Skipper paid a call on Marlene without telling us today, and when he came back there was an unusual bounce to his step and a smirk on his face. Then later, Marlene turned up to watch us train. And Skipper let her! He never even let his wife watch us. Plus there was a noticeable increase in his determination. Even young Private noticed. Though Private is of course surprisingly observant sometimes.
That's why I decided to take him rather than Rico to visit. Well that plus the fact that Marlene always seems to feel she has to talk twice as much to compensate for Rico. She hasn't yet worked out how to decipher him.
She appeared to be writing when we arrived but she hid it at once. I thought at first that she wanted to hide the code she was using but her blush indicated it was more likely something personal. Naturally she denied it was anything important and quickly added that in California people didn't burst in.
I confess my face must have fallen because she at once thought she'd upset me. I explained I'd mistakenly read she was from Northern Carolina. It was a little awkward but she then offered to help me with reading if I wanted. She really if an otter of many talents and surprisingly open with her skills. I'll be much more useful to the team if I can crack the older code.
Things were much more relaxed after that and Private started chatting about how she liked the place so far. She soon started talking about our training earlier. Then she added how amazed she was at Skipper's flexibility… and a definite blush coloured her cheeks. I'm now very nearly 100% certain she has a crush on him.
She got rather flustered so we took our leave to spare her any further embarrassment. When we got back Skipper intercepted us at once to ask what had happened and whether she'd mentioned him. It seems the feelings are reciprocated but I didn't think it'd be wise for Private to reveal that just yet. I simply told him the information was classified and then buried my beak in my notebook. I confess it gave me a great sense of satisfaction to throw Skipper's line back at him.
But I have been rather worried about Skipper since Lola broke his heart. I doubt even he realised just how obviously affected he was. Before she came into his life he was always an inveterate charmer… the life of any party… but I suppose it's true, once bitten, twice shy. Marlene might be just the one to cure him though. As long as she doesn't move too fast. Skipper's bound to be hesitant of getting hurt again.
Though I've got an idea. If I can utilise my 'lessons' with Marlene to arrange events more favourably, it might all work out. Just so long as Skipper doesn't realise I'm interfering, or he'll court martial me.