Monday morning Nann was at the boathouse before Mike, she was wearing shorts and a top both in pale green, as Mike saw her he said, "you like green don't you," "No," she said, "you do, I dress to please you," they kissed each other and proceeded to get the canoe into the water. It was another lovely day, blue skies, and a slight breeze blowing into the creek. With the canoe in the water, Mike climbed in first, then Nann, she sat back, using Mike's chest as her backrest, then getting the sail ready, Mike pushed away from the slipway and as the breeze filled the sail, the canoe slowly made its way into the middle of the creek. With Nann looking after the sail line and Mike looking after the tiller, they were soon making good progress up the creek. As Nann pulled back on the sail line, they found that the canoe moved faster, very soon they both realised that what they had done over those days before the holiday were beginning to pay off. And sitting like they were, was so much more comfortable, Mike was able to put his arm across Nann's waist and hold her, plus he could nuzzle her neck whenever he felt in the mood, which for Nann felt like non stop, but she didn't mind, she loved this feeling of closeness, and like she said, "If I feel in the mood for a real kiss, all I have to do is turn my head, and your mouth is there waiting for my lips. They kept to the Valletta side of the creek, and made there way almost to the open sea, then did a gentle turn into Sliema creek passed six frigates moored in line astern to buoys, three were on the buoys, and the other three were moored to them. Passing the ships and heading for Manoel Island bridge Mike realised that their speed had increased with the breeze, and he would never get under the bridge, so would need to make a tight turn to stop from wrecking all their hard work. However, Nann had also realised the situation, so letting the sail line go slack, the breeze was more or less removed from the sail, and the canoe slowed right down, Mike was able to make the turn and as the canoe came to a stop Mike and Nann together sat back and took a breather. "That was a bit scary," Mike said. "I know," Nann said kissing Mike's cheek, "But at least working together we avoided any major accident." "I agree," Mike said, " working together seems to be the best way." With the canoe now just bobbing about on the water Nann asked, "were we going to fast, do you think," "I don't think so," Mike answered, "I just think things happened to fast, but we will be ready for it if it happens again," Mike gave Nann a squeeze, "won't we," he said Nann grabbed the sail line again, and with the breeze filling the sail once again they headed back up the creek, the canoe was getting faster, as they got close to the last frigate they realised that she was moving, she was going astern to get away from the other frigate that she had been moored to. As she was going astern, Mike and Nann in the canoe were closing the gap very quickly, once again Nann let go of the sail line in the hope that the canoe would stop, but the frigate was still coming astern, there was now some thirty feet between them, when suddenly at the stern of the frigate the water was a mass of white froth, she was slowly moving forwards, and Mike and Nann in the canoe were being bounced around in her wake. As the gap between the frigate and canoe lengthened, Nann again grabbed the sail line and the canoe moved forward following the frigate, as she got to the entrance, she turned left, Mike and Nann turned right, heading for the boathouse at Pieta.
They had been out for an hour and a half, and heading home was for them a very good run, they passed the swimming area at Manoel Island going at around four knots, the breeze being right behind them. Nann was getting very good with the sail now, she seemed to have mastered it very quickly, knowing when to allow more wind into the sail, and when to ease it off. As they got into Pieta creek for the run to the boathouse, Mike realised they were going a bit to fast for the turn into the slipway, but Nann was ready, releasing the sail line the sail just fluttered in the breeze and the canoe slowed down, Mike steered the canoe towards the slipway, and still under her own momentum the canoe touched the bottom of the slipway and stopped. Nann got out, then taking the side of the cockpit, she pulled the canoe round so that it was side on to the slipway and Mike got out. It was very hot, and after putting the canoe away, they both agreed to go into Valletta and have a bite to eat
After changing in the boathouse, both Mike and Nann headed for the bus stop, the bus ride into Valletta was hot, the sun shone onto the bus roof and even with all the windows open, it was like an oven inside, and everyone on board was using hankies to remove, or try to remove the perspiration, and Nann and Mike were no exception, Mike's back was like a river, the water slowly soaking into his shorts. Nann's top was also showing signs of wetness, to the extent that once in the city centre she needed to buy a new top.
Walking down the main street of Valletta, there was no breeze at all, even holding hands was hot work, so in the end, they just walked side by side. Halfway down under an archway of shops, Mike stopped, they were outside that jewellers again, as he looked into the window, he could see the ring that Nann liked months before. Holding her hand, he walked her into the shop. At this time, Mike had said nothing, then inside the shop, he asked to see the tray of rings with the black stone and the three diamond on each shoulder. The assistant took the tray from the window and placed it on the counter, Mike picked up the ring and asking Nann to give him her left hand, he placed the ring on her wedding finger. Mike had not spoken to Nann, but she stood in front of him, her mouth open looking down at the ring. Then it all came out at once. "Michael Palmer, are you asking what I think your asking because if you are, the answer is yes." She put her arms around his neck and kissed him on the mouth. "How does it feel," Mike asked, "Wonderful darling, just wonderful." "No silly," Mike said, "the ring, how does it feel." Nann looked down again at the ring. "It's a little big, but I love it." Mike looked at the assistant. "Can it be made smaller?" "Of course sir," the man said, and removing the ring from Nann's finger he replaced it with a measuring ring, writing something in a small notebook, the man looked at Mike, "ready in two weeks," Mike paid the deposit and then Mike and Nann walked back out into the heat of the day.
As they walked to there favourite cafe, Nann held on to her man's arm, all she kept saying, was. "I love you, Michael Palmer," over and over. Under a large sunshade, they ordered iced coffee and egg sandwiches, as the waiter took their order, Nann was talking to herself, "Nann Palmer, Mrs Maureen Ann Palmer, no, Mrs Michael Palmer, Yes, I like that, Mrs Michael Palmer." Mike pulled Nann out of her daydream and back to reality. "Listen," he said, "We pick up the ring, two weeks today, and on the night,I will talk to your dad." Nann looked at her man, but she was still stood in front of the vicar being told. I now pronounce you man and wife, you may kiss your bride. The food arrived, and Mike ate and drank, Nann nibbled and sipped, as they sat there in there own little world and Mike thinking about how he was going to approach Mr Taylor on the fact that he loved his daughter and wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, they were suddenly joined by Grace and his mother. "Hello you two," they both said, "what are you doing in town," Mike spoke before Nann had the chance to, "we came in to get a bite to eat and a look around." Then Nann spoke, and in a dreamy voice said, "yes a walk around," Grace looked at her daughter. "Darling," she asked, "are you alright, you seem a little strange," "No mummy," Nann said," I'm ok," then her face suddenly beamed, "Yes mummy, I am feeling really good, in fact, I couldn't be better." Dorothy looked at her, then at Mike. Mike said nothing
The days were slipping by, as Nann and Mike enjoyed there time together, every day they were out in the canoe, and since they had rigged up the sail they had become very efficient at sailing her around the creeks and harbours, everyone knew this funny little boat, and as Mike and Nann passed them, they would wave.
One morning, the breeze was really good for sailing the canoe. Nann as usual had bought her beach bag full of goodies. Once in the canoe under sail gliding quietly under the bastion wall, both Mike and Nann removed there tops to get the sun, Nann was wearing a brand new bathing costume that seemed to do wonders for her figure, as Mike held her in his left arm his fingers just under her bust, he felt Nann push herself back into him, but Mike also knew, that to touch Nann's bust, would make her forget what she was doing, her eyes would close, and she would moan to be squeezed and fondled, and in the canoe whilst sailing, that was kind of a no no. " How about a change today," Mike asked, " but you must keep it to yourself." "Ok," Nann said, "I'm game," "good," Mike said, "keep the wind in her sail and the three of us will have a great adventure.
Mike pointed the canoe towards the entrance of Sliema creek and out into the Mediterranean Sea, the water was a little choppy, but turning right, the sea was behind them and the run into Valletta harbour was smooth sailing all the way, inside the harbour, there was a lot of small boats around and an aircraft carrier and a cruiser moored to buoys. Mike and Nann sailed on past the ships and on down through the harbour to Marsa creek, where they were able to tie up to the wall and relax. Sat on the wall with the bag of food between them they realised, that what they had done was for them the one thing they thought they would never do. They had sailed around the three creeks of Sliema, and now knew every part of the area, this was different, and they both felt good, they had sailed a 14 foot canoe into the Med. and now they had to sail her home again.
The run back was slow, they almost had to tack the length of the harbour to get out, and it seemed to take forever, but they did it and soon found themselves at the entrance of Grand Harbour. Once out and into the open sea again they both realised that the sea this time was in there faces, and the bows of the canoe were underwater a lot of the time. Mike felt ok about it, he had been in worse when they had bought the canoe from St Andrew's the first time, he knew that this canoe was very seaworthy and could stand up to a good pounding. But for Nann she had never had that experience, so was feeling a little apprehensive. As each wave hit the canoe and rolled along the bows, Nann pushed herself into Mike, he held on to her, and this seemed to make her feel safe in his care. Then he spoke to her, his mouth alongside her ear. "We are fine sweetheart, we are fine." Then almost as quickly, they were in the calm waters of Sliema creek again.
In the waters of Sliema creek under the bastion wall, Mike and Nann had found a large ringbolt some two feet above the waterline, and when they wanted to spend some quality time together away from there beach, they would sail to there ringbolt, tie up and lay back in the canoe enjoying each others company. It was on such a nice hot day, that they decided to head for the ringbolt and enjoy a quiet kiss and cuddle, It was the last Monday of the month and in the bottom of the canoe Nann was being overly romantic, Mike was laid in the bottom of the canoe, he had the large beach towel that he always carried in the canoe, and under his head, he had his waterproof bag, Nann was laid on top of him, they were kissing. Nann then knelt up, her knees either side of Mikes body. "Michael sweetheart, I want you to make love to me in the canoe," Mike looked up at her, "are you crazy, we will tip the canoe over, doing that," But Nann said, "with the keel down, I don't think we will, and anyway I will make sure we are safe. Then removing what she needed from his swimming trunks and pulling her own costume out of the way, she made to make the connection, but Mike stopped her. "We haven't bought any protection." But Nann said, all taken care of, "But what if I make you pregnant," Mike said, Nann looked down at Mike, a smile on her face, "won't happen, I promise you." Then taking him in hand, she made the connection, As Mike felt himself sliding inside her his heart was thumping like a sledgehammer, Nann didn't move, she just let the rocking of the canoe give her the pleasure she needed. It was then that Nann saw it, a small tanker was steaming by them, as it passed, Nann suddenly saw the bow wave heading for them, she held onto the side of the cockpit waiting for the first wave to hit the side of the canoe, as it did Nann put her hand to her mouth to stifle the scream, the canoe was being bounced around like a cork from a bottle, waves two and three gave Nann the same sensation, however as the waves passed the canoe, they hit the bastion wall heading back out, but this time together as one, the canoe bounced on the water, Nann felt it, so did Mike. "wowee," Nann said looking down at Mike, that was fantastic, and we didn't do a thing, the canoe did it all for us." she patted the side of the canoe,"I love you, I love you as much as I love this guy laid in the bottom of you, you both make life a joy. Lifting herself up and getting herself sorted out and Mike she said," right, lets head for home." On the way back Nann kept giggling to her self, Mike wanted to know what was going on, but all Nann would say was that she was happy that they had made love like that, she needed to feel Mike in his natural state, however, she also told him, "there will be no hank panky for the next week, so make the most of what we did.
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