Ch. 35 Someone needs a little push
Two days later they reached Melbourne again and Arthur was waiting on the quay. He could barely wait for the gangplank to be laid that he rushed to the bridge.
"Hey dad!", Kate said joyously as she saw him.
"Kate! You're looking good! Much better than the first time I saw you", he said grabbing her upper arms to give her a firm squeeze.
"Thanks dad, that's the sea!", she said with a smile.
There will be bruises!
Meanwhile Dylan had joined them, "Hi Arthur, everything goes well?"
"Hi Dylan, yes, business is booming! I just opened two more agencies, one in Brisbane and one in Cairns. How was the voyage?", he said.
"As usual", Kate replied.
"We've had visitors, the Navy, for a boarding exercise", Dylan added.
"Ah? Well, these lads also have to train, no?", Arthur answered.
They chatted until Chris and Bomber appeared on the bridge.
"Kate, Dylan, sir, see you within three days!", Chris said.
"Yeah, enjoy your shore leave!", Dylan replied.
"How was the ship and the crew?", Arthur asked.
"Great! We fit in with them as if we had always been together", Kate said.
"No wonder honey, they are our former crew", Dylan replied with a wink.
"The ship is a good one. Stable and of a good construction", Kate continued.
"Nice! Nice! Meanwhile I've new cargo, Sydney, Newcastle and back to Melbourne", Arthur said.
"Nice, then…", Dylan started but he was interrupted by Arthur.
"Sorry old chap, but I've to go now. Teleconferences with the agencies. See you later!", he said turning around to leave the bridge.
Dylan looked a bit baffled and noticed a smile on Kate's face. "What?"
"Oh nothing, that's hundred percent Dad. Busy, busy and again busy. That means he feels good. I remember him like that", she said looking at the door through which he had just came out.
Then she looked at him, "Darling, we're done here. I'm going to have a shower and then I'm going to look at what Becca left in the fridge to cook us a nice dinner. And afterwards a quite evening nothing but you and me!", she said.
"Sounds good honey, I'm looking forward to it!"
They ate in the officer's mess and they took things easier after the meal. Moreover, Kate had found a bottle of wine used by Bomber to make a sauce. They cleared the table, washed the dishes and then went to their cabin with the bottle of wine and their two glasses.
They sat down on their couch and he folded his hands behind his head. "Strange, isn't it? A ship without noise, with vibration", he mused.
Kate nodded, but they got interrupted by the buzzing sound of her mobile.
"It's Dad", she said looking at it.
"Hello?"
"Hey Kate, I've been too busy, but what do you think of a dinner at mine tomorrow night?", Arthur asked.
"Oh, great! We will be there!", she replied.
"Nice, 6.00 pm, does that suit both of you?", he asked.
"Absolutely", Kate replied and she heard an 'OK' and the call ended.
"Dad invites us to dinner", she said to Dylan.
The next day they stood in the entrance hall of the apartment building and she rang the bell.
"Am I looking good?", she asked Dylan.
He looked at her appearance smiling, a red dress and pumps. "Gorgeous!"
The door opened even before they could even announce themselves and they entered. The lift brought them to the penthouse apartment and Arthur was waiting for them in the doorway.
"Ah! There you are! Come in!", he greeted them.
"Hey Dad", she greeted him as she walked in.
"Mate!", Dylan said as he entered.
"What would you like to drink?", Arthur asked them.
"A beer will do", Dylan said.
"White wine", Kate replied looking around.
"Dad, you are well set up here", she said stepping towards the terrace and looking at the city with the large Melbourne bay in the distance.
"Gorgeous!"
Kate went back inside and then she saw a photo hanging on the wall and walked towards it. It was a photo of a big mansion in typical English style.
"Oh gosh!", she mumbled covering her mouth with her hand.
Arthur saw it and walked to her. "Yes dear, our house. Hawks Hill. The photo was taken a year after you left. Do you still remember it?", he asked her.
"Oh yes, I do! The big oak staircase that leaded upwards, the crackle of the parquet flooring, my room with a view on the bell tower of our village", she said faintly.
Meanwhile, Dylan joined them and looked at the photo, "Wow, that's not a shanty!"
Arthur shrugged, "That's over now. Let's have some drinks!", he added joyously.
Kate and Dylan sat down on the couch while he served them the drinks and then he took a seat in the opposite club chair. "How are you both? And how's the ship doing?"
Dylan and Kate looked at each other and then at Arthur, "Oh fine!", she said.
"It's really a good ship. Stable and fast. A good quality", Dylan replied.
"Nice! Good to hear", Arthur said.
Kate frowned at him asking the following, "Dad, what are we going to eat? As far as I remember, you hardly knew to find the kitchen in England"
He grinned, "Look at me! The self made man! Well, dear, I'll manage. Don't expect a three stars restaurant. It's soup out of a brick, steaks, salad and frozen chips".
"I see. Anyway, you're still alive and kicking, so it seems successful!", she said with a broad smile.
"Kate, there's something you have to see in my bedroom", he said pointing to the direction of his bedroom with his thumb over his shoulder.
She stood up and looked at him suspiciously, "What does it mean?".
"Go see", he said innocently.
Kate could hide her curiosity and walked to the bedroom while Dylan mouthed "What?" to Arthur.
"You'll see or hear", he replied before taking a sip of beer.
Dylan frowned.
"Have you ever thought about a second crew?", Arthur asked.
"Yep, it's partially settled. Some of our colleagues knew other men who were still looking for a job. Do you intend to buy a second ship?", he asked.
Arthur shrugged slightly, "I don't know yet. First I want to see how profitable our first ship is. The business is taking off, but it's still a bit too early to draw any conclusions. On the other hand, you have to be prepared because when the time comes, it will be too late to start thinking about buying a second ship".
Dylan nodded, "Yeah, I understand".
He looked around, "Huh? Kate?"
Arthur stood up and walked to the bedroom, followed by Dylan. He opened the door gently and saw Kate who was sitting on the bed with her back to them. She was holding her teddy bear on her lap, her chin leaning on its head. She was millions of miles away.
Arthur nodded and they left silently.
Back in the living room Arthur took his glass and said, "She's back in England now".
Dylan nodded.
"By the way old chap as a father I've a question to ask you before I start cooking".
Dylan raised his eyebrows at him.
"What are your plans with her? ", he asked straight away.
"Straight to the point, but I like that. I want to move things on with her. We have struggled to get where we are now and I don't want to force her", Dylan replied.
Arthur nodded. "I understand and honestly, I suspected it from the beginning when we met for the first time at the terrace of that cafe. But don't wait too long. She doesn't say that with a lot of words, but she's just waiting for you to tell her the magic words."
"Yeah, you're right. Maybe it's the right time now."
"Good, and, I almost forgot to ask, where do you live now?", he asked.
Dylan straightened his back and looked thoughtfully at the wall in front of him, "Yeah... on the ship", he replied bluntly.
"No?", Arthur replied baffled, "Are you serious?"
"I don't lie".
"Come on, man, do something about it. A ship is not a home for a woman. Look around you as soon as you can and...money isn't a problem. I still have quite some money reserve for issues like this", said Arthur standing up and pointing to the kitchen. "Food, you see".
Meanwhile Kate came back holding the teddy bear in her arms. "It's been a long time Dad", she said.
He spread his arms, "It was one of the only things I could take with me".
She dropped the teddy bear on another chair and took a sip of wine.
Arthur pointed to the kitchen again, "I've some work to do otherwise my guests will complain".
"Dad, I'll give you a hand", Kate replied following him to the kitchen.
Dylan leaned against the back of the couch and observed the kitchen and the table decoration.
Cute! Marry her! I've always loved her, but there was always someone or something between us. Mike, Jim, her disappearance, her accident, her depression. And now it's so close, no more barriers, nothing more, just pop the question. It seems so unrealistic that I don't dare to ask it.
He smiled and raised his hand as he saw her smile and wave to him.
You see? She's yours. Really? Dylan, wake up! Be realistic. There must be something!
...
No, there's nothing. Just Kate and me. Do it!
Yeah, but not now. It must be a quiet moment. During a night at the bridge. Hmm. But, there's an obstacle. A home. I've to offer her something. Find her a home. That's the first step. And be honest with yourself, is living on board realistic? Nah...
I'll talk to her about it and we'll look for a house together...
"Sleepyhead?", Kate said softly.
"Huh?"
"For the third time, dinner is served", she said as she would tell a little boy.
He stood up immediately, "Yeah! You're right. I...I was on board...checking things...you know", he stammered.
"That's for tomorrow. Let's first enjoy this wonderful meal", she replied.
After dinner, Arthur served coffee, cookies and a glass of whisky. After taking a sip, he started a new topic. "Kate, dear, we have a little problem", he said looking at her.
To be continued