Chapter 12
Kate left her cabin and wanted to walk to the quarterdeck but she hesitated. She turned back and padded to the bridge. RO sat behind his radio with his headset over one ear, busy with crossword puzzle.
"Is everything okay RO?, she asked.
He looked up and took off the headset, "Sure boss, nothing to report", he said.
"Fine, but, are you sure you don't want to join the party?", she asked.
"No boss. To be honest, this kind of event is not for me", he said.
"Okay, I'll have you bring a piece of cake", she said and walked away.
He's a decent guy, but still just as weird, almost asocial. He doesn't seem to change!
She reached the quarterdeck. Meanwhile, the day had given way to the night. Once there, she saw the relieved faces of the crew, all in white shirt and trousers. That meant they could get a drink!
"This way boss!", Rhino said, stepping aside to let her pass.
Bomber had created a small buffet on a table topped with a white tablecloth. On top were champagne glasses and plates with appetizers.
"Wow!", Kate said seeing Bomber and Bird behind the table. Both wore a white cook's uniform like the great chefs.
"Hi boss, a drink?", Bomber asked with a radiant smile.
"Yes please, but where did you get that from?", she asked, pointing to Rebecca's vest.
She grinned, "I've my contacts".
Meanwhile the crew had gathered in front of the table to also take their drink since the CO had hers. Dylan was the second to take his drink. Kate looked suspiciously at the number of bottles and mentally calculated the price knowing that dinner was yet to come.
Luckily the CO of the base is my partner otherwise I couldn't manage it!
They had a pleasant chat over drinks and some nibbles and then Bomber asked to move to the junior sailors' mess because it was bigger. When Kate entered she was taken aback. Lights were dimmed, except for candles and tinsel of a Christmas tree and the background music was provided by soft Christmas songs. Tables were covered with tablecloths, paper of course, but they were tablecloths. When everyone saw the decoration, the lights were switched on and they took their seats. A small hierarchy was maintained, Kate had the seat at the head of the table, the XO to her right and the buffer to her left. The crew looked for a seat and they waited for her to be seated and then they did the same. Kate smiled as she noticed that the chair next to Dylan remained vacant, of course. It was indeed an open secret. A few junior sailors started serving the plates with the starter, melon with smoked ham. A limited quantity of wine was also distributed. When everyone was served, both cooks joined them and Rebecca sat down next to Dylan.
Soup followed, then the classic turkey. When it was a quarter to midnight, Kate excused herself, left the mess and headed for the bow where she took her smartphone and called Mike. Seeing the vicinity of Mount Adolphus Island and its small town it was possible to use the phone.
He recognised her call by her name on the screen, "Hey Honey! I'm glad to hear you!", he exclaimed.
Her heart tightened and she had a lump in her throat, "Hey darling, how is it over there?", she replied huskily.
"Great honey! And…. Merry Christmas to you!", he said joyously.
Kate's throat was tight and her eyes were starting to water. "Merry Christmas to you too darling", she said faintly. "How is it over there?", she asked again.
"Oh! Great! Everyone is in a good mood and…. you don't have to clean the kitchen because Nikki kicked me out. She still doesn't trust me, huh?", he said.
Kate smiled faintly, "Not really, because she knows you darling".
She heard him laugh and felt an extreme urge to be there too.
"And what else?", she asked eagerly.
"Well uh… Pete is in a good mood, he is telling heroic stories to the kids, Nikki's the chef, so", he said.
Kate chuckled and could imagine what it was like over there. "And what are you doing?"
"Me? Uh… Filling the glasses", he said like it was the most natural thing on earth.
Kate chuckled again, "Yeah, I can imagine".
"Honey, in a few days you'll be back home and then we can celebrate the New Year. And don't forget the base officers' lunch on New Year's day, lobster and champagne! It's a secret, but the Chef has already told me because I'm the commander. ", Mike replied enthusiastically to soothe her.
"Hold on!", he added before Kate could say anything about men and their stomachs.
"Hey mummy! How is it out there at sea? ", James asked, picking up over his dad's smartphone.
Kate smiled when she heard her son, "Jamie! I'm glad to hear you, Merry Christmas to you darling!"
"Merry Christmas to you too mum, but I miss you here!", he said.
Her heart tightened and she couldn't prevent a tear from escaping.
"Jamie, I miss you too, but I'll be home soon and then we'll celebrate again", she replied as loudly as possible.
"That's great mummy, but dad is waving here with a big bush knife to cut the cake. Do you have cake over there too?", he asked.
"Oh yeah sure, we've cake here!"
Knowing Becca there will be more than enough!
"Enjoy your cake darling!"
"Yeah you too!", he replied and ended the call.
Kate took a deep breath, wiped away her tears, and stared at the black coastline where the few lights of the nearby town shone.
I'm overwhelmed by emotions every time I'm at sea at Christmas! I can't control them and I cry. It's stupid, but that's how it is. I can't help it if Christmas has a special meaning for me?
Kate grinned suddenly.
New Year's Eve is special for Mike and me, but in a different way.
Hmm, I better get back there before the crew kills me because they can't eat the cake yet!
She wanted to go but lingered and headed for her cabin.
My makeup is a mess!
In the mess.
Bird and Bomber had placed three huge Christmas cakes on the table. Harpie headed for the table with his plate and pointed at them. "Can we start Bomb?"
She was waving a big knife in front of his nose, "Don't even think about it mate. It's the boss who cuts the first piece. You should know that!".
He raised his big hands, "Okay, okay, of course I know, but I just wanted to try".
Rebecca looked at Dylan, "Did you see her?"
He shrugged, "Nope, I've seen her about ten minutes ago when she went out".
She frowned and headed for the door, "I'll get her".
With a slight frown she left.
If there's no call from Navcom, then she's upset about something. I know her too well for that. A stern captain, but with a very small heart which quickly gets upset when you push the right buttons. Just like me actually. I have a reputation for having a loud mouth, but I also have a small heart. She gradually let me into her private life. Of course, it's one hundred percent Kate, but once I was in, she trusted me completely and she told me everything. England, her bitch mother, her youth, the Princess Perfect thing, the affair with Mike…
Rebecca knocked on Kate's cabin door.
"Who is that?", Kate asked aloud from her bathroom as she cleaned up the destroyed mascara.
"Becca!"
"Come in!"
Rebecca entered the cabin and saw Kate in front of the bathroom mirror. She went towards her. "Kate, are you okay?", she asked.
Kate looked at her friend, "Yeah, I'm fine".
She looked at Kate's watery eyes, scowling, "You're fine? I just don't believe a damn of it! What's going on?"
Kate shrugged, "Mike and Jamie, I called them. I miss them on a night like this. ".
She enfolded Kate's shoulders in her arms, "I understand, but you have a family now and they're happy, so why shouldn't you be? Within a few days you're back together", she comforted Kate.
She nodded, "Yeah, I know, but on a night like this, it just overcomes me every time".
"That's normal, but let's hurry before our geezers lock Bird up in the broom cabinet and eat all the cakes", Bomber said.
"In that case, we have to be quick!", Kate said, leaving her cabin.
When they returned to the junior sailors' mess the men reacted enthusiastically upon seeing her.
"Merry Christmas boss!", she heard from everywhere.
Dylan walked over to her, "Merry Christmas boss! At this time of year it's allowed, isn't it?", he said before giving her three kisses.
"Hey buddy! Control yourself, will you!", Bomber said pretending to be angry as the crew roared with laughter.
Kate grinned, "Well, I'm not going to keep you waiting any longer!", she said and grabbed one of Bomber's big knives and cut the cake. She returned to her seat with her piece of cake and the rest of the crew followed.
Suddenly, Bomber appeared with a large tray and twenty-two small glasses containing rum.
"A tot for everyone!", she announced aloud, which again caused the crew to react with enthusiasm.
"Bomber?", Kate asked warily, accepting a glass.
"Boss, until 1970, the Royal Navy had a tradition of issuing the rum ration to its sailors. I thought that on Christmas night we could reactivate it. It would warm the hearts of our sailors who are away from home".
Kate raised her hand, "Okay, okay, it's Christmas. It's good for once but we're not going to make it a habit!"
When all the glasses were distributed, Bomber sat down next to Kate with a cup of coffee and put her cap on the table. "Time for a pause", she said.
"Becca, your dinner was delicious, as always!", Kate said.
"Thank you boss!", she said and took a sip.
"I'm just wondering what kind of price tag is stuck on it. I gave you my agreement to organise it, but I'm starting to fear the price", Kate said.
"No ma'am, really, you don't have to worry about it. I paid attention to the prices."
"Yeah, okay, but still, quality has a price and I have to explain it to the CO. Okay, it's Mike, but he's still the CO!", Kate replied.
"I already had an idea to work around this problem. I've saved some stuff and before we get back to base, I'll bake him a Christmas cake and add a nice serving of rum to it", she said with a big smile.
"Hmm, you know how to convince him. Men and their stomachs!", said Kate with a grimace.
"And I can enjoy it once again!", her grimace changed into a big smile.
"And… some items …were free!", Bomber replied with a smirk.
Kate raised an eyebrow, "How come?"
"Hmm, maybe I don't want to hear it."
She took a sip.
"Uh… maybe you can tell me. I'm actually too curious", Kate asked with a twinkle in her eyes.
Rebecca gave her a huge grin.
"I went with a few guys to the supply fridge to collect everything we needed for the voyage and for this evening. When I was there, I saw another package with eggs, butter, flour, chocolate powder with the Kingston's name on it. One of our guys pretended to be from the Kingston and took it", Rebecca said.
Kate laughed, "It's not that bad, these things don't cost a fortune. Hmm, Spicy Donger without cake! Great!", she mused.
"He's going to be pissed again", Rebecca said.
"He's always pissed off. Especially now, after he finds out I've been appointed second in command of the base. He's older and feels overwhelmed", Kate said.
"Well, this time…uh… I don't know. By accident, of course, a cardboard box with six bottles of rum landed also in our shopping trolley. Probably, my men didn't see the Kingston's name was also written on it", she said sheepishly.
"Aha! That's why you were so generous with the rum in the cake, and this tot! And you haven't seen it either?", asked Kate.
Rebecca shook her head, "No, honestly. I only saw it when we were aboard".
Kate raised an eyebrow, "Becca, you're a bad liar. I think we better shut up about it", Kate concluded.
They took a sip from their cup of coffee.
"Becca?", Kate started.
"Yes?", Bomber answered.
"Becca, I seriously wonder when you both will finally move on. You can't play this game forever", Kate said.
Rebecca took a deep breath and looked at the tall blond lieutenant who was chatting with some of the crew. "I know", she simply said.
"Why in fact? Is there something holding you back?"
She shrugged, "I don't know. What if… What if it doesn't work? I'm a little scared of that. There is a lot of unknowns."
"If it doesn't work? Look, does it work when you have shore leave? I guess you two are together?", asked Kate.
"Yeah, of course. And it works", she said convinced.
"And I assume you do the standard household chores? Not just going out?"
"Nope. The job has to be done, huh", Bomber said looking at Kate.
"Well, I can assure you it's even more exciting. Have you ever thought about marriage and children?", Kate asked.
"Yeah, we've talked about it a lot, but we have no idea yet", she said unhappily.
"Becca, realise that if you want children, your body clock is ticking. At some point it doesn't work anymore and you'll regret it endlessly. Moreover, young children with parents almost retired is really not the ideal world", advised Kate.
Rebecca blinked and bit her lip. She nodded, "I know, it's just that…", she shrugged, "It sounds quite complex".
"Nah! I can tell you that I had the same thoughts, but once you start, you will automatically go from one thing to another", Kate said to comfort Rebecca.
"Hmm".
"Becca, how long have you been together, huh? For quite some time, right? Cut the cord, not tomorrow but now. Request for a shore posting. With your abilities and being a NCO, there will always be a job ashore at Navcom". Then you're off the ship and you can move on. Mike knows your situation and he will be the last to blame you both".
"Uh-hu", Rebecca smiled faintly, watching Dylan across the table who was joking with the chief engineer.
Kate gave her an evil glance, "You can of course speed it all up. Get stuck on one of the tropical islands with booze on New Year's Eve".
Rebecca whipped her head towards Kate, "Jeez Kate, don't remind me of that night again. I'm still sick just thinking about it!", she said.
"Yeah, it was one hell of a night!", Kate mused.
She looked at the table and saw that Kate's tot was still full. "Don't forget your drink", she said.
"Yeah, indeed, can you give me some coffee?", Kate asked.
"Sure", Rebecca said, grabbing a thermos.
Kate poured a little milk to her coffee then emptied her glass in it. She took her cup, leaned back in her chair, and inhaled the aroma of coffee and rum.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Rebecca staring at blank at the opposite wall with moist eyes.
She's dying inside to start a new chapter of her life, but they have reached deadlock. I tried to convince her and I hope I could help her.
"I need some space. I'm in the bow", mumbled Bomber and left.
Kate frowned as she left. She stood up and patted Dylan's shoulder.
"Yes boss?", he replied.
"Dylan, you better go to the bow. Someone needs you there", she said.
He nodded, "Yeah, okay", he replied.
"Sorry guys, I'll be right back", he told to his colleagues.
He went out and headed for the bow. He saw her leaning against the wall.
"Hey", he said.
"Hi, did you like supper?", she asked faintly.
"It was delicious, as usual", he replied, gently pulling her away from the wall. He wrapped his hands around her waist. He thought he saw tears on her cheeks, but he wasn't sure.
"Merry Christmas, sweetie", he said.
"Merry Christmas to you too, sweetheart", she replied and they kissed.
After the kiss, they remained entwined, looking at the reflection of the moon on the sea.
"In a few days, we're home. Then we can celebrate the New Year", he said, hugging her.
Rebecca nodded, "Yeah, I need it. Just the two of us".
Hours later, Kate was lying in her rack, still awake.
Being stuck on that tropical island.
What a night it was, nine years ago! A night without any memory! This was all caused by one of 2Dads brilliant ideas and the poor geezer never knew the impact it had on both of us!
To be continued