Mike was shaken at 23-45, at first, he was startled, he wondered where he was, then he remembered and got out of his bunk. Shinner told Mike to wear his number 8 shirt and blue shorts with sandals. On the upper deck, it was warm and Irish and Marty their opposite numbers were waiting to be relieved. On the Q/Ms desk were two mugs of coffee, and as Mike and Shinner walked onto the gangway Irish said to Mike, "peddler, how do you like your coffee." Mike was rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he said. "White, two sugars." " Like me then, think I can remember that." Irish handed over the watch to Mike and Shinner and headed to the mess for some well earned sleep. "Right," Shinner said. "Hears the routine peddler, one we have to keep an eye out for the guard officer, he may come by boat, or he may come by land rover. Then at 4, you have to shake the chef, then at 5 you go and wake up Irish and Marty so that they can have breakfast. When you get back here, we will wash down this whole area with saltwater.""Why saltwater." Mike asked. "Because my son," Shinner said. "When the sun gets onto it, the woodwork, it bleaches it a lovely white and makes our ship look smart."
As it was quiet, Mike was shown how to fill in the ship's log, if needed, he was shown the signal log for messages, and the accident log, all kept in the Q/Ms desk. Mike also noticed a large box of Durex and was told, everyone going ashore was to put at least three into there wallets, just in case. Mike picked out four from the box and put them into his wallet, saying to himself, I can take a few every time I go ashore, then I can make sure that Nann doesn't get pregnant, and Roger won't go short. He giggled to himself, thinking how Grace must have felt having to explain to Roger, that his daughter had removed his or part of his supply for her own use. The night watch went very slowly, and by 3 am both men were trying to do things to keep their minds occupied. Shinner sent Mike down to the galley to make a cup of coffee and see if he could rustle up some food. Mike made the coffee, found some dread on the galley counter, and some butter and cold sausages in the galley cold room. So using his talents he produced a couple of very nice sandwiches for the two of them. At 4 am Mike went and shook the chef, telling him, there was a hot cup of coffee waiting for him in the galley on the counter. Then Mike and Shinner washed down the deck and polished the brasswork. By the time they had finished, it was time to shake their opposite numbers again. At 6 am Mike and Shinner were back in the mess, Mike was having breakfast, while Shinner was getting ready to go ashore. "Well." said Jammie, "How did your first day go." "Not too bad," Mike said looking at Shinner. "He did all right," Shinner said. "I reckon we make a good team." "Right," Jammie said, you have done your stint, so if you want to go ashore you can, we don't want to see you until tomorrow, but be back on board by 17-00 please," Mike said that he needed to wash out the kit he had worn over the past 24 hours, so he was taken to the small laundry room and shown how to use the machine. Once done, Mike headed to the mess and changed into civvy clothes, walking down Manoel Island road he felt very good, his first day had gone well, and he felt in his heart, that once he could get into the routine, life would be great. Mike caught the bus into Valletta and headed for the N.A.A.F.I. shop, he got there at just after 12-35, walking in he saw Nann sat at the till, nobody was near her, so he went up to her and asked. "What plans have you got for the rest of the day." Nann looked at him, her face just beamed. "Hello my darling," she said. "How are you," Mike asked Nann what time she would be finished and was told 13-00. Mike looked at his watch, "Ok, see you at our favourite cafe, I'll order cheesecakes and iced coffee." Nann leaned across the counter and kissed Mike's cheek. It was a beautiful day, very hot yes, but the sky was cloud free and the sun shining on the stone buildings reflected its heat onto the walkway. As Mike got to the cafe and sat down, the waiter came towards him for his order, as Mike gave it and the waiter walked away, Mike felt two hands on his shoulder, the long fingers squeezing gently, then as he sat there Nann sat on his lap and kissed him, then moving to an empty seat she sat, they held hands across the table, her eyes never left his, she wanted to know everything, and as he spoke she listened to every word, not interrupting him, just taking in what Mike was saying. And when Mike had finished talking she still looked into his eyes.
"Are you ok." Mike asked her, "I missed you last night." she said. "I missed you holding me in your arms, I missed your kisses, but most of all I missed you." Mike smiled, and taking his wallet from his pocket he handed it to Nann. "What do I want this for," she asked. Mike looked at her. "What's mine is yours," he said, Nann opened the wallet then gave a little giggle. "So I don't have to pinch daddy's anymore," she said looking at Mike. "No love, in fact, you can tell your mother if she needs extras, then give me the nod, and I can arrange it." Sat under the sunshade finishing off there drinks still holding hand, they felt very happy that they were again together.
As they made to leave their seats they were joined by Grace and another lady. "Hello, you two," Grace said and gave them both a kiss. "Hello mummy,." Nann said, "hello Mrs Taylor." Mike said he was then introduced to the other lady, a Mrs Morton, the wife of the chief who had taken over the pay office when Roger was made captain's secretary after Mike's dad had left. "Oh," she said. So your the son of chief writer Palmer, well if I may say so, your father is a hard act to follow, as is your mother, what they have done out here has caused my husband and I major headaches. What with his own little routines, and your mother becoming too friendly with senior officers and their wives, we." she said. "Have no time to enjoy ourselves." Mike made to stand, but Nann held him down. Mike looked at this Mrs Morton, then said his piece. "Well I am very sorry that both you and your husband feel that way, but yes, my father was a perfectionist, that is why he wears the B.E.M. on his chest, a medal he was given for a job well done. And my mother, his wife is the same, as are her two sons. And I think, Mrs Morton, if you ask any of the captains or admirals that my father and mother have served with, they will tell you, that my father made their jobs easier, and much more pleasant, and my mother made their practical lives with the rating families one of friendship, and where needed one of hope, help and concern. Now if you and your husband cannot live and work by those routines and ideas that my father set into motion, then I feel very sorry for you both, not only for you but for the rest of the ship's company. Now if you will excuse us, we have things to do. Come on Maureen." Mike3 held Nann's seat as she got up and they both walked away. Mike turned and looking at Grace said. "See you later mother in law." then gave her a wink. Grace had to put her hand to her mouth to stifle the giggle, then said." See you at dinner, bye. Mrs Morton stood with her mouth open, not saying a word, just watching as Mike and Nann walked away from the square.
Mike and Nann walked back through the main street to catch the bus home. Mike was calm by the time, they got on the bus, but up until that time, he was bloody mad, how dare some snotty nosed female try to undermine his father, Ken Palmer had done a dammed good job whilst out here, and so had his mother, they were the perfect hosts, and the perfect ambassadors between the lower deck and wardroom.
The bus was almost empty, so they sat at the back, Nann put her legs over Mike's knees and Mike held her thighs, sitting like that for the whole journey, they enjoyed the run to the flat. At the flat, they found Roger sat on the sofa reading the paper. "Hello, daddy." Nann said, Roger looked up."Hello you two, Hows the new ship." he asked Mike. "Great chief," Mike said. "I'm on watchkeeping duties, so it's every other day off, but no full weekends, either Saturday or Sunday, but I don't mind that." Nann looked at both men, then said."I'm going to change." she then headed for the bedroom. Mike sat at the table. "Chief," he said. "A word in your ear if I may." "Sure son," Roger said. "What's the problem." "We met your wife in town just now, she had a Mrs Morton in tow, who took it upon herself to down the old man. I'm afraid to say, I gave her short shift, I do tend to stick up for father if he is not around to do it himself. Sorry if I may have caused you and your wife any grief." Roger smiled. "Michael old son. "he said. "Joan Morton is a pain in the backside, she has only been here a couple of months and has tried to change all the routines your father put in place because she says her husband couldn't work them. And yet in my office and the pay office, from the lowest rank to the highest, they all agree that the routine s you father organised work a treat, even acting chief writer Morton likes it, if the truth be known, it's just his wife. You know, that on some Saturdays I go into the office for a couple of hours, that was your dad's idea, he felt, that in the summer, to give everyone the chance to be with there families as much as possible, the cash office would work on pay on the Saturday, it was only every fortnight, and it meant that on the Thursday when the pay was handed out, there were no mistakes, everyone was happy, and the pay office staff were usually home by ten or just after. It was and is a great routine and everyone who joins the pay office takes it on board and gets on with it. Bur Mrs Morton wants her husband at home on the weekend to help with the shopping of all things. But don't you worry, I will deal with Mrs M if any flack comes your way. Oh and by the way Michael, the name is Roger, you only have to call me chief when we are in uniform, and Grace wants you to call her Grace." "Ok, sure chief, sorry Roger." "That's ok son."Roger said, "Let's face it, your one of the family now, and I sort of look on you as the son I never had. I do realise we didn't see eye to eye at the beginning, but that was a father being overprotective of his daughter, now both Grace and I realise how you feel about Maureen, and that you will love and protect her." Nann had been stood at the lounge door while her dad and Mike were talking, she became quite emotional when he said that Mike was the son he never had, as she walked into the lounge, and then into the kitchen, she said."I hope your not my long lost brother because if you are, we are definitely in big trouble."Then she started to laugh. "Do you guys want tea?"Roger looked at his watch. "Better not, I have to pick up your mother," Roger said, then getting out of his chair he was gone, saying goodbye at the door.
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