Page 88 of The Admiral's Daughter

Back at the fire equipment storage area, we all stand in stunned silence for a moment, still processing what just happened. We’re covered in soot and ash, our protective gear almost fully black from the smoke.

“That was too close,” Boot says, her voice shaky.

“Way too close,” Cheddar agrees.

Kit is already checking everyone over, making sure no one got hurt. “Everyone okay? Any injuries?”

We all shake our heads. Miraculously, we’re all fine.

“Good work out there,” I say, looking at each of them. “You were all brilliant. Really brilliant.”

Kit gives me a tight smile. “You too, boss. You kept your head when things got hairy.”

If only she knew. My head was anywhere but on that fire for half of it.

We’ll smell like smoke for a few days, that’s for sure. The ship remains in a state of emergency, meaning no showers for us. No one can leave their post until the all clear is given. Captain Morley had us remain in action stations for over forty-eight hours once. I really hope we don’t have to repeat that.

I feel antsy not being able to check on Cleo. Fuck, I wish I had my phone on me.

Cheddar cuffs me on the shoulder, gesturing me to follow. “Captain wants a debrief. Thought you’d like to come along.”

I grit my teeth to stop the wave of emotion I’m feeling from cresting over the top. Her offer means more than she knows. I fist bump her and follow behind. There are stillsailors moving from one place to the other, so we stay single file until we reach the bridge. The ship is still on high alert, but everyone seems a tad more relaxed now the fire is out.

Cleo is standing by Captain Morley when we enter. Her eyes move to me, and I try to convey calm and reassurance. I’m not sure it works but I can’t do anything else.

“Situational update?” the captain asks without looking up from the ship’s blueprint sprawled out on the observation table.

I look to Cheddar because I’m in no state to answer, not when my mind is stuck on Cleo and not on the fire.

My attention swings back and forth from the room around me and Cleo’s body language. She still looks tense, but not as bad as when I got to her room. Hopefully, the captain was able to offer some reassuring words. Maybe she was able to distract Cleo by demonstrating how the ship deals with such an event.

“Thank you,” the captain says, and I only then realise she’s talking to me and Cheddar. Crap, I need to get my shit together. “You can return to duty.”

As we leave, the captain announces to the ship that we are no longer acting in a state of emergency, which means we’ll all go back to our regular assignments. No doubt she’llhave a team already in the propulsion room investigating the fire.

Adrenaline is pumping through my veins as I head to the fire locker to undress. Slipping on my gym gear, I decide I might as well get a run in, because there’s no way I can dispel this energy unless I sweat it out. With the smell of smoke still lodged in my nostrils, I head to the flight deck, ignoring everyone and everything. There are no flights, and all the aircraft are in the hangar, so for now I have a clear circuit.

Forty-five minutes later, I enter the bunk, sweaty and out of breath. Boot is doing push ups and Kit is calling out her number. Cheddar is on her bed eating Wotsits.

“Ladies,” I pant out as I strip off my sports gear. I’m desperate for a shower and some clean clothes.

“Any news from the captain?” Kits asks.

“No idea, I’ve been up top running.”

“Everything alright?” Cheddar asks.

“She got laid,” Boot adds before I can answer.

“Did you now?” Kit teases.

“Ain’t gonna happen,” I say, grabbing my shower kit.

“Hold up, we always talk about sexy times,” Cheddar pouts.

Shaking my head, I slip on my joggers and tank top for the walk to the showers. “Not this time.”

“Damn,” Kit muses, looking at me with a tilt to her head. “This is something, isn’t it?”