That evening the officers had a bacalhao dinner in the wardroom of the Boaventura.
"Whatīs your destination?" Balz asked Captain Fonseca.
"Gibraltar," Fonseca said.
"That wonīt do," Balz shifted in his seat.
"Itīs a short bus or taxi ride to Spain. You should be happy and I will each one of you carry five kilos of Angolan coffee thatņs worth a fortune in Europe now." Fonseca patted Balz on the shoulder. "Donīt look so gloomy."
"In Gib they drive on the wrong side of the road. I refuse to ride on the back side of a road that goes forward."
"Thatīs your land problem. Have a glass of oporto."
Balz sipped his port. "No, the problem is yours. I bought a ticket to France."
"What do you mean ticket? You were hitch hiking."
"I wasnīt hitch hiking. I was looking for my dear, lost tea cozy."
"Thatīs your problem," Fonseca retorted.
"Why do you keep adding problems? Thatīs not hoochie woochie."
Fonsecaīs face clouded. "what nationality you said you were? The Royal Navy reported sinking a U-boat in the vicinity."
Balz gestured around him. "We are Greeks with Spanish accent when we donīt speak Japanese in English. A U-boat? That must have been what sunk us, to steal my tea cozy."
Fonseca slapped Balz on the back. "Have another glass of port. Life and Gibraltar improve after two glasses."
Is Balz doomed to end up in Gibraltar?
Find out in the next episode of this exciting tale of the sea.