Chapter 14: Sailing the Briny Blue Part 2

"Just a minute," she called out and pulled a dress over her head. When she opened the door, Sir Shillingsworth waited for her in the passageway.

"Join me for tea, in the mess." He might have worn the slightest of frowns.

She followed him up to the mess and sat in the corner while he fetched two cups of tea. He pushed one over to her.

"We'll be stopping at Finches Harbour to take on supplies. I'd like you on the deck to record the island and city. It is time to get serious. No more playing in the engine room."

Cal opened her mouth to argue that she wasn't playing, but closed it. This was Sir Shillingsworth talking, not her father.

"Yes, Sir." She cupped her hands around the tea. "Where do you suggest I take up position?"

Sir Shillingsworth stilled for a moment as if adjusting what he planned to say next.

"I think at the bow; you'll be able to move down either side of the ship at need." He took a sip of the tea and shuddered. "I will never get used to the taste of tea without milk. I want you to think about what you wish to do with your life."

The sudden shift in topic made Cal's head spin. She took a long sip to give herself time to think.

"I'm honestly not sure." She looked around the mess. "Some days I want to explore the world like you do, drawing what I see, so everyone can share the adventure. Other times, I want what I had with mother at home. Safe, familiar."

"You aren't planning to be an engineer?" He raised his eyebrow and she couldn't tell if he was teasing or serious.

"The engine is fascinating. It is so much more complex than the steam carriage at home. All those parts working in balance to push the Peregrine through the water. It's like a symphony in my head. But as interesting as it might be, I don't think a career as a grease monkey is for me."

Sir Shillingsworth let out a long sigh, and Cal laughed.

"You seriously thought I could be an engineer?"

"Could? Cal, you could be anything in this world. Should? Where are your gifts best used? Don't make up your mind too quickly. You don't want to limit yourself."

He put his hand on her shoulder, then carried his still full cup to the galley. Cal sighed and finished her tea, then headed for her berth. She needed to get organized to record their landfall at Finches Harbour.