The Engine Room – Part 2: Slack Water

They crossed the harbour in fog on the longest night of the year.

The ferry slid through the mist at walking pace, horn sounding every minute, with the lights of the Elbe hanging like ghosts on either bank. In the engine room, Jan and Idris worked side by side, listening to Clara, adjusting, watching. They had been working the night shifts for three months. They no longer needed to speak. A glance at a gauge, a hand on a pipe, a shared half-nod, and the work was done.

At five, the ship tied up at the quay. The engine fell silent. The room cooled slowly, ticking. Jan stood in the middle of it, hands on hips, with his head tilted, listening to the quiet.

"She's happy," said Idris.

"She likes you."

"She likes the half-beat."

"She likes the man who hears it." Jan's voice was low. He picked up two mugs and held one out. "Come up."

They climbed to the afterdeck. Dawn was just breaking. The fog was lifting from the harbour in long gold ribbons, revealing cranes, gantries, the dark hulks of cargo ships, the first pale gleam of the river. Gulls cried. The air was cold and smelled of salt and diesel. Their breath hung in clouds.

They leaned side by side on the rail, drinking coffee.

"I've been a chief for ten years," said Jan.

"I know."

"I never wanted a second engineer."

"I know."

"I think I was waiting for someone to hear her."

Idris's heart gave a soft, tender thump. The sun rose red over the water, painting the fog pink and gold. A tug blew a long, low note.

"Can I ask you something?" said Idris.

"Yes."

"May I kiss you, Jan?"

"Yes," said Jan, a gruff tremor in his voice. "And if you say stop, you must take the night watch with me for ever."

"I'd do that anyway."

He kissed him, warm and a little oily, a hand rising to the fair beard. Jan kissed him back with a slow, grave tenderness, tasting of coffee and morning. The ship rocked gently at the quay. The sun lifted clear of the fog.

When they parted, both of them were smiling.

"Green?" asked Jan.

"Green," said Idris. "Very green."

The engine plate in the ship's room now has two names: Chief J. Brandt. Engineer I. Rahman. Clara, heard by both.

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