Ch. 36 Captain McGregor
"And What's the little problem?", Kate responded.
"To be in compliance with the requirements of the Lloyds Insurance Company, the master of the ship must have a master's certificate. Do you have that?", asked her father.
Kate swallowed. "I can command a ship, but I don't have the master's certificate. I was expecting a promotion to the rank of lieutenant-commander and this involved training as a commander, but they retained my recommendation each time", she answered bitterly.
Arthur rubbed his chin, "Bastards. Then you have to pass an exam. Do you think you can do that?".
Kate nodded eagerly. "Yeah, sure I can! When?"
"Next month, there's one. Do you think that you can make it?", he asked her.
"Yeah, no problem Dad!", Kate answered with confidence.
"That's settled then. I've just had a thought. You leave again on Wednesday. I suggest you come to the office, so that I can introduce you both to the employees as my daughter and captain and my business partner", Arthur said.
Later, as they returned to the ship, Dylan asked her, "Honey, are you sure what you've said about the examination.? I've heard that it's quite difficult. So many things in the legal field".
She looked at him and smiled, "I know darling, I still know the majority, and for the other thing I'll have to immerse in the books again. But, now I have another goal and it gives me the boost of energy!", she said enthusiastically.
"And it will be good for you too, because you'll have to act as captain while I'm studying", she said with a grin that made him look at her with concern, but he said nothing.
"Darling, of course I'll be there when we're at the port", she said, gently squeezing his hand.
Weeks passed and Kate spent most of the time in her cabin studying. Meanwhile Dylan learned to command a big ship and Chris took over the duties of Dylan's first officer. The MV Katherine returned to Melbourne for a long shore leave.
The examination for obtaining the master's certificate consisted of a written part and an oral part. Kate had passed the written examination two weeks earlier and now had to present the oral examination before a jury.
Kate, Dylan, Chris and a three other crew members were standing by the bridge finishing their duties when they heard the clack of high-heeled shoes behind them. As one person they all turned to see who it was.
"Fuck, Charlie!", let Dylan escape when he saw his sister.
Charlie stopped and looked at her brother with disapproval, "Tss, is this how you greet your sister? What would you think if I said 'Shit Dylan'?", she said defiantly.
"Aah...uh..well...uh. It's...it's that I didn't expect you here", he stammered.
"Well, it's that easy huh. If I don't hear from my brother who has a new project, I go to see him to find out how it's going", she said with a smirk.
He grinned back, "Well, I'm fine. It's...it's just... that I haven't had time to tell you yet", he stammered again.
"Nice story, but I see by the mocking smile of the lady behind you that's it's all crap", Charlie said again, knowing that she had won a battle.
"Aah! Yes, indeed, It's...it's Kate, my...my girlfriend", he said before turning to Kate but Charlie was the fastest.
"I thought already so. Hi, nice to meet you. I'm Charlie, this bugger's sister", she said reaching out to Kate.
Kate shook her hand, "Hi, nice to meet you too. Finally! I was already afraid of never meeting you".
Charlie glared at her younger brother, "With him, you'll never know".
Meanwhile Dylan looked at his sister. "Charlie? What's this? Camouflage clothes?"
She was wearing a suit and high-heeled slingback shoes.
She looked at him quizzically, "No buddy, these are my work clothes. Just like you, I started something new. I'm now an agricultural consultant. I give people advice who want to start a business farm".
He nodded, "Nice! And you look gorgeous".
"Thank you. By the way, why don't you both pop in to my place for a dinner, so we can catch up", she said looking at Kate, "And I will get to know you better, because he didn't tell me anything about you", she said poking her finger into his belly.
"With pleasure Charlie", Kate replied.
"Well guys, I'm going to leave you because it looked like you're very busy here", she said turning to leave the bridge.
At the bottom of the stairs she bumped into Harpie. The encounter seemed accidental but it wasn't because he had seen her boarding and he had lingered until her return.
"Excuse me ma'am, but did the geezers from the bridge offer you something to drink?", he asked.
Charlie glanced at the bridge over her shoulder and looked back at him, "No, did you expect that?".
He gave her a big smile, "Not really, but I can offer you the best cup of coffee of the southern part of the world".
She tilted her head slightly to one side, "Hmm, you make me curious. Let me taste your fabulous coffee, sailor", she answered.
"Harpie! Uh, it's Andrew Harper, but my call sign was Harpie when I was still in the Navy", he said.
"I'm Charlotte or Charlie", she answered.
They walked to the mess while he asked her how she was taking her coffee.
He offered her a cup of coffee and sat down after he served himself a cup too. A packet of cookies between them, of course.
"What brings you here? Are you coming from the office?", he asked.
"No. I wanted to see my brother, Dylan", she replied.
"Wow! So you're the director's sister", he replied.
"Right in the target mate!", she replied with a grin.
"He's a great friend. He's always there when you need him", Harpie said.
"Ah! That's probably the reason why I can't meet him", she said.
Harpie shrugged, "I dunno. But, what do you think about the coffee?".
"Nice. Honestly, better than expected, but what are you doing on board?", she asked.
"I used to be in the Navy, like all my other colleagues, until they fired us. Now, I'm the boatswain, that's the highest non-commissioned officer on board, an NCO, you see".
"I know. Dylan was one", she said before taking a sip.
"What do you do for a living?", he asked her.
"I was running a farm together with our father, until he passed away. We sold it and each of us went its own way. Dylan at sea and I started a consultancy office for people who want to start a business farm".
"Oh, isn't that weird? From the countryside to the city?"
"It went better than expected. Each customer has his own approach and his own expectations. Moreover, I discovered that working in the city has many advantages. Shopping, restaurants, whatever!", she said smiling broadly.
He grinned, "I see that. Would you like to try a restaurant tonight?", he asked.
"Yeah, why not. Are you coming into town or do I have to pick you up?", she answered.
"Well, it would be nice if you could pick me up. It's far enough if I have to walk", he said.
She stood up. "All right. 7.00 pm?"
"Fine! I'll wait on the quay, near the gangplank", he answered as they walked out of the mess.
When he came back on board, he bumped into Dylan.
"What did I hear? You got a date with Charlie?"
"Yeah, I got it. What a sister you have mate!", Harpie answered with a radiant smile.
"Watch out buddy. She could eat you alive", Dylan said whacking Harpie on his shoulder.
The next day was the day of Kate's oral examination. She was dressed in a suit and was ill-at-ease. Arthur was driving and she was sitting next to him while Dylan was sitting in the back. Arthur noticed that she was fiddling with her handbag.
"You're nervous dear. I see it. You haven't changed, you know. You were always nervous when you had to take an examination in primary school", Arthur said.
She glared at him, "Dad, stop it!"
Dylan squeezed her shoulder, "Honey, you can do better than anyone. Think of the sword you have had".
She glared over her shoulder, "Always that sword! That bloody thing always comes back to haunt me. Even when I went to that café, I had it with me", she said fiercely.
She looked through the windscreen again and shrugged, "It was also the only thing that was really mine and that no one else wanted", she added sadly.
"Honey, it'll go fine", Dylan tried again.
She gave him a weak smile, "Yes darling, I know. When I enter the room, everything will be gone and then it will be as if I was standing on the bridge, but now... I'm scared to death".
They found a parking place and they walked to the old Victorian building where the examination was to take place.
In front of the main staircase they wished her good luck and Kate hurried upstairs. Both men looked at each other. Dylan looked at his watch. "A brew?"
Arthur nodded, "Splendid. I think there's a café over there", he said.
One hour later they came back and they didn't have to wait long before Kate reappeared. Both peered at her face to see what the result was.
"Ouch, it doesn't look good", Dylan mumbled.
"No, I'm afraid so", added the older man.
"Honey, how did it go?", Dylan asked Kate.
Kate grimaced and shook her head.
"No problem", Arthur replied.
"Nah, it was just a formality. We'll continue with what we're good at, navigate", Dylan replied.
Then a broad smile appeared on her face and her eyes twinkled.
Dylan noticed it at first, "Oh no! You naughty one!", he said grabbing her by the waist and spinning her in the air.
"It would have really surprised me if it had not been", he said.
Arthur just shook his head.
"The maximum! They said that they had never seen that before!", she said joyously.
"Honestly, it was a tad easier than at ADFA", Kate added.
"Splendid, splendid! I propose to celebrate that with a lunch, if Captain McGregor agrees!", Arthur suggested.
To be continued