Living with Dementia

 On the Friday morning, Mike went to Msida to meet up with Nann. In the flat, they were alone, Grace had gone to Valletta to meet up with Dorothy, so Mike and Nann had a full day together. Nann made two cups of coffee and the pair of them sat at the table. They were kissing and Mike had his hand under the table on Nann's thigh, she was wearing brown trousers and a V neck white jumper, as Mike looked at her over his coffee cup he had a twinkle in his eye, the more he looked, the more he wanted to drink every last drop of her. But as Nann said, "save it till later." As they sat at the table, Mike told her about the canoe, and that he had bought it, and wanted her to look after it. Nann was over the moon, "of course I will look after it," she said, "I love that canoe, we have had so much fun in it, and done so much in it as well." Nann sat back in her chair, her eyes slowly glazing over. "Do you remember when we made love in it for the first time properly?" I do,"  Mike said, "and the tanker going passed." Nann giggled, "Yes that tanker, and all the time we were out sailing I could still feel you, what memories, what wonderful memories." Nann got up from the table and picking up the two cups, took them to the kitchen and put then in the bowl, as Mike went to stand, Nann, told him to sit down, she knew that if he followed her into the kitchen she would be under his spell and in his arms for some time, and she wanted to get out of the flat. On the pavement, they made the decision as to where they were going to go, and it was agreed that Valletta was the better place to shop, so heading for the bus stop they stood and waited. The bus was only half full, Mike and Nann made their way to the back of the bus and sat down. The run into Valletta was very quick, very little traffic on the road to Pieta so the bus driver was able to put his foot down. In Valletta, Mike and Nann made their way along the main street, as they made to pass the jewellers shop Nann stopped. "Michael," Nann said, "I would like to buy you something that you can wear all the time, that will show other people, that you are mine, that you belong to me." Nann had seen a very nice signet ring she liked, it was in the shape of an oblong, with the four corners off. In the top right hand side was a Maltese cross carved out of the ring, and in the bottom left hand corner a small dark green stone. The ring was solid gold. Nann held Mike's arm and they walked in, the shop assistant recognised Mike and taking Nann's hand looked at the ring on her finger. "Very beautiful," he said, "It suit you very much, you lucky lady." "Yes I am," Nann said, "And now I am looking for a ring for this finger." Nann held up Mike's left hand. Nann knew the ring she wanted and showed the assistant, taking the tray of rings out of the window he put them on the counter. Nann picked up the ring she liked and tried to put it on Mike's finger, but it was too small, but again the shop assistant said, "no problem, we can make bigger, ready in two weeks." and again the measuring rings came out, only this time it was Mike's finger being measured, and it was Nann paying the deposit. Once outside, Nann looked up at Mike, "Well, do you like it, I hope you do because I looked at that ring every time we passed this shop and thought it would look good on your finger." Mike put his arm around Nann's shoulder and kissed her. "I love it." he said, "and once its on, it will stay on. " Wait a mo," Nann said, "I forgot something," she nipped back into the shop, as Mike stood and waited. Coming back some five minutes later with a smile on her face. "Good job you reminded me." She said, then taking his arm they walked to their  favourite cafe

In winter, the open air part of the cafe was normally closed, unless it was very warm, so on this occasion, both Mike and Nann went inside, as they made their way to the side room, they met Grace and Dorothy coming out. "Hello you two, how's it going," Grace asked, then looking at Mike. "And how are you getting on with your training." Mike smiled then Dorothy piped up. "He can't tell you anything." She said, "unless you're on the list." Grace looked at Dorothy, then at Mike. "Oh," Grace said, "then I won't ask then," and she gave Mike a friendly wink. Nann and Mike sat at there usual table, and Mike ordered coffee and warm cheesecakes. Nann was a little curious and asked Mike what was going on. Mike explained that what he was learning was all to do with the navy and should not be discussed by all in sundry, in case ears are listening, that shouldn't be listening." "Oh," Nann said, "does that mean, that when we are married you won't be able to talk about what you do on the ship." she asked, "I will never know what you do." "No love," Mike said. "You will know everything, except the top secret stuff, and anyway, why would you want to know all the data on a naval gun, all you are interested in is if we fired the gun it hit the target." "Oh," she said, "this is to stop busybodies." "Got it in one," Mike said.

After their snack, Mike and Nann went back into town to look around, Nann went back to the clothes shop, and once again Mike found himself sat alone, waiting. This time he was not joined by anyone, and all he could do to keep himself occupied was to read one of the catalogues that were lying on the table. Half an hour later Nann returned carrying a small carrier bag. "What have you bought now," Mike asked her. "Later love, later," was the reply he got. they walked to the bus stop, it was well after five, they boarded the bus and sitting near the back, they watched the lights as they passed through the small towns and hamlet on there way to Msida. At the flat, they found Mike's mum and dad sat in the car outside the flat, as they made to go up, Roger and Grace came out the main door. Mike went to the car window. "where's Kelvin," he asked, Ken, said that he was away with his friend for the weekend, and wouldn't be back until sometime Sunday. "Ok, " Mike said, "and where are you off too," Grace put her arm around Mike's shoulder and gave him a smile. "We are going to the chief's mess for the evening." "And we will pick you up on our return at around 1 am." Ken said. "Ok, If it's ok with you," he said looking at Grace, I'll crash out on the sofa." "Michael love, you crash out anywhere you want to." she whispered in his ear. Then getting into the car, the four of them were gone.

In the flat, Nann was preparing a meal for them both, nothing special, just egg chips and bread and butter, and the usual cup of tea. As they sat there alone, Nann looked at Mike. "You do realise." she said, "That when we are married, it will be just like this, just you and me round a table, me cooking you lovely meals, and you sat at as head of the household." She held Mike's arm and leaned in to kiss him. "I love you." She said. "You make me so very happy, I want our life together to be just as it is at this moment." "Well," Mike said, "It won't really be like this, will it, if I am away at sea, well, you know." "I know," Nann said, "But we will have time together, won't we." Mike held her. "I can guarantee it, we will have loads of time together.

Nann took the empty dishes and took them into the kitchen and washed them up, then putting them on the draining board to dry off she looked at Mike sat on the sofa saying. "back in a mo." Mike picked up the paper and started to read something of interest, he didn't hear Nann come into the lounge until she gave a little. cough. looking up he saw that she was wearing her coat with the hood, then taking him by the hand she lead him to the centre of the lounge. "Well," she said, "what do you think," she then let the coat drop to the floor. Mike's lower jaw just dropped, his eyes could not take in the loveliness he saw, Nann was standing in front of Mike in a set of underwear that was so shear, in all honesty, she was naked. She slid into his arms,  she whispered. "Michael I want you so much, I spend my days at work wishing for the weekends to come round, it's crazy, but it is true." Mike picked her up into his arms and carried her into her bedroom, he lay her on the bed, looking down at her he felt thankful that his mother had told him to look out for her.

As Nann lay on the bed she let Mike get himself ready for what was going to be for her another journey to that magical cloud nine. As they made love they could both feel the love and the gentleness of the other person, and once over, they lay in each other's arms and closed there eyes. When Mike woke up, it was midnight, he slid out of bed and headed for the kitchen, getting a glass of water he went into the lounge and sat the table. As Grace walked into the lounge, she was a little surprised to see Mike still awake. " I thought you would be keeping Maureen company," she said. Mike looked at her with shock in his eyes, Grace sat down beside him. "Michael, it's ok, I know that you and Maureen have been having, well you know what, and Roger and I are very happy for the two of you. Your a lovely guy and both Roger and I approve of you in every way. Right, let's get to bed, Roger's a little the worse for wear, he has gone to bed and is sleeping like a baby. So why don't you get back to where you belong, with my daughter, and get your head down, and we will see you in the morning, or at least I will, Roger has to go into the office first thing, but that's the navy for you. Go on, she'll be getting cold, and us Taylor women like our men to keep us warm." When Mike climbed back under the covers of Nann's bed, she turned and snuggled into him, her naked body soft and tender. "I'm cold," she whimpered, then rolling over so that she faced away from Mike she whispered, "cuddle me," Mike cuddled in close to her. " That feels nice," she said sleepily,  " you feel good." and they both drifted off to sleep. When Mike woke up, Nann was looking into his eyes, she had a smile on her face, then said. "What are you doing here, I thought you would be at home in your own bed." then she pulled him towards her and kissed his mouth, they held the kiss for some time before releasing each other, Mike then tried to explain what had taken place when her mother and father had come back from the chief's mess. Nann got out of bed and put on her dressing gown, disappearing from the room, she returned moments later with her fathers dressing gown and tossed it onto the bed.  "here you are love, put this on, and I will get us some breakfast. 

At the table Nann and Mike sat opposite to each other, in front of Mike was a plate of egg bacon sausage and fried bread. As Mike was eating, he could not stop himself, every time Nann raised her fork to her mouth, she was showing him a lot of cleavages, Nann suddenly realised what was going on and pulled the dressing gown tighter across her bust. "Spoilsport," Mike said, Nann just looked at him, a glint in her eye, but in her mind's eye, she loved the way he looked at her and felt that if this was what married life was going to be like, then for the first couple of months at least, they would never get out of bed.

As they were finishing off, Grace came into the lounge. "Oh, I see you two have eaten, I'm not hungry, Maureen love is there any more tea in that pot." Grace sat in one of the chairs whilst her daughter bought in a cup and filled it with tea, taking a sip Grace gave a sigh of almost happy contentment, then looking at the two young people sat at the table she had something she needed to say.

"Right you two," Grace said. " listen up, the pair of you." Mike and Nann looked at Grace. "we are all ears." They both said together, and looking at each other started to get a fit of the giggles. "Ok," Grace said. "Calm down, and let's act like adults. The four of us were talking at the mess last night, and we have all come to the conclusion, that you two have taken this love thing as far as you can without actually getting married. We all know, that at the all night party you slept together, but we said nothing. Now all Maureen talks about is marriage and babies, and we all feel that that is some way down the line. So folks here is what we the grown ups have proposed if you are both agreeable. Mike, you can stay with us every Friday and Saturday night, until you go back to the U.K. However, we need you both to promise us that if, and we know you will want to experiment with lovemaking, it will be with total protection at all times." Mum." Nann asked, what about at the end of the month." "Sorry love, at all times. Do you promise?" Nann looked at Mike. "Well," she said. "Can we do that?" Mike nodded, then looking at Grace he said, "If that's what you all want, then we agree." Grace gave a high sigh saying, "Thank goodness that's over, right, I'm off out, what are your plans." Mike told Grace about the canoe and the fact that Maureen was going to keep it at the boatyard in Msida, and if she wanted to use it, then that was great, If she decided to sale it, then she would hold on to the money until they met up again and then split it. "Good idea," Grace said, "maybe Maureen and her father could go off in it at weekends, and if not I feel sure there are a load of chiefs children who would love a canoe like that, she's a real beauty."