Chapter 23
Maddie looked at her mother in disbelief, "Oh shit mum! Such a baseball bat blown on the head! It's a miracle you are still alive".
"Well, that's all I remember. It all happened so fast".
"What happened next?", she asked.
"When I opened my eyes, I was in a semi-dark room. I remember having a terrible headache. When I touched my head, I felt a bandage. I tried to sit up, but I couldn't. Everything was spinning and I felt so dizzy and nauseous. I dozed off and when I woke up again, I saw an unknown person who told me that everything was going to be fine. It was crap. When people tell you that everything will be fine it means you're in trouble. A second face appeared a little later and it was a doctor. He told me I had a concussion and had been unconscious for a few minutes", said Kate who noticed that Maddie's eyes were widening every second.
"The same day, I think it was the same day because everything was so blurry, I saw Aunt Max. From her I heard the rest of the story. That bugger hit me and I fell with my head on a steel edge of the boat causing the scar above my eyebrow. From what I heard from the others, bit by bit, Dad had grabbed that bugger by the throat and pinned him against the doorframe. He was out at once. The other one was taken out by Uncle Pete. He shot him, but he survived."
"Pfft, my God, what a story. Better have Dad as a friend and not to make him angry", Maddie said.
"Dad wasn't there when you woke up?"
"No, they were at sea. Aunt Nikki acting as commander and Dad as XO. A few days later, they were back", Kate said.
They reached a bar with a terrace that overlooked the sea and sat down.
The waiter walked up to them, "Ladies?"
"A grape juice", Kate ordered.
"Yeah, the same for me", Maddie said.
She looked at her watch after the man returned to the bar, "Nah, too early for beer or wine. We must not exaggerate, must we?"
Kate chuckled, "No, you're right".
"Hmm, mum, can we have chicken tonight? It's been ages since I've had it. With rice and curry sauce", Maddie asked.
"Chicken? Hmm, yes, why not. So we'll go get one from Coles", Kate said.
"Did you catch the other FFVs?", Maddie asked.
"Yeah, they found the coordinates of the other meeting points in the wheelhouse. I was told it was a piece of cake", Kate said.
"Wow, that's great! How did Navcom react?", Maddie asked.
"All of a sudden we had become famous. What do you believe? Rounded up an entire fishing fleet. They got compliments, but I didn't. Because of the blow received, I was not with them at that time".
"Oh, that sucks", Maddie replied disappointed.
"Initially yes because I really needed some good feedback, but in the end, everyone knew about it. I became the famous hunter of FFVs", Kate laughed.
"Okay, and did you go straight back to work?"
"No, I was on sick leave and the Hammersley had a long shore leave", Kate said.
"Well, so you and Dad were able to do something together, right? I mean, when did you really date? You had a few chances and every time you screw them up", Maddie asked.
Before Kate could answer, a deep voice interrupted them.
"Hi ma'am, miss".
Kate looked up, "Hey George, how are you?"
"As well as you can see ma'am. What a day off can do. Build some reserve up before the old Hammersley comes in again with another defect", he said.
Kate frowned and sighed, "Yeah, I know better than anyone! I wish I could have purchased new ones by myself!".
"I know, no worries, ol' George will fix't 'gain! See ya ladies!", George grinned and walked away.
"Who's he? And what does he mean about defects?", Maddie asked.
"He's Lieutenant Commander George Anderson. He's the head of the technical department. If you want something fixed quickly, you have to be friends with him", Kate said.
Maddie looked at him, "Hmm, he doesn't look like an officer and neither does the way he talks".
"He's not an ADFA man if that's what you mean. He worked his way up. He started a long time ago as a sailor in the engine room. Engines are his whole life", Kate said.
"Okay! That's good to know", Maddie grinned.
"But what did he mean about those defects?", she asked.
Kate sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. "The Armidale patrol boats are already twenty-five years old and several parts are breaking down. We need new ones, but there's no budget for that. At least we could get a makeover, but, even for that, the Brass pays lip service to me. The budget goes to frigates, submarines, assault ships and us at the bottom of the list. But let's not complain, the mine sweepers are still after us. They are real floating museum pieces. Every time Dad comes back from a patrol with something broken, I'm the scapegoat", she sighed.
"And your position is not high enough to do something about?", Maddie asked.
"I'm afraid not. I'm persuaded that McGregor is high on the naggers blacklist".
The matter of Kate's first real date was forgotten and they discussed the ship defects situation. They paid for the drinks, went to Coles to buy a chicken and went home.
After dinner, Maddie refilled the glasses and took a sip.
"How did you cope after the accident? And what happened on your first successful date with Dad?"
Kate rolled her eyes and took a sip, "I was stuck at home, doing nothing while my ship was at sea".
Flashback
Kate woke up and went to rub her face in the bathroom. She looked at herself in the mirror and grimaced.
A scar! Just above my right eyebrow, awfully pink and clearly visible to everyone. Great! Marvellous!
With a grumble she turned away from the mirror and headed for her bedroom. She opened the window and looked at the small garden bathed in sunlight. She looked at the bright sky and smiled faintly.
It's been a few days that I can look in bright light again without feeling a slight headache. Maybe, I can consider the concussion over. I can count myself lucky. Such a blow from a baseball bat can be deadly. They say I have to take it easy. But, if there's one thing I really can't do, it's take it easy! I'll run again. Not too long. Just a test to see how my head reacts. If all goes well, I can start making plans again.
She put on her running gear and went for a little jogging.
Thirty minutes later, she was back, sweating.
Pffft, that was harder than I thought. I'm rather unfit at the moment, but the good thing is that I don't have a headache anymore. Tomorrow I start again but this time a little further.
She checked the postbox, but there was only an invoice from the water company.
Kate had a good shower and went downstairs to have breakfast.
Sipping her coffee, she looked dreamily outside.
What else am I going to do today? I've already cleaned the whole house and Cairns isn't that big to spend more days there. Another week of sick leave. Maybe I'll take the car and explore the other cities around Cairns?
Hammersley?
She stood up, took her smartphone and dialled Navcom.
"Maxine White speaking", she heard on the other end of the line.
"Hey Max, it's me, Kate", she greeted her friend.
"Hey Kate, the Hammersley is fine. No worries", Maxine answered plainly.
Kate frowned, "Hey, how did you know what I was going to ask?"
"Kate, you call me every day, sometimes twice, with the same question. So…", Maxine replied.
Kate bit her lip, "Yeah, I know, sorry Max. But, I'm here doing nothing while they're at sea. It's boring, you know".
Maxine chuckled, "Yeah, knowing you, I understand. You know what? We're going to have lunch together at Charlie's. What do you think?"
"Oh? Great! I'll be there. 12:30?", Kate replied.
"I'll be there", Maxine answered and they ended the call.
Kate sat on the terrace of Charlie's waiting for Maxine. From time to time, she sipped her glass of wine and looked at her watch. She frowned slightly knowing that being late was nothing to Maxine. Finally she saw the blond-haired officer arrive in her white uniform exceptionally wearing a skirt. A skirt! A smile crept over Kate's lips.
Maxine sighed as she sat down, "Sorry Kate, just when that I wanted to leave, someone insisted on talking to me".
"Hey Max, no worries. I was enjoying my glass of wine, so. But what happened to you? You finally dare to show your legs!", Kate said with a smirk.
Maxine looked daggers at her, "Don't even think about it Princess Perfect! I have four trousers, unfortunately two of them are in the laundry basket at the same time, I have to do a little repair on the third and I spilled orange juice on the last one this morning. So, I had no choice.".
"A glass of Chardonnay, please", she asked the waiter.
"Well Max, it suits you, really. I just wonder why you didn't do it sooner", Kate replied.
Maxine rolled her eyes, "What do you think? Image, Kate, image! A woman who leads a man's world needs a strong image, that's all".
"Okay", Kate replied, her eyes sparkling and her eyebrows half-raised.
Maxine narrowed her eyes, "No, no, no. I can read it in your eyes. I set a precedent, didn't I?", Maxine asked suspiciously.
"I don't know", Kate replied with a broad smile.
"You're mean! Really! By the way, have you ordered anything yet?"
"Nope. I was waiting for you. I'm going to have a tuna sandwich", Kate said.
"Hmm, and me something with goat cheese", Maxine said.
They placed their orders with the waiter and sipped their glass of wine.
"You look relaxed", Maxine said, looking at Kate in a fluffy dress, cream-coloured heeled mules and her legs crossed.
"I would have liked to be, but I can't, knowing that my ship and my crew are at sea without me", Kate replied a little annoyed.
"You don't have to worry Kate. I know what I'm doing. Nikki and Dylan need practise to be CO and XO. I sent them to an area where almost no trouble is to be expected. They can only complain about boredom", Maxine said.
Kate grimaced, "Okay, if you say so".
In the meanwhile the waiter had brought them their sandwiches and they started to eat.
"Hmm, there are walnuts and honey in. Delicious! It's a marvellous idea!", Maxine said.
"Max", Kate said.
"Hmm", Maxine mumbled with the mouth full.
"Mind the sauce", Kate said, raising one eyebrow.
"Huh?", she mumbled looking at her skirt.
"Shiiiit!", she cursed as she put her sandwich down and started rubbing her skirt with the napkin. "Bloody, sticky honey! What a damn stupid idea to put honey in a sandwich!".
She looked desperately at Kate who displayed an innocent face.
Irritated she shook her head, "I know what to do tonight!". Maxine sighed, took a sip of wine and continued to eat the sandwich.
When she was done, she wiped her mouth with the napkin, "Kate, how is it going with Dylan?"
Kate drained her glass and put it down, "We're in a relationship", she said plainly.
Maxine narrowed her eyes, "Kate, that doesn't match. Normally when someone says that sentence there is always joy, but here it's missing. What's going on Kate?"
"Nothing Max, nothing".
"Come on! Isn't he kind to you?"
"Yes, on the contrary. He would do anything for me".
"Do you love him and does he love you?"
"Yes, absolutely".
"Kate, what's going on then?"
"That's what I just told you Max, nothing. Absolutely nothing happened!"
"Hmm, what do you…mean….actually?", Maxine asked concerned.
Kate shrugged, "Well, he's kind, he takes care for me, even too much. Let's say, he's overprotective. But we haven't yet….dated….together. You see?", she said hesitantly.
"So, you didn't fuck. That's it", Maxine blurted out.
Kate rolled her eyes, "Jeez, Max. Are you related to Nikki? She asked me exactly the same thing, but with a different verb!
"Hmm, that's right? Oh. Uhm, can't he….?", Maxine asked with puppy eyes.
"Ho! Wait a second! I'll explain. You said I had to take the lead because of our rank differences. Well, I did. I dressed up and went to his house to prepare a candlelight dinner. But everything went wrong. Firstly, I splashed myself with sauce and had to borrow him a shirt I was swimming in. So, sexy outfit gone. Secondly, he tripped over a cushion, screwing up the romantic moment. Thirdly, the next morning I thought to get him a nice breakfast with pancakes, I managed to drop something into pancake dough and was splashed from head to toe. I can't call that a successful date!", Kate said unhappily and felt even more desperate when she saw Maxine roared with laughter.
"Oh my God, oh my God! This is hilarious. This can't be true", she stammered wiping her eyes.
"And since the accident aboard he treats me like a china doll", she pouted.
"Kate, Kate, Kate, You'd better keep your mouth shut about it otherwise the whole Navy from Darwin to Melbourne will find out and you'll be famous", Maxine said with a smile.
"Max, you are really not helping!", Kate said giving her her worst CO look.
"Kate, no worries! He's crazy about you, just be patient", she said.
Kate shrugged, "You're probably right".
"Remember my words, Kate", Maxine said raising her glass.
To be continued