Copyright 2004 by Paul C. All rights reserved.
Rubies are Red. Part 18zp.
Paul
Major Peterson pointed with his finger at a rather crowded looking bay from his position on the short ladder between the pilot's seats.
"That's where they want you to land." He said.
I throttled back on the engines and allowed the nose of the plane to drop.
"You can moor up at the far jetty."
Major Peterson went back to his seat and fastened his seat belt.
"You take her down." Grandfather said, taking his hands and feet from the controls.
A voice crackled in my ear telling me I had permission to land. We only bounced twice as we touched the water then settled down as we came to a stop. I was becoming quite good at this.
"Over there." Major Peterson pointed to a group of men standing on a deserted jetty. I hadn't heard him come back.
I taxied past a number of large warships and some grey-painted cargo vessels. On every ship we passed people stood at the railings looking down at us.
I took the plane in door side to the jetty. I heard the sound of the hull squashing the wicker-basket type fenders as I switched off the engines. Two sailors were securing the tip of the port wine to the far side of the jetty. Another was climbing a small set of portable steps and tying a second rope through the mooring ring on the nose of the plane.
"Let's go ladies and gentlemen." Major Peterson said leaving the short ladder where he had been standing and opening the door in the side of the fuselage.
I waited for grandfather to climb down from his seat then followed. I was last to leave the plane, stepping down onto a packing case they hand placed as a step and then down onto the jetty. I noticed another rope had been tied to the tail of the plane. They certainly were taking no chances with her.
"Yes Senor President." I heard one of a group of men in grey lightweight suits say to Roddrego. "Both sides have agreed. You will lead the government for a five-year period. Elections will take place to select your Prime Minister and other officials. The American government has agreed to send in some military advisors."
"Your broadcast is scheduled for two hours time." A second man said. "You can shower in the officers club. We will arrange a change of clothes for all of you."
I followed the group of men in suits and navy uniforms watching Louise's ass and wondering what it would feel like to have her there.
There were three cars and two Jeeps parked at the entrance to the jetty. I got into the back of one of the cars with Bill and Louise while grandfather and Roddrego sat in the back of a second.
"Have you heard how my brother is?" Louise asked the man in the lightweight grey suit who sat in the front beside the driver in her bright white navy uniform.
"He will be fine." The man replied. He wasn't much older than us. "The doctors on board the carrier are having him flown on to Miami tomorrow with your other friend."
"Heather." I said out loud.
I caught the look Louise gave me out of the corner of my eye. I could ask him about Heather when she wasn't around.
The officers club was a long low building with an impressive front entrance and two long wings on either side. We were greeted by a number of high ranking naval officers as we entered then ushered into one of the wings by stewards. I was shown into a room on the inside of the wing looking out onto a large swimming pool.
"Can I use it?" I asked.
"I don't see why not, Sir." The steward replied, closing the blinds on the door. "If I could have your clothes while you shower I'll match the sizes with some fresh ones."
I emptied the breast pockets of my shirt of passport, keys and small change and took my wallet from the hip pocket of my trousers and placed them on the top of a small chest of drawers next to some towels.
"Any chance of some coffee?" I asked as I stripped off my clothes and wrapped a large towel about my waist.
I was conscious of the steward watching me as I undressed.
"I'll get you some, sir." He replied, scooping up my clothes.
I went into the bathroom and used the toilet before showering. I could hear the sound of somebody in the bedroom as I finished.
I wrapped the towel around my waist again and walked back into the bedroom. There was a tray with a coffeepot, cup, sugar bowl, milk-jug and spoon. There was a neatly folded pile of clothes on the bed. The steward had left.
I used my towel to dry my body then looked at the clothes. They were all new. Just the basic trousers, shirt, underwear and socks, but it would do. There was also a pair of dark blue swimming trunks.
I could hear the sound of laughter from outside my room so I walked naked to the blind-covered door that opened onto the swimming pool and peered through the slats. There were about twenty people mostly women and children in or around the pool. They were having fun. I could do with a swim followed by a laze in the sun. The plan was for me to fly with the plane up to Miami the following day with Louise and Major Peterson. Or Bob as he insisted we call him. Grandfather and Bill would stay with Roddrego.
The Americans had offered to fly us but grandfather wanted the plane taken to Miami and berthed until he decided what he should do with it. I was quite looking forward to it. I was enjoying flying the plane and I was feeling good in myself. We had all been under a lot of stress these last few days. Perhaps that was why I needed to have Louise so often. That and the fact that she was a very attractive woman. I could almost feel the stress leaving my body by the minute. I still wanted Louise though so perhaps my theory was wrong.
There was a knock on my door and I hurriedly fastened the towel about my waist before calling out.
"Yes. Who's there?"
"It's me. Louise."
I opened the door and she stepped inside. She wore a short skirt and pale green blouse. She was carrying a pair of men's shoes.
"I saw a steward. He said they were for you." She looked around the room. "You've got coffee. I haven't got coffee."
"Did you ask for any?"
"No."
She poured out a cup of coffee.
"We can share." She said lifting the cup to her lips. "You take it black?"
I didn't but it didn't mater. I was envying the coffee-up at that moment.
She held up the cup to me and I drank from where she had placed her lips. The coffee was bitter and strong. I'd have put milk and sugar in it myself.
"What's this?" She said picking up the swimming trunks. "Going swimming?"