Chapter 14

The next day passed peaceful.

Kate went to the bridge to ask Dylan if everything was fine.

"You look great", he said looking down at her outfit. Her loose hair hung down over her shoulders and she wore a red top with thin straps, a cream coloured trousers and heeled sandals.

"Thank you! How's the situation here?", she asked him.

"Normal, as usual", he replied, looking at the empty bridge.

"Good. You have my number. Call me if there's something wrong. Even the smallest thing", she asked.

He gave her a wink, "Sure. Have fun with the guys", he assured her.

At 6.00 p.m. the crew gathered around the gangway for their shore leave. They knew Kate was going to join them. As soon as she appeared, she was greeted by a storm of whistles.

"Okay, okay guys, you had your fun now. Now let's go!", she replied out loud.

The crew left the ship joking and chatting.

Buffer took the lead in finding a pub. After peering inside a few, he stopped and waved at the others, "This one looks good. Okay?"

"For me, it's fine as long as they have beer!", squealed 2Dads.

They entered and took their places at the bar. Bomber stayed next to Kate, women together.

Kate addressed the crew, "Guys! I haven't had the opportunity to buy you a drink to celebrate my promotion. So, this round is for me".

The crew cheered and then waved to the bartender to order their drinks.

Kate ordered a glass of white wine, but during the chat she noticed that the bartender had served a glass with a clear yellow liquid and a jug of water to a man at the other end of the bar. The man poured water into the glass and the liquid became opaque.

"What's that? The clear liquid had become opaque!", she wondered.

Pete shrugged, "I don't know ma'am. I like my beer and sometimes wine, but certainly not that kind of thing".

"Hmm" and she waved at the waiter.

"Excusez-moi, mais que boit ce monsieur?" (1), she asked.

"Ah, madame, c'est du Pernod. C'est un alcool anisé, c'est très rafraichissant, madame." (2), he replied.

"Oh? Anise? I want to taste that", Bomber said.

"It's my round now!", Charge announced out loud.

"Ah! For me a Pernod", Kate said.

"For me too", Bomber added.

A few minutes later, the waiter brought the glasses of Pernod and the two women poured the water into them. They took a sip.

"Hmm, that's good. Very refreshing", Kate concluded, looking down at her glass.

"Yeah indeed", Bomber confirmed, taking another sip.

They continued to chat and another round was ordered and the two women again ordered a Pernod.

They were both in the mood when the third Pernod was served.

At the same time, the radio played 'Sailing' performed by Rod Steward.

"Hey, it's about us!", Pete said.

"Normally we sang, well, on sailing ships when there was no television, no radio and no computer games. The majority couldn't even read. I wonder if we can still do that or if we know songs", he said.

"I know one. We all know it, don't we guys? ", Charge said, looking around defiantly.

"Nobody? Well,

What shall we do with a drunken sailor,
What shall we do with a drunken sailor,
What shall we do with a drunken sailor,
Early in the morning?"

The others grinned and followed, including Kate and Bomber.

"What shall we do with a drunken sailor,
What shall we do with a drunken sailor,
What shall we do with a drunken sailor,
Early in the morning?

Put him in the long boat till he's sober,
Put him in the long boat till he's sober,
Put him in the long boat till he's sober,
Early in the morning!"

They finished the song and he looked around, "What did I tell you!"

"I know one. "Bonnie Ship the Diamond", said Pete who began to sing in a deep voice .

"Now the Diamond is a ship, me lads, for the Davis Strait she's bound
And the quay it is all a-garnished with bonnie lasses round
Captain Thompson gives the orders for to sail the ocean wide
Where the sun it never sets, me lads, nor darkness dims the sky…"

"It made me thirsty! Come on, another round", Pete yelled.

"Hey guys what about our national song?", Kate asked after sipping another Pernod. The women were unfortunately unaware of the forty percent alcohol it contained. It was refreshing and tasty, but…. also dangerous. The Pernod had made them tipsy.

"Huh? Which one?", Smithy asked.

"You all know it", she said and started singing Waltzing Matilda.

"Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong,
Under the shade of a coolibah tree,
He sang as he watched and waited 'til his billy boiled
You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me

Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda".

They didn't start singing, but listened to her beautiful voice and then they applauded.

"Kate, did you know you had such a wonderful voice?", Pete asked.

"No. I only sang", she replied.

"Well consider doing more with it. It's amazing", he said.

Before she could reply, Charge barked, "Who still knows 'Don't Forget Your Old Shipmate'?"

"Do you think we don't know?", Kate and Bomber yelled. The Pernod was already working.

A few hours later the crew returned to the ship and all Noumea knew about it. They yelled sea shanties as loud as they could.

"What shall we do with a drunken sailor,
What shall we do with a drunken sailor,
What shall we do with a drunken sailor,
Early in the morning?"

Unfortunately they came across two couples, capitaine de frégate de Lariboisière and his wife as well as the governor of New Caledonia and his wife.

"Lieutenant-Commander McGregor?", said de Lariboisière in surprise.

"Aaah co..commandant. Bobo…bonsoir. We…we enjoyed….your …local drrrrrinks", Kate slurred trying to keep her balance while holding Rebecca who wasn't in a better state.

"Uh… Apparently", replied de Lariboisière not really knowing what else to say.

"Now we're sssssinging. Sea ssssshanties. Want to join us?", she asked.

Then she noticed the governor too, "Ooh sir. Goo…goo…good evening. You have a…wonderful island. Nice….hospita….ta…lity", she said with difficulty.

"Come on Kate, stop swaying, I can't stand upright", Rebecca grumbled, holding her.

De Lariboisière's wife tugged her husband's sleeve, "Viens François-Xavier, ces gens ne sont que des matelots Australiens insignifiants. Nous avons rien à faire avec eux" (3).

Kate frowned, "What? We are just insignificant sailors? Well Madame Dior, sod off with your shitty manners and…", she yelled, but Pete grabbed the two women and got them out to avoid escalating matters.

Aboard RO raised an eyebrow while looking up from his sudoku grid, hearing noise on the quay. "I think our merrymakers are back", he grumbled.

Dylan put his book down and peered through the windscreen to look out onto the quay. "Yeah, that sounds like them arriving".

He stood up and went down.

"Take it easy boys! You're back on the ship!", he said looking at the men.

"Yes sir. Aye sir", they mumbled and headed for their cabins.

He saw Kate and the way she was holding onto the wall to get to her cabin.

"Are you okay?", he asked.

"I'm…. fiiiiiiiiiiine", she managed to say.

"Nooooow, sleeeeeep", she said again with a cheeky smile.

He sighed, "I do believe you. Do you need any help?"

"No no, no no. I'mmmm a biiiiig girl. Yes, yes", she grinned.

"Okay, as you wish", he said and watched her safely enter her cabin. He listened behind the door for a few moments in case there was a sound of falling, but all was silent.

After that, he returned to the bridge, shaking his head.

Kate tossed her handbag on her desk and plopped face down on her bunk. She was asleep before her head even hit the pillow.

The next morning.

"What do you mean? There are no eggs?", Charge said annoyed, leaning on the galley counter.

"Charge, we're in France. So, coffee, croissants, a baguette and jam. And there's some cheese too", Bomber said ruefully.

"And no eggs?", he pouted.

"NO! Sod off and leave me alone!", she moaned sitting on a chair, her head in her hands.

Pete saw the scene and patted Charge on his back, "What's the matter mate? Breakfast issues?"

"There are no eggs for breakfast", he replied.

Pete looked over the counter at the little pile of misery that was supposed to be Bomber.

He looked at Charge, "Hmm, I think that Mr Pernod has consumed your eggs, buddy. Be already happy if you have something to eat for lunch", he said grabbing some croissants.

Charge walked away muttering.

At the bridge Dylan stretched his tired limbs.

Smithy watched him as he entered the bridge, "Sir, are you still here? All night long?"

Dylan rubbed his neck, "Yeah, I did two watches to allow some of the crew to rest after last night's party. We have to leave the port without damage, you see".

"Hmm, yes. Apart from the singing, we didn't exaggerate. Noisy, yes. Although some….", his voice trailed off seeing who had entered the bridge.

Dylan looked in the same direction. "Good morning boss!", he greeted her joyously, seeing that she was wearing her white uniform with her sandals.

"Hmm", was the only thing Kate said. She shuffled towards the captain's chair with sunglasses on her nose.

Dylan came up to her, "Are you okay? We already have our sailing orders. We can leave at 10 a.m.", he said.

She raised her left hand as protection between them, "Dylan, stop yelling! Are you angry about something?"

"No, I'm not yelling, I'm just asking".

"You're still yelling. Please stop. My head is bursting", she whispered.

"What happened yesterday?", he asked. He wanted to know what she remembered.

"Uhm… we had a good time in that pub singing. And I tasted something new, Pernod. Very good taste and refreshing. I didn't drink much, but then…. I don't know. I woke up this morning with a terrible headache and I was still fully dressed. I even still had my shoes", she said unhappily.

"How much did you drink? And was that the only kind of drink?", he asked worried.

"Uhm.. Pfft. I started with a wine. How much? I think two, three? Dunno…".

Dylan shook his head, "Boss, you must avoid that poison. It contains forty percent of alcohol. It knocks you unconscious in no time. I saw it happen on my previous ship".

Kate looked at him sadly, however it was very difficult to see her eyes behind the dark glasses.

"Please, don't make it worse", she mumbled.

"Maybe a good cup of coffee and a croissant will work a miracle", he suggested, gently placing his hand on her shoulder..

"Stop, stop. Stop talking about food. Please", she moaned.

"Hmm, you know what? I'll get you some painkillers. Hang on a moment, please", he said and turned around to go the sick bay.

"I'm not going anyway", she mumbled.

When he entered the sick bay, he saw Bomber lying on the bunk, one arm over her eyes.

"Self service", she mumbled, weakly pointing to an open box of painkillers .

He chuckled, "Zombie number two. Pernod's fault I guess", he said.

Bomber moaned, "Ooh, don't laugh at me. Take what you need and leave me alone".

He smiled at her, took two tablets and came out as RO entered.

"Self service", she mumbled again, hearing someone in the room.

"Becca, it's just me. How are you?", RO whispered.

She looked at him from under her arm, "Oh Rob. You have no idea, really! That French drink is a real poison. Stay away from it", she said softly.

He took her hand and squeezed it gently, "Good to know. Did you take something?"

"Yes, I did, but it doesn't help much".

"Drink some water".

"I did that too".

"If there's anything I can do for you?", he asked.

She smiled weakly at him and also squeezed his hand, "I will do it. You're a sweetie".

"Well, I have to go and take care of you", he said and left.

Meanwhile, Dylan headed for the galley to get Kate a glass of water and some breakfast for him. There he met Buffer.

"Good morning sir!", Pete greeted him enthusiastically.

"'Morning Buffer. Looks like you aren't suffering from Pernod, do you?", Dylan asked.

"Nope sir. It's really crap, not for me. I prefer a beer", he said smiling.

"How did it go?", Dylan asked.

"Fine. We sang sea shanties. And I can tell you, the boss has a golden voice. She sang Waltzing Matilda. Amazing, really. We really wondered what she was doing here. There's a real future for her in musicals", Pete said.

"Damn, I missed that. What a pity", Dylan replied.

Pete grimaced, "It went well until…".

Dylan frowned worriedly, "Until what?"

"Well, we encountered that French naval commander and the governor with their wives. Kate wanted him to sing too, but the French commander's wife said we were just insignificant sailors and Ka… the boss started yelling. I got her out of there quickly", Pete said.

Dylan pinched the bridge of his nose, "Oh shit! Just those two. And next?"

"Oh, nothing. We got back to the ship", Pete said.

Dylan sighed, "Okay Pete, thanks for telling me".

"With pleasure, sir", Pete said and walked away.

Dylan filled his mug and grabbed a croissant.

Damn! When it's not a French flag it's a drunken commander insulting local officers. Great! Very great! Jeez Kate, why don't you know your own limits? I wonder whether this will backfire on us.

I've to ask her if she remembers anything. If not, I have to tell her.

At the bridge he gave her the glass and the painkillers, "Here boss, that will help".

Kate eagerly accepted the pills and swallowed them with a sip of water, "Thank you", she whispered.

"What time, can we leave?", she asked faintly.

"At 10 a.m. You know, with the official greetings on deck. And that's in an hour", he said, looking at his watch.

"Ooh", she moaned, "Do you have the charts? Any tide information?"

"Yes, everything is ready. No worries", he said.

"Good. See that everyone who are free from duty put on their whites and line up on deck. So do you", she said, standing up.

"Ok ma'am", he said, grabbing the microphone to give the order.

He saw Pete and winked at him.

"Buffer, leave Bomber in the sick bay. She's useless at the moment and we want food for lunch. If you catch my drift".

Pete grinned, "Message understood, loud and clear!".

The departure of HMAS Hammersley went smoothly. Kate and Dylan stood on the bridge wing saluting the French officials while Pete piped up the greetings.

Dylan could see out the corner of his eyes that she was doing her best to stay upright. After the ceremony, she looked at him. "Nav, I'm in my cabin. Call me in case of emergency".

"Yes ma'am", he said and she turned around to leave the bridge.

"Navigator has to ship!", he announced.

Kate branched off to the sick bay to find Bomber still laying there on the bunk. She saw the box of painkillers, took two and went to her cabin. There she threw her hat on her desk, took off her sandals off and threw them in a corner. She swallowed the pills with some water from the bottle that was on her desk and she lay down on her bunk, closing her eyes.

(1) Excuse me, but what is this gentleman drinking?

(2) Ah madam, it's Pernod. It's an aniseed alcohol, it's very refreshing, madam.

(3) Come on François-Xavier, these people are just insignificant Australian sailors. We have nothing to do with them.

To be continued