Tain't What You Do

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

I carried my steaming mug of coffee into the mess. The quiet room was bliss after the bustle of the breakfast rush. Who’d have thought twenty-odd people could make so much noise? At least it was a happy noise, they all seemed satisfied with the food. We’d only had one complaint since we updated the menu. George told me that Macca would complain at a Michelin-star restaurant, so I’d tried not to take his criticism to heart. I stretched my neck side to side, releasing the tension, then sipped the sweetened brew.

“Hits the spot.” George placed his mug down as he sat opposite me. His boots bumped mine under the table, sending my heart skittering. I tucked my feet under my chair as he slid further along the bench seat then pulled my heart back into my chest.

“How do you like working here? Better than the frigate?” George asked.

“The change isn’t quite as good as a holiday, but I’m enjoying it. It’s more intimate.” George caught my eye, and I looked away. “I mean, it’s nice to actually know all the crew and there’s a tenth of the dishes,” I blurted. “How about you?”

“I didn’t mind cooking for 200 when I worked the big ships but I love the mateship here.” George leant back, slinging his arm over the back of his seat.

The mateship had been strong on the frigate. All those boys had stuck together, covering up for one of their own. I’d never have snuck into his bunk if he hadn’t invited me. And I’d definitely never have done it if I’d known what he’d planned.

I sipped my coffee, glancing over the rim of the mug at George, his six-foot-five frame stretched out before me. Relaxed and confident. God that was attractive. And those arms. Nope. Not going there. Not even in my imagination. Maybe just for a moment.

“I was hoping to find you two in here.” The CO took a seat at the end of the table.

I flinched as the words brought me back from a daydream, sloshing some coffee around my mouth. I placed the cup down, wiping my top lip with the back of my hand.

George nodded. “Ma’am.”

“Morning Ma’am.” I sat up straighter.

“You seem to be settling in well, Annie.”

“I’m finding my way around the galley but I’m still trying to match up everyone with their nicknames.”

“Some of them don’t seem to make any sense. You’ll figure them out soon enough.” She smiled. “I’ll get straight to the point. I’d like to ask you both about your goals for this year. I’ve been tasked to nominate a cook for the next deployment. I know you’re both working towards your Leading Seaman promotions and a deployment would speed that along. I think you’d do well, George, but Annie, I haven’t worked with you long enough to make a fair judgement call. If either of you don’t want to deploy, that would make my decision easier.”

“I’m keen to deploy, Ma’am,” George said.

“I’m definitely interested in anything that would help further my career. Of course, I’m happy to serve in whatever way the Navy needs me.” I smiled. She might know George better but there are three times as many men on this boat as women and so many years of sexism to make up for. We women need to have each other’s backs. I still had to prove I was competent, but the odds were in my favour.

“I’m glad you both have such a great attitude but that doesn’t make it easier for me.” The CO stood. “I have a few months to let them know, so I’ll keep an eye on you both and make my decision then. I’ll let you enjoy the rest of your break in peace. There’s little enough of that around here.” She nodded at each of us and left the room.

I ducked my head to hide my grin from George. Now would be the perfect time for me to deploy. The frequent weeks at sea put enough pressure on relationships but the long separations were even harder. I had nobody to leave behind, no one to miss me. This deployment was mine so long as I didn’t screw up completely.

***

I GRABBED THE BUCKET of vegetable scraps. “I’m gonna feed the fish.” The bucket was only half full but I needed some breathing room. The more time I spent working with George, the smaller the galley seemed. We’d only been working together for three days, but I’d become hyper-aware of his every move to avoid bumping into him. Not because I was scared of another mess on the floor. I was afraid of another mess in my heart. I was still cleaning up broken pieces. No boys on boats. Never again.

George looked up. “No worries.”

Bucket swinging by my side, I headed up the corridor to the bridge to request access to the deck. We couldn’t just go wandering wherever we liked at the crack of dawn. The Commanding Officer, or whoever was in charge of the ship this watch, needed to know where everyone was. Part of it was following the chain of command but there was also a risk of falling overboard. If that happened, you wanted someone to notice you were missing as soon as possible.

Permission was granted and I traversed the narrow walkways to the stern. I leant against the railing and dumped the bucket’s contents into the water. The scraps splashed and then sunk out of sight. The sun hung low in the morning sky, the natural light a pleasure after hours inside. Endless blue in every direction. Cloudless sky blended into undulating ocean. The warm salty breeze tickled my cheeks. I revelled in that moment alone.

Why was I letting George get under my skin? The Navy had taught me discipline as well as how to cook. I needed to stay professional. I could chop, sauté and boil while keeping the steamy thoughts at bay.

George was separating a string of sausages and flinging them onto the hot grill when I returned.

“What’s left to do?” I put the scrap bucket away.

“The eggs and the baked beans.”

I picked up a carton of eggs. “God knows why we serve eggs and beans in such confined quarters.”

“Tell me about it. At least you don’t need to share a bunk with Coxy. Doesn’t matter what we serve—”

“What’s wrong with bunking with me?” Nathan, the coxswain, sidled into the galley and reached for the coffee pot.

“Nothing mate. Just that I reckon you might float off like a zeppelin one of these nights.”

“Shudup, Shorty. You can’t talk.”

“That all you got?” George nudged Nathan with his elbow.

“I need a brew before I can come up with a better comeback than that. Shove over.” Nathan made himself a coffee. “Want me to make you one Flipper?”

“What about me?” George crossed his arms and glared at Nathan.

“You’re ugly enough to make your own.” Nathan shoved George back.

I smiled at the boy’s banter. “Thanks, but I don’t have time now to drink coffee. I’ll get one later.” I cracked egg after egg into the mixing bowl, beating them into submission.

Nathan leant against the bench, sipping his coffee. “So why you called Flipper, anyway?”

“You tell me. I introduced myself as Annie.”

Nathan shrugged. “Robbo told us. He’s mates with one of the guys from your last ship.”

Here’s hoping my nickname was the only gossip he’d spread. “It started back in recruits. Someone took this.” I pointed to my name embroidered on my shirt. “And thought Serafin sounded like dolphin.”

Nathan nodded. “Flipper.”

The iconic 1960s Aussie TV series was way before all our time but everyone knew the star of the show, Flipper the dolphin.

“What else did Robbo have to say?” I feigned nonchalance but my words come out slightly strained.

Nathan and George glanced at each other, then looked away.

“Nothing much,” Nathan said.

Crap. I was hoping for a clean start after the mess I left behind. I could only pray that they hadn’t actually seen the photo.