Ship Must Die by Douglas Reeman

Author:Douglas Reeman [Reeman, Douglas]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, General, War & Military, World War; 1939-1945
ISBN: 9780099226000
Google: ByoZBAAACAAJ
Publisher: Random House UK
Published: 1979-01-02T00:00:00+00:00

10

Making a Start

Blake sat at his desk, half-heartedly reading the various papers which the new chief writer, Brazier, was methodically laying before him. Brazier was another Australian, one of the latest draft which had come aboard as replacements.

It took some getting used to. Each time Blake left his quarters he heard new voices, different dialects and saw the lost expressions of men exploring fresh surroundings.

It had been touching when the latest batch of old Andromedas had left the ship. They,had gathered in an embarrassed, shuffling group while he had said a few words to them. But how did trite phrases and emotional handshakes sum up what he felt, what they all must have felt?

Those men in their best uniforms, starting back along the passage to Britain. New ships, courses, promotions, adjustments in every way.

Now he was back in his day cabin he could recall each man as he had once fitted into their elite company. A sun-reddened face yelling defiance as the Stukas had come screaming down. Another murmuring encouragement to a messmate pinned beneath twisted steel. Sailors wading ashore to lift wounded troops from Tobruk, Farleigh’s marines firing a volley over a line of graves.

He thought suddenly of the wardroom party. A great success, everyone had said. But even though it had been two days ago, it was already hard to hold it in perspective.

He knew why, but would not admit it. He had seen very little of her during the party because of Stagg’s arrival. Booming voice, a kind of fierce confidence which seemed out of place.

Now the girl was in Sydney. Whether she had been ordered there or had volunteered to get away from him he did not know.

Blake recalled exactly when things had gone wrong. He had taken her to the deserted upper bridge, leaving Stagg with two admirals.

Under the stars, the bridge, usually a place of movement and decision, had seemed strangely ghostlike.

She had asked him about England again, what he would do after the war. They had stood side by side on the gratings, looking aft where the quarterdeck awnings glowed from the little lights which were hung like garlands along the guardrails and stanchions.

He had said, `The Navy will be cut back to the minimum. As it was in my father’s day. I’ll probably be politely put on the shelf, until the next blow-up.’

She had laid her hand on his. `Why not come out here? It may seem a bit quiet to you, but it’ll be different one day.’

She had not resisted as he had turned her on his arm so that her spine had been against the bridge screen. But he had immediately felt the change, the passive resistance, when seconds before he had felt hope and longing.

A messenger had arrived panting on the bridge and had saved the situation, if only by preventing him making a complete fool of himself.

Chief Writer Brazier said, `That’s the lot, sir.’ He patted the signed papers into a tidy pile.

Blake smiled at him. Soon there would be none of the old company left.

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