Chapter 24: Back to Sea Part 4

"Supper is on, engineer." Sam called through the door. "Henrichs asked me to be sure you were awake as you're in the wrong part of the ship to hear the bells."

"Thanks, Sam."

Cal dressed and headed for the mess. She filled her plate and sat with Sam.

"How long have you been working at sea?"

"Me da was a sailor. Got hurt, not as bad as Adam, but bad enough he retired and opened a bar. Told mum he was an expert on bars. I went to sea that year as cabin boy on a coaster. A year back I signed onto the Peregrine. I'm still the youngest, but at least I'm not the boy no more."

"Wouldn't I be the youngest now?"

"Don't matter, Cal. You're an engineer, makes you more like an officer, but you work harder."

"I heard that, Sam." Henrichs called from a table behind them.

Sam ducked his head, but grinned at Cal. She grinned back. After supper, she picked up her earplugs and headed down.