Chapter Fifteen
Wednesday was sunny and warm, it was the sort of day that said, Mike, you're going to miss weather like this. At the airport, the main luggage had gone, and the Palmer's were waiting to go into the departure lounge. Mike and Nann were saying there last tearful goodbyes, and both families looked on as they kissed for the last time. As Mike looked back before going through the doors Nann had her mothers arm around her shoulder, she was still crying, and her mother and father were doing there best to console her. Mike ran back, they held each other for a brief moment, and as Mike rejoined his family he called back."Love you, I will write as soon as I get home." The doors closed behind him.
The flight back to England was in a brand new Vickers Vicount 800, she looked beautiful on the tarmac just outside the departure lounge. As the family walked towards the aircraft and climbed the steps, Mike remembered the horrible trip out some two years earlier. As Mike climbed the steps he could see people on the observation roof watching, and among then was Nann, she was waving madly to attract his attention, and of coarse he did see her and waved back. In this aircraft, there was plenty of room, and on this one when you sat in your seat it all seemed very normal. The take off was lovely, and as the aircraft lifted off the runway, she headed up into the wispy clouds into a clear blue sky. The run back was Malta to England, no stopping at Nice, in fact, no stopping anywhere, also, the flight to half the time, that it took to get to Malta so that by the time the Palmers were sat enjoying the flight, it was time to get ready to land again. Also on this flight, you didn't fly through the Alps, you flew over the top of them. At Stanstead Airport, the family were bused to Waterloo railway station, where they boarded a train to Weymouth, then on to there home on Portland. The Palmer's home was a terraced house on the top of Portland, and over the past two years had been looked after by Dorothy's brother, his wife and daughter, plus Dorothy's father. It was a stone built house, a Portland stone built house, as was every house in Victoria Place, Ken had bought the house from his father in law, on the understanding that Pop as Mike called his grandfather could stay with the family until he went to that big home in the sky. Mike was about 5 years old when his father bought the house, he always said that any ship he joined would come to Portland, but as he was also a chief writer, his expertise were always needed at H.M.S.Osprey, Portland's naval establishment, and so once again he had been asked to go there again and try and sort out the pay section, a job he loved, and one that would keep him at Portland for at least two years.
There were two weeks until Christmas, so for Dorothy, there was a lot to do to get thing ready, Mike and Kelvin had to share a room, so father acquired a bunk bed and both boys were told to make do with what they had, Mike wasn't worried, he would be joining the navy very soon, so was more than happy to make do, Kelvin, however, was not happy, for two years he had had his own room and felt he should do again. His father explained the situation to him with the help of a size ten slipper, not that he used it, but with Kelvin laid across his father's knees, he got the message extremely quickly. Mike spent his time writing to Nann, trying to be positive about things, and as promised wrote twice a week, a short letter on Wednesday, and a longer letter on Sunday's. The week before Christmas Mike found a letter on the mantlepiece in the dining room, taking it to the bedroom, in the peace and quiet he read the letter from the girl he loved. She told him how much she missed him, how she cried herself to sleep every night, and how she couldn't wait until she could feel his loving arms around her. As Mike continued reading, Nann was writing more intimate little bits in her letter, reminding him of the things they had done together. Mike reread the letter, and then sat on the bottom bunk and replied to the letter, as he was about to finish Kelvin came into the room saying he needed to rest, he needed his bed, which of course was the bottom bunk. Mike didn't say a word, just got off the bed put the letter into the addressed envelope and went down the stairs. Grabbing his coat he headed for the door calling to his mother. "Back in a while, going to post a letter." As Mike walked into Easton he passed a shop that sold ladies undergarments, he knew that Nann loved her underwear, so Mike walked into the shop. The shop assistant was about his mother's age, so Mike felt he was able to talk to her, telling her what he wanted, the assistant asked Mike the one question he could not answer, what size. The shop assistant then asked the girls age and height, those questions Mike was able to answer, then calling to the back of the shop she said. "Margret Janice, get out here please, two girls Nann's age came to the front of the shop. "Right sir, do any of my girls look like your girl." Both girls stood in front of Mike, then Mike asked both girls to turn slowly which they did, he then pointed to the one called Janice, "she is about the size and build of my girl." The shop assistant went up to Janice and whispered to her, Janice stepped back her face going red, the shop assistant spoke to her again and she looked at Mike and her face broke out into a huge smile, then going to a large rack of shelves she came back with a dozen sets of underwear in different colours. Mike made a decision on what he wanted, then said to Janice. "Do you think they will fit my girl?" Janice held the bra up to her own body and showed Mike, he nodded and said. " I'll take it, plus the panties." Janice wrapped the items in a paper, then put them in a nice box with the letter Mike had written to Nann, then looking at Mike with a smile on her face said, "If I had a boyfriend as good looking as you, and he gave me a present at Christmas like that, I would never let him go." Mike paid for the items he had bought and walked out of the shop. heading for the post office he handed the package over the counter. "Is it possible this can get to Malta for Christmas," Mike asked? "Sorry son." the postal clerk said,"not by normal delivery anyway, but I do have a bag here that is for service personnel if you can send it to a naval ship or establishment, It will be going today, and flying out tomorrow by military aircraft." Mike addressed the package to Maureen care of C.P.O Taylor H.M.S. Phoenicia c/o B.F.P.O. Ships, he paid the postage and the clerk placed the package into a bag marked B.F.P.O.
Christmas saw the whole Palmer clan together on Portland, they all arrived either during the afternoon or the evening of Christmas eve, and the sleeping arrangements were such that the ladies had the first floor and the men had the ground floor. Christmas morning was crazy, what with the kids sat in the front room opening there presents that were under the tree, and the women folk trying to organise breakfast, and get the Christmas dinner on the go for early afternoon. But it all worked out very well, and with the children sat in the large kitchen at the table, and the grownups sat in the dining room everyone had enough to eat and drink and everyone was happy. After dinner, the men took over the front room chairs and sofa and had as they said an afternoon nap. The ladies did the washing up, then with the children in tow in winter coats walked across the hills of Portland to Wide Street, then down into Easton square where the children had an hours play in Easton gardens. As the clock struck three they all headed home where Ken and John had put the kettle on and had made a nice cup of tea. That evening they all sat around the fire eating cold turkey sandwiches and Christmas cake, the evening was also open house, there was music, games and party fun for all, as the younger children started to get tired they made their way to bed, Mike and Kelvin stayed up and joined in with the neighbours in the street, but as tiredness took over, Mike and Kelvin made their way to bed at about midnight, and as soon as their heads hit the pillow, they were in the land of dreams. The party went on well into the night. Father finally locked the front door at two in the morning.
When Mike woke up on Boxing day morning, there were bodies everywhere, people in sleeping bags on the floor and people sleeping in chairs. Mike made his way to the kitchen where he found three of his anties trying to organise breakfast, one was frying eggs and bacon, one was doing toast and the other one was making tea and coffee, then mother turned up and the job was done a lot quicker, and Mike was soon eating a hearty breakfast. As the rest of the clan woke up, they also were fed and watered, and so it went on for three days.
Yes, for three days, the Palmer's house was rocking, and the neighbours, when and where possible joined in, bringing food and drink to boost the stores needed to feed everyone. and the youngsters played with each other, sharing their toys and enjoying the Christmas holiday.
On the 28th December, Mike, Kelvin Dorothy and Ken were alone, the house was a mess, but the Christmas had gone well, now the whole family set about the cleanup operation, and four hours later plus two breaks for coffee, the house looked a home again, and the family were sat in the front room in front of a nice fire drinking tea and eating the last of the Christmas cake.
The new year was fairly quiet, there was the usual street meeting at midnight where everyone wished everyone a happy new year and had a drink, but after that nothing, by ten after midnight, everyone had gone to bed.
Ken, joined H.M.S. Osprey and Kelvin went to a local school in Weymouth. As for Mike, he waited for his big day, he spent his time reading the seamans handbook and writing long letters to Nann. he would spend hours sat on the lower bunk looking at her picture and dreaming of what he had left behind, then Mike would climb onto the top bunk and with the special pictures would gaze at them trying to visualise again what it was like to hold Nann in his arms.
Chapter Sixteen
Mike joined H.M.S. Raleigh as planned, his first day was hectic, signing bits of paper, being fitted for his uniform and joining his new messmates. There were thirty blokes in his mess, well more like a wooden hut, and apart from a couple of guys, they all seemed to fit in. As the training began, those that failed to make the grade were quickly removed from the group, so that by the second week the class was down to 25, but those 25 were the tops. They marched together, did rifle drill together, everything as a well oiled machine. The Petty Officer in charge of the class was very pleased with the way they had jelled, and the fact they only had to be told once to twice how to do something and days later they were still able to do it right. He also noted, that young Palmer seemed to outshine the rest of the class, but always held back when asked questions, when he did answer, the answer was correct.
A month into his training, Mike was called into his divisional officer's office. " Oh
good, Palmer. "he said, "I need to talk to you about your training." Mike looked at him, he was worried that he had failed somewhere. "Is something wrong sir," Mike asked. His D/O smiled. "NO,no," he said. "I was wondering where you learned the things that we are trying to teach you," Mike explained that he was very keen to join the Royal Navy and what had taken place in Malta during his last ten weeks there. The D/O had a broad grin on his face. "Now we know," he said. "I must congratulate you, Palmer, you will pass out with flying colours, if you carry on the way you are going." "Thank you, sir, all I want is to pass. so that I can enjoy a great career. My father has done over 20 years so far, and I would like to match it." "Ok Palmer, you carry on."Mike saluted his D/O and left the office.
Mike spent his free time writing to |Nann, he was writing to her sometimes four times a week, and all his letters told her how much he missed her, some were intimate, some were even worse, and at every mail call, there was a letter from her. Nann had taken to writing to Mike every night, after work, she would go to her room and send her love to him in the most graphic details. Then one day, Mike got a small package from her, on his bunk he sat and opened it. It was another framed picture, of Nann laying on her bed in a pure white dress, the dress stopped at the knee, and Nann was laid on her back with her legs crossed at the ankle her head on her pillow, her hair spread around it. The picture was taken from the side of the bed, and as Nann sort of looked at the camera, she was also sort of reading a letter that she held in her hand, and as you looked at the picture you got the impression that Nann was drinking in every word that was written ion the page. As Mike held the photo in his hands he noticed the piece of tissue paper in the bottom of the box, taking it out and unwrapping it he was confronted with another picture. It was Nann standing in a different outfit. Mike turned the picture over and on the back was written Thank you my darling for the Christmas gift, it fits a dream, hope you like it as well. Mike lay back on his bunk, his head resting on his pillow looking at both pictures, a smile on his face remembering the Christmas present he had bought for her, now she was wearing it for him, and she looked b beautiful.
All Mike's messmates spent there evenings ashore, except when they were duty, and when they asked Mikie to join them, he always had the same excuse. "Sorry guys, I am saving my hard earned money to get married. Everyone had seen the photo on Mike's locker and admired it, some even said what a lucky so and so he was to have a bird like that waiting for him, but Mike was adamant, he had no plans to chuck his money away on beer and fags, so every night he would sit at the mess table and write to Nann. Then once he had posted the letter, he would lie on his bunk and study before having a shower and turning in for the night. Only once in the six months course did Mike have any trouble. It was the Friday night and very late when the lads got back to the mess, most were merry, but Paul White, Knocker to all his messmates was well over the top, as he passed Mike's bed and locker he saw the photo and made to pick it up, holding it above his head he shouted. "When I see this tart, I'm going to give her one. Mike woke up, saw what was going on and got out of bed, going over to Paul he said very calmly. "Paul, may I have my picture back please?" Paul spun round, as he did so he tripped over his own feet landing in a big heap on the polished floor. As he fell, the photo fell from his grasp and only with some good luck and fast footwork was Mike able to grab the photo and put it on the end of his bunk. With Knocker now on the floor and Mike standing over him, the Petty Officer in charge came in to see what all the rumpus was about as he came up to the group, he saw Mike with Paul's head in his hand whispering in his ear. " If you ever touch anything that belongs to me again, I will take you ashore and fill you so full of booze, you will vomit for the rest of your naval career, be it 12 years or 22. Knocker spent the night in cells, and the following morning with a rather large hangover he came and apologised to Mike. "Sorry peddler," he said. "I was very drunk last night and had no idea what I was doing." That's alright mate." Mike said. "But please remember what I said last night, and try and stay sober." The class P/O had been told what had happened the night before and having spoken to Mike and to Paul the whole incident was dropped.
The weeks progressed into months at H.M.S. Raleigh and the class had become used to the routine and were doing very well, every task they had to do they did properly, and if for some reason something did go amiss, then Mike was there to put it right, without fuss or getting annoyed. Just little things, like the traveller block on the jackstay being at the wrong end, nobody in the class noticed, but Mike did and so did his D/O who watched Mike make the change. At the end of 26 weeks, the whole class had to take exams and tests to see if what they had learned had sunk in. And at the end, they had there passing out parade.
Dressed in there number one suits the class looked very smart in the July sunshine, around the parade ground were sat all the mums and dads, and Mike was no exception, his father was stood watching the parade, while Mike's mother was sat beside him. Dorothy was seven months pregnant, something to do with a great Christmas, and Mike's father was a proud as punch. He was also proud of his eldest son, who was at this moment in time marching past the flag officer Devonport to the Royal Marine band playing Hearts of Oak.
After the parade, all the ratings joined their parents and headed for the ships dining room for drinks and nibbles. As Mike walked with his mother, holding onto her arm, they talked. Ken though was in deep conversation with Mike's D/O and it had looked as though the D/O had collared Ken. Mother was asking Mike if he had had any word from Maureen and Mike said that he was getting letters on a daily basis. "So." his mum said. "Love still blossoms does it." "Very much so," Mike answered, It was then that they were joined by Mike's father and his D/O. "Right Palmer." said the D/O pulling a folded sheet of paper from his pocket. "I have some news for you, in seven days you will be joining your first ship, sorry it's not a destroyer or frigate, but it seems that the captain of this particular vessel has asked for you personally." Mike waited, he held his breath. "Yes Palmer, you are going to join H.M.S. Bossington in Malta." Mike put his hands into the air and punched the sky and cried, "Yes. " then looking at his D/O realised what he had just done, he then stood at attention and saluted the officer saying thank you sir, thank you very much. The D/O didn't mind what Mike had just done after all this young man had worked hard and shown that everything he had achieved had paid off. He then departed from the Palmer family and went to meet up with some of the other families.
"Well son," his dad said. "Talk about luck, two years in Malta again." he patted his shoulder. "How long," Mike asked, Ken, looked at his son. "It's a two year stint son, and then I believe she is coming home to England with her crew." "Dad," Mike asked. "Can you get a message to Maureen's dad, tell him whats going on, I want to surprise Maureen, I didn't tell her anything about Bossington. when we were out there, she wasn't on the list." "Bloody hell son, that buffer has a lot to answer for." he laughed, but Dorothy wanted to know what the blue blazes was going on. So both Michael and Ken explained to her that during the ten weeks Mike was training, he had gone to sea on one of the minesweepers, he was even transferred between the ships by jackstay. Dorothy sat in her seat the colour drained from her face. "Are you telling me, Kenneth Palmer, you let our son go to sea without telling me, what sort of father are you, in fact, what sort of husband are you." " But love," Ken said. "You were not on the list, how could we say anything." Dorothy looked at her son, now a sailor in the Royal Navy, she smiled at him, then pulling him towards her she kissed his cheek. "Ok, ok I get it, I suppose I do tend to worry, but let's face it, that's a mothers prerogative, and as you know, my boys come first every time."
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