Back in the mess with the A4 paper in his hand, Mike sat at the table looking down at the blank sheets, Shinner was on his bunk reading a book. "What gives Peddler me old mucker," Mike explained what he had to do, and the fact there was to be a full enquiry with regards the jackstay transfer and the outcome. "Ok." said Shinner, You carry on with what you have to do, I will lay here and read, you won't even know I'm here." Shinner picked up his book. A couple of times Shinner looked at Mike, but when he did, Mike was either writing or deep in thought, after some time, Shinner put his book under his pillow and closed his eyes, Mike looked over at Shinners bunk, but Shinner was snoring, not loudly, but it was very clear to Mike that Shinner was sleeping soundly, and was content. As Mike wrote, he realised just how lucky he had been. As a child, Mike's mother and father realised, that Mike tended to do everything with his left hand more than his right, he only seemed to use his right hand, when he was in trouble if he fell over, it was his right hand that landed on the ground first, his brain seemed to tell him to protect his left hand. At infant school, the teacher tried very hard to make Mike write with his right hand, every time Mike put his pencil into his left hand, she would wrap his knuckles with a ruler, but one day, his father saw the bruises on his knuckles and saw the teacher and headmistress and gave them both a dressing down, telling them both, that Mike was left handed, and to either live with it, or he would take the matter to a higher authority. From that moment on Mike was permitted to write with his left hand, he did have a few problems in school when he had to use pen and ink, but he got around that one with pure persistence. So when the accident happened with the jackstay Mike naturally let his right hand go down first, he always said, I can afford to lose the right hand, but not the left, I use that hand to sign my name.
It took Mike almost two hours to complete the transcript of what had happened, as far as he saw it, it was three pages long and very detailed, but it was true, and that was the important thing. Mike took the finished pages to the captain's cabin, the captain called in the Jimmy and Midshipman and told them both to read the transcript. Once they had done so, the captain asked Mike to sign it, then the two other officers were asked to sign to witness Mike's signature, then the skipper asked Mike to initial every line so that nothing could be added or taken away. Once that was done, the captain signed the transcript himself, and then put the paperwork into an envelope, once stuck down, all four of them signed over the seal and the captain put the envelope in his safe.
Back in the mess, Mike was ready for tea, he shook Shinner from his sleep, and as Shinner woke up, he said, "Bugger me, Peddler, I was having a fantastic dream, me and the wife were just about to..." He stopped. "Too much information," he said, then smiled at Mike, but mainly to himself, having now remembered what his dream was really all about, and knowing that once this duty was over, he might just try and put into practice what he had been dreaming about. getting off his bunk, both men went up to the galley, the chef had done pork chops, peas and mash for those staying on board, with cheese and crackers for afters. Mike and Shinner were sat at the table, they spoke about what might happen at the hearing, but as Shinner said." I have never been to one, so I only know what I've been told, and to tell the truth mate, you had better keep your wits about you." He was looking at Mike a stern look on his face. "The prosecution are all bleeding officers, and they will do there best to tie you up in knots, they will try and convince you, that you did not see what you thought you saw, so my friend, be on your guard.
Chapter twenty three
The following day at just after one, Mike was sat at one of the tables under a huge sunshade waiting for Nann, he had ordered egg sandwiches and coffee after some time, he was getting a little worried, he had already eaten his own sandwich, and drunk most of his coffee. He felt fingers on his shoulders giving him a gentle squeeze, then gentle lips on his cheek, as he turned in his seat, those lips were toughing his own, they kissed, Nann made to sit on Mike's lap, her arms around his neck, sat on his lap she again felt secure and looking into his eyes felt his love for her. "I've missed you so much," she whispered into his ear, then lifting herself up, she sat on the seat next to him, it was then that she saw the damaged fingers, Mike saw the tears welling up into her eyes, Mike leaned over and kissed her. "It's ok love, it's only a couple of fingers, I still have six more, and they are only broken, not gone forever." Nann very gently held the damaged hand in her own and kissed the broken fingers, her touch was almost feather like, she had no wish to cause this man she loved so much any more pain. "Well," she said. "At least I have you back, almost in one piece.So," she asked. "What the hell happened out there." Mike went over it all again, at one stage Nann had her mouth open in total horror, but by the time Mike had finished his tale of woe Nann was all smiles.
Walking back up the main street to catch the bus home, Mike asked how things were going with Anita. "Fantastic," Nann replied. "She's great, last Saturday, we met up in Sliema and did some shopping together, in fact, we have met up a couple of times and had coffee together, as I told you in my last letter to you. Anyway, we have been invited to there home for a meal, when you men are off, and we can have some quality time, just the four of us." "That's great," Mike said. "I'm so glad you two have hit it off." The bus home was full up, so they both had to stand, but they didn't mind that, they were together again, all be it a week or so early, they were together. Getting off the bus at Msida they headed for the flat, once inside they made their way to the lounge, Nann called mummy, but there was no reply, the flat was empty, there was a note on the lounge table from Grace, saying she was in town shopping, then meeting up with father, would be home at around five. Both Nann and Mike headed for the bedroom, they both needed to strip off and have a shower, then put on clean clothes, Nann was in her uniform, and Mike was in his whites, which were now a sort of whitish grey colour. As Mike turned and grabbed for a towel to cover his naked lower body, he heard the sharp intake of breath, then the soft gentle fingers on his back. "Michael darling, your back," Nann said. "It's dark blue." as she touched it Mike flinched. "Does that hurt love," she asked. "Yes, it does a bit, that is why I need a shower, hopefully, it will help get rid of some of the bruising
Mike stepped into the shower and turned on the water, as he did so, Nann came into the shower as well, but not for a bit of slap and tickle, she understood that Mike had been through a bit of a bad patch, so her aim now, today was to try and help her man and remove some of the pain he had and was going through, She washed his body, from head to toe, then washed herself, once finished she made Mike stand in the middle of the bathroom floor, and patted him dry, once back in the bedroom, Nann asked Mike to lay on the bed on his towel, then going back to the bathroom, she returned with some cream that she very gently massaged into his back, and within minutes it seemed to be working, the pain of the bruises was melting away. Mike later found out, that this was the same cream his mother had used when Mike had gotten six of the best at school, Mike's mother had told Grace about it, and Grace had bought some, as she said just in case. When Nann had finished looking after her man, they got dressed and went into the lounge, sitting on the sofa, they cuddled up to each other and when Grace and Roger came home, their mouths were locked together, they both heard the cough, and with sheepish grins on there faces said hello.
Mike had to repeat his story all over again, but he was able to ask Roger about the enquiry, he wasn't happy about what he had been told. "It's going to be ok son," Roger said. "I have already read your transcript of what happened, and it seemed, you were the only one onboard your ship who knew what was going on, and man enough to do anything about it." then turning to his wife and daughter he said. "This man, is a flipping hero, as his ship was being pulled over, he disconnected the jackstay, as his ship rolled the other way, he fell onto the deck, and was out for the count for almost an hour, in fact, when he fell onto the deck, his mates all thought he was dead, they couldn't find a pulse. The leading hand in charge, had at the same time as trying to help this crazy man, had slid across the deck and gone through the lower and middle guardrails, ending up holding on for grim death, facing the sea, he is now in the small hospital on Manoel Island with lacerations to his thighs and legs." Nann looked at Mike. "My hero," she said. "But if you ever, ever do a foolish stunt like that again, when I get you home, I will put you over my knee and tan your hide, like the headmaster did at school." Mike grimanced. "That did bring tears to my eyes," he said. "I couldn't go through that again, but if you want to marry me, love, then like your mother, you marry the navy as well." "That's very true." Grace said. "being married to a sailor can have its bad points, but." she started to giggle. "It sure has its good points as well, like the time your dad came home from eighteen months in the Far East." she looked at Nann. "You my girl were sent to your grandma for a week, and your father and I didn't leave the bedroom for three days." Nann looked shocked, but the rest of those around the table saw the funny side.
After the evening meal, Roger and Grace said they were going to the chief's mess for a couple of hours, one of the chiefs was leaving to go back to England, and they were going to give him a good send off, Mike smiled. "In that case, we will see you at breakfast," Mike said. "That long." Nann asked. " how come." Mike put his arm around Nann's shoulder. "Remember sweetheart." he said. "my dad use to be mess president, and I know how long these leaving parties go on for." Roger put his hand on Mike's shoulder. "I like this guy." he said. "I'm so glad you're going to be a part of our family, you have proved yourself time and time again." Grace came up to Mike and put her hands on either side of his face and kissed him, looking at Nann she said. "Be thankful that Michael is yours, Maureen, he is the best of the bunch." she paused. "After you dad that is." then she left the room followed by Roger.
Mike and Nann were alone in the flat, Mike went out onto the balcony, the Forth had subs alongside her now, and with all her lights on her, she was lit up like a small city, one of the subs was showing a movie on the casing and Mike could hear laughter in the evening air. As Mike leaned on the stone rail, Nann came and stood beside him, she had two cups of tea, she placed them on the rail and snuggled into him."Darling, if you don't feel up to it, I will understand." Mike placed his hand on Nann's bottom, it felt so good, Nann held on to Mike's neck and allowed Mike to play, as his fingers went to the hem of her dress, he raised it up so that he could play with her bottom, the ends of his fingers just inside her panties. Nann kissed Mike hard, her tongue trying to get between Mike's lips, Mike opened his mouth and the war began, two tongues trying to get the upper hand, but as with all these little fights, nobody won, they just ended up looking at each other smiles on there faces breathing heavy. Mike picked up his cup but put it back down saying. "Yuk, I hate colds tea." Nann left the balcony and returned ten minutes later with a fresh brew, she placed it on the rail again, Mike also noticed, that Nann was now in her dressing gown, as they both drank their tea, they said very little, once the cups were back on the tray, Nann stood against the balcony rail with Mike in front of her, as she held on to him, Mike could feel her nakedness inside the cotton, he wanted so much to make love to his future wife, but to do so at this moment in time would cause him a bit of agony, and as Mike had always said, making love was a beautiful thing, no pain, just pure joy. Nann turned around so that she was looking up the creek, and Mike stood behind her, as he did so, he let his fingers wander, and Nann felt the joy that her man could still give her. As Mike held her and Nann allowed Mike to give her the pleasure she had been craving for the past three weeks, she understood what love was all about, it was not just sex, it was giving and sharing. As for Mike he also began to understand, the accident and it's consequences made him feel totally different about Nann and his life in the Royal Navy, his love for her was so much stronger, he knew that he wanted her as a part of his life, but also he wanted the Navy as part of his life, and he hoped against hope that Nann would accept that, and be apart of that life he was carving for himself. Nann, stood on the balcony with her man, and, with her mother's help and understanding, had decided that whatever life Mike was going to make for her and himself, would be the very best, she knew that there love was strong now, they had proved that time and time again, and, if she was lucky and could have Mike's child, then for all of them, life would be worth everything they had worked for..
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