Chapter 75

"Clare, come quick, we got a visitor. Quickly! Please!"

Mary Fogg's almost hysterical scream blasted over the intercom in Clare's office.

'What in the galaxy has got at that girl?' Clare thought to herself as she was moving in response — her mind had already concluded that "Sundowner" was not on fire or threatening to fall out of space as Mary and the rest of her crew reported those events in tones of absolute disinterest.

{A visitor is arriving.}

'We get visitors all the time.'

{Mary believes this one is special.}

He was.

"Sundowner" had shifted from the Azores to the Old London Orbitals for the opening of a House of Tulip season anchoring in the inner harbour because with airlocks only on A the fins were at risk of damage if she came alongside the terminals at Old London with their notoriously short airbridges. Old London Port Authority had recognised this problem and to retain the buisness had established a shuttle bus service from the terminals to passenger ships anchored in the inner harbour.

Clare maintained a spacing bridge watch; Shirley used the opportunity to run the remaining Trainees through bridge procedures and used Dusty to introduce the remaining Gennies to Boat Bay procedures.

Cedric had the watch with Jane and Mary — Clare had Cedric "on the mat" when she found her rosters had been hacked and this arrangement surfaced. Cedric gave his standard imitation of a cherub visiting the planet checking on the welfare of mankind. No one had complained about the roster so Cedric escaped minus a piece of his hide which Clare had lashed off and double watches. Clare realised double watches was not a punishment for the trio — they should care what they did as long as they were together.

"Old London, this is "Ramsgate Wanderer" at fifty klicks, approaching from the southwest, with Juliette, request clearance to join "Sundowner", over."

"Wanderer, continue approach, remain clear of "Sundowner" until cleared for close approach."

"Remain clear of "Sundowner" Wanderer"

"I know that voice" Mary said. "Sundowner" was monitoring the harbour control frequency and a few others.

Cedric's PDA alarmed; the link was from Harbour Control asking if "Ramsgate Wanderer" could join. The 'puter meantime had identified the "'Wanderer" and Cedric gave approval.

Cedric's smile told Mary all she needed to know and she hit the intercom to Clare.

Clare was entering the bridge just as Harbour Control came up again,

""Wanderer", you are cleared to track direct to "Sundowner", no other traffic, call approaching "Sundowner" on 4158."

"Call 4518 approaching, "Wanderer"."

"That's who I think it is?" demanded Clare.

"Yah" Cedric replied "and we can take him in the boat bay if you want to."

"Get to it. I'll meet him in the 'bay."

Cedric used intercom to inform Dusty of the impending arrival.

Dusty used the arrival to demonstrate the procedures — pull down the lever to the first stop, spread the force field across the opening with a torque wheel slowing the process and then side pressure across from the stop and the ramp lowered with further pulling on the lever. It was possible to drop the ramp by pressing the button on the side of the lever but the safety on the force field could not be over ridden.

"'Wanderer" came up on 4518 and Dusty gave the instructions for entry and then threw the approach holos through which she had to align the approach. Dusty had no need of the tractors or forcers as the little ship came through perfectly.

"Ramsgate Wanderer" proved to be a small luxury interplanetary shuttle. Considering her owner, it was not surprising to see pods mounted on frames at her after end. (The stern mounting minimised her beam allowing fitting into narrower berths.) At Dusty's directions, the shuttle settled onto the shallow frame and the clamps secured her. As the pods were powering down, Dusty reversed the ramp and, once sealed, collapsed the force field.

Clare did not dance impatiently from foot to foot as she waited for clearance to enter the 'bay but the aura was certainly one of impatience.

Dusty later declared that Clare exceeded the speed of light moving out of the centre to throw her arms around Charles Lightoller.

"It's a good thing Charles told me that you were TJ's or I might be worried" a dry voice sounded from the shuttle's open hatch. Clare sheepishly released Charles who gasped,

"Thank you, dear, you probably saved my life. Sylvia, this is Clare Gillard who now captains this tub; Clare, my wife Sylvia."

"Clare, I have been looking forward to meeting you for such a long time and I do so want to meet Eva and Emily. (A stifled groan came from Charles' lips.) What's that dear? Nothing? ... This is E deck and from what Charles has told me there have been some significant changes. So lead me to C where I can meet the others..."

And so saying, Sylvia took Clare's arm. They left Charles to deal with Dusty to organise things with the shuttle, walked to the port lift and then to C. As soon as they were out of earshot of Charles, Sylvia said very quietly,

" ... and thank you for saving Charles for me..."

and went on in response to Clare's surprised look

" ... my father is now a Captain in Bollard Line, he was First Officer on "Bethune" then, and almost immediately after "Titan" foundered, he told our family that the officers on her would never space again in any major line and Headmale would never use them again. He was quiet bitter about the whole affair ... This is C and that was the port boat bay ... hmm ... this hasn't changed and no I won't ask to see the accommodation (gurgle). Let's sit in the mess and wait for Charles."

"Where did you meet him?"

"I was on a charter ferry returning to Mars when I met Charles — he owns and runs an intra system shuttle charter service and I threw myself at him - and was he hard to catch, my, I had to work hard to get him We berthed at Mar's Station late in the local day and I finally got the opportunity to loosen him up with a bottle of wine at the Captain's last night dinner and then I screwed him helpless. And of course we got thirsty so I spiked his drinks and got the story from him. He doesn't remember telling me and don't tell him when I got the story. He thinks I wormed it out of him a week ago when I finally convinced, well, actually, I badgered him to tell me why he'd never take me to visit his old shipmates. On Mars, he didn't mention House of Tulip and it was only later I made the connection. He did break down, poor man, and tell me about Emily and Eva after I told him I was coming to House of Tulip with or without him."

"When did you marry him?" Clare was a bit overwhelmed by this time but had not heard about a marriage and she distinctly remembered Charles saying "wife".

"Oh, didn't I tell you. That first day on Mars. He'd been attracted to me as soon as he saw me, he said, but didn't want to have me think I was a shipboard romance. I was so annoyed with him; I could have been in his bunk for the whole trip out. I think he asked me just to calm me down. "Sundowner" made him whole again after "Titan" and I'm so grateful. He's such a wonderful man."

Eva Porter and Emily Jones had received the information from their Companions and got permission from the Duty Bosun, Jane Foster, to leave the deck team and meet Mrs Lightoller. (Eva and Emily hadn't partnered after Charles' departure but had used Morg's services as occasionally needed.)

Clare's Companion had detected the lady's mood and passed it on to Eva's and Emily's Companions, so they approached the lady without abject fear - just a trifle apprehensively. Clare made the introductions and Sylvia suggested that Eva, Emily and she go somewhere private for a girl to girl talk. Eva led them off to their accommodation — the cabin they had shared with Charles — in the port after corner of the mezzanine. Charles appeared just as the three had reached the mezzanine and looked concerned upon receiving the news.

"Oh! Well, you might as well give me the Cook's Tour, Clare; you never know, I might have to beg a job. Not really, I've got a charter business — Sylvia told you? So no matter what, I'm fixed. But I do wish I knew what that woman is up to. Ne'er mind I'll find out soon enough. Lead on, Captain."

Cedric, 'Nita and Mary greeted Charles as the firm friend he was; they were delighted to show Charles the holo of the ship and explain the reorganisation and the work at Betelguese.

The afternoon watch of TJ with Dell, Janice Dawson and Sandra Pendle took over from Cedric and company and apart from the duty watches, everyone else moved to the mess for luncheon. The usual pandemonium of a happy crew settled down to the serious business of eating by which time, Sylvia, Eva and Emily arrived and, after serving themselves, seated themselves at a separate table and continued an animated conversation broken by intermittent laughs, giggles and gurgles.

Clare was seated with Morg, Orville and Charles discussing House of Tulip. She suddenly sat bolt upright and stared across at Eva who was returning the look. The Tulips went quiet and gazed at either Eva or Clare.

"What a truly splendid idea" Clare announced. "Approved."

"What's approved?" Charles demanded as he eyed Eva and Emily heading for the cleaner to insert their dishes and Sylvia approaching him.

"It's all organised, dear. We can leave now — I'll meet you at the "'Wanderer"."

"But you haven't seen the House, yet."

"Never mind. We'll visit it when it's open. I'm sure I will get a personal tour when we come back. You're finished? Take your plates to the cleaner and we'll be off. Clare, it's been a pleasure to meet you and I'll meet all you others when I return. Bye"

Clare excused herself and accompanied the Lightollers to E and saw them aboard. It was some time before Clare returned and was met with Peggy Dare's question,

"Did he see them?'

"No, I didn't either but the Duty Officer on E, 'Seph Williams, said they had boarded."

"I hope he doesn't find out while he's landing" Morg said "that could be distracting."

{TJ reports "'Wanderer" fishtailed as they were leaving the Inner ... Yes! TJ has received a com from Charles telling us he will get even with us.}

Morg snorted,

"Not this century, the lad is going to be too exhausted; that pair have a lot of catching up to do."

"I'll amend the Duty Rosters and let everybody know Eva and Emily are on extended leave" Jane informed them.

...

"Wake up, Sir. TJ says to tell you dawn's a' breaking..."

Cecil Arbent opened a severely bloodshot eye and moaned trying to focus on the bright eyed face peering down at him. Her name tag read "AB Irene S. Downer."

" ... here, Sir, try this. Instant cure for hangover."

Cecil tried to sit up but found his movements were restricted by his wife who had her head in his lap. Before Cecil could take the glass, his wife took it from Irene, gulped half its content, shuddered, and sat up,

"Too slow, Cecil. Oh that's good! Miss ... Irene? ... could you bring him another one? He does need it."

Irene's smile was so bright it was almost painful

"Right away. Morg and Cedric have a large punch bowl of the stuff" and trotted off.

Cecil and Tanya looked about them as numerous grey clad women moved about the bodies strewn about the Club.