Ch. 44 Show girl
The MV Katherine arrived at her home port in Melbourne and the crew had a week off. When they returned, they noticed on the billboard that there was a meeting at 6pm. They all gathered in the mess while Kate and Dylan were waiting for everyone to find a seat.
Dylan started, "Hi all, we hope that you had a good shore leave?", he said looking around. "Well, that's good. You probably know also that the passage to New Zealand is not bad, but we can't say it's a golden pot. The problem is that we can't abandon that destination, because it's a matter of being on the line. If we don't, someone else will, do you understand? But that still doesn't solve the problem of a half-loaded ship, does it? On the last voyage, Rebecca suggested something we investigated a little further and it seems that it could work", he said.
Kate took over. "We'll carry passengers, in addition to our normal cargo. My father is enthusiastic about the idea and knows the market, so there's a great chance off success. I see some of you frowning, but don't worry, we're not going to reinvent the wheel now. It has been done previously. The ship won't leave tomorrow, but within a week. This is the time we have to refit the crew's empty cabins into passenger cabins and make the officers' mess look like a real restaurant. For this, we rely on Charge, 2Dads and Harpie. Others will have to help where needed. Officers will have to eat in the same room as the passengers. Maybe that's a downside, we'll see. That's point one. Point two, taking charge of passengers. We need purser facilities here to take care of them. Rebecca, can you handle that? ", Kate said looking at her.
"Uh? Yes, of course", she replied.
"Uh-hu, may I ask you then to keep your cool? Do not throw meat choppers at them or do not use them as shark food", Kate said with a smile.
Rebecca blushed slightly, "Yes, sure. I can handle that", she hurried to say.
A broad smile appeared on Kate's face, "Great! That means you are now officially our purser and you also have a promotion. With your new function, you're an officer".
"Oh? Thanks Kate", she replied.
"Yeah! Drink!" The others yelled.
Kate waited for everything to calm down again, "Right. Questions?"
Synthia raised her hand, "How many passengers have you in mind?"
"Six. Three cabins for two people".
"In cruise, there's normally entertainment aboard. Is this the plan here too?", Charge asked.
"Indeed, I'll perform the show composed of musical songs", Kate said.
Everyone was surprised and started mumbling.
She raised her hands, "Before starting with this ship, I was working in a tavern and there, I had the opportunity to have my show twice a week. Okay?"
Someone raised his hand, "Cap, may we also attend the show?"
She smiled, "Of course you may, it will put even more atmosphere".
Dylan continued, "Okay guys, we'll discuss the plans with Chris, Charge, 2Dads, Harpie and Becca after this meeting. We're going to see what we need to build and what we need to buy. Purchases will be for tomorrow. At the same time you come in the picture to give a hand. That's it. We'll meet again tomorrow morning, here at 9am. Thanks", he said.
When the men were gone, the five looked at Kate and Dylan.
"Come, let's go to the cabins to see what we can do!"
One month later in Auckland, New Zealand.
Kate was readjusting Rebecca's tie which earned her a face.
"Don't look at me like that Becca. These are our first customers and you're the purser. So you must look perfect. The first impression is the most important".
"I know, I know", she mumbled.
Kate did a step back and looked at her. Her eyes slid over her hat, jacket and tie, trousers and black pumps.
"I hope you're not going to look at me like that every time", Rebecca grumbled.
"No, certainly not. I assure you. It's me. I'm just nervous", Kate replied raising both hands.
"Kate, no worries. I had to do it with customers before. The restaurants, you know", she answered with a smile.
Kate smiled back and patted her shoulder. "Ok, purser. Your turn now".
Rebecca went to the boarding place and Kate returned to the bridge from where she oddly watched the scene on the quay.
"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the MV Katherine. I'm Rebecca, your purser...", she heard from her observation post, but she didn't hear Dylan coming behind her.
He put his hand on the lower part of her back, "So sweetie, does everything go the way you wish?"
Kate took a deep breath. "Yeah, it looks like. It's the first time we have six passengers. It's going to be up or down, but Becca seems to be perfect in that role. ".
He nodded and looked at a few sailors carrying the luggage aboard.
"Trust her. She knows what she's doing. Moreover, it was her initial idea. So, she will do her best to succeed. The passengers are two American couples and a German. It's good they're not alone. A good company is the best advertising", he said.
Kate looked at him with a faint smile, "I don't know how you do it, but you always put me at ease. Come on, we have a voyage to start within an hour".
Two days later, at the Coral Sea near the Great Barrier Reef.
The HMAS Sydney was sailing north at nightfall.
Nikki had supper with Mike at the mess and she went back to the bridge for a final check-up before heading to her cabin.
She noticed the watch change between the navigator and another officer. She went to him. "Is everything under control Nav?"
He nodded, "Yes Ma'am, no difficulties ahead and the weather is calm. There's the classic strong current and the heavier swell due to the storm in the southeast, but as I said, there's nothing to worry about".
"Good", she said looking at the watch officer. "Rawlings, if there's anything, warn me", she said.
"Okay X", he replied and she returned to her cabin.
She entered and took off her jacket. She took off her boots and socks and put on a pair of slippers. Next, she made herself a fresh cup of coffee with her own espresso machine and sat down behind her laptop. She opened it and checked her mailbox.
There was nothing important, so she started a new e-mail to Pete.
Hey darling,
Everything is fine?
Have you rethought to Dylan's proposal, to switch over to them?
I did and I will do it. It's not the same anymore. Since the last encounters with Kate, Mike has changed. He became quieter, even cold or distant and from time to time grumpy. When I saw the old gang aboard Kate's ship, I start thinking about making the switch.
It's certainly something we need to talk about during my next shore leave.
Good night.
Nik
She pressed the send button and looked at the screen thinking.
Why should I change?
Why should I stay?
It's something new to build on. A challenge to take up. And when I hear them, it sounds so attractive. Captain on my own ship. A better salary.
Here, I think I'll never be that the executive officer. I don't have to stay for Mike,. He becomes more and more grumpy by the day.
Nah, that's something to discuss with Pete over a good glass of wine.
She stood up and took off her T-shirt and trousers. With a smile she lay down on her rack and grabbed her book.
At the same time, on the MV Katherine that was sailing from New Zealand to Sydney.
Dylan was leaning against to the frame of the bathroom door of the cabin looking at his wife's image in the mirror. Kate was standing in her underwear in front of the mirror busy applying lipstick.
She closed it and turned to him. "What do you think?"
"Gorgeous! It's like I have another woman in front of me", he said.
"Silly. Inside I'm still the same", she replied, patting him gently on the chest.
"How are you feeling?", he asked.
Kate glared at him, "You have no idea. I'm a bundle of nerves. I know that , when I'm on stage and I start singing, here we go! But now , no. You can scrape me from the walls", she said grabbing the pale yellow silk dress that lay on the bed. "Can you help me before I stain it?"
She straightened the dress while he pulled up the zip fastener, "I've seen your performance honey, it's great! No worries", he said to comfort her.
"I know, but so long ago", she said in return.
"It's like sailing, you don't forget", he answered gently patting her buttocks.
"I have to believe you, don't I?", she said putting on her golden-heeled pumps.
"Absolutely!"
They left their cabin and they walked to the mess or the restaurant of the passengers as they called it now. On their way, they met Chris and 2Dads. The latter hissed at her, "Wow Cap! Can I have a date with you?"
"Jeez, Kate, if I tell Sally, she'll be green with envy", he said.
She grinned at them, "Knock it off guys!"
Rebecca was waiting for them. She had quickly changed her cook outfit for her uniform and had entered the restaurant to present the show. Amid applause, Kate came in and stepped on the stage. She was happy to see that almost half of the crew was also present. "Ladies, gentlemen, thank you and good evening. It's an honour for me to present you some famous musical songs. Let me start with 'I could have danced all night' from My Fair Lady", Kate said and she began to sing from the first notes of music.
To be continued