Three Months... Part 3.

Part 3.

 

“Does not seem like 3 months - does it Jonah - now we are back?” Digger quipped as the two friends stepped off the gang plank and back onto terra firma.

 

“No, it feels like 3 months, 1 week and 1 day – without a beer, that is what it feels like!” sneered Jonah. “It is awfully quiet, don’t you think? Where is everyone?”

 

The young Officers showered and put on clean uniform in the Officers Mess prior to debrief at 1600 hours.

 

“Very quiet Dave, is it not?”

 

“Eerily, his friend replied.”

 

“Briefing, scoff and then to the pub,” Dave B suggested. “I have a few beers to buy, good bunch of lads on that trip, especially as they did not get to see any of the world and were seriously rationed towards the end.”

 

“Agreed.” The other Dave answered as they marched smartly to the briefing hall to meet the crew and land-based superiors.

 

Admiral Smyth-Jenkins looked solemn, as he thanked the Commander, Officers and crew for a very successful mission. He apologised for not being able to divulge any information, but assured the ships company that their efforts had played a major part in the land forces being able to complete some significant work abroad, helping to stabilise, what was, a particularly unstable part of the world.

 

“…So, on behalf of the Admiralty, I thank you all” he concluded. “And now for some other news that I feel some of you are going to not take very well… All leave is cancelled!”

 

The whole room fell about laughing, from the Commander, with his 16 years distinguished service, to Digger who had barely completed 16 months, including training; they all knew and understood military humour.

 

“Sadly, this is no joke,” Admiral Smyth-Jenkins continued. “You will be aware as you embarked at the end of January that the world was facing an unusual crisis. Wuhan, a city in China, suffered a massive virus outbreak called COVID-19, likely origin was a “wet market,” or live animal market - killing thousands. This virus, known as Corona, spread quickly across the world, in particular to Italy and Spain, and into the UK. On the 28^th March, our Prime Minister Mr. Johnson made an announcement that – in line with other countries before us – we would be going into ‘lockdown’. In simple terms, this meant everybody was to stay at home, apart from to collect essential food and medicines, for an hour a day exercise or to go to work if they could not work from home. Supermarkets saw panic buying – shelves were empty and public transport ground to a near halt. All public places, including pubs, clubs, restaurants, theaters and any where large gatherings could take place, were closed. Sporting fixtures, including the football league have all been postponed. Travel in and out of the country has become non-existent – that is why you were all tested by the medics as you left the ‘Autonomous’ today – complete fleets of aircraft are stood still and airports are closed.”

 

The briefing room had become deadly silent. A mixture of disbelief, anger and sadness had descended on the room. The TWO Dave’s stared at each other and Jonah placed his hand on Diggers shoulder as he watched his friends head drop.

 

The silenced ceased as a few laughs were awarded to Jonah as he quipped “Corona, they have named A bloody virus, which is offending my drinking, after a beer!”

 

“As you can imagine this is having a major impact on the economy, with only key workers continuing. Clearly the Governments aim was to stop the spread of the virus and safeguard the NHS, whom as you can imagine have been inundated – but have done an incredible job. Boris Johnson himself was admitted to intensive care suffering from the virus and only returned to the cabinet last week. Regardless of your political persuasion, I suggest to you that the Government have done a fantastic job, in what is an unprecedented situation. As well as the social distancing measures introduced, they have put together huge compensation packages for companies and workers who cannot work or have been furloughed, to assist as best they can. Gentlemen, these are the facts, albeit when your phones and devices are returned to you after the briefing, you will quickly learn about the magnitude of the crisis. I wanted to inform you all personally and factually so when you contact your family and friends you will understand what they have been living through and, most importantly, understand why for the next two weeks at least you will be confined to barracks. There is a welfare team in the anti-room who can help further with any personal questions you may have. Gentleman, your appropriate leave will of course be arranged in due course and thank you once again for your efforts at sea and I am truly sorry to have had to be the one to break this to you. I genuinely trust you will be able to see your loved ones soon, good afternoon.” And he left.

 

The auditorium remained silent for what seemed like an age. Chatter broke out and some aggressive conversations, but all in all the discipline instilled in the sailors kept them in check, as they filed out, collected their phones and tablets and poured over the social media, news, gossip and stories from their friends and families…

 

The four men sat together in the corner of the makeshift mess bar, which was a huge disused hangar, allowing for social distancing – as best as they could for the eighty or ninety men it had to accommodate.

 

“At least we can get a beer, even if there is a limit on how much.” commented Jonah, raising his glass, “to social distancing!”

 

“Cheers.” replied the two Dave’s in unison.

 

“Salutay” Digger quietly added in mock Spanish.

 

“You know what?” Dave Beaumont summarised, “look at us; we are typical of the whole of the country. Dave, a simple thing like watching a football match you are unable to do: Jonah, beers with the boys – what should be a given – you are banned from doing; Digger, you can’t jump on a plane to Spain or hug and kiss your girlfriend, or a ferry to France and boyfriend in my case!”

 

“I suppose we are lucky if you think about it” Dave Pritchard added.

 

“Lucky!” blurted Jonah and Digger together.

 

 “How are we lucky? Digger questioned. “You can’t go on the climbing trip with Christian – or even see him; Dave here will not see a football game for months or meet his pals he always goes with – home and away; Jonah is stuck drinking this cheap piss for at least a fortnight – and by the pint, not gallon, which he prefers; and I will not by jetting off to the Mediterranean with the love of my life! Lucky?”

 

“He is right.” Jonah said, “We have been oblivious to this for three months, just going about our work, as the country has gone into lockdown and twenty odd thousand people have died – over a million in the world – apparently. The way I see it, we have got 7 – 14 days here, not great, but then things should be getting back to normal and we can watch football (nodding at Dave P) go climbing with your boyfriend (grinning at Dave B) and take Chloe away somewhere nice – might not be Majorca – but together… (Putting his arm round Digger). And as or me, I will go and get the beers in, same again?”

 

On Jonah’s return, four half full glasses chinked, a metaphor suggesting how to survive a crisis, even if it was a crisis you were oblivious to.