We Saw The Sea by John Winton Page A

R.E.M.E. sergeant received a prize of one rubber ball.) Judging was done by the Captain himself and there had been occasions, according to the Purser, when even the Captain had barely made his escape from the lounge in time.
    The question of what Phyllis Featherday should wear for the party provided a fresh and welcome subject of conversation at the table. Paul proposed Mata Hari. Captain Featherday was charmed with the idea but himself preferred Alice in Wonderland. Michael said that he had heard that the last prize for Phyllis’s age group had been won by a Florence Nightingale. Pibroch did not agree with fancy dress on principle. Goldilocks, with a touch of his old self, suggested Lady Godiva or Salome. This for some reason annoyed Mrs Featherday who said that it was supposed to be a secret and Phyllis would go as Joan of Arc. Phyllis herself said that she did not want to wear anything; it was a prophetic remark.
    The Bodger was persuaded by an evening’s free whisky on the O.C. Troops to be in general charge of the party and he ordered the other naval officers to help him. The task of controlling the entrants and presenting them in the correct order was given to Sam Crayshaw, the Commissioned Master at Arms.
    “Just corral them outside, Sam,” said The Bodger. “Unleash them one by one as I read out their names. You’ll have some mothers to help you with the young ones and I’ve detailed Vincent and Hobbes as a fisting party to help you with the older ones. And for heaven’s sake don’t make them cry or anything. This is a lynching crowd we’ve got aboard this vessel.”
    “Aye, aye, sir,” said Sam Crayshaw.
    “If you need help, shout. The fisting party will be just inside the door.”
    “Aye, aye, sir.”
    On the afternoon of the Party, the first-class lounge was crowded with parents. Michael and Paul stood on either side of the door like night-club bouncers. The Bodger took up his position in the middle of the floor.
    “Ladies and gentlemen! Your attention please! The first class is for boys and girls under five. The first entry is . . .” The Bodger glanced down at his list “. . . David and Kirstie MacGregor, The Bisto Kids!”
    A large hand forcibly propelled two bashful but quite recognizable facsimiles of the Bisto Kids through the door. There was some applause, determinedly led by Sergeant Major and Mrs MacGregor, Welsh Guards.
    “Christine Summerfield! Little Bo-Peep!”
    There was more clapping and a cheer from the back where Fusilier and Mrs Summerfield, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, were sitting.
    “Beryl Frogat. . . .”
    Beryl was wearing a small seaman’s jersey and trousers made specially to her size with the words “Enos” chalked across the front of her jersey.
    “. . An Old Salt!”
    Beryl skipped across to join her mother Mrs Frogat, wife of Commander Frogat, R.N., in a general shout of laughter.
    The next entries were a small boy and his sister. The small boy wore a pair of his father’s grey flannel trousers rolled up and one of his father’s sports jackets which came down below his knees. His face was covered in boot blacking and shaving cream and he carried a pipe in one hand. His sister wore one of her mother’s dresses with a brassiere outside it. Her face was smeared with lipstick and face cream.
    “John and Deirdre Hampton. Left Alone for Five Minutes! “
    Friends leaned forward to clap the backs of Squadron Leader and Mrs Hampton in the front row.
    The Fancy Dress Party followed its ancient and traditional pattern. There was a Little Miss Muffet, a Dick Whittington, two Aladdins, several Little Jack Horners and some Sinbads, Robin Floods and Cinderellas. There were also Pierrots, Gypsies, the inevitable Cowboys and Indians, and one Spaceman. Historical characters were represented by Nell Gwynn, Gandhi and Nelson. On the side of Natural History, there were several Brer Rabbits, a White Rabbit, and one Space-Animal. The Stage was upheld by Punch and Judy and by