Parallel Me

Parallel Me Part 7

I had done this before several times, but it wasn't easy leaving home this time. We went to the Mediterranean again, and into Alexandra. Where I had a few exhibition bouts, with the local's Arab boxers. Nothing important just a goodwill gesture, well it was on my part.

One team fight was in Israel, in the port of Haifa we were there for their tenth anniversary of being a nation. One of the politicians, who watched the fights, asked the boxing team to a party the following weekend. It seemed his daughter had watched it with him; she had taken a liking to the genial giant who had beaten their best.

I was introduced to her just after I arrived, and she showed me around the grounds of their home. As we walked and looked at the bushes and flowers, we were being discreetly followed at a distance by two men.

"Are those your bodyguards," I asked smiling. She looked up at me, smiling sweetly and answered.

"No they are my brothers; they don't think I can look after myself. I don't have anything to worry about do I?" She asked, with that smile and twinkling eyes to boot. I laughed and stopping to look down at her, and with her brothers unsure of what to do I said.

"My Capitan would have me hung drawn and quartered if I upset you or your father. That is if your brothers, let me live long enough." She laughed and hooked her arm into mine, and we continued our walk.

We sailed a week later, bound for Freemantle in Australia. I had been invited back to see Ava twice in that week and I was encouraged to go by my superiors. Before we left Haifa, I was given a dog tag pendant, with a Star of David blessing on it. It was from Ava's father, I wasn't sure what it meant, or what I was supposed to think it meant.

I had to see the captain when we sailed and was commended for my diplomatic behaviour. I asked him if I should have accepted the gift from the politician, as I didn't want to offend him by refusing it. The captain smiled and looked at the other smiling officers in the room.

"I don't think it's anything to do with politics M, E, Lacey I think it's him giving you his blessing to court his daughter."

I fell in love with Freemantle, when we docked there a week later. The old colonial buildings with their overhanging roofs and balcony's were well preserved and pleasing to look at. Perth itself was a bright and clean city, not like the dreary cities of England. Fresh air and sunshine made it refreshing, and that clear turquoise sea made it look like paradise. I liked it on those golden sandy beaches, with the skimpy bikini-clad beauties giving you the eye.

I had to remind Bob he was married when a buxom girl caught his eye. Her friend wasn't bad either, but they wouldn't play, well not the game Bob wanted them to. Bob and I fought in the arena in Freemantle, we both won but Bob's was a very close call. He was knocked down twice, but caught his opponent in the fifth and laid him out. Five weeks at sea, and we were home two weeks before Christmas. My letters from home had told me the wedding, was on the tenth of January.

I was leaving the ship when we docked; my time aboard her was over. I was being transferred to Portsmouth, and Bob was going to join the civvies brigade. I had requested the second Christmas leave. I was told I had a month's leave due to me, as soon as I reported to my new berth in Portsmouth. I could go on leave until Monday, January twelfth, so I would be home for Christmas New Year, and most importantly Alice's wedding.

We docked on a Tuesday, and I had a day to pack my gear, and put it on Navy transport to Portsmouth. Exchanging my railway warrant for petrol coupons, I would ride my bike to Portsmouth and arrive there on Thursday afternoon. I found my billet and introduced myself, stowed my gear and Friday lunchtime went on leave. Navy transport had done me a big favour and dropped a suitcase and a kit bag off at Wellington for me. It wasn't really off his rout; it was a better road by coming this way. The only out of the way bit was going around to our house, but it saved him some money by doing it. Because his day was almost up, mum fed him and let him sleep in my bed.