Chapter 45 Daniel

Chapter 45

Daniel

Back up in the wheelhouse that afternoon and left with his own thoughts, Daniel reflected on the morning. With a little distance he considered the possibility that Carlos might be onto something. Where had that outburst at breakfast come from if not some pent-up, neglected emotion that he seemed incapable of processing himself?

He had felt so angry with Ore, for hinting at the possibility of something between them, even though it was the very same thing he had longed for, perhaps from the very moment he’d met her. The logical conclusion might be that he was actually angry with himself. For developing these feelings whilst knowing deep down that they were unfulfillable and completely impractical.

He had always had a plan. He was twenty-eight now, the youngest captain he knew of, and, if he did say so himself, raking in a pretty decent paycheque, all untaxed of course. Another seven years, and he’d have enough to retire on. He’d move home, build his mom a new house, maybe help his brother Terry buy somewhere. Maddy was sorted already.

He’d find someone to settle down with, and maybe do a couple of charters a year to keep a bit of income rolling in; maybe he’d just volunteer at the museum that had set him on this path to begin with. Four bedrooms, two kids, a garage – that was the plan.

And he was on course. Captaining the Nightingale for the Hartfords was a good gig. He’d worked for them a couple of summers back. They were fair and generous, with tips, which was common, and time off, which wasn’t. He’d have a chance to travel. Only a six-week stopgap with Chuck Regas, and he’d be well on his way. And then Ore turned up, and his carefully laid plans were starting to seem, well, comparatively boring. Maybe that was what he was angry about.

All of a sudden, waiting seven years to feel at home, to feel loved and held, it felt like an eternity. He’d had a tiny taste of belonging, and it wasn’t in the suburbs of Houston, it was in Ore’s presence.

He looked out to the expanse of ocean before him and decided that was more than enough introspection for one day. He turned his attention to the job at hand, checking and double-checking the plotted course to the reef. It would be his last bit of complex manoeuvring. After tomorrow he could relax for the home stretch; maybe it would give him enough time to get his thoughts in a similarly straightforward order.

When dinner time rolled around, Daniel decided it was time he make use, once again, of the boat’s autopilot programme for once and dutifully headed down to the mess to eat with the rest of the crew. Partly he went out of fear that Carlos might subject him to another therapy session, but another part of him hoped that a bit of company might serve as a welcome distraction.

The mood sounded jovial as Daniel approached the door.

‘It was totally awkward, I mean why was he completely naked? Is that a thing English people do on the toilet?’ It was Nicole and she was met with rapturous laughter.

‘I think it’s more likely something perverts do on the toilet,’ Vicky interjected dryly. Daniel pushed the door open and was slightly dismayed by the hush that descended across the table.

‘Captain Wilsons, hello, is there a problem?’ It was Oscar, one of the deckhands.

‘No no, I just thought …’ Daniel was losing confidence in this idea, just as Carlos jumped in.

‘I was telling the captain that he absolutely must join us for dinner more often. Come, Captain Wilsons, take a seat.’ Carlos stood to pull up a chair next to his, scooting Amanda and Nicole along to make room.

‘Please, call me Daniel.’ Carlos smiled, but Daniel noticed the rest of the table exchanging looks. It had felt like the right thing to say, but it now dawned on him that he’d not been called Daniel by any of his crew since becoming a captain. He hoped he wouldn’t regret it.

‘Daniel …’ Carlos said, as if trying it out. ‘Come, sit, sit.’ Daniel squeezed in next to Carlos. He felt uneasy, and wished that he’d changed back into his casual wear from this morning, instead of coming straight down in his captain’s uniform.

‘Please, don’t let me interrupt.’ He tried flashing what he hoped was an easy smile.

‘Nicole was just telling us about her experience cleaning Richard’s room this morning,’ Vicky said before taking another mouthful.

Amanda passed Daniel a large bowl, and Oscar chipped in: ‘Which one’s Richard again?’

Dudley, who had been eyeing Daniel somewhat suspiciously, clarified, ‘The old guy, Dickie with the bad combover. He’s always drunk and chasing after Agatha.’

‘Oh yes, well there’s your answer, maybe he was just pissed, got undressed to go to bed and then never made it and fell asleep right on the toilet!’ Oscar’s ruddied face suggested he too might have had a glass or two with dinner, but the table laughed obligingly.

‘And what do you think of Mr Regas’ guests then, Captain … umm I mean Daniel?’ It was Dudley and Daniel felt like the question was a test. An anticipatory silence awaited his answer.

‘I don’t mind Ousman, Frederick is a bore who thinks he’s more good-looking than he is, Roger and Richard are both raving alcoholics with a superiority complex, Claude is a complete creep, and I think there’s another one who is so beneath notice that I can’t even remember his name.’ There was an agonising beat where Daniel feared that he’d blown it; simultaneously jeopardising his level-headed reputation and not even getting a laugh out of it.

But it was Vicky who broke the spell with a wry chuckle, and then one by one the others joined in. A steady build that reached a crescendo of hysterics. Nicole clutched her stomach, Carlos slapped his thigh, Dudley wiped tears from his eyes and Amanda began hiccuping. Daniel looked around and glowed with pride, and something else, something warmer and comforting. Maybe he had been hiding.

If ads affect your reading experience, click here to remove ads on this page.