Chapter 14
31st December.
Two days passed without action, no FFV or SIEV was seen and everyone was eager to see what Bomber had cooked again. Although the galley had become a forbidden zone, all those who tried to catch a fleeting glimpse of the preparations were driven out.
Kate put her DPNU jacket on a coat hanger and entered the bathroom to do her hair. She gathered them into a ponytail and looked at the result in the mirror.
Semi-casual or not? Combat boots or my espadrilles? Boots! It's about setting a good example.
She sighed, perfumed herself slightly, tied up her boots and left her cabin to go to the junior sailors' mess.
When she entered the mess (it was the largest room aboard where the entire crew could sit, although a little cramped), she noticed that all the men were there. They were all standing behind their chairs, waiting for their captain. She knew immediately where her seat was, in the middle of the table, Dylan to her right and Harpie to her left. And, of course, the inevitable empty chair next to Dylan. The table was modestly decorated with candles and music was playing in background.
Kate smiled as she saw the joyous faces of her crew.
Well done Becca and Bird. I don't see upset faces.
"Good evening guys. Take a seat", she greeted them.
When everyone was seated, Rebecca, wearing a T-shirt, entered the mess, followed by Bird, also wearing a T-shirt.
"Hi everyone! Well, it's the first time we spend the two holidays at sea, which is very unusual. Our captain asked me to invent something to soften this bad luck and we have something very special for you. Lobster and champagne! But the latter is for New Year.", she announced.
Kate whipped her head towards Rebecca and raised her eyebrows as the crew loudly expressed their enthusiasm.
She poked her head outside and ordered two junior sailors to bring the plates with half a lobster per person, "It's your turn, guys. And don't let them down, or I'll kill you!"
She looked at the crew and said, smiling, "That's why I asked to wear a T-shirt. Eating lobster can stain and it's easier to wash a T-shirt than a white shirt".
"Becca, are you sure you didn't nick the supplies for someone else?", Kate whispered worriedly.
She shook her head, "No ma'am. Absolutely not! There were no names on the containers of lobsters and the crates of champagne in the food warehouse".
"And nobody said anything?"
"No, it was already late and the storekeeper was Petty Officer Jimmy", Rebecca said.
Kate rolled her eyes and shook her head, "Lambkin Jimmy, of course. "
Rebecca frowned, "Is there anything I need to know?"
"No, it's fine, never mind and thank you for the gastronomic surprise", she said smiling.
Mike must have been very hungry when he signed the order for that huge amount of lobsters. They are going to eat them tomorrow and we were able to have some too. Being the commander of a naval base certainly has many advantages.
The atmosphere was very good and everyone enjoyed this extraordinary dinner. Some junior sailors had never eaten lobster before, so it was a real gastronomic experience for them.
A few minutes before midnight, Bomber stood up and clapped her hands, "Guys! I have another surprise. Real champagne! But, one glass per person!", she said sternly.
"Yes Bomb! What are you waiting for?", some of them yelled.
"Give me a minute!", she said and went off with some sailors to get the bottles and glasses. They placed them in the middle of the table and they looked at the clock on the wall.
"Two minutes! One minute fifty-nine!", someone yelled.
Kate looked at them and was happy that her crew were in a good mood. The trick Spicy had played on them was forgotten.
Dylan stood up, took a knife and clinked his glass, "Crew! May I have your attention?"
Everyone turned to him and he looked at Bomber. "Petty officer Brown, how long have we known each other?"
"Uhm…it must have been seven or eight years I think, why?", she asked.
"Well, I think it's time", he said and took a small velvet box out of his pocket. He flipped it open to reveal a ring topped with a diamond, "Rebecca Valery Brown, will you marry me?"
She covered her mouth with her hand and stared at the ring and at him. She swallowed to hold back the tears. "Oh darling! Yes, I will", she croaked.
"Well, come on then", he said and slipped the ring on her finger. She wrapped her arms around his neck and they kissed passionately as the crew yelled excitedly and banged their fists on the table.
Kate looked amused and remembered how far from romantic Mike's proposal was and the complete opposite of what had just happened. It was the goofiest proposal ever. It happened in his cabin, the day after she told him she was pregnant. She could still see him leaning against his desk, serious as if he wanted to give a crew member a dressing down. He had thought back to what she had said the day before and broached the subject of the pregnancy as a decision to intercept a FFV, or to buy a loaf of bread from the local bakery.
He had asked her for a planning, a timing for the wedding after concluding that she was carrying his child. When she had left his cabin, she felt she had struck a deal. There wasn't even ring. Later that night, unable to sleep, she stared at the box spring of the bunk above thinking that her dream of starting a happy family was fading away more and more. This was not what she had dreamed of. Luckily for her, they were now a happy family with a loving, caring son and husband!
"Good huh?"
"Did you know?"
"Huh?", Kate replied absent-minded. She hadn't realised that Rebecca was trying to talk to her.
"Good huh? Did you know about this?", Rebecca asked joyously.
"Oh yes, Of course it's good. It's even great! Congratulations!", Kate replied, hugging her.
"Happy New Year!", someone else yelled.
At the same time, Kate's smartphone buzzed. She saw it was Mike. "Hey darling", she answered his call, leaving the mess.
"Happy New Year honey", he greeted her.
"Happy New Year to you too. How is it over there?", she said.
"Well, actually pretty good . Pete and Nikki also wish you a happy New Year. Pete is telling crazy stories about 2Dads and Spider and Nikki thought we hadn't eaten in a week. But with you, it would have been better. And on your side?", he asked.
"We had a surprise a few minutes ago. Dylan proposed to Rebecca", Kate said.
"Oh? Great! Congratulate them from me, will you?", reacted a surprised Mike.
"Of course, I will".
"How does the crew cope with being at sea for another holiday?"
"Well, Becca organised something for New Year's Eve and the vibe is great", Kate said, responding at the same time to the men who were beckoning strongly to her for a drink.
"It's good to hear that. Well, I'm going to leave you because Nikki wants to clink glasses", he said.
"Here too. Enjoy it!", she said and ended the call.
When she entered the mess, everyone was looking forward to raising a glass. She got the first drink from Bomber. She looked around and waited for the last man to have his.
"So, here we are! We start a new year and we start it with incredible good news, the engagement of Dylan and Rebecca. Congratulations to you both and may this new year be crowned with success, bring you health and avoid injuries! Cheers!", she said, raising her glass before taking a sip.
The next day they spent the day on the beach of a small tropical island. They split up the crew and started with a football match, Dutchy's team against Kate's team. Kate's team lost, but winning wasn't the goal, having fun was the most important. Afterwards, Bird and Bomber took care of a barbecue. When the crew was back aboard and as Kate was reading the latest signals, she heard a knock on her door.
"Come in", she answered and turned around to face the visitor.
It was Dylan and Rebecca, "Hi, can we ask you something?", he began.
"Yeah, sure", she said.
"Well, we know we can't stay aboard together now that we are engaged", he said.
"Yes, that's right. I didn't want to put this in your face sooner", Kate answered.
"I would like to apply for a shore posting. It will be better for us when we want to build a family, you see", Rebecca said.
Kate nodded, "Yes, I understand and what did you had in mind?"
"Whatever, but not the engineering department", she said.
"Okay, I'll talk to Mike about it", Kate replied.
"Thank you", they both said and they left the cabin.
Kate smiled sadly.
It won't be the same without Becca. She always brought a touch of activity aboard. And I had a friend aboard to talk to.
She shrugged her shoulders.
Mike. I'll talk to him about it right now. How was his lunch? He had been looking forward to the lobster for a very, very long time.
She took her smartphone and called him.
"Hey, It's good to hear from you", she heard.
"Hey darling! How're you doing?", she asked happily.
"Hmm, okay", he replied dully and she frowned.
"Huh? What's wrong? You had your famous lobster lunch, didn't you?"
"Lobster? Lobster? You're kidding me, aren't you?"
Kate frowned, "Darling, why should I? You've been talking about the famous lobster lunch for weeks".
"Because there was no lobster! And I don't want to mention that tiny piece of fish on a little square toast as an appetizer!", he grumbled.
Shit! I smell a rat here.
"Ouch, and what did you get instead?", she asked.
"Stupid sardines!".
"Oh…".
She could with difficulty repress a burst of laughter.
"And what did your chef cook for New Year's Eve?", he asked.
"Well uh, we had a barbecue on the beach today", she said, trying to avoid answering the tricky question.
"That's good, but last night? Something had to be done to cheer up the crew, right", he asked.
"Uhm….the food was good", she mumbled.
"Yes, but what?"
"Uhm….. we had ….. lobster…..", she said faintly.
(Silence)
"Are you kidding? You did that deliberately?", he asked irritated.
"No Mike, no! I didn't even know it was lobster", she said.
"What you ate were Black Sea animals with claws that turn red when cooked", he said sarcastically.
Kate rolled her eyes, "Yes of course I know what lobsters are, smart arse! But I guarantee you I didn't know what was on de menu. I ordered them to organise something to cheer the crew up, but they wanted it to be a surprise", she said.
"They? I don't believe your true-hearted Bird is behind this. I'm thinking more of your notorious coxswain. She's the real chef aboard", he grumbled.
Kate had a hard time not laughing again. When it came to his stomach, he could really sulk. "I was already surprised to see that there was also enough for a patrol boat. I thought your stomach got priority when you signed the lobster order".
He grumbled something inaudible.
"Look darling, when I come back, I'll take you out for a lobster dinner, okay?", she said.
"Hmm, okay. I'm going to hold you on that", he said.
"Fine, it's a deal and now I'm going to get myself a brew", she said.
They said goodbye and ended the call.
She headed for the galley to make herself a brew and she saw Rebecca filling her thermos before starting her watch.
"Hey. It was great today, wasn't it?", she said, greeting Kate.
"Yeah, a marvellous day", Kate replied, picking up a mug.
"Did I say something funny? You're smiling", Rebecca asked.
Kate shook her head smiling, "Becca, I don't know how you're going to fix this, but you're making enemies at high speed".
"Huh? What did I do wrong now?", Rebecca asked, frowning.
"Lobsters. Wasn't there something written on the containers?", she asked with her head slightly tilted.
Rebecca shrugged, "Nothing special. Certainly not the name of a ship. HMAS Cairns. That's all. Why?".
"You went and thieve the New Year's lunch from the base officers, including Mike's. He's been talking about it for weeks and now he's completely pissed off. He's just a sulky little boy now", Kate said.
"Ouch! And what did they get?", Rebecca asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Sardines", Kate replied and both roared with laughter.
"The problem is he knows you're behind this. So stay off his radar for the next two weeks. I promised him a lobster dinner to calm things down and after that he'll be reasonable again", Kate said.
To be continued