Chapter 21: Back to Sea Part 1

Cal said her farewells to the staff at the hotel, promising again and again to return if she was back this way. Her father collected what little she still had in her room and said he'd meet her aboard ship.
She rode with Pentam down to the dock, then waited with Joliu while Pentam fetched his camera.
He set up on the dock first and took a couple of pictures with the Peregrine in the background. After that he led her up the gangplank and took a couple more with the harbour in the background.
"Stop, you're going to use up all your supplies on me."
"I have plenty," Pentam said, but he put the cap on the lens and carried the camera off.
"You look wonderful." Henrichs appeared at her side. "I'm guessing all your friends are acting strange and you don't know why."
"Exactly. I'm still me."
"True, but a pearl in an oyster shell is the same as the pearl set in a gold setting as a necklace. Today they've seen you in that gold setting."
"What happens when I go back to the oyster shell?" Cal waved at her gown. "I can hardly work wearing this."
"That all depends on you," Henrichs said. "Come, Captain Cully would like to see you before you return to the shell."
Henrichs guided her through a passageway to a section of the ship Cal had been told was the officer's quarters. Henrichs knocked on the door then opened it and ushered Cal in.
"Welcome, Cal, I like to have ladies for a chat and tea. Henrichs will join us to keep everything proper. I am remiss, I should have invited you as soon as you came aboard the Peregrine."
Captain Cully pulled out a chair and handed her tea in a fine china cup.
"I don't get to socialize like this very often, so it is a pleasure to have you visit. What did you think of your time on shore?"
They talked easily about the island and the city. Captain Cully was especially interested in the trip up the mountain and the shop.
"When you set the city on its ear, I will be the one who has a line on similar gowns for the ladies who will be very happy to overpay for them." He grinned wolfishly.
When the sun touched the mountain top, Cal excused herself and headed to her berth. Getting down the ladder in her dress was a challenge but no one was watching so she tucked up the skirt and scurried down before straightening the gown. She had barely enough room in her berth to remove the gown, under-skirt and blouse. Strangely reluctant to put on her old pocketed-dress, she put on her one 'nice' dress. There was just enough room in the locker to hang up her gown. She had no idea what to do with the hat. The gloves she rolled off her arms and put with the hat.
Maybe she'd ask Henrichs if there was a place in cargo for her to store the outfit. She certainly didn't need it on board.
Pentam had dropped the bundle of her other clothes at the end of her berth. She unpacked it to put them away, putting the skirt and blouse with the gown. Then she noticed the other package.
Curiously she tugged the string off and pulled away the paper. Inside she discovered a pair of pants and a shirt made of sturdy material. There was a note in Pentam's handwriting.
Even a fine lady can't wear a gown to work in an engine room.
Cal laughed and hugged the pants and shirt to her. How could he be the one to insist she wear that dress; and also buy her these? Would he be upset if he knew she preferred the more practical clothes? She laughed so hard her legs buckled dropping her to the floor where the laughter somehow became tears, though she didn't have any idea why she was crying.
***
In the morning, Cal dressed in the pants and shirt and headed up for breakfast. The fires had been stoked and the ship vibrated. They'd be sailing soon.
She stopped a moment outside the mess, then squared her shoulders and walked in as if it was any other day. Prof Orthin waved at her. Dan smiled and Pentam slid over to make space for her.
"Not a fine gown, Lady Cal, but much more sensible for shipboard life." Pentam smiled at her.
"Thank you." Cal leaned over and kissed his cheek. "It is nice to have one who understands."
"I'm not sure I do." Pentam touched his cheek. "But I'm willing to trust that you know what you're doing."
Cal laughed. "I have no idea myself."
"You'll figure it out." Pentam slid a pile of paper over to her.
Cal hesitated, then turned over the first one, then the others, one after the other in quick succession.
"This can't be me." The woman in the picture stood comfortable and assured. The shadows from the hat made her face more interesting. The gown blurred slightly where the breeze moved it. It made the woman look ethereal, like an angel, like a lady.
"It's you." Pentam grinned, "there were no other stunningly beautiful ladies about."
"But how can I be this," Cal pointed at the photos. "and this?" She waved her hand over the pants and shirt.
"They are both you. You don't need to choose."
"Pentam, this is a gift beyond measure." Cal looked through photos again, slower this time. "These are brilliant. If I was looking at a painting or drawing, I'd be amazed at their vision and ability."
"The camera does the work." Pentam shrugged looking uncomfortable.