As the weeks progressed, Mike was preparing for his first proper trip to sea, yes he had been on a day trip, but this was the big one, four weeks of exercises with other ships in the fleet, followed by a few days in Sicily. In the meantime, Mike had made his request to the skipper to marry Maureen. he had been told, that because he was under 21, he would need written authority from his own father and the father of the future bride. As with the church, that had all been done, Mike and Maureen had spoken to the vicar, who was more than happy to marry them, even though it all seemed to be a huge rush, they both agreed that getting the big things out of the way, would make the little thing a doddle. On the Saturday afternoon, Mike was on duty, but with all the stores coming on board, Mike left Shinner to look after the gangway and gave a hand storing ship, there was a load of ammunition, mainly 40/60 for the gun on the bows, plus a lot of small calibre stuff, this was followed by foodstuffs, meat, bread and fresh veg. it had been a long day, but by seven, everything was stowed away, and those that wanted to go ashore went, the rest had a shower and did their own thing in their messes. Mike and Shinner were alone in their mess finishing off their cups of tea, and talking about the day's events, they were also the lucky ones, they had the Sunday off, except they did have to be back at the ship at 08-00 on the Monday morning, but they still had the Sunday at home.
The night watch went very smoothly, it was quiet, so the pair of them got on with there other duties of washing down, and polishing the brasswork, and as with every watch, they worked together as a team. At 4 am Mike went down to shake the chef, as he passed the galley, he pulled the switches, then with a cup of tea in his hand he went and shook the chef, at just after five, the chef came up on deck to as he said, take the air, though in his hand he had a small tray on which were two fried egg sandwiches and two mugs of tea. "Cheers chef," Shinner said. "Yes," Mike said. "Much appreciated." "Just a quicky peddler." the chef said. "Can you run this cake by me one more time, does it have to be three tears." Mike looked at Shinner. "Well, I don't.." "Of course it is chef." Shinner chipped in. "Bloody hell mate, you have to have three tears, its traditional, bottom for the guests, middle for the first baby, and the top tear for the bride and groom." "Ok." the chef said, but like I say. I'm going to need help with this one, I can bo the marzipan and icing, but I will need some help with the cake making." Shinner again looked at Mike. "Peddler, tell me, do you like Christmas cake." "Love it." Mike said." Shinner looked at the chef. "So chef, there you have it, three Christmas cakes, 18 inches, 12 inches and 6 inches." The chef had a huge smile on his face. " We can do that, this squadron chefs are the best when it comes to Christmas cakes, and like you said, if I can get the help of the other ships in the squadron, you will have a wedding cake to be proud of." He then walked back to the galley humming to himself.
At six o clock, Mike and Shinner were heading home in Shinner's car, outside the flat Mike was told he would be picked up at seven the following morning, he was also told, he would be meeting Anita, because she would be taking them both into the ship, and then bringing the car home, Shinner didn't like leaving it in the parking area for too long, plus it meant that if Anita wanted to go shopping, she didn't have to use the bus.
In the flat all was quiet, as Mike locked the door behind him, he heard a whispered good morning son, Mike turned round to see Grace in the hall. Mike looked at his watch. "What are you doing up, its not even six thirty." Grace headed for the bathroom saying as she closed the door. "Needs must son, needs must." Mike made his way into Nann's bedroom and closed the door, walking towards the bed he looked down, Nann was under the top sheet rolled up in a little ball, her legs almost touching her tummy. Mike undressed and slid in beside her, she moved slightly, then she felt him alongside her, she turned and held him in her embrace. "Hello my darling," she said sleepily. "How are you." Mike held her, she turned again so that Mike was cuddled into her, as he made to close his eyes, he gently kissed her neck and fell asleep.
Mike woke up in bed alone, he looked at his watch, it showed -8-15, Mike had been asleep for about two hours, as he made to move, Nann came into the room. "Here you are sweetheart," she said. "A nice cup of tea, and breakfast will be ready in about half an hour." As Nann made to put the drinks on the bedside cabinet, Mike made a grab for her, she fell into his arms. "What are you after," she said. As Mike went to kiss her, she pulled away from him. "have I done something to upset you." he asked. "Well yes if you must know." she said when you came in our room this morning and snuggled into me, you didn't give me a kiss." "Oh yes, I did," Mike replied. "If you remember, I kissed you on the neck." "That doesn't count," Nann said. "When my man comes home, I expect a kiss on the mouth, not the neck." "So," Mike said. "My future wife is going to demand that I kiss her on the mouth every time he comes home from a hard days graft." Mike then got out of bed, picking Nann up as he did so, getting to the dressing table stool he put her over his knee and lifting the hem of her dressing gown raised his hand to smack her very bare very beautiful bottom. "Please Michael, please my darling, I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking." Nann cried out. He body already tensed up ready for the pain of the slap, as Mike made to bring his hand down, the door opened and Grace was stood looking at the two of them. "Can I asked what is going on," she said. Mike explained to her, she looked at him, a smile on her face. "Well Michael son, please no more than three, we would like her to sit down for breakfast, which by the way is ready," then closing the door on the scene she walked away
"Please Michael, I beg you not three," Mike bought his hand down, as he did so Nann closed her eyes waiting for the sting, it didn't come, as Mike's hand met up with Nann's bottom, she felt a gentle tap, almost feather like, but they both felt the wetness. Mike lifted Nann up and as he let her stand, he kissed her mouth. "You bugger," she said. "I've wet myself." Standing by the bed with a towel drying herself she looked at Mike. "Michael, why didn't you smack me, I did deserve it really, I was, kind of mad at you, thinking that you hadn't kissed me when you came to bed." Mike looked at her, a twinkle in his eye. "When we are married, and I have that piece of paper saying Mr and Mrs Palmer, then, and only then will I wear the trousers as head of the household, and until that time, as long as you say and do things that are not true, and you know it, I still have what seems like some power over the situation, and if that means you will wet yourself in anticipation of what might happen, then I feel that as long as we are walking down the same road together, things will turn out the way they are supposed to. Now let's get dressed, I'm starving.
Mike and Nann walked into the lounge and sat down for breakfast, all four of them were sat at the table, Grace looked at her daughter. "How's the rear," Grace asked. "It's ok thank you, Michael didn't carry out the punishment." "Oh," said Grace. "And why not." she looked at Mike, Mike smiled at his future mother in law. "Well," he said. "I think I will leave any punishment I have to give your daughter, to when I place that ring on her finger, but you know something, I think." He patted Nann on the shoulder. "This beautiful young lady already knows what I could do, but I feel now, she has learned her lesson and will in future think before she opens her mouth." Roger looked at both Mike and Nann. "It's good to keep these women in check," he said. Maureen is like her mother, and a smack on the ass doesn't do any harm at all, in fact, Grace enjoys it, don't you sweetheart." Grace looked at her husband, then at Mike and Nann. "I don't mind it in fun, but the two times you did it for real, hurt like hell."
After breakfast Mike and Nann said they were going to take the canoe out, as Mike was going to be at sea for some time, they felt it would be nice to have a quiet day together. Grace asked the two of them if they wanted to go to the club cinema, but they declined saying they would much rather stay at home and enjoy each others company. "Ok," Grace said. "In that case, your dad and I will go to the club, you two, do your own thing, within reason." she smiled at them both.
Nann made them a picnic lunch and as they went to leave Grace told them that dinner would be at 5. With the canoe in the water and the pair of them sat as they always did, Nann set the sail and with the nice breeze filling it out they set off up the creek, as they got to the end of the creek more breeze took hold of the sail, and they found themselves cruising past Manoel Island swimming area. There were some ripples on the water, but Mike knew that this was the breeze blowing on the water, and Nann also knew that this canoe was very safe and could take a lot worse than what she was having to deal with at this moment in time. It was a beautiful day and as they made their way into the middle of the area away from the families swimming they began to feel the slight swell of the water coming into Sliemas creek, but neither of them were concerned.
"So." Mike said, "Where shall we go." "Let's go to our beach, I can swim now, we can have our picnic like we used to do." " Ok," Mike said. "Let's go." As they got to the end of the swimming area they turned left into Sliema creek, as they turned, they were passing by Bossington, He saw Scouse on the gangway so steered towards the ship. As Nann relieved the sail so that they were slowing down Scouse called down to him. "peddler you old bugger, what gives, like the canoe." he said. "But like the babe better." "Me too," Mike called back as he put his arm around Nann's waist and Nann placed her hand over Mike's arm. Mike called back. "Yes mate, and shes bought and paid for, and that includes the canoe." As Nann got some breeze into the sail Scouse gave Mike the thumbs up. "Good on you mate, see you in the morning. As Mike and Nann got to the bridge, Mike checked the depth, he had about 5 inches under the hull, so he was able to paddle the last 50 yards to the beach, as he felt them touch bottom, he and Nann got out of the canoe and dragged it onto the beach.
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