Chapter 4
Flashback to the last patrol
With a sigh, Kate put the mug back on the table, grabbed a pen, and started with the first file.
Three hours later, she put the last file on the pile of completed documents and smiled, satisfied.
She looked at the clock on the wall and closed her eyes.
Damn it! Already so late. Now, I don't even have time to go home before the pub.
She quickly headed for her cabin, entered and undressed . She had a quick shower, dried off and left her bathroom.
If anyone pops up now, he will get an eyeful. I'm naked!
Kate opened the locker, took some underwear and put them on. She grabbed her sea bag and almost tossed her belongings in.
Making a face she pulled out a hanger with a skirt and a blouse.
I wanted to put on a dress for his goodbye drink, but it's the only thing I have here that's a little dressy. The other clothes are too casual.
She put on the clothes and slipped her feet into a pair of slingback heels. She closed the sea bag, grabbed her handbag, her car keys and left.
Maybe, there's leftover food in the galley? I'm starving.
A disappointed Kate put her sea bag in the boot of the car and got behind the wheel.
Damn, not even leftover food in the galley!
She drove to the pub and parked the car nearby. When she entered the pub, she was greeted loudly and enthusiastically by the crew.
"Hey guys!", she greeted them back.
Mike saw her and went to her with a radiant smile," Aah! Here's my favourite XO! What do you want to drink?", he asked her.
"White wine, please. And haven't you forgotten anything?", she asked him.
"Uh?"
"The paperwork!", she reminded him.
"Aaaah! Well, forgotten. Captain's privilege, huh?", he replied, leaving her irritated as he headed for to the bar to get her a drink.
"Here you go. Are you still mad at me?", he asked, handing her the drink.
She made a face, "No Mike. I can't go on being angry. The work is done"
"Thanks Kate. Enjoy the evening now. No worries", he said carefree and turned to face someone from the base who patted him on the shoulder to greet him.
Kate took a sip.
Kate, be careful. Fasting alcohol attracts serious trouble. Go get something to eat!
She slipped through the men to the bar and waited for the bartender to give her his attention, "Yes?"
"Do you have something to eat? A sandwich? A French toast?", she asked.
"No, love, only beverages. A bag of crisps is the only thing I can give you", he said.
Damn!
"Okay, give me one please".
When she had almost finished eating the crisps, she took her glass.
Take it easy, Kate. Small sips!
While talking with several crew members Kate emptied her glass. In no time, someone offered her a second drink that she half-emptied until she realised what she was doing.
Gosh, it's my second and I'm already halfway through. Stop it. You are already starting to feel it !
She continued to speak with the others present, holding her glass without drinking, but then the inevitable happened.
"Shots for everyone! For the best captain ever!", 2Dads yelled, carrying a large tray of tequila.
"Here X", he said, handing her the tray.
"Thank you", Kate said, taking a glass.
She was unfortunately standing in the front row, so she couldn't get rid of the drink. 2Dads raised his glass, "Cheers boss!" he yelled and everyone drank the tequila in one gulp. So did Kate. Not doing so would have been considered an insult.
She felt hopeless.
That's bad timing!
"Guava mojo!", Charge yelled.
A moment later, a guava mojo was put in her hand.
Oh no, I'll pay for that. I know it because I already feel dizzy.
With a sigh, she took a sip from the straw and continued talking.
The second round of shots passed and Kate drank without thinking.
The alcohol on her empty stomach worked twice as fast and she didn't realise she was drunk.
"Hey guys, sorry I'm late", she heard a well-known voice say and her face beamed.
She quickly turned around and smiled broadly, "Dylan!"
"Hey Kate, how are you?", he said.
"Oh, I'm fine! We have party here for Mike. It was his last patrol and now he has resumed his shore posting. And you? How are you? Did your training go well? Are you here on holidays or are you posted back here or did Mike invite you too?", she jabbered.
He smiled at her and gently squeezed her arm.
Kate, you are in a very advanced state with the booze. I hope you realise that.
"I'm back here Kate, I'll explain everything to you. But first, I'm going to greet Mike and the others", he said.
"Come back soon!", Kate said, taking another sip.
She saw Bird walking towards her.
"Hey Kate, great party huh?", Bird said, with a guava mojo in her hand.
"Yeah, wonderful", Kate answered with a furred tongue.
"Fantastic, I feel great. I want to sing and dance and go crazy!", Bird said in a loud and extremely powerful voice because the alcohol had already done its effect on her too.
Suddenly the bar owner announced that the karaoke event was starting. A few volunteers from other groups tried to perform a song in spite of loud comments from the Hammersley crew. Meanwhile Kate was in the mood. She yelled as loud as the others. The first of the crew was 2Dads who performed an awful version of "My Way".
"Hey guys, am I not the new Sinatra?", 2Dads asked with a smirk.
"Can I remove my earplugs now?", Kate asked.
"Uh? Was it that bad?", he asked still smirking.
"You really wouldn't want to know that!", she said convincingly.
"Oh ma'am, do you really mean you can do better?" , he challenged her.
"Sure! I'll show you that I can do better!" , she said determinedly, heading for the DJ.
"Yes! I won!", 2Dads triumphed.
Dylan shook his head unobtrusively.
I don't know what happened, but I don't know her like that. She will be embarrassed when she finds out tomorrow. Unfortunately, it was too late to stop her.
He glanced at Mike who was smiling when he saw her on the podium.
You look like having fun!
Kate had chosen the song "Wake me up before you go go" performed by George Michael and the band "Wham!".
The crew started yelling but soon they stopped one after another hearing Kate's voice. They were surprised to see her on the podium and to hear her sing so well.
At the end of the performance there was a thunderous applause.
"Here you must be thirsty," Charge said offering her a fresh guava mojo.
"Great song ma'am! Beautiful voice! Another one!" She heard from all sides.
"Yeah, I'm sure!" She said enthusiastically and she rushed to the podium again.
They all listened to Kate's song"Getting to Know You" from the musical "The King and I".
Bird joined her, "X, let's sing something together!" and little later, they both were yelling "Fire" a song by the band "The Pointer Sisters".
A little later, the bar owner took place on the podium to make an announcement on the microphone.
"Dear guests, I ask you to welcome a famous Arab duo who will show us a magnificent belly dance performance! Applaud them!"
The man left the podium and two ladies came up and performed their dance.
The crew was enthusiastic and yelled and whistled.
"It can only be done by women from that region! None of our women are capable of doing that", Charge stated.
Kate heard the statement. "What? And why are you saying that?", she asked fiercely.
"Ma'am our women are not flexible enough, they just can't."
"Charge! Are you saying we are not flexible? That we are rigid?", she challenged him, narrowing her eyes.
"Yeah. That's how it is. It's specific to these women. I've never seen any of ours do that. They just can't," he said, persuaded.
"Wait! Wait a minute! And you are going to change your mind!", said Kate determined.
She took off her shoes, pulled up her blouse and tied it under her chest then folded down the waistband of her skirt. The moment she wanted to climb onto the table, 2Dads hung a fabric flower necklace around her neck. He had probably borrowed it from the dancers.
Dylan cursed himself silently for arriving too late to stop her, Charge for saying something stupid to challenge Kate and Mike for doing nothing but smiling.
All he could do was watch her swing her hips to the beat of the music.
When the music stopped, Dylan reached out his arms to take her, "Come on X, I'll help you down before you fall off that tiny table!"
On the ground Kate lost her balance and fell into his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him on the mouth. "Oh Dylan, I love you!", she said.
The crew roared of laughter, except Mike who looked like he had eaten something dodgy. Dylan noticed it too.
Things are not going well. What else is she going to say? Either way, she's making a fool of herself. It's time to get out of here!
"Come on Kate, I think it's time to go. I'll take you home", he told her.
Kate leaned completely against his chest.
"Huh?", she mumbled.
"Yes, I'll take you home. Take your shoes and handbag and let's go", he told her.
"Hmm, yes, at home! Then we can finally eat something or I'll be drunk and then after that, after…we could do something funny in the bedroom", she slurred causing the crew roared of laughter again.
Mike looked daggers at them and took a step forward which was barely noticed.
She put on her shoes, grabbed her handbag and stumbled out, leaning heavily against Dylan.
"See you soon guys!", he said to the crew.
Outside she took a deep breath and rested her head on his shoulder, "It feels so good!", she mumbled.
"Yeah, probably", he said holding his arm around her.
It feels good, even if I expected it but in other circumstances….
"Here's my car", he said arriving in front of his convertible.
"Hey, it's not mine", she stammered.
"Kate, you can't drive like that. You're drunk and you can't barely stand up", he said.
"I've to eat and then it will be fine", she slurred.
He unlocked the car and helped her to get in. Then he drove to her house. Once there he helped her to get out of the car and opened the front door with her key as she leaned against the wall.
"Okay, we can get in", he said, gently pushing her inside.
Kate mumbled something and padded inside. She took off her shoes and headed for the kitchen. He followed her. She opened the fridge and slammed the door.
"Damn! I had to go to the su..supermarket. It's e...empty", she said with difficultly.
Kate turned around, bumped into the cupboard and opened a door.
"Here, a saus..sausage", she mumbled, grabbing it. Then she pulled out a knife from a drawer and a wooden board.
Dylan quickly took the knife back, "Sorry Kate, I'll do it for you. I don't want you cutting your fingers".
She looked at him indignantly, "Hey! I…I always know wha..what I'mmmm doing, oooooh", she muttered, but she lost her balance and fell on her bottom.
"Kate!", he exclaimed worriedly.
"Huh?", she mumbled confused.
"Oh my God, I'm drunk as a lord", Kate mumbled leaning against the cupboard.
He grinned at her, cutting the sausage, "Just stay put. That's the safest position for you now".
He sat down next to her offering her the wooden board with the cut slices, "Here you go".
Kate took a few slices which she ate and so did he.
"Oh wait, I've to pee", Kate said faintly, trying to get up, but it didn't work.
He stood up and helped her. He led her to the toilet and waited outside.
She stumbled as she got out, spreading her hair from her face.
"I…I'm dog ….tired. I'm going to sleep."
"Kate, I'll stay here. I'm not going to leave you like this. Just in case, you know", he said determinately.
"It's okay…. Just sleep", she mumbled.
"All right, come", he said gently and led her to the bedroom. He quickly folded the sheets back and she sat on her bed, half asleep.
He laid her down and covered her.
"Sleep well", he whispered.
"Uh-hu", was the only thing she answered before she fell asleep.
He returned to the living room, took off his shoes and lay down on the couch. He set the alarm clock on his smartphone and stared at the dark ceiling for a moment.
My first day back in Cairns. I still expected it to be different. I wanted to catch up with Kate, but I didn't plan it that way.
I feel bad for her, because tomorrow she's going to have a hell of a hangover! And she is going to feel terribly embarrassed.
End of Flashback
To be continued