At the end of the passing out parade, Mike went home with his mother and father to spend his final weekend in England with his family, they had a great time, but the first thing Mike did once at home was to write to his beloved Nann telling her that he had been assigned his first ship, and once he had gotten to her, he would write to her giving her the name of the ship, and his new address, so she should not worry if she didn't hear from him for a few days. Mike then headed for the local post box and mailed the letter. He also got his father to get off a signal to Roger telling him that Mike was going to be joining Bossington at the end of the week and that he had made some sort of plan to surprise Maureen. The weekend went very well, the family went to Portland Bill on the Saturday and did a few hours fishing off the rocks, then on Saturday night the whole family went to the local cinema and watched the latest film when they came out, they went to the local fish shop and walked home eating fish and chips. On Sunday, Dorothy organised a full Sunday roast, the family sat down to roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, cabbage, carrots and peas, with lashings of Oxo gravy. That was followed by a homemade flan and cream. At 5pm the family took Michael to Weymouth railway station, and after a tearful goodbye from Dorothy, Mike boarded the train saying he would write as soon as he was settled in.
Back at Raleigh Mike was fitted out with white suits for the summer, shorts, knee length socks and a few other bits and pieces of kit he would need to get him through the summer in Malta. All this new kit was put into a steaming kit bag, a kit bag that could go into the hold of an aircraft, very much like a large suitcase when going on holiday. The rest of his kit was placed into a large kit bag and taken to the transit store where it would be sent to Mike via sea and would take up to six weeks to get to him. As Mike had over three months until he needed the extra kit, he was not worried. On Thursday morning Mike and a couple of his messmates were stood just inside the main gate, waiting for transport to take them to Plymouth railway station, it was very early, but they had been told they needed to catch the London train at 09-00, this would get them into Swindon for the pick up at 15-00. The train ride to Swindon was fantastic, they had a compartment to themselves, Pete, the oldest looking of the group, and the tallest at just under six feet went to the dining car and bought beer and food, he returned to the compartment with three cans of beer and three cheese sandwiches, the lads sat and enjoyed their food and drink, and with there small cases on their laps, they played cards until they got to Swindon. Getting off the train with all there gear, they headed for the transit office there to be greeted by a naval petty officer. Ticking their names off that he had on a sheet of paper her told them to board the bus outside the station entrance. With their kit in the boot of the R.A.F. bus, they boarded the bus joining others on board, all of who were either going to Malta or Cyprus. At the R.A.F. base, they stayed overnight having an evening meal there and breakfast. At 09-30 on the Friday morning, they were trundling down the runway and heading into clear blue skies. once at there cruising height, they were given a meal to bangers and mash with baked beans, this was followed by a cup of tea with cheese and crackers. By the time they had eaten, there was only 45 minutes to go before landing, so they told jokes, and looked out of the window.
Landing in Malta the weather was very hot, in fact, they were glad it was only a short walk to the arrivals hall, picking up there kit bags they stayed together wondering what the transport situation would be. It was then that Mike heard his name called over the loudspeaker system. "Will Michael Palmer please go to the main entrance where transport is waiting for him." Mike and his two mates headed for the main entrance where Roger was waiting with a minibus. With there kit on board, the bus took them into Malta, it was very hot, even with all the windows open, there was very little air getting in, the first stop on route, was H.M.S.Forth where Pete got out, they all shook hand, wished each other all the best and the minibus set off for its next stop. The next stop was Sliema, Roger had arranged for a water taxi to take John to his ship, a frigate moored to two buoys in Sliema creek. Once Mike and Roger were alone, they could talk normally. "So, how are you son," Roger asked, "Great." Mike said, "How are Grace and Maureen." "Well Grace is fine, " Roger said. "As for Maureen, she is having withdraw symptoms, because you haven't written, and she cannot write to you, because she doesn't know where the hell you are. For the past seven days, it's been bedlam in the flat, Anyway, I have arranged with your C/O that you join the ship on Monday morning at 09-00, that way you and Maureen will have the weekend together, and Grace and I can get some us time.
At the flat Mike looked up, he saw Grace on the balcony alone, he waved and she waved back. "Ok son," Roger said. "It's all yours, I will wait a couple of steps behind you." At the door, Mike knocked, he heard Grace call to Maureen. "Maureen love get that will you I'm busy." The door opened and Nann said."can I help you." "I hope so," Mike said, then he watched as Nann's mouth opened, but nothing came out, she just looked at Mike, then her hand went to her mouth, and the tears just flowed, as they did she put her arm around Mike's neck. "You rotton B, you bloody rotton B." "Well Mike said looking at Roger stood behind him. "Seems I'm not wanted here anymore, better take me to my ship." "Don't you dare," she said and pulled Mike and his kit bag into the hall. As Mike and Nann held each kissing, Roger slid past the two of then making his way into the lounge. It was a good fifteen minutes before Mike and Nann joined Roger and Grace, but Grace did notice the huge smile that her daughter had on her face.
For the next hour, Mike explained about Bossington and what had happened during the ten weeks with the buffer, then his 26 weeks at the training school. By now it was after five and Mike wanted to know if the shops stilled stayed open late. "They do," Nann said. "Why what do you want." "Well." Mike said, "I could do with a couple of shirts, some shorts, a pair of trunks and some sandals, all I have in my kitbag is my naval gear, and the clothes I am standing up in, I've been wearing since Thursday." "Come on," Nann said. "Let's get you sorted out, you can put your kit bag in my room, which of coarse now is our room." She looked at her mum and dad, but they were so happy to see that she was happy, they just smiled and nodded
On the bus, Nann held on to Mike's arm, she felt, if she let it go, he would be lost forever, but as Mike said to her, never happen. In Valletta, they bought three of everything Mike needed plus a pair of sunglasses, with their hands full of shopping, they made their way to a small cafe next to the bus station, Mike needed a drink, it had been a long day and he felt very tired, in fact looking back, it had been a long week. As they sat drinking there coffee, Mike asked Nann how the N.A.A.F.I job was going. "Oh fantastic," Nann said. "I am on the till all the time now, no more shelf filling, I love it, I work five mornings a week 07-30 till 13-00, five and a half hours a day, and my wages have gone up twice in the last eight months, so all in all things are really good, how about you." Mike told Nann, that he was going to be in Malta for the next two years, after which as part of the crew, he would be taking the ship back to England." "So." Nann asked, what about us, I go back to England in late December, that give us." she thought for a moment. "less than six months together." Mike looked at her, picked up her left hand, looking at the third finger he saw that the ring he had placed on it was still there, then showing Nann his own finger she could see that he also wore the ring she had given him. "Look, love, we must still love each other, we are both wearing the rings we gave each other, so there must be something there still." "There is." Nann said, "I love you deeply, always have, always will, you are my life, without you, I could never exist." "So." Mike said, if we still feel as we do now, then I think we need to talk to your dad and hopefully he will agree to let us get married before you go back to England, we could get a nice little flat together and become our own little family." Nann thought for a moment, "Can we afford it." she asked. "I don't know." Mike said, "But I do know we have £300 in a bank account that I set up for us." Nann looked at him, she was holding his hand across the table. "Are you telling me, that you have saved £300 for us to start a life together." Mike nodded a huge smile in his face, then Nann said more quietly. "I have £100 in my post office book if that will help." Mike squeezed her fingers. "Darling." Mike said, "If we can save until December, then I feel sure we will have enough to not only get married and rent a flat, but we will also have enough to live on very comfortably." Nann leaned across the table and kissed him."We are good for each other aren't we." As she looked into his eyes, she could see the man she loved, he was no longer the boy that took her virginity a year ago, the boy who with shaking fingers made love to her as she wanted him to do, now she was looking at the man, and not just any man, this man was hers, and also like her father and his father a member of the Royal Navy. "Come on." Mike said, "It's late, I think I need to show you how good we are for each other." Nann giggled. "I don't know," she said. "You may need to practise a little bit." "Well." Mike said, "It's either that or a smacked bum." "No contest." Nann said, "I know which side I like my bread buttered.
The bus ride back to Msida was quiet, the bus was almost empty, Mike and Nann sat at the back, Nann holding Mik's arm gently squeezing it, Mike placed his hand on to Nann's knee, and as she looked into his face, she smiled and then dropped her head onto his shoulder, she closed her eyes and felt safe again, something she had not felt for such a long time.
Back at the flat, they had a snack supper and a coffee. Grace and Roger said they would see them in the morning, as Grace gave her daughter a goodnight kiss, she whispered in her ear, Mike never heard what was said, but as Grace walked away Nann giggled.
Mike and Nann lay on the new three seater sofa, which as Mike remarked was very comfortable, and he could happily stay on all night. As Mike lay on the sofa, Nann lay on top of him, they were kissing, and as he held her in his arms, she knew that he had made plans for there future together and intended to carry out those plans. As Nann made to speak to Mike, she looked into his face, his eyes were closed, and she realised that her man was very tired. Sliding off of his body she grabbed his hand. "Come on love, time to hit the hay. Together in bed, Mike realised just how tired he was, Yes he wanted to end this day in the right way by making love to Nann, but his body said something else, Nann also realised, that tonight would not be like every other night, she had her man snuggled beside her, but for any lovemaking, she knew that that would never happen, already Mike's eyes were closed and he was off on the road to dreamland. Nann lay on her side of the bed, closed her eyes and fell asleep.
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