Page 62 of The Admiral's Daughter

“I think you’re right. We’ve just been in the same routine for so long, it threw me when she said she was suddenly giving up the bachelorette ways of life to date. I just saw red flags…for both of you.”

“Understandable, because I saw them too when she first started talking about us dating. We both have baggage, and we both know it’s a one day at a time situation.”

Rubbing her forehead, Kit blows out a big breath. “I was way too harsh on her.”

“That’s for you two to discuss and move past. I just want you to know, she’s not strong-arming me into anything. I want to try this with her.”

Standing from her bed, she walks over to me and drops into a crouch. “Okay, then it’s time Ididgive you ‘the talk.’ She’s like my sister, and I love her. Please don’t hurt her, otherwise you’re gonna have a ship full of pissed off sailors after you.”

I grin and chuckle. “Aye, aye. Heard loud and clear.”

Noise from the hallways alerts us to River, Cheddar, and Boot’s imminent arrival. River narrows her eyes when she sees Kit crouched in front of me.

“Everything alright?”

“Absolutely,” I reply. Kit stands and makes her way over to River and pulls her into a giant hug. Boot and Cheddar exchange a look before grinning and piling on, too. There is a chorus of banter, laughter and playful scuffles before the group breaks apart and head to their respective beds.

It’s easy to see why these women are so close, and I’m more than happy to see the small rift between Kit and River close. I’m sure they will need a bit more time to forget, but they love each other, and that’s a bond not easily broken.

“So, why did River drag my arse away from my lunch?” Cheddar asks. She reaches into her locker and brings out a bag of Wotsits.

“Are you single-handedly keeping Walkers afloat?” I joke.

Cheddar gives me a cheesy grin. “Probably.”

“Enough about Cheddar’s weird crisp obsession. What’s going on?” Kit asks.

“Cleo has tapped into her inner Suranne Jones,” River says seriously.

Boot looks me up and down. “Nah, she’s too femme for Gentleman Jack.”

“I’m talking about Vigil,” River replies with a roll of her eyes.

“We’re not on a submarine,” Boot shoots back, looking increasingly confused. As am I. How they get anything done when they constantly wander off into these weird little side conversations is beyond me.

“I wasn’t being literal, Boot.”

“Maybe I can take it from here,” I interject before they carry on and we get nowhere. “I’m investigating something—”

“Oh, like Detective Silva, Suranne’s character,” Boot announces with a smile.

“Exactly. I think there’s something odd going on, and I think you four can help me.”

“Sounds exciting,” Cheddar mumbles through a mouth full of cheesy puffs.

“It’s to do with WO Benson,” I say quietly. They all exchange looks but remain quiet.

“I need any information you can give me. Who is he close to? Does he have a problem with anyone else on the ship?”

“Well, he reamed me out earlier for no bloody reason,” Kit says.

“Apart from Grey kissing his arse, the only other person I see him spending time with is Lieutenant Hardman,” Boot chimes in.

“How do you know that?” River asks.

“Ruby was moaning about it earlier, actually. Apparently, she got a bollocking off of Hardman for not having her beret on straight enough and Benson was there with him. She said they’re two peas in a twatty pod.”

“Sounds about right,” Cheddar comments.