Grace was out of the flat within twenty minutes of her pep talk to Mike and Nann. She told them she was going into Sliema to meet up with Roger, have a bite to eat, do some shopping, then meet the Palmer's at the mess. As Grace made to leave, she came up to Mike and Nann who were still sat at the table, put her arms around the two of them. "Thank you," she said, "thank you very much." "For what, "Mike asked. "For giving us grownups piece of mind," she said, then kissed them both on the cheek and walked out into the hall. Mike and Nann heard the front door open, and just as it closed Grace called out. "Have fun kids, see you." Nann picked up the crocks from the table and headed for the kitchen, putting hot water in the bowl she placed the crocks into the hot water with the liquid and allowed them to soak, then taking Mike by the hand she lead him to the bathroom where they showered together. After drying off they went to the bedroom to get dressed, an hour later, they were still rolling around on the clean white sheet enjoying the feelings they were giving each other. "Right," Nann said very firmly and putting the palm of her hand fingers spread on Mike's chest. "Stop, we have to get the canoe round." They stopped playing around and got dressed almost in silence, though Nann did get a fit of the giggles when Mike put his underpants on the wrong way round. Nann went to the kitchen while Mike sorted himself out, and she washed the crocks, dried them up and put them away. With Mike's hand in hers, they made their way to the bus stop.
In Mike's flat, Mike changed into his trunks and a lightweight jumper, then rolling up some winter clothes he made his way back to Nann. As he went to say let's go, she put her hand up to stop him, she was engrossed in a magazine that belonged to his mother, he sat alongside her and waited for her to finish the article, after some ten minutes Nann placed the magazine back onto the coffee table and stood up. "Sorry love, but that was very interesting, you should read it if you get the chance, very enlightening." Then together they made there way out of the flat and down to the boathouse. The water in the creek was very choppy, all the small craft in the creek were bouncing about at there moorings, and the yellow buoy was bobbing under the water at every wave. Nann and Mike put the canoe into the water for the last time that year, holding her steady for Nann to get in, then putting his clothes that he needed in the watertight bag and placing it behind the back seat, Mike then climbed in, then pushing off with his paddle the two of them headed up the creek and into Msida. The weather was really grotty, the wind was blowing right into the creek, and they were also having to battle the waves that the wind was producing. As they made slow headway, they were being sprayed by the waves that the canoe was cutting into turning it into a very wet trip, and the fact they had to paddle just seemed to make things worse. The canoe's bows were underwater more than on top, and Mike could feel that Nann was getting worried, but he told her that the trip to Valletta was a lot worse than this and that they would be ok. He then leaned forward and placed his hand on her shoulder and gave a gentle squeeze to reashore her that everything was ok, and Nann patted his hand.
It took them almost 45 minutes to get out of Pieta creek, and by the time they had turned into Msida creek, they were both almost done in. As they moved past H.M.S. Forth, the water was a lot calmer, so that paddling became easier, and they could go that much faster. The did think about putting up the sail but then decided that as they were almost at the ramp to the boatyard, they might just as well carry on. At the slipway, Mike and Nann dragged the canoe up to the top, and found a space for her almost under the balcony of Nann's flat, then talking to the boatyard foreman, they told him that Nann's father would be over to speak to him about keeping the canoe in the boatyard until next year. Then Mike and Nann went up to the flat.
After another shower and a change of clothes, they again walked up the road to catch the bus. Sitting in Tonys bar, they had a drink and a corned beef sandwich each. Sitting in the far corner of the bar away from other ears, they spoke about what Grace had said that morning, but Nann was not pleased. "I thought we were getting away with murder," she said, "I didn't realise that everyone knew."Mike looked at her. "But." he said, "I thought you told your mother everything. "I do," she said, "but only in the if way." "What do you mean," Mike questioned, "The if way." "You know," Nann said. "What if we do this, or do that, what if Michael touches me here or there." Oh." Mike said. "I get it now." Nann giggled. "You are, aren't you, and on a regular basis, you know Michael, we are like an old married couple, we really are." Mike then changed the subject completely. "By the way love, what was that article you were reading at the flat." Nann looked at Mike and smiled. "It seems," she said, "someone has invented a tablet, pill, call it what you will that stops us women getting pregnant, it won't be out for some time, but when it is, it will make all those horrible rubber things obsolete." Mike was all ears. "Do you mean that this new pill can stop you getting pregnant?" "Yes." Nann said, "We can make love all night long, and no babies. Think about it love, what we did in the canoe, and the night swimming party we can do any day of the week, any week of the month, think about it when we are married and you go away when you are due to come home if we want to start a family all I have to do is stop taking this pill, and we can start a family." Mike looked at Nann, "so tell me how does it work." " I don't really know the ins and outs of it, all I know from reading the magazine, once you start taking the pill, no making love for a week or two, until the medicine gets into the system, then." she burst out giggling, "you can do it as often as you like, I suppose as long as the strength holds out. Then if you want to start a family, the woman stops taking the pill, and the article said, two weeks later you could be looking at becoming pregnant. Anyway love, when you get home, I think you should read it for your self." Mike helped Nann from her seat and together they walked around the shops. It was very windy, and the water was washing over the promenade wall and on to the road, but Mike and Nann didn't care about the weather, they had each other, and as they walked from shop to shop, they talked and giggled and enjoyed each others company. As it started to get darker and the lights came on they decided to head for home, but they had to cross the flooded road to catch the bus, so Mike being Mike, took off his shoes and handed them to Nann, then picking her up in his arms, he waded across the road in stocking feet. He then placed Nann on the pavement and put his shoes back on, and together arm in arm they headed for the bus that would take them to Msida. as they walked, Nann kept asking him if he was alright, and all Mike said was."My feet are wet and cold, but apart from that, I feel great.
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