Command by J.E. Macdonnell

Author:J.E. Macdonnell [Macdonnell, J.E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Maritime fiction, Royal Australian Navy, World War II Fiction, RAN, Nautical fiction
Publisher: Piccadilly
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Three

IT WAS QUITE a party. There was reason enough for it to be that Randall and Hooky were thirsty anyway, and they had the added inducement of having come together again with their old shipmate. Bentley could not remember when he had felt so utterly happy.

Anne kept out of it, even though he tried several times to bring her into the conversation. She smiled each time, and held up an empty bottle, retiring to the kitchen to do something about it. So they talked and talked, and though Bentley did not outline every detail which had happened aboard Wind Rode, with these two he did not have to. They got the overall picture quickly and accurately.

Bentley looked at his watch.

“Great Scott!” He jumped up. “It’s two o’clock. Come on, you sots. Think of the neighbours.”

Randall and Hooky mumbled appropriate words of surprise and apology. They lifted themselves from their chairs.

“Yes, we must shove,” Randall muttered. “I’m sorry we’ve got to break it up.”

He meant that. He knew that it might be a long time before the three of them could carouse in an atmosphere like this again. After tonight, they would be captain, first-lieutenant and Buffer ….

Bentley looked at Anne, and took her hand.

“I’m sorry, darling. I had no idea it was so late. You’re really solid to have let us go so long.”

She looked at him and smiled. She knew that, tonight, he was going with them. And she knew why. He would not stay, knowing that they would know why he stayed. Her smile was very tender.

“Drive carefully, sweetheart,” she said softly. “Tomorrow night?”

He nodded. “Of course.” He looked around, but they had stepped outside into the passage. He drew her to him and kissed her, a hard, long kiss.

“Tomorrow, darling,” he promised, and picked up his cap.

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