HMS Falcon: A Charles Mullins novel, Sea Command 7 by Richard Testrake

Author:Richard Testrake [Testrake, Richard]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-12-22T00:00:00+00:00

This was the end of the attempt to interdict the enemy training program. Perhaps they were too successful. The enemy refused to play the game any longer and Mullins must find another area in which to serve.

Chapter Thirteen

This time, when Falcon arrived in port, the post brought a note from Doris. It was short, with no hint of affection. In it she expressed her thanks for all he had done for her and felt sad for the heartache she had caused. Next to her name at the bottom of the note, there was a scrawled X. Under it, Sara had written, ‘Alfred Mullins’, his mark.

Not knowing how to respond to this communication, Mullins merely sent a note, much like one he might have written his banker, describing a few moments of the last mission and reminding her of the trust fund established for her and the child at their bank.

With the ship still well provisioned, she was scheduled to be sent back to sea almost immediately. Mister Jones was no longer in the picture, but Mullins was assured by another official that his seeming demotion to a sixth-rate post-ship was no indications of their Lordships displeasure, and he was certainly to gain command of a more imposing command very soon. This ‘very soon’ was not immediate however, since next morning orders came to unmoor and proceed to Gibraltar, where new orders could be expected to be delivered.

The midshipman responsible for the post returned with the ship’s mail only moments before unmooring. In the frenzy of departing, Mullins had no chance to read his mail until they were well out at sea. In that mail was a longer letter from Doris. She again expressed her sadness at the misunderstanding that had come between them. She indicated that matters were not how they must appear, but she was reluctant to explain in case her motives might be misunderstood. She said that Alfred missed his father and she wished she knew of a way for them to meet.

Had Falcon still been moored in Portsmouth Harbor, Mullins thought he might have taken coach to London to meet with his wife, but now there would be little opportunity for many months. After reaching Gibraltar, weeks had passed and Mullins had decided that portion of his life was over. The letter went into the bottom of his sea chest and he forgot its existence.

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