Nann was shivering, "Are you, cold love," Mike asked, "A little," Nann said, Mike took her inside, the clock on the wall said 10-30. " Look, love." Mike said, "why don't you go to bed, it's late, I will crash out on the sofa." Nann came and kissed him for the umpteenth time that day, said, "Goodnight my darling," and walked out int the hall and into one of the rooms that was still not seen by Mike.
Mike lay on the sofa with a small pillow under his head, the sofa was made of horsehair, and not that comfortable, but in the end, Mike was tired and very soon his eyes closed and he was in the land of dreams.
Mike was being shaken roughly by the shoulder, he shot up with fist clenched ready to hit out. "What," he said, "what's going on."Then he heard a female voice. "Michael son, time to go." Rubbing his eyes, he saw Grace leaning over him a smile on her face. Roger was talking in a rather loud voice. "Where's Maureen, wheres Maureen." "I hope she's asleep in bed," Mike answered. "She went to her room at around 10-30." Roger disappeared, Mike heard the click of a door opening, then closing then Rogers face at the door, looking at his wife he said, "Sleeping like a baby," then looking down at Mike he said. "Right lad, your father's waiting to take you home." Mike got up off the sofa and headed for the door, with Grace close behind him. As he made to leave, he said to Grace. "Tell Maureen, I'll be at the boathouse at 10-30." Grace nodded and smiled. "Ok," she said, "I'll tell her, what are you two doing tomorrow. " She wanted to know. Mike looked at her and smiled. "if it's a nice day," he said, "We plan to take the canoe out, first time this year." Then he bounded down the stairs and out into the street where his mother and father were waiting to take him home.
On the way to the flat, Mike didn't quite get the third degree, but they did want to know what went on at Nann's flat. Mike said. "The truth, you want to know the truth." his father looked at him in the rearview mirror. "Of course. "His father said. "Well," Mike said and leaned over between the front two seats, and whispered. "If you must know, we went into Maureen's bedroom and ripped each other's clothes off and..." "Michael Palmer," said his mother. "Just pack that in." "Hang on a cotton picking moment," said Mike's father. "He was just getting to the best bit." Dorothy's hand came over and slapped Ken's shoulder, and they both laughed. "So son, what did go on. ""If you must know," Mike said. "We had a great meal cooked by Maureen, then we sat on the balcony, just like we all do at our flat, and at around 10 Maureen said she was tired and she went to bed ALONE," Mike stressed. "And I fell asleep on the sofa," he said.
Tuesday was beautiful, the sun was out, the sky was cloudless, even the breeze had dropped to nothing. As Mike sat on the balcony drinking his tea, he looked up the creek, it was still, just like a millpond. Today would be the perfect day to do the leak test on the canoe, and give her a good run. Standing up and leaning on the balcony rail, he noticed the bus coming along the creek road but didn't take that much interest, finishing his tea he looked down and watched as the bus stopped across the road, then moved off again. Standing at the roadside, he saw grace and Maureen, they crossed the road, then Maureen saw Mike on the balcony, she waved, and Mike waved back, then they disappeared inside the main door. Minutes later Mike felt a hand touch his back, he turned, and Nann was stood beside him. She leaned in and kissed his mouth. "Hello, sweetheart." Mike smiled. Hi beautiful." he said, looking at his watch, it was just after 10. "Your early," he said. "Yes, but it seems that our two mother's are planning a shopping trip," she answered. "So I decided to be very cheeky, and come along too, that way mummy pays my fare," she giggled and squeezed his hand. Mike's mum appeared at the balcony door. "Michael, I understand you plan to take the canoe out this morning," she said. "That's right," Mike said, Maureen has done the swimming test, and passed with flying colours, so I know she is going to be ok." They were joined by Grace, she was smiling. "I don't think we have any to worry about these two." She said. "After what Maureen told me this morning, I think we can trust these two to act properly." Grace looked at Mike and gave him a wink, then putting her arm around Dorothy's shoulder, she said. "Come on Dorothy, let's finish our coffee and get started, I just love shopping." Mike and Nann were left alone on the balcony, Mike was puzzled, he looked at Nann. "What did you say to your mum."He asked Nann giggled. "I got the full treatment over breakfast this morning." she said, "Daddy demanded a minute by minute account of what we did last night, so I told him you, had your wicked way with me, and I loved every moment of it. But he said I was being fanciful, living in a dream world, and that he knew nothing had happened. After daddy had gone to work though, I told mummy that I wish you had made love to me, she understood, and said to me, that if I wanted it to happen that badly, then it would, she also asked me if I loved you, and I told her, that you were kind and gentle, and very loving towards me, and Michael." She looked at him."I told her, that whenever I am near you, or you look at me, I get goosebumps." Mummy said, "Maureen sweetheart, that's true love." Mike's mother came onto the balcony. "Right son, Mrs Taylor and I are off now, have fun, but take care." "Ok mum," Mike said, "we will," and then she turned and was gone On the balcony Mike and Nann watched them go to catch the bus to Sliema. Then Mike asked Nann if she was wearing her costume, Nann cheekily lifted the bottom of her skirt showing off the same costume she had worn the day before, as Mike let her pass him at the door he tapped her lower cheek, she gave out a little cry and rubbing her bottom turned and said, "what was that for. Mike smiled, "only a love tap," he said, Nann walked into the lounge, she was still rubbing her bottom. "I bet you I have got a red mark there now," she said, Mike lifted her skirt, but there was nothing to see, just beautiful golden brown flesh. Mike let the skirt fall to its full length and pointing to a seat asked Nann to sit for a few minutes. Mike made his way to his bedroom and changed into trunks and a shirt, then calling from the bedroom door, he said."Come on beautiful, let's go canoeing." Nann came to the door and seeing that Mike was ready, she picked up her beach bag and almost ran into his arms. Mike locked the door behind them and they made their way down the steps and onto the pavement.
Chapter Seven
Down at the boathouse, Nann and Mike were getting the canoe into the water, Nann took the front end and Mike the rear, as that was the heavy end. In the water, she bobbed about while Mike did the leak test with a high powered torch, to see if any water was leaking into the hull. Turning the torch off and putting it back into his waterproof bag, he held the canoe steady as Nann removed her top and skirt then climbed into the front seat. Mike then took the beach bag and put it behind the back seat, then handing Nann both paddled he climbed into the rear seat, Nann handed Mike his paddle and with a good push off, they were afloat. Paddling slowly at first to get their balance, they made there way up Peita creek. The had decided what side they would both paddle on, and by the time they had reached the top of Peita creek they were going well, and by the time they had past H.M.S. Forth they were getting quite professional and were going at a reasonable speed. there were a couple of wobbly moments at the start, but Mike was happy to overlook those, let's face it, this was Nann's first time, and when he first took the canoe out, he had to learn, though to be honest, with the seas they were in that day, he learned very quickly. Once the balance was found and maintained things just got better and better. it was a beautiful day and very warm and both were enjoying the day, and each others company, they were having a great time, Mike was making crazy comments and Nann was giggling all the time. As they made there way across Msida creek on the Valletta side under the bastion wall, keeping well away from other shipping and small craft, Mike began to realise, that Nann was a natural in the canoe, and as she seemed to be enjoying herself, Mike hoped that the two of them had found an interest that they both could share. As they swung the canoe left into Sliema creek, passed a couple of frigates, some sailors working on the upper deck saw them pass and started wolf whistling at them, Nann waved and smiled in there direction, but she didn't call back, Nann looked round at Mike. "You know love," she said, "I get the impression that those sailors were a bit envious of you." she giggled. As they moved towards the main Sliema road, they saw two people waving at them, it was the two mums. Mike and Nann steered towards them. Mike's mum looked down at the canoe. "No leaks then," she said, Mike smiled up at her. "Not as yet. " he said." grace was watching her daughter. "Are you alright darling." She asked Nann looked up at her mum. "Were having a great time," then looking back at Mike, "aren't we love," she said. mike nodded, and then said, "we will be if we can get under Manoel Island bridge, I just hope there's enough water for us." Dorothy said, "what are you doing about dinner." Mike said, "all in hand," and putting his hand on Nann's shoulder, he continued. "Seems this lovely lady has packed a picnic lunch" "Oh good," Dorothy said, "well enjoy." Grace then asked. "What time will you be home love." Nann looked back at Mike. "I'll drop her off at around 17-30." he said, then looking at his mother, "can you arrange for dad to keep a lookout for me, and give me a hand to get the canoe out of the water." Dorothy nodded. "Ok Michael, will do." and they both turned and were gone.
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