced all night', 'I want to wash that man out of my hair', and several others. When the song recital finished the audience enthusiastically applauded. She thanked the audience and left the stage.
"Amazing!", Jessica said baffled.
"Yeah, hidden talent", Ryan admitted, "Another drink?"
"Yep, white wine", she replied and he gestured to the owner of the tavern.
The man walked to their table and noted their drinks.
"Does Kate come back?", Jessica asked.
"Hmm…", he mumbled and he looked around.
"Strange, she normally does it and she often get a drink from one of the guests, but now she just left. It's weird. Moreover she wasn't in a good mood either this afternoon after a chat with you. Do you know each other?", he asked.
"We're from the Navy and we served together on the same ship", Ryan answered.
"Oh? The Navy? Well, it's the first time I hear about it. She has been working here for a couple of months and I don't know anything about her or if she has any friends, apart some people from the village", he said and he nodded to another customer. "Yep, I'm coming! Sorry, I have to go".
A few minutes later they had their drinks, but they didn't see Kate anymore. The couple discussed the matter the rest of the evening and then they returned to their hotel.
To be continued