Ch. 49 CEO
Two weeks passed. It was two days before New Year.
MV Katherine was sailing north to Cairns with a nice load of containers and she even had four passengers aboard.
Dylan was on watch at the bridge and Kate had just had breakfast. She returned to her cabin for administration. She sat down behind her desk and looked at the small Christmas tree with some LED fairy lights. It didn't exceed 30 cm.
She leaned back against her chair, looked at it and smiled.
Becca must have put it there. She's cute.
It's already been fourteen days since we flew back from Newcastle to organise Dad's funeral. Hard to believe! Everything went so fast! Luckily there was Christmas. My best Christmas ever! The four of us together, Dylan, Charlie and Harpie. Just great. The perfect tonic succeeding Dad's death. It was also the ideal opportunity to get to know Charlie and Harpie better. Wonderful people!
Nikki.
I had a long chat with her on the phone. When we get back, they'll be there too. Then they can sign their contracts and settle down. And even more importantly, we can have some time to go shopping in town!
She smiled at the latter idea and sat up to open her laptop.
Stop dreaming Kate. You have a ship to manage!
She opened her mailbox and made a face.
Oh no! Again! Pfft, such a quantity of e-mails. It's already the second time. I really hope it won't be a habit!
Reluctantly, she opened the first one and seemed surprised when reading the content.
From the staff representative who asks if the Management intends to organise a New Year's drink. Why on earth are they asking me that?
She clicked on the next one.
Tax and financial regulations. Again, why are they sending me this! It should be for accounting. I'll forward it to them.
With an irritated frown she clicked the 'forward' key and added the name of the chief accountant.
After half an hour she left her cabin and headed for the bridge.
"Good morning!", she greeted the men at the bridge.
Next, she padded to the chart table to get a glimpse of where they were. Then she walked over to Dylan and Chris.
"Hey", they greeted her.
"Sorry guys, I'm late. My mailbox has overflowed again", she said annoyed.
"Spam!", Chris grinned.
At the same time, Rebecca entered the bridge and went straight to them.
"Kate, did you have a show planned before our arrival in Cairns?", she asked.
"Hmm, I haven't thought about it yet. Shame on me!", she replied.
"Excuse me", interrupted RO, "I've here two urgent messages from HQ for you", he said by handing her both papers.
Kate read them and she raised her eyebrows, "They ask if I also want to take into account calls to Hobart because they have a possible lead. If I agree, then we can pick up containers there every fourteen days. And this! They want to know, if we can also call Nelson in New Zealand! This morning too. I've got a lot of messages like these. Why are they sending that to me for God's sake!", she said looking again at the messages.
Rebecca, Chris and Dylan looked at each other and Rebecca nodded towards Dylan.
"Uhm, Kate, it's, because...", he paused to get her attention and continued when she looked at him. "Because you're the CEO now", he said and waited for her reaction.
"Huh? What are you saying now?", asked Kate frowning.
"Yes, Kate, you're the boss. Arthur bequeathed his company to you, because you're his sole heir", he said.
"We haven't seen each other for almost thirty years! It doesn't make sense", Kate replied.
"It all makes sense honey, you're his only daughter and by law you're the sole heir", Dylan answered.
Kate said nothing more and watched Chris, Rebecca, RO and Harpie. The latter arrived at the bridge a few minutes earlier to discuss something, but his attention was drawn to the conversation.
She shook her head and gently waved with her hand," No, just… just give me some space, will you?", she said softly and left the bridge.
"Didn't she know about it?", Chris asked Dylan.
"Nope. She has never talked about it since Arthur died. She has come a long way, you know. I go after her. You've the ship mate", answered Dylan and he also left the bridge.
He went down and headed straight for to the quarter deck, knowing she would be there.
Indeed, she was here, arms leaning on the railing and staring at the horizon.
He walked over to her and leaned against the railing, arms crossed, looking at her.
"Are you ok?"
She shrugged, "Yes, ... no, ... I don't know exactly. I'm on an emotional rollercoaster. It's too much and I can barely control it", she said still staring at the sea.
He nodded, "You know, Arthur told me about his plans not so long ago. To me, it seemed logical. I have to admit I didn't tell you, because it would have ended in a discussion and legally there's no way around it. You're his sole heir...", he said but she interrupted him.
"I know darling, you told me a few minutes ago. It's more than I can handle. I just wanted to have some space for myself to set things right. A while ago, I had nothing left, I was barely alive and now I'm the CEO of a shipping company with a ship, employees, agencies, a headquarter and a considerable wealth", she said looking at him.
He spread his hands, "I think I can follow you. I went almost through the same thing when I was hit in Afghanistan by that mortar shell", he said.
"I do believe it", Kate answered and she turned to lean against the railing next to him.
"But, I have to put that feeling aside. There's no time for such considerations when you're CEO. Nikki's arrival is in fact a godsend. She can take control of the ship while I move into Dad's office. First, I'll observe and talk to our accountant, then to the people who make up our ship. It's going to be a new learning curve", she said.
He nodded, "Indeed, a new world".
"By the way, what do you think of the Hobart and Nelson case?", she asked.
"Nelson is feasible, but Hobart will only be profitable if we have at least four containers, I think", he said rubbing his chin.
"Hmm, that was also my idea. Anyway, I'll have to talk to HQ for more info. Take the ship and I'll be in our cabin", she said nudging him.
"Alright Ma'am", he replied with a grin and both left the quarter deck.
Half an hour later Kate called the bridge from her cabin, "Dylan, can you come down and bring Becca too".
He found Rebecca and they went down and entered their cabin, "Kate?", he greeted her.
"Okay, take a seat", she invited them. "Dylan, I've been looking at the various e-mails from HQ more intensely, because I ignored them without realising how important they were. One of them came from the staff representative asking if we are going to organise a New Year's drink. Initially I ignored the question because I didn't realise the consequences of Dad's death. Anyway, I have to answer it now. We're going to do it. It's a good signal for staff and I'll also want to extend the reception to our good customers. They know he passed away and they are probably questioning the business. With this welcome drink I want to give the signal of the continuity of the business. Moreover I will make that clear to everyone that we'll grow! What do you think?", she said decisively .
He nodded, "I can only agree with this, but aren't you going too fast now?", he asked.
"I agree that there are still many unknown determining factors, but unfortunately we can't wait. There's a lot at stake you know. We need to regain the trust of our customers. And I'm not saying it's gone, but as I said, they'll probably wonder if McGregor Shipping Lines will continue or disappear", Kate said.
She looked at Rebecca, "Becca, do you have experience with catering companies?"
"Uhm, yes, I know some of them. What are you expecting from me?", she asked.
"Get some information. Ask them if they have a banquet hall. Get its price and the price of drinks and appetizers. I'll come back to you with an number of people", Kate said.
"Okay, I'll do it. I was already afraid that you would send me forward to fix it there", she answered with a smile.
"No, not really. I don't want a mutiny aboard because of the lack of a good cook", Kate said wryly.
"So, that's it for now. Now, I'm going to try to catch our accountant to find out who our good customers are", she added.
Two weeks later they were back in Melbourne.
Kate looked at her watch and yelled, "Dylan, it's time to go. I don't want to be late!"
"Yeah, I'm coming!", he yelled back.
A minute later he showed up.
"It's not so far, but I don't want to be late you know", she said.
"Nah, don't worry, it's a Saturday and then there's always less traffic on that road", he answered showing her the keys of the car.
They left the house and she walked in front of him to the car. He smiled looking at her outfit, a wide dress and heeled slingback sandals.
When they left, he looked at her, "I see you more often in a dress. Nice".
"Thank you. I can't close my trousers anymore because I'm starting to show", Kate answered.
"Oh? I haven't noticed it yet".
"No, but I can feel it".
"So, it's just the right time for Nikki to take over, no?"
"Indeed, just like in the movies".
Thirty minutes later they were waiting at the arrival gate of Melbourne airport.
Lots of people were leaving the arrival gate and it seemed to them that more people were waiting for arrivals. Kate was tiptoed and peered between heads to spot Nikki and Pete.
"Too bad. It's a pity that too many flights arrived at the same time. In all this crowd we can miss them", she muttered.
"I only saw her once. Do you have a clue to recognize her ?", he sighed.
"A brunette with a flower dress and a sturdy blond guy, like you, but a bit smaller", Kate replied.
Suddenly someone patted her on the shoulder, "Are you looking for us?"
Kate jumped. "Nikki! Pete!"
Nikki smiled broadly, "You didn't recognise us, I saw it. Do you need glasses?", she said teasingly.
They hugged.
"Uh no, but uh... I was looking for your usual outfit, your flower dress", Kate replied.
"But I see that you used camouflage", she said looking at the white T-shirt, jeans and loafers.
"Nope, never when I travel by plane otherwise it's all wrinkled", Nikki replied.
Pete joined the conversation. "Hey Kate, it's been ages, right? You're looking good!", he greeted her and kissed her on each cheek.
'Thanks Pete, this is Dylan, my husband. He was the buffer after you. Darling, this is Pete", Kate introducing both men.
"Hey mate, nice to meet you", Dylan said as they shook hands.
"Hi, you're the magic man who captured Kate's heart, because it was hard to catch it", Pete replied with a grin.
"How's the baby?", said Nikki, interrupting the conversation and quickly touched Kate's belly.
"Splendid, I'm already starting to show", she replied.
"Marvellous!"
"Come on, I'll take this from you", Dylan said, grabbing Nikki's suitcase.
"Thanks! It would be great. I have the impression that my right arm had lengthened by three centimetres", Nikki replied.
They headed for their car talking about everything and nothing.
When the car left the parking area, Nikki leaned forward, "Kate, why did you say we didn't have to book a hotel?"
She turned her head to Nikki, "Because you're our guests. It will give you more time to look for something decent and we can more easily talk about job and everything else", she said.
"Oh, thanks a lot! We really appreciate it", Nikki answered, leaning back against the car seat.
Once home Dylan put the suitcases down in the guest room and Kate gave them the bathroom to freshen up. She returned to the living room and placed four glasses and two files on the table.
Fifteen minutes later Nikki and Pete entered the living room. "And? Happy now?", did she ask in a teasing manner. Kate looked up and saw Nikki take a full ride on herself to show off her flower dress.
Kate shook her head and said with a big smile, "You're incorrigible".
"Please, take a seat, so we can finish the serious part first", she invited them.
Nikki and Pete sat down next to each other and Kate put a file and a ballpoint in front of each of them.
"Your contract", she said simply.
"We hire you as captain and as bosun".
They opened the file and looked through the contract.
"Wow, that's a nice sum! It's even more than what I had in the Navy", Nikki said surprised.
"Neither do I. I didn't expect it", Pete added.
Kate shrugged, "Well, if you find good people, you have to make an effort to keep them. A captain can make or break a shipping company and a bad bosun can make a mess of your cargo, so".
Nikki smiled broadly, "You've got nothing to be afraid of us, Kate. You can sleep soundly!", she said putting her signature to the contract. Then she handed the ballpoint to her husband who did the same.
"Perfect, here are your copies", Dylan said after accepting both signed contracts.
"Welcome aboard!"
"Now that the serious part is over, let's celebrate!", Kate said on her way to the kitchen to grab a bottle of champagne from the fridge. She walked over to the table, opened the bottle and filled them three glasses and a fruit juice for her. "Cheers!"
They took a sip, "When do we start?", Nikki asked.
"Next week. The crew is ashore. You'll start immediately as captain and you Pete, you'll have to share your function with Harpie", Kate said.
"Ah? Is the old bugger still in the running?", Pete asked with a grin.
"Absolutely, even more than that. He's going to marry Dylan's sister, so he will also be family", she said.
"May God help you!", Pete replied with a broad grin.
"Kate, what about the uniform? What's required?", Nikki asked.
"We wear the uniform aboard. Dark blue and white shirt. You can get one at a specific shop in Melbourne. The shop will send the invoice to HQ. No worries. Ah, and already wear your four bands", Kate answered by walking to the cupboard to take a company card from the shop that sells all kind of uniforms.
"Here you go", she said handing the card to Nikki.
"Ok"
"Oh, do you already have a master's certificate?", Kate asked.
"Not exactly but I took the Navy Command course", Nikki replied.
"You have to take the exam. These are the requirements of the Lloyds Insurance Company. We would be in trouble if something should happen and if they found out that the master didn't have the certificate", she said.
Nikki nodded, "Yeah, no worries, I can handle it."
"Good. A few more bubbles?", Kate asked, seeing that the glasses were empty.
They nodded and Dylan refilled the glasses.
To be continued