Kate walked passed the ships office, they were docked in Noumea in the French province of New Caledonia, assisting with the clear up after the recent cyclones that swept across the region. Poking her head round the door of the ships office. Seeing Mike sat at the computer looking puzzled at the latest details from NAVCOM.
"you coming for a drink Sir" she smiled
"sorry X paperwork" he half smiled "I will try and get over later if I can"
"well you know what they say, All work and no play..."
Mike laughed "well I am sure Maxine will be happy that that is my excuse"
Kate turned to leave "well I guess I will see you later" she was slightly deflated that he wasnt joining them. Usually they could sneak out and find somewhere more quiet than where the rest of the crew were being loud. Walking over the gangway the crew that were on leave were waiting chatting amongst themselves.
"X!" dutchy called looking over as she walked towards them. "the boss not coming?" he asked
"no up to his eyeballs in paperwork" she half smiled
"the joys of being a commander" swain grinned winking
"are we going in to town or standing on the quay gassing and having a mothers meeting" 2-dads questioned walking backwords up the quay
Walking up the side of the quay Kate did a double take. "umm Bird, where are you going" she tapped the young girl on her shoulder.
"umm in to town" bird smiled back eyes filled with hope
"sorry bird think again" Kate half smiled hating being the bad cop wondering why the others didn't stop her especially swain
"oh please X I joined the navy to see new places not to be stuck in a cabin all the time" Bird pleaded.
"so what amazing new places have you seen on the patrol boats" 2-dads playfully hit her on the arm.
"says the guy stuck on the patrol boats. You do know she cant serve aboard till she is over 18" bomber smiled slapping 2-dads round the back of the head.
"sorry Bird but I cant allow it. We are responsible for you, your under age.."
"oh come on X let her come, the boss need never know if that's what your worried about"
"one its not the boss " she glared at 2-dads "but Bird I am truly sorry but I cant allow you to come out. You need to go back to the ship
"X are we not technically in France ..." 2 dads grinned
"well..." Kate was trying to think of a way out of this. "well we are in a French province so..."
"exactly so in France they allow 5 year olds to drink so why cant Birdy come out with us" he looked at her giving her sad puppy dog eyes.
"well..." she looked at dutchy and swain for back up hoping they would side with her and say Bird shouldn't come
"its down to you X" dutchy grinned
"thanks for that" Kate smiled "fine" she sighed knowing that 2-dads wouldn't relent "OJ or Guava juice only and you need to be back on the ship by first watch"
"thank you X" bird jumped and went to hug Kate but remembered her place
"you are going to be the death of me" Kate laughed looking at 2-dads and Bird.
They found a quiet bar in one of the hotel bars. Sitting in a quiet corner, Dutchy carried over a tray of drinks. Handing them out she sat next to Kate.
"shall we play Spin the bottle" 2-dads grinned
" NO!" Kate and dutchy called in unison
"oh come on X why not" 2-dads
" because the last time you played a drinking game we had to fork out bail for the RO"
"fine what about truth or lie. You say a statement and we all have to guess if it is the truth or a lie "
"whats the catch" Kate asked suspiciously
"shots if you don't guess correctly" 2-dads grinned
" no. No drinking games. 2 dads show a good example for our gap girl" Kate took a sip of her wine ...