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Product Description
Description to The Greek Seaman novel.
What is an eighteen year old newly wed doing traveling on a massive merchant ship anyways? Hadn’t she gone to Greece on tour in a ballet as a dancer? These are questions, Katy asks herself while travelling the high seas with Don her chief officer husband. However, little do they know a smuggling ring is also on board for this ride, on a blue diamond exchange and when explosions and threats to sink the ship also happen, they must try to save themselves.
Getting to know the smugglers, the Arabic and Pakistani deck hands and Don, the Greek Seaman is an exciting sea adventure with enough suspense and romance that will make you laugh and cry. It will take you on a voyage to experience the magnificent soothing wonders and beautiful scenery at sea, and take you through storms and hurricanes where Katy finds herself navigating through it with a seasick crew. From Piraeus, Greece, your visit the ports of Lebanon and Libya and enjoy the exotic magic of the bazaar. The bond between Don and Katy, in their ordeal at sea makes this a memorable story.
What is an eighteen year old newly wed doing traveling on a massive merchant ship anyways? Hadn’t she gone to Greece on tour in a ballet as a dancer? These are questions, Katy asks herself while travelling the high seas with Don her chief officer husband. However, little do they know a smuggling ring is also on board for this ride, on a blue diamond exchange and when explosions and threats to sink the ship also happen, they must try to save themselves.
Getting to know the smugglers, the Arabic and Pakistani deck hands and Don, the Greek Seaman is an exciting sea adventure with enough suspense and romance that will make you laugh and cry. It will take you on a voyage to experience the magnificent soothing wonders and beautiful scenery at sea, and take you through storms and hurricanes where Katy finds herself navigating through it with a seasick crew. From Piraeus, Greece, your visit the ports of Lebanon and Libya and enjoy the exotic magic of the bazaar. The bond between Don and Katy, in their ordeal at sea makes this a memorable story.
The thunder clapped and the mysterious voice of the sea made itself known about them, and as the ship made its sudden precipitous descent once more it rendered them powerless to move.
The captain shook his head. "This is not a hurricane, this is something else. I have never seen a hurricane like this before, have you?"
The captain shook his head. "This is not a hurricane, this is something else. I have never seen a hurricane like this before, have you?"
Exerpt from the Greek Seaman novel
By
Jacqueline Howett
CHAPTER ONE
At Ma’s place in the village.
Piraeus, Greece 1972.
Don’s mother had just finished hanging her washing on the line up on the roof of the house. From over the village rooftops of Piraeus, you could just make out dockland, the fishing market and the ocean beyond. She carried her stocky build carefully back down the stairs. Don and Katy were just leaving.
“See you later Ma, Katy and I are going into town.”
Don’s mother smiled with curiosity as they headed towards the stairs.
“Katy wants to buy jeans and take a walk about. We are going to the corner to get a taxi.”
“What time will you return?”
“Late. We are going to eat out and see a movie after.”
“Oh!”
“What?”
“I was about to cook. I bought some fresh fish this morning at the market just for Katy to eat.” She looked Katy up and down, admiring her purple blouse with ruffles and white pants that she wore with beige high heels. “Now you’re all dressed up, go!” She smiled and clenched Katy’s hand. “You look nice Katy.”
“Thank you.”
“You eat the fish Ma. Eat it with those wild greens you hide up there on the roof in the laundry room,” said Don.
Don’s mother felt embarrassed with Katy listening. “So you found my secret place, eh?”
“Who is going to eat your precious wild greens Ma? Keep them in the house.”
“They stay cool in there. They keep longer and taste better.”
“Why don’t you eat the fish with Rita and Dad?”
“I didn’t buy the fish for your sister. Your sister can eat anything and your father rarely eats here anymore. He lives at the village café from morning to night on just two eggs he eats for breakfast.” She nodded solemnly at Katy and Don. “You know, he doesn’t eat any more. Anyway, I bought the fish especially for Katy. Look at her she is all skin and bones.”
“That’s her English way Ma. They all like to have figures like models.”
“So what do these English models eat?” she grinned.
“She eats soup and salad, fruit, veggies, eggs and yogurt with honey.” Don turned to Katy and spoke in English. “My mother wants to fatten you up like a Greek girl.”
“What are you telling her?”
“That you want to make her fat like a Greek girl.”
Don’s mother knocked her head back and laughed. She nodded at Katy and touched Katy’s ribcage, then with a gesture held her fingers together up to her mouth. “Eat more. Some fat will make you look more healthy and beautiful,” she smiled.
Katy smiled then gave her mother in law a hug.
“Do you like fish Katy?”
Katy nodded.
“But you have to clean out the bones first,” said Don. “And who would have thought, she loves the skordalia we serve with the fish.”
“What, our pureed garlic potato with mayonnaise and horseradish?” Don’s Mother gave her a look of astonishment.
Katy’s eyes lit up nodding at her mother in law. “Umm, that is nice.”
“Good, I will make it for you.”
Katy turned to Don. “We don’t have to eat out. Your mother seems to have gone to a lot of trouble to get the fish. That must have been a long walk for her to the fish market and back.”
“She likes to go to the market. You know, she gets to gossip there with the fishermen and the other ladies, and on her way back she picks her wild greens then catches a bus.”
Don’s mother enjoyed listening to her son speaking in English. “I’ll put some aside for Katy to eat tomorrow for lunch.”
“You see how my Ma loves you Katy? She doesn’t want you to leave. You are now her new friend.”
Don kissed his mother. “So while Katy eats in the kitchen she must listen to all your life, eh Ma?”
“Well, who else listens to me?” She turned to Katy and smiled. Gently she stroked Katy’s long black hair. “What your eyes will see Katy.”
“Ma, now what are you telling her?”
“What?”
“Rest up, Ma. Put your feet up for a while and watch your soap opera’s. Cook the fish tomorrow.” Don grinned.
Don’s mother rocked her head, “Hmm, I’ll see.”
It was good to see her son in love and finally married. She gave Katy and her son a final nod of approval as they left.
However, Katy detected in her mother in laws eyes her reading into something more with where they were really going together in life.
Katy’s high heels echoed as she followed Don down the stairs.
Usually Don stayed in hotels when he was single after returning from a ship as a seaman, preferring his own company. Now he surprised all the family with his coming home to stay with a new English wife who he had married in England. Don being fifteen years older than Katy was something to think about, but at least she could understand and speak some Greek.
Don had yet to find another ship and save for an apartment of his own. She could see what the reality for Katy would be. She had married a seaman herself. Katy seemed to make her recollect her own life of love, beauty, youth and innocence. Still, she had questions for a son she was so happy to have home, and yet in the excitement of watching their love an uncertainty lingered.
*****
CHAPTER TWO
The Blue Diamond Plan.
The Marina Café square - Piraeus, Greece.
Gino the waiter set the heavy tray down. “Here you go, three ham n cheese melts with coke and one espresso.”
“Nice, thanks Gino,” said Lucas.
Gino began to fill three glasses with water from a jug. “How’s the shipping business Mr. Lucas?”
“Very well, very well Gino, but as usual we are always in need of more help down at the docks.”
Gino took in the air of the three men. “Did you know Don is back in town?”
“Don?”
“Yeah, you know, Don with the curly hair and all muscle?”
“Yes, Don,” nodded Lucas. “When did he get in?”
“He just got back from London with a new English wife,” smiled Gino. “He might be looking for a ship.”
“A new wife eh?” said Tony the engineer. “What’s she like?”
“Beautiful,” Gino smiled. He raised his eyebrows. “She’s very young.”
Lucas turned to Captain Nikos. “Have you worked with him before?”
“No,” said Captain Nikos shaking his head. His charismatic blue eyes shifted from Lucas and Tony to Gino. “But I’ve heard he can practically take on any ship by himself.”
Everyone laughed.
“True eh?” said Gino nodding. “He is strong.” He paused for a second as he recollected, then smiled before topping up their glasses with water. “He’s still in love.”
“Yeah, Don’s good,” said Tony, nodding. “I’ve worked with him on several ships.”
“He usually passes by here every day for coffee with his new wife,” said Gino. “I can put in a word for you, if you like Mr. Lucas.”
“Did he pass yet?”
“No not yet.”
Lucas opened his briefcase on his knee. "Here, give him my card when you see him. Tell him to call me at my offices in Athens will you?”
Gino nodded and placed the card into his white shirt pocket. Another table started clicking their fingers to get Gino’s attention to place an order. Gino turned, nodded and gave a half smile to everyone.
“Is there anything else I can get you Mr. Lucas?”
Lucas glanced at Tony and Nikos. “No thanks Gino.”
Gino politely brought attention to their sandwiches. “Bon Appetite.”
Swiftly Gino left. His courteous patience to all his customers paid off well in tips. He made sure he was extra obliging to Mr. Lucas, for he tipped well for the tidbits of information he gave him while serving among this seafaring Mecca.
With an appetite the men ate.
It was business as usual in the café square facing about the yachts in down town Piraeus. By three o, clock it was usually crowded any time of year. A string of café venues stood side by side marked their own territory by different color umbrellas, where only waiters served tables. The weather for mid February had climbed to sixty-eight degrees.
“You know, if we can get Don onboard I think he will fit in perfectly to our plans,” said Lucas. “What do you think?”
“Well, we need a chief officer,” said Captain Nikos.
“What if he gets suspicious?” asked Tony the engineer.
“So what if he does? If anything, after the explosion he will only know about our cover up plan to sink the ship for the insurance. How will he ever know about the blue diamond,” said Captain Nikos.
Lucas turned to Tony. “But what about when you both mess with the radios. Does he know about radios?”
Tony shook his head. “No, he knows nothing about radios.”
“You sure Tony?” said Captain Nikos.
Tony gave Lucas and Captain Nikos a serious nod, then smirked, turning to Lucas. “Offer him a good advance and see if he wants to bring his wife on the trip. The love distraction will help to keep him busy and his nose out of our business.”
“Well, the new deckhands will keep him busy,” said Lucas. “I just recruited two more from Pakistan this morning.”
“If he get’s suspicious when seeing the speed boat making a pick up from the Marcos ship, it will look like nothing but cigarette smugglers, and that we all know happens all the time,” said Captain Nikos.
“Well, I’m still hoping to really sink her, if we can,” said Lucas.
“So you worked a deal out with that peasant Captain Andreas on the Petra?” said Tony.
Lucas nodded.
“Hmm,” said Tony. “So how big of an explosion are we talking here that you want me to make?”
Captain Nikos and Lucas looked at each other.
“Well it better be big enough to injure one of the oilers real good, so that Harry and his rescue team in Malta have to hear about it.” Nikos turned to Tony. “Harry doesn’t want any of his team getting suspicious when they arrive on the scene.”
Lucas addressed both the men. “I’m just saying, if we can sink the ship for the insurance it’s a good bonus, don’t you think? Anyway, we can talk later about that.”
They noticed in the distance Gino’s lanky confident figure walking towards them. They went quiet.
“You can give me the total now Gino. That was a great Ham N Cheese. I would order another but I have to go.”
“Glad you liked it Mr. Lucas.”
Gino added up and gave Mr. Lucas the bill. Lucas glanced at it, settled the bill and gave Gino a backhand of extra cash that no one could see.
“Thank you Mr. Lucas.” Gino nodded with satisfaction then left to another table urgently trying to catch his attention.
Lucas opened his briefcase and handed Captain Nikos and Tony the engineer each a few business cards. “Here, give a card to Don if you see him.”
For a few moment’s they sat quietly people watching. Captain Nikos leaned back in his chair and relaxed with his arms behind his head. He noticed Tony admiring the yachts in the marina.
“So are you still going to buy yourself that yacht Tony when you get your share?”
Tony glanced at Captain Nikos, and then picked the dry oil out from under his nails. He looked up again with a smirk. “First I’m going have a manicure just like Lucas.
Lucas answered for him. “Tony will be quiet for a year like everyone else, right Tony?”
Tony nodded, then scratched at his unshaven chin and turned to Lucas. “You have got it pretty good being a ship-owner eh? You can spend all the money you like and no one gets suspicious.”
Lucas eased into a half grin. “So, tell everyone the yachts mine.”
“I can do that?”
“We’ll see. Maybe we can work something out.” Lucas looked at Nikos and back at Tony. “But I’m not making any promises.”
“When did you start polishing your nails Lucas? I have never seen you wear polish before,” said Captain Nikos.
Lucas looked at his nails. “What? It gives a clean look.”
“I don’t know it looks gay to me.”
“No, lots of businessmen wear varnish in the city and they’re not gay.”
“So when do you think our carrier will arrive in Africa?” said Tony.
“That’s what we are all waiting to hear,” said Captain Nikos.
“So apart from keeping an eye on the Marcos ship, everyone’s in position right?” said Tony.
Lucas and Captain Nikos nodded.
“So we just play for more time?” said Tony.
Captain Nikos nodded, looking cool, calm and collected in his unbuttoned white shirt that revealed a gold chain with a Saint Christopher around his neck. His belly fat he held with self confidence. “That’s why I might not make the first run. I’m still waiting for Harry to fill me in.”
Lucas turned to Captain Nikos. “If we get Don onboard, maybe he could be captain for us on a dry run until you arrive. You know if our boys are still not ready and we have to leave port, you would still have plenty of time, even if you flew out to Lebanon to meet the ship.” Lucas rolled his eyes. “Another week or so of this waiting is beginning to make me nervous.”
“Well hopefully we don’t have to put off for much longer and I can make the first trip, eh?” said Captain Nikos.
Lucas sighed. “I better go.” Lucas turned to Captain Nikos. “Call me later if you hear anything more.”
Captain Nikos nodded.
Lucas stood up. Nervously he hovered about trying to smooth out the wrinkles in his suit with his hand. “I’ve still got paper work to do, and then I have more food supply orders to make for the ship.” Lucas turned to Tony. “I’ll see you down at the docks in the morning. I might have one more oiler for you.”
Tony looked up at Lucas and grinned before looking down to dig some more oil from out under his nails. “Relax Lucas. This is the easiest money we have ever made.”
Lucas’ green eyes darted back and forth at Nikos and Tony with serious reservations as he straightened up.
They gazed back at Lucas admiring his thick sandy colored hair and tall handsome features. There was something becoming about the man in his vanity, wearing the latest style from the top designers as he walked to the curb to get into his limo.
Captain Nikos looked at his watch and released a sigh. He stood up, tossed his suit jacket over his shoulder and hovered for a moment. “I have some more calls to make.” He rubbed his nose. “If I don’t see you, Lucas will let you know what is going on. Okay?”
Tony nodded, and released a sigh as he stretched. “Well, I better start heading back to the ship.”
Nikos slapped Tony on the back. “Watch out. Make your excuses that we have a little engine trouble to who ever are snooping around.”
Tony watched Nikos cross the street and hail a taxi. Tony zipped up his blue polyester jacket and walked his skinny frame across the café square with his hands in his pockets. He decided to take a closer look at the yachts in the marina for a few moments before catching a taxi out to the docks. Just as he was about to turn the corner, he noticed Don sit down outside with his wife at a far end table closer to the café entrance.
Gino was about to take their order.
Tony stood there for a moment watching them without detection. His eyes ran over the woman’s features with her long black hair and tiny frame. She can’t be more than eighteen. Tony sighed, well, well. He waited to see if Gino would give Don, Lucas’ business card.
Gino turned around to see if Lucas was still sitting at his table and noticed everyone had left. Gino exchanged words with Don and then gave him the card from his shirt pocket.
Tony debated whether he should still go over, but decided he would wait and see if Don would call Lucas better. He took in the air of his puppy love with a cunning intent before he turned the corner. Yes, Don would come in handy into our plan. One man who could do it all meant less suspicious men onboard and one man could only do so much.
#
Don and Katy fell mesmerized by the action in the square until the waiter returned.
“Here you go, one banana split and coke and one espresso.”
Gino leaned the weight of his tray down at the edge of the table to secure himself and then placed two glasses of water on the table.
“So you’re good?” smiled Gino.
“Yes, for now were good, thanks Gino,” said Don, nodding with satisfaction.
Gino marked up his bill and placed it on the table before picking up his tray. Don and Katy watched hypnotically Gino place more coffees out at another table with supreme balance.
Don took out the card again Gino had given him earlier from inside his sports jacket pocket to study the address and telephone numbers. “Well that’s interesting.” Don put the card away.
Katy licked her spoon. “Are you going to call him? Umm is this good. You want to try some?” Katy tried to spoon-feed Don her ice cream.
Don gently moved her hand away. “No thank you.”
Her eyes were waiting for his answer.
“Yes, in a while I’ll find out what he wants after we leave here.”
“So how do you know him?”
He sighed. “Lucas is an old friend of mine from Athens. He was in the clothing business and now he is in shipping.” Don took a moment to think. “I haven’t seen him since we married, and then it was just to say hello in passing. I had just returned from sea at the time. Anyway, he did most of the talking.”
Don lit a cigarette trying to relax. He did not feel like explaining to Katy how they met through dating two sisters at the same time, who they occasionally took out to dinner together. It was a long time ago before they had met. He brushed off a piece of dust from off the sleeve of his sports jacket, as was his way when he grew a little nervous and then glanced about the café square.
“Don, do you think I should buy your mother some flowers before we go back to the house?”
“No. She does not need flowers; she will think she is going to die. Get her something else.”
“Oh don’t be silly, all women love flowers.”
Don sighed heavily. He took a sip of his espresso.
Katy peered into her shopping bag. “I can’t wait to wear my new jeans,” she smiled. “They were really a nice fit.”
Don leaned forward to whisper. “Remember Katy, if anyone asks you how we met, just say we met on Glifada beach when you were on vacation. We do not need to explain all about you being a dancer in those cabarets before. You know how people talk. They will only get the wrong idea about you.”
Katy gave him a look that made him feel uncomfortable as he smoked his cigarette, but she was too happy right now to be mad at him, and so she tried to understand.
“It’s the Greek mind my love, the way they think and like to gossip.”
“So what shall I get your mother?”
“Get a cake better. For a Greek old lady who never ever gets flowers it isn’t really a good idea.”
“What about chocolates? Oh, what about Turkish delight?”
“Cake is better.”
“Okay.”
“After you finish your ice-cream we can go inside the café and see what they have among their sweet cakes while I make my call, but really my love, you don’t have to get my mother anything,” he smiled, stroking the back of her long black silky hair.
“But I want to do this,” Katy frowned. “Oh she’s been so kind and to let us stay and all.”
“She’s my mother; she likes us staying with her. She hasn’t seen me in so long and she enjoys cooking for us, and you see how much she loves you. What else is she going to do? That’s her life.”
“Yeah I know.”
Don took another sip of espresso. “Anyway, I have been giving her money for our stay.”
“You have?”
“What do you think; I don’t give her money to cover our food?” he nodded.
Katy considered this and smiled thoughtfully as she took another scoop of her ice cream.
“I know what my mother likes, Baklava.”
“Baklava?”
“You know the thin layers of pastry with honey and nuts? It’s very sweet, sticky too. I will show you when we go inside,” he smiled, and then pinched her cheek softly. “Get the Turkish delight for yourself, you like Turkish delight.”
“Umm, yes I do love Turkish delight.”
Katy loved sitting in the square people watching. All the different kinds of characters wearing various fashions going about their lives brought about a harmonious buzz of voices that mesmerized her while she spooned her ice cream.
Don looked at the bill, made a quick study of it and placed something extra than his usual tip on the table for Gino.
“So tonight do you still want to go to the cinema?”
“Yeah,” said Katy excitedly, “Oh!” Suddenly her enthusiasm died down.
“What?”
“All the movies have subtitles in English and it strains my eyes, but that’s okay.”
“Yeah, it will also give you a break from my family for a while. It can’t be easy for you staying with my mother and sister, but let’s see first what work I will do.”
Don took pleasure in watching her polish off the last of her ice cream.
She turned and looked at him. “What?”
“I can see you enjoyed that,” Don smiled. He began to stroke the back of her long black silky hair again. “My baby, you have no idea how much I love you right now. If only you could see how you look.”
Don leaned in and kissed her, something he never normally would do in public. A mutual urge passed between them that it made him feel bashful. “Maybe we can get a hotel room for a few hours instead of going to the cinema. What do you think?”
Katy nodded and smiled, throbbing with the same look of want.
“Where at the hotel where we use to stay?”
“I know a new hotel where we can stay,” he winked, then picked up her shopping bag. “Ready?”
Katy nodded.
Inside the café, Don made his call to Lucas, while Katy hovered over the sweets and cakes trying to decide.
“Hey Lucas, Don. Gino gave me your card. So what’s up?”
“Hey, Don my friend. How are you doing?”
“Good, how are you doing?”
“Good. I got me a ship,” said Lucas, excited to tell Don his latest news without sounding overly enthusiastic.
“A ship: What kind of ship? What do you mean?”
“She’s a merchant cargo ship, originally from Budapest. She’s old, but still good and sea worthy.”
“So you are a ship owner now?”
“She’s all mine Don.”
“Congratulations.”
“Thanks. Well I met these two old ladies, they’re ship owners. You know we got talking at one of their big parties. They are millionaires. Yeah, they gave me this ship to try out before leaving it in dry dock, and they are paying to fix her all up until I start making some money from it,” Lucas sighed. “It is sure keeping me busy.”
“Well it sounds good.”
“So what do you say? If you are interested, come on board with us. I need all the help I can get.”
“Where’s she heading?”
“Lebanon first, then Libya and back to Greece.”
“What cargo is she carrying?”
“Asbestos.
“Asbestos eh?”
“So what do think? You interested?”
“Maybe.”
“I heard you got married. Congratulations.”
“Thanks. Who told you?”
“Gino.”
“Ah yes, Gino.”
“Listen, if you want, you can also bring your wife on the trip. That’s if she wants to come.”
“My wife, I can bring my wife?” Don laughed. “I don’t know, I will ask her.”
“I still need to find another assistant chief officer and some more deck hands and a second engineer. Maybe you can be chief officer or captain. I have a captain, but he might not be able to make it on this first trip.”
“Who is the captain?”
“Captain Nikos, you know him?”
“I know him vaguely, but I never sailed before with him.”
“We are cleaning the oil in the engines and scraping the paint right now in dry dock. I need someone to supervise the deck hands for now. I hope you don’t mind the work load until I find more recruitment. Listen, pass by and were talk more when you get to my offices. You got the address right?”
“Yes, the one on your card, right?”
“Yes.”
“When?”
“If you come on by now I can see you.”
“Okay.”
“Take a taxi and I’ll cover it.”
“I have a few problems with my sea-mans papers, I still need to fix up as yet.”
“The paper work we can fix up later, no problem, but I need you to get right down the docks in the morning if all is agreeable to help with the new recruits, okay?”
“Okay.”
“We are good for money, so when you get here, I will have some advance money ready for you and then fill you in with the details. The two old ladies are seeing that we get everything we need until I get going on my own,” Lucas said with excitement. “So were good?”
“Yes, were good.” Don released a sigh. “I am with Katy my wife right now.”
“Well, bring her along with you to my office. I would love to meet her. Where in England is she from?”
“London.”
“Where did you meet?”
Don lied. “Down on Glifada beach.”
“Hmm, I’ll have to try that sometime when I’m not so busy. Get me some swims and a nice tourist sunbathing,” Lucas humored, “Okay, Don, I got someone calling on my other line. I’ll see you within the hour?”
“Okay, bye.”
Don just caught Katy in time before ordering the baklava.
“Come Katy, we’ll get your cakes later.”
“Where are we going?”
“We will get a taxi now to Athens and meet my friend Lucas. The cakes will be fresh if we get them after my business.”
*****
At Ma’s place in the village.
Piraeus, Greece 1972.
Don’s mother had just finished hanging her washing on the line up on the roof of the house. From over the village rooftops of Piraeus, you could just make out dockland, the fishing market and the ocean beyond. She carried her stocky build carefully back down the stairs. Don and Katy were just leaving.
“See you later Ma, Katy and I are going into town.”
Don’s mother smiled with curiosity as they headed towards the stairs.
“Katy wants to buy jeans and take a walk about. We are going to the corner to get a taxi.”
“What time will you return?”
“Late. We are going to eat out and see a movie after.”
“Oh!”
“What?”
“I was about to cook. I bought some fresh fish this morning at the market just for Katy to eat.” She looked Katy up and down, admiring her purple blouse with ruffles and white pants that she wore with beige high heels. “Now you’re all dressed up, go!” She smiled and clenched Katy’s hand. “You look nice Katy.”
“Thank you.”
“You eat the fish Ma. Eat it with those wild greens you hide up there on the roof in the laundry room,” said Don.
Don’s mother felt embarrassed with Katy listening. “So you found my secret place, eh?”
“Who is going to eat your precious wild greens Ma? Keep them in the house.”
“They stay cool in there. They keep longer and taste better.”
“Why don’t you eat the fish with Rita and Dad?”
“I didn’t buy the fish for your sister. Your sister can eat anything and your father rarely eats here anymore. He lives at the village café from morning to night on just two eggs he eats for breakfast.” She nodded solemnly at Katy and Don. “You know, he doesn’t eat any more. Anyway, I bought the fish especially for Katy. Look at her she is all skin and bones.”
“That’s her English way Ma. They all like to have figures like models.”
“So what do these English models eat?” she grinned.
“She eats soup and salad, fruit, veggies, eggs and yogurt with honey.” Don turned to Katy and spoke in English. “My mother wants to fatten you up like a Greek girl.”
“What are you telling her?”
“That you want to make her fat like a Greek girl.”
Don’s mother knocked her head back and laughed. She nodded at Katy and touched Katy’s ribcage, then with a gesture held her fingers together up to her mouth. “Eat more. Some fat will make you look more healthy and beautiful,” she smiled.
Katy smiled then gave her mother in law a hug.
“Do you like fish Katy?”
Katy nodded.
“But you have to clean out the bones first,” said Don. “And who would have thought, she loves the skordalia we serve with the fish.”
“What, our pureed garlic potato with mayonnaise and horseradish?” Don’s Mother gave her a look of astonishment.
Katy’s eyes lit up nodding at her mother in law. “Umm, that is nice.”
“Good, I will make it for you.”
Katy turned to Don. “We don’t have to eat out. Your mother seems to have gone to a lot of trouble to get the fish. That must have been a long walk for her to the fish market and back.”
“She likes to go to the market. You know, she gets to gossip there with the fishermen and the other ladies, and on her way back she picks her wild greens then catches a bus.”
Don’s mother enjoyed listening to her son speaking in English. “I’ll put some aside for Katy to eat tomorrow for lunch.”
“You see how my Ma loves you Katy? She doesn’t want you to leave. You are now her new friend.”
Don kissed his mother. “So while Katy eats in the kitchen she must listen to all your life, eh Ma?”
“Well, who else listens to me?” She turned to Katy and smiled. Gently she stroked Katy’s long black hair. “What your eyes will see Katy.”
“Ma, now what are you telling her?”
“What?”
“Rest up, Ma. Put your feet up for a while and watch your soap opera’s. Cook the fish tomorrow.” Don grinned.
Don’s mother rocked her head, “Hmm, I’ll see.”
It was good to see her son in love and finally married. She gave Katy and her son a final nod of approval as they left.
However, Katy detected in her mother in laws eyes her reading into something more with where they were really going together in life.
Katy’s high heels echoed as she followed Don down the stairs.
Usually Don stayed in hotels when he was single after returning from a ship as a seaman, preferring his own company. Now he surprised all the family with his coming home to stay with a new English wife who he had married in England. Don being fifteen years older than Katy was something to think about, but at least she could understand and speak some Greek.
Don had yet to find another ship and save for an apartment of his own. She could see what the reality for Katy would be. She had married a seaman herself. Katy seemed to make her recollect her own life of love, beauty, youth and innocence. Still, she had questions for a son she was so happy to have home, and yet in the excitement of watching their love an uncertainty lingered.
*****
CHAPTER TWO
The Blue Diamond Plan.
The Marina Café square - Piraeus, Greece.
Gino the waiter set the heavy tray down. “Here you go, three ham n cheese melts with coke and one espresso.”
“Nice, thanks Gino,” said Lucas.
Gino began to fill three glasses with water from a jug. “How’s the shipping business Mr. Lucas?”
“Very well, very well Gino, but as usual we are always in need of more help down at the docks.”
Gino took in the air of the three men. “Did you know Don is back in town?”
“Don?”
“Yeah, you know, Don with the curly hair and all muscle?”
“Yes, Don,” nodded Lucas. “When did he get in?”
“He just got back from London with a new English wife,” smiled Gino. “He might be looking for a ship.”
“A new wife eh?” said Tony the engineer. “What’s she like?”
“Beautiful,” Gino smiled. He raised his eyebrows. “She’s very young.”
Lucas turned to Captain Nikos. “Have you worked with him before?”
“No,” said Captain Nikos shaking his head. His charismatic blue eyes shifted from Lucas and Tony to Gino. “But I’ve heard he can practically take on any ship by himself.”
Everyone laughed.
“True eh?” said Gino nodding. “He is strong.” He paused for a second as he recollected, then smiled before topping up their glasses with water. “He’s still in love.”
“Yeah, Don’s good,” said Tony, nodding. “I’ve worked with him on several ships.”
“He usually passes by here every day for coffee with his new wife,” said Gino. “I can put in a word for you, if you like Mr. Lucas.”
“Did he pass yet?”
“No not yet.”
Lucas opened his briefcase on his knee. "Here, give him my card when you see him. Tell him to call me at my offices in Athens will you?”
Gino nodded and placed the card into his white shirt pocket. Another table started clicking their fingers to get Gino’s attention to place an order. Gino turned, nodded and gave a half smile to everyone.
“Is there anything else I can get you Mr. Lucas?”
Lucas glanced at Tony and Nikos. “No thanks Gino.”
Gino politely brought attention to their sandwiches. “Bon Appetite.”
Swiftly Gino left. His courteous patience to all his customers paid off well in tips. He made sure he was extra obliging to Mr. Lucas, for he tipped well for the tidbits of information he gave him while serving among this seafaring Mecca.
With an appetite the men ate.
It was business as usual in the café square facing about the yachts in down town Piraeus. By three o, clock it was usually crowded any time of year. A string of café venues stood side by side marked their own territory by different color umbrellas, where only waiters served tables. The weather for mid February had climbed to sixty-eight degrees.
“You know, if we can get Don onboard I think he will fit in perfectly to our plans,” said Lucas. “What do you think?”
“Well, we need a chief officer,” said Captain Nikos.
“What if he gets suspicious?” asked Tony the engineer.
“So what if he does? If anything, after the explosion he will only know about our cover up plan to sink the ship for the insurance. How will he ever know about the blue diamond,” said Captain Nikos.
Lucas turned to Tony. “But what about when you both mess with the radios. Does he know about radios?”
Tony shook his head. “No, he knows nothing about radios.”
“You sure Tony?” said Captain Nikos.
Tony gave Lucas and Captain Nikos a serious nod, then smirked, turning to Lucas. “Offer him a good advance and see if he wants to bring his wife on the trip. The love distraction will help to keep him busy and his nose out of our business.”
“Well, the new deckhands will keep him busy,” said Lucas. “I just recruited two more from Pakistan this morning.”
“If he get’s suspicious when seeing the speed boat making a pick up from the Marcos ship, it will look like nothing but cigarette smugglers, and that we all know happens all the time,” said Captain Nikos.
“Well, I’m still hoping to really sink her, if we can,” said Lucas.
“So you worked a deal out with that peasant Captain Andreas on the Petra?” said Tony.
Lucas nodded.
“Hmm,” said Tony. “So how big of an explosion are we talking here that you want me to make?”
Captain Nikos and Lucas looked at each other.
“Well it better be big enough to injure one of the oilers real good, so that Harry and his rescue team in Malta have to hear about it.” Nikos turned to Tony. “Harry doesn’t want any of his team getting suspicious when they arrive on the scene.”
Lucas addressed both the men. “I’m just saying, if we can sink the ship for the insurance it’s a good bonus, don’t you think? Anyway, we can talk later about that.”
They noticed in the distance Gino’s lanky confident figure walking towards them. They went quiet.
“You can give me the total now Gino. That was a great Ham N Cheese. I would order another but I have to go.”
“Glad you liked it Mr. Lucas.”
Gino added up and gave Mr. Lucas the bill. Lucas glanced at it, settled the bill and gave Gino a backhand of extra cash that no one could see.
“Thank you Mr. Lucas.” Gino nodded with satisfaction then left to another table urgently trying to catch his attention.
Lucas opened his briefcase and handed Captain Nikos and Tony the engineer each a few business cards. “Here, give a card to Don if you see him.”
For a few moment’s they sat quietly people watching. Captain Nikos leaned back in his chair and relaxed with his arms behind his head. He noticed Tony admiring the yachts in the marina.
“So are you still going to buy yourself that yacht Tony when you get your share?”
Tony glanced at Captain Nikos, and then picked the dry oil out from under his nails. He looked up again with a smirk. “First I’m going have a manicure just like Lucas.
Lucas answered for him. “Tony will be quiet for a year like everyone else, right Tony?”
Tony nodded, then scratched at his unshaven chin and turned to Lucas. “You have got it pretty good being a ship-owner eh? You can spend all the money you like and no one gets suspicious.”
Lucas eased into a half grin. “So, tell everyone the yachts mine.”
“I can do that?”
“We’ll see. Maybe we can work something out.” Lucas looked at Nikos and back at Tony. “But I’m not making any promises.”
“When did you start polishing your nails Lucas? I have never seen you wear polish before,” said Captain Nikos.
Lucas looked at his nails. “What? It gives a clean look.”
“I don’t know it looks gay to me.”
“No, lots of businessmen wear varnish in the city and they’re not gay.”
“So when do you think our carrier will arrive in Africa?” said Tony.
“That’s what we are all waiting to hear,” said Captain Nikos.
“So apart from keeping an eye on the Marcos ship, everyone’s in position right?” said Tony.
Lucas and Captain Nikos nodded.
“So we just play for more time?” said Tony.
Captain Nikos nodded, looking cool, calm and collected in his unbuttoned white shirt that revealed a gold chain with a Saint Christopher around his neck. His belly fat he held with self confidence. “That’s why I might not make the first run. I’m still waiting for Harry to fill me in.”
Lucas turned to Captain Nikos. “If we get Don onboard, maybe he could be captain for us on a dry run until you arrive. You know if our boys are still not ready and we have to leave port, you would still have plenty of time, even if you flew out to Lebanon to meet the ship.” Lucas rolled his eyes. “Another week or so of this waiting is beginning to make me nervous.”
“Well hopefully we don’t have to put off for much longer and I can make the first trip, eh?” said Captain Nikos.
Lucas sighed. “I better go.” Lucas turned to Captain Nikos. “Call me later if you hear anything more.”
Captain Nikos nodded.
Lucas stood up. Nervously he hovered about trying to smooth out the wrinkles in his suit with his hand. “I’ve still got paper work to do, and then I have more food supply orders to make for the ship.” Lucas turned to Tony. “I’ll see you down at the docks in the morning. I might have one more oiler for you.”
Tony looked up at Lucas and grinned before looking down to dig some more oil from out under his nails. “Relax Lucas. This is the easiest money we have ever made.”
Lucas’ green eyes darted back and forth at Nikos and Tony with serious reservations as he straightened up.
They gazed back at Lucas admiring his thick sandy colored hair and tall handsome features. There was something becoming about the man in his vanity, wearing the latest style from the top designers as he walked to the curb to get into his limo.
Captain Nikos looked at his watch and released a sigh. He stood up, tossed his suit jacket over his shoulder and hovered for a moment. “I have some more calls to make.” He rubbed his nose. “If I don’t see you, Lucas will let you know what is going on. Okay?”
Tony nodded, and released a sigh as he stretched. “Well, I better start heading back to the ship.”
Nikos slapped Tony on the back. “Watch out. Make your excuses that we have a little engine trouble to who ever are snooping around.”
Tony watched Nikos cross the street and hail a taxi. Tony zipped up his blue polyester jacket and walked his skinny frame across the café square with his hands in his pockets. He decided to take a closer look at the yachts in the marina for a few moments before catching a taxi out to the docks. Just as he was about to turn the corner, he noticed Don sit down outside with his wife at a far end table closer to the café entrance.
Gino was about to take their order.
Tony stood there for a moment watching them without detection. His eyes ran over the woman’s features with her long black hair and tiny frame. She can’t be more than eighteen. Tony sighed, well, well. He waited to see if Gino would give Don, Lucas’ business card.
Gino turned around to see if Lucas was still sitting at his table and noticed everyone had left. Gino exchanged words with Don and then gave him the card from his shirt pocket.
Tony debated whether he should still go over, but decided he would wait and see if Don would call Lucas better. He took in the air of his puppy love with a cunning intent before he turned the corner. Yes, Don would come in handy into our plan. One man who could do it all meant less suspicious men onboard and one man could only do so much.
#
Don and Katy fell mesmerized by the action in the square until the waiter returned.
“Here you go, one banana split and coke and one espresso.”
Gino leaned the weight of his tray down at the edge of the table to secure himself and then placed two glasses of water on the table.
“So you’re good?” smiled Gino.
“Yes, for now were good, thanks Gino,” said Don, nodding with satisfaction.
Gino marked up his bill and placed it on the table before picking up his tray. Don and Katy watched hypnotically Gino place more coffees out at another table with supreme balance.
Don took out the card again Gino had given him earlier from inside his sports jacket pocket to study the address and telephone numbers. “Well that’s interesting.” Don put the card away.
Katy licked her spoon. “Are you going to call him? Umm is this good. You want to try some?” Katy tried to spoon-feed Don her ice cream.
Don gently moved her hand away. “No thank you.”
Her eyes were waiting for his answer.
“Yes, in a while I’ll find out what he wants after we leave here.”
“So how do you know him?”
He sighed. “Lucas is an old friend of mine from Athens. He was in the clothing business and now he is in shipping.” Don took a moment to think. “I haven’t seen him since we married, and then it was just to say hello in passing. I had just returned from sea at the time. Anyway, he did most of the talking.”
Don lit a cigarette trying to relax. He did not feel like explaining to Katy how they met through dating two sisters at the same time, who they occasionally took out to dinner together. It was a long time ago before they had met. He brushed off a piece of dust from off the sleeve of his sports jacket, as was his way when he grew a little nervous and then glanced about the café square.
“Don, do you think I should buy your mother some flowers before we go back to the house?”
“No. She does not need flowers; she will think she is going to die. Get her something else.”
“Oh don’t be silly, all women love flowers.”
Don sighed heavily. He took a sip of his espresso.
Katy peered into her shopping bag. “I can’t wait to wear my new jeans,” she smiled. “They were really a nice fit.”
Don leaned forward to whisper. “Remember Katy, if anyone asks you how we met, just say we met on Glifada beach when you were on vacation. We do not need to explain all about you being a dancer in those cabarets before. You know how people talk. They will only get the wrong idea about you.”
Katy gave him a look that made him feel uncomfortable as he smoked his cigarette, but she was too happy right now to be mad at him, and so she tried to understand.
“It’s the Greek mind my love, the way they think and like to gossip.”
“So what shall I get your mother?”
“Get a cake better. For a Greek old lady who never ever gets flowers it isn’t really a good idea.”
“What about chocolates? Oh, what about Turkish delight?”
“Cake is better.”
“Okay.”
“After you finish your ice-cream we can go inside the café and see what they have among their sweet cakes while I make my call, but really my love, you don’t have to get my mother anything,” he smiled, stroking the back of her long black silky hair.
“But I want to do this,” Katy frowned. “Oh she’s been so kind and to let us stay and all.”
“She’s my mother; she likes us staying with her. She hasn’t seen me in so long and she enjoys cooking for us, and you see how much she loves you. What else is she going to do? That’s her life.”
“Yeah I know.”
Don took another sip of espresso. “Anyway, I have been giving her money for our stay.”
“You have?”
“What do you think; I don’t give her money to cover our food?” he nodded.
Katy considered this and smiled thoughtfully as she took another scoop of her ice cream.
“I know what my mother likes, Baklava.”
“Baklava?”
“You know the thin layers of pastry with honey and nuts? It’s very sweet, sticky too. I will show you when we go inside,” he smiled, and then pinched her cheek softly. “Get the Turkish delight for yourself, you like Turkish delight.”
“Umm, yes I do love Turkish delight.”
Katy loved sitting in the square people watching. All the different kinds of characters wearing various fashions going about their lives brought about a harmonious buzz of voices that mesmerized her while she spooned her ice cream.
Don looked at the bill, made a quick study of it and placed something extra than his usual tip on the table for Gino.
“So tonight do you still want to go to the cinema?”
“Yeah,” said Katy excitedly, “Oh!” Suddenly her enthusiasm died down.
“What?”
“All the movies have subtitles in English and it strains my eyes, but that’s okay.”
“Yeah, it will also give you a break from my family for a while. It can’t be easy for you staying with my mother and sister, but let’s see first what work I will do.”
Don took pleasure in watching her polish off the last of her ice cream.
She turned and looked at him. “What?”
“I can see you enjoyed that,” Don smiled. He began to stroke the back of her long black silky hair again. “My baby, you have no idea how much I love you right now. If only you could see how you look.”
Don leaned in and kissed her, something he never normally would do in public. A mutual urge passed between them that it made him feel bashful. “Maybe we can get a hotel room for a few hours instead of going to the cinema. What do you think?”
Katy nodded and smiled, throbbing with the same look of want.
“Where at the hotel where we use to stay?”
“I know a new hotel where we can stay,” he winked, then picked up her shopping bag. “Ready?”
Katy nodded.
Inside the café, Don made his call to Lucas, while Katy hovered over the sweets and cakes trying to decide.
“Hey Lucas, Don. Gino gave me your card. So what’s up?”
“Hey, Don my friend. How are you doing?”
“Good, how are you doing?”
“Good. I got me a ship,” said Lucas, excited to tell Don his latest news without sounding overly enthusiastic.
“A ship: What kind of ship? What do you mean?”
“She’s a merchant cargo ship, originally from Budapest. She’s old, but still good and sea worthy.”
“So you are a ship owner now?”
“She’s all mine Don.”
“Congratulations.”
“Thanks. Well I met these two old ladies, they’re ship owners. You know we got talking at one of their big parties. They are millionaires. Yeah, they gave me this ship to try out before leaving it in dry dock, and they are paying to fix her all up until I start making some money from it,” Lucas sighed. “It is sure keeping me busy.”
“Well it sounds good.”
“So what do you say? If you are interested, come on board with us. I need all the help I can get.”
“Where’s she heading?”
“Lebanon first, then Libya and back to Greece.”
“What cargo is she carrying?”
“Asbestos.
“Asbestos eh?”
“So what do think? You interested?”
“Maybe.”
“I heard you got married. Congratulations.”
“Thanks. Who told you?”
“Gino.”
“Ah yes, Gino.”
“Listen, if you want, you can also bring your wife on the trip. That’s if she wants to come.”
“My wife, I can bring my wife?” Don laughed. “I don’t know, I will ask her.”
“I still need to find another assistant chief officer and some more deck hands and a second engineer. Maybe you can be chief officer or captain. I have a captain, but he might not be able to make it on this first trip.”
“Who is the captain?”
“Captain Nikos, you know him?”
“I know him vaguely, but I never sailed before with him.”
“We are cleaning the oil in the engines and scraping the paint right now in dry dock. I need someone to supervise the deck hands for now. I hope you don’t mind the work load until I find more recruitment. Listen, pass by and were talk more when you get to my offices. You got the address right?”
“Yes, the one on your card, right?”
“Yes.”
“When?”
“If you come on by now I can see you.”
“Okay.”
“Take a taxi and I’ll cover it.”
“I have a few problems with my sea-mans papers, I still need to fix up as yet.”
“The paper work we can fix up later, no problem, but I need you to get right down the docks in the morning if all is agreeable to help with the new recruits, okay?”
“Okay.”
“We are good for money, so when you get here, I will have some advance money ready for you and then fill you in with the details. The two old ladies are seeing that we get everything we need until I get going on my own,” Lucas said with excitement. “So were good?”
“Yes, were good.” Don released a sigh. “I am with Katy my wife right now.”
“Well, bring her along with you to my office. I would love to meet her. Where in England is she from?”
“London.”
“Where did you meet?”
Don lied. “Down on Glifada beach.”
“Hmm, I’ll have to try that sometime when I’m not so busy. Get me some swims and a nice tourist sunbathing,” Lucas humored, “Okay, Don, I got someone calling on my other line. I’ll see you within the hour?”
“Okay, bye.”
Don just caught Katy in time before ordering the baklava.
“Come Katy, we’ll get your cakes later.”
“Where are we going?”
“We will get a taxi now to Athens and meet my friend Lucas. The cakes will be fresh if we get them after my business.”
*****
CHAPTER THREE
The Marina!
Over the next week, Don helped supervising the deck hands in dry dock, and enjoyed getting to know his new crew he would have to teach to become seaman. By evening, he came home for supper at his mothers very tired.
Katy felt awkwardly shy staying at her in-laws all day, but tried to enjoy her days as much as possible, reading and writing or sitting out on the veranda, or listening to her mother in laws stories during lunch in the kitchen and talking with Rita, Don’s sister who was always busy cleaning. They catered to Katy as if she were a foreign princess and never allowed her to pick up a thing.
“What are you writing?” asked Rita, who was taking short rests while mopping the marble floors to Katy’s room.
“I have decided to write my life, my autobiography.”
“Autobiography? Ah yes, a book but like a diary?” Rita smiled.
“Yes, like dairy.” Katy smiled back from where she sat lounging on the bed, eating a few grapes from a bowl on the side table that her mother in law had brought into her earlier.
Rita looked up at Katy while still mopping the floor. “So tomorrow you leave eh?”
Katy smiled and nodded.
“You are not afraid?”
“No, why should I be afraid? I am with Don,” she smiled. “I will be okay.”
“You get to see life Katy. Travel and see many countries while you are young.” Rita nodded with approval. “Hmm, I like how you can think to be so free. You keep an open mind. Anyway, your life is better than my life. Look at me. I am always stuck in this house as you see, just cleaning everyday. But you know, since your stay you make me think about what I will do with my own life,” Rita smiled. “Well, I think you will have quite a book about your travels Katy.”
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You can also leave a comment by e-mail if you prefer, at: jacquelinehowett@yahoo.com
In Subject line type: chapter comment, or The Greek Seaman comment. Thanks. Jacqueline
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