Chapter twenty four
It was now December, Malta was looking her very best, every town and village had a Christmas tree, and lights through the streets, every church was lit up too, and the statues of Mary and the baby Jesus were festooned with flowers and candles. In fact, the whole Island was buzzing, As for Mike and Nann, they were buzzing as well, but they were buzzing for a different reason, in two days they were to be married, there was total mayhem in the Taylor household, Anita and Nann were going through there makeup bags to find the right lipstick and blusher etc, and Grace was in a panic about her own suit. As for Roger and Mike, they sat on the sofa and at the table watching what was going on around them, however, they did have the good sense to keep there heads down, problem was, any time they needed to use the bathroom, or the bedroom, they both had to give, or so it seemed, twenty four hours notice, just in case they saw the wedding dress or something else to do with the wedding outfits being worn by the ladies.
Roger had used his influence and had found Mike and Nann a nice little two bedroom flat in Sliema, in Reid Street. both Mike and Nann had been to have a look at it and took a liking to it straight away. It was on the first floor, and fully furnished. Mike had asked the landlord if the bed could be taken out, as the ship had clubbed together and had bought the new bride and groom a brand new bed. Mike had also been given the Sunday off from duty, giving him three days leave as a wedding present from the Admiral as a thank you for his actions back in the August, September collision, a sort of honeymoon, without leaving the Island. But as Mike said. "I don't think we will leave the flat, let alone the Island.
Mike moved into the new flat on the Tuesday, four days before the wedding, as he was duty on the Wednesday, and the Friday, he felt he needed to get not only his kit organised but also as much of Nann's stuff as well. So when both Shinner and Mike were off duty, they worked together to get everything sorted out, and Shinner used his car as the removal vehicle. Also, it was said, that it was unlucky for the bride and groom to see each other before the big day, so Mike and Nann felt with Mike being duty right up until the wedding, they would stay apart. They also agreed, that the new bed should be saved for there big night, and after some thought, Mike said he would sleep on board his ship until the Saturday, Nann asked Mike if he was happy with that, and Mike said. I think its right that we sleep in that new bed as a married couple, it was given as a wedding present, so should not be used before the wedding, and anyway, my bunk is quite comfortable, and on my off days, I can do my own thing." Nann looked at Mike when he said that, but after taking her into his arms and kissing her she fully understood what he had been trying to say. Dorothy and Ken with Mike's new sister flew out on the Friday, they were met at the airport by Roger and taken to a hotel in Valletta, they planned to stay for the week, and it was agreed, that once the wedding was over and Mike and Maureen were living in there own flat, Dorothy and Ken would stay with Roger and Grace, Mike would see his mother and father at the church, as he was duty on the Friday, and didn't get off until early on Saturday morning.
Mike and Shinner finished their duty at six, and both headed back to Shinners flat, the idea being to get a couple of hours kip before the ceremony, Mike slept on Shinners sofa, but in all honesty, he didn't sleep really, too much was going around in his head, then at 08-15, Shinner was shaking him with a cup of coffee. "Come on mate, you have been snoring like a good un. Mike sat up and took the cup, he drank and felt much better. "Well." Shinner said. "best we start getting ready, you can use the bathroom first, and mate, no cutting your face, we don't want you standing in the church covered in toilet roll." they both laughed.
An hour later, both men were sat in easy chairs talking, they were in there number 1 suits bar the jackets and collars, they were again having a drink, and Mike had a rather large napkin around his neck, he had no wish to get coffee on his white front. As they were talking there was a knock at the door. "Who the bloody hell is that," Shinner said, but getting out of his chair he went to the front door, Mike heard two people talking, then Mike's father walks into the room. "Hello, son," Ken said. "How are you feeling." Mike looks at his father, then smiles. "I feel fantastic, couldn't be better." Mike then looks past his father. "Wheres mum." "You will see her in church, she has gone over to see if she can help out with Nann, seems there is pandemonium in the flat at this moment in time, but it should be all sorted in time for the wedding." Ken sat down and carried on with his conversation, Shinner kept looking at his watch realising that time was slipping by, and he and Mike had to finish dressing. In the end, he stood in front of Mikes dad and in his best voice of authority said. "Sorry chief, but I must ask you to leave, we need to finish getting dressed and get to the church." Ken looked at Shinner, then at his son. "Ok you guys, see you in church." then he went to the front door and down the steps. "Right mate," Shinner said. "Let's get this show on the road." standing together in front of the full length mirror in Shinners hallway they smiled back at each other. "Very smart." Shinner said. "let's go, we don't want to keep the little lady of yours waiting."
The church was packed, the last time he had seen it like this was as a choir boy on decisions day. As Mike looked around, he saw all the lads from his ship, plus some from the rest of the squadron, he assumed that they were some of the chefs that had helped with the cake. Mike saw the captain with his wife and the Jimmy with his, everyone was in uniform and looked very smart. Mike's mum and dad walked in and sat behind Mike and Shinner, Ken was in uniform, and Dorothy was in a powder blue two piece suit with matching hat, and in Dorothy's arms was Mike's new sister, she was sound asleep. As Dorothy sat down, she leaned over to Mike and kissed his cheek. "Hello son, how are you feeling." Mike smiled, then nodded his head. "I'm fine mum." he said."I feel really great." Dorothy squeezed Mike's shoulder, then sat back in her seat
The vicar came to the front of the altar and the organ came into life, Shinner looked back down the church, then whispered into Mike's ear. "She's coming, and she looks beautiful." Mike and Shinner stood up and stood in front of the vicar, and as they did so, Nann and Roger had done the walk, and Nann was standing beside Mike, Mike looked at her, he was mesmerised by her beauty, he whispered to her."You look fantastic. Nann was wearing a long dress in the oyster material that Grace and Mike had picked out all those weeks before, the dress came down from the shoulders ending in a long V at the front, it went right down to the middle of her bust, but the whole thing was offset by the small locket that Nann always wore, the locket that Mike had bought her for her birthday, the birthday she gave him her most precious possession, the dress was tight over the bust, then went in at the waist and down to a full skirt. The vale that covered her face and hair was like the finest spun web, and holding it in place a small but very neat tiara, in her hand was a small bouquet of pink and white roses held together with a pale green ribbon. Anita was carrying the same flowers, Nann handed her flowers to Anita and the wedding ceremony began. Mike and Nann exchanged rings, Mike had placed his signet ring on the third finger of his right hand before the ceremony which pleased Nann a great deal, she had given Mike that ring as a token of her love for him, and for him to keep that ring on his finger, all be it on the other hand, for Nann, it meant that the love still stood. In the vestry both Mike and Nann signed the register, followed by there witnesses Anita and Shinner, who's proper name was David, as they stood around getting their breath back, Nann replaced her engagement ring onto her wedding finger, then in line, they walked back into the church and down to the main door where someone was taking photos. A car then took the bride and groom to the Manoel Island club for there reception.
The N.A.A.F.I. club had really done them proud, the tables were laid out in the shape of the letter E, the top table being for the bride, groom, maid of honour, best man and both sets of parents Ken sitting with Grace, and Dorothy sitting with Roger. Mike and Nann were given ten minutes to get themself sorted out before the guests arrived, they were handed a couple of drinks to as the head waiter said to give them a head start on the rest of the guests. As they were left alone for the short time, Mike asked his new wife if she was happy. "Yes," she said. "I am very happy, this is the best day of my life." she squeezed his arm. "I have almost everything I have ever dreamed of." she looked at her new husband a twinkle in her eye, almost everything, Mike thought to himself, what more does this woman want.
The rest of the wedding party arrived, at first, everyone just stood around, but then Shinner did his best man bit and everyone found their seats and sat down. The food was fabulous, the best man's speech went down a hoot, as did the bride's father, though as Mike looked around the room he could see some tears, even from some of the sailors in the room. Then it was the Grooms father's turn, and within moments he had the whole room roaring with laughter with a crazy story about Mike and the canoe, then he told two very dirty jokes that went down well, to be honest, the people who were listening were all sailors and their wives, and as they say, you know what sailors are. After the speeches were over, the captain of Bossington stood up. "I would like," he said. "To just say a big thank you to the Palmer's and Taylor's for inviting us all here today. But I would really like to raise my glass to the groom, some of us might not be here today if it hadn't been for this mans quick thinking, so I would ask you all to raise your glasses to Peddler." A cheer went up, Mike stood up and looked around the room. "All I can say, is thank you from the new Mrs Palmer and myself, and as regards the ship, well it's like the Admiral said, it's cheaper to repair the ship than replace it, and anyway, I like this ship, and I wasn't going to lose her for the sake of a piece of rope." another cheer filled the room and Mike sat down.
After the tables were moved against the walls the jukebox was switched on and with music playing, Mike and Nann danced the first dance together, then everyone joined in. Mike and Nann were talking to the skipper and his wife, she was thanking Mike for his brave actions, it was then that Ken came over, Mike introduced him to his C/O and they shook hands, Mike saw the look on there faces, within minutes they were like long lost brothers, Mike had noticed this handshake thing before, but never did know what was going on. Mike left the two men to talk, then realised he had never told his father about the incident, and he doubted that Roger had said anything either.
Mike was talking to some of his shipmates when the skipper and his father came over to him, taking him to one side, Ken said. "So son, when were you going to tell us about the incident." "It was nothing dad," Mike said. "All I did was disconnect the jackstay, then ended up in a heap on the deck." "With two broken fingers." the skipper said. "All I did was my job, it's not just a ship, its a home, a family with you sir." Mike looked at the captain. "As the father, and the rest of us trying to live by the ruled and your leadership." the skipper smiled. "I never thought about it in that way, Mmm I like it, and I suppose it's true in some respects." Ken looked at the skipper."He is right you know, be it a destroyer, a battleship or a minesweeper, the ship's company are like a family with the captain as its head." Mike left the two men to ponder over what he had said
Dorothy and Maureen were sat talking, Mike made his way over to them. "Well," Maureen said. "Come and say hello to your new sister." Dorothy handed Mike the little bundle, and as he gently pulled back the blanket from Penny's face, he was now looking down onto his new baby sister, she had her eyes open and was looking up at him, then her eyes and her face told Mike that she was not happy, who was this new person, as she made to cry, Mike softly spoke to her, the tears didn't come, Mike was telling her what a beautiful little girl she was, and Penny was all ears listening to what he older brother was saying to her, then a smile came to her face and she looked at him and kind of knew, in his arms, she was very safe. While all this was going on Nann was stood watching, she was also mesmerised by what she saw, he husband of less than two hours had done something that took her breath away, he was a natural, Mike handed his new sister back to his mother, just as Grace came and sat down next to her.
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