"You've almost finished my morning chores," Robert said cheerily ashe grabbed a wheelbarrow and a shovel, and started scoopingyesterday's filth into t...e wheelbarrow. "You went to bed pretty earlylast night." Yeah, I was beat," Rachael said. "I feel better now though." You missed the excitement last night. There was a meeting and theymoved the races around. We still start with the ponies and then thepowder puff, but they moved the under-16 to Sunday. Some of the menwant to race the same horses. I’d managed to steal a couple of hours sleep on the sand in the narrow shadow of the sea wall and I still lay in that half-dazed place between sleep and waking. Lying supine in a black bikini, leaning back on my elbows, knees bent, toes digging into the soft, cool sand, I watched people swimming in the sea and baking in the afternoon sun. A group of British men played soccer with a brightly colored beach ball, their taunts and shouts flattened by the low rumble of the waves and the traffic. My own eyes were closed as I enjoyed his touch. I moaned quietly as I felt his fingers advance. Time passed slowly as I felt his fingertips moving higher and higher along my thigh. His fingers moved slowly as well. After many minutes, I felt his hand touch against the hem of my skirt. I knew I had to do something. "Whoa, cowboy," I said, feeling like I had been in a trance. Ricky's fingertips had just barely gone under my skirt. I reached down and put my hand on his...stopping his advance.. I felt odd about how I received the ensign rating, but my duties and service on Haven certainly measured beyond the naval rank bestowed upon me.Ulla was waiting for me with the armorer. I couldn't help smiling when Ulla stepped out of the weapons vault. It pleased me to see the head of security was the one to help me."What?" Ulla said, "Did you think I'd miss your fitting?"We both laughed. The armorer didn't seem to understand what we were laughing at. Obviously, he wasn't aware Lt. Ulla Foth.