Chapter 15 Tuesday
I was deep in my sleep pattern, I was having a wonderful dream about Anna and myself, but all through my dream there was this crazy bell ringing in my head. As I started to wake up, I realised that the ringing sound was the telephone, I picked it up and a voice on the other end was saying. "Good morning Mr Palmer your 4-30 call". "Thank you". I said and put the phone back into its cradle. As I made to get out of bed Anna put her arm around my neck. "Give us a kiss". I leaned over and kissed her. "Come on love, no time for hanky panky, we have to get dressed ready for breakfast.
In the dining room we had a breakfast of eggs on toast and toast and marmalade, while sat at our table I went to the counter and took two boiled eggs and made us a couple of sandwiches, I knew that once I had paid the hotel bill, I would have very little Maltese money, just enough to buy a couple of cups of coffee at the airport. Wrapping the sandwiches into a couple of napkins we made our way back to our room, I put our cases on the bed with our in flight bags, then did a full check of the room, from the safe I took our passports and return tickets which I placed into my inside jacket pocket, I then took the last of the money we had, split it in half and gave half to Anna, the rest I put into my own wallet, then with me picking up both cases, and Anna looking after the in flight bags we made our way down to the reception desk.
On the ground floor I went to the reception desk and handed over the key and said I had come to pay the final bill, which I knew would be, a bottle of wine every night when we had dinner, and the San Mig that I ordered during the couple of days we were dealing with Anna's problem, taking the last of my Maltese money from my pocket I made to pay the bill, but then looking at the bottom of the bill I saw it said, Paid In Full. I was puzzled and tried asking the girl what was going on, but she said. "If I was not happy, then I could wait for the manager to come in at 9". I said thank you and went back to sit with Anna putting the bill in my pocket. "Anything wrong". she asked, I was about to explain when the minibus turned up. We boarded the bus with the married couple and headed out for the airport, we headed for Sliema first then on to St Julian's, by the time we had gotten to the last pick up point we were just about full up, we then headed for the airport. With our bug luggage now gone, we made our way into the departure lounge, it was now 0910, I asked Anna if she would like a coffee and a quick snack. "I thought you didn't have any Maltese money". she asked, I took the bill from my pocket and handed it to her. "I wouldn't have, if I had paid this bill, now I have a load of the stuff, do you want something to eat". Anna was looking at the menu. "Not at these prices, I don't, even if you had ten times what you have in your pocket, no love, pay for the coffee, I can wait for food.
Back with the other passengers with our coffee, I took the two sandwiches from my bag and handed one to Anna. "There you go love, have one of these, they are the right price. With our cups empty and our hunger sorted, we sat holding hand waiting for the call. We were sat for around 45 minutes when the call came over the speaker system. Will all passengers travelling to Bristol on flight MA 289 please go to gate 8 where your flight is now boarding. Anna and I made our way to gate 8 and waited with the other passengers, as we slowly made our way forward, I showed the security staff our boarding passes and passports, we then joined the aircraft shuttle to take us to the aircraft.
Anna and I boarded from the rear, once on board we found our seats and made ourselves comfortable, I checked Anna's seatbelt then my own. "Michael love, how did you arrange for us to sit together". I kissed her cheek. "I told the girl at the desk that we had gotten engaged whilst on holiday and that you were scared of flying alone, she showed me the aircraft seating plan, I chose these seats, and here we are". "I love you, Michael, you make everything so easy", Anna suddenly grabbed my hand. "Michael, we are moving, I can feel it". I could feel it as well, the engines were starting to wine and we were now trundling along the apron to the bottom of the runway, as we turned onto the runway the engine noise got louder and we were soon gathering speed, then as if by magic we were in the air, then more noise as the undercarriage was raised and locked away. Looking down from the window, we could see the Mosta Dome glinting in the sunlight, as we climbed even higher into the clear blue sky, we saw St Pauls bay, then Comino then Gozo. The seat belt sign went off so we loosened our seatbelts and enjoyed the flight and each others company.
The flight back to Bristol was very smooth, we had a meal of roast chicken, roast potatoes and mixed veg, this was followed by a small box containing grapes and we both decided to have the coffee. "Michael love, how much Maltese money do you have left". Anna asked, I checked my wallet and produced around about £100, Anna took the money and as the duty free trolly came towards us Anna decided to buy a couple of bits and pieces, a mug each, a pen in the shape of the aircraft we were in, and a very nice scarf for herself with the Air Malta logo on it. "Michael, what's your favourite tipple". I told her it was Grouse Whisky, so she bought me a large bottle of that as well. "Well love, that's got rid of some of this Maltese money, what do I do with the rest". she then called the stewardess back. "Tell me. does Malta Airlines involve themselves with any local charities". Why yes madam, we do, its an orphanage, and we are more than happy to take any spare change you may have". Anna looked at me, I saw the twinkle in her eyes and just smiled and nodded, she then handed the rest of the money to the stewardess saying. "Please add this to the fund, it should help a little". The stewardess took the money saying. "Thank you very much, sir madam, you're very generous".
We landed at Bristol Airport, it was very windy and raining, when the doors were open, I said to Anna. "I have the bags, you make a dash for the arrivals door. Once we had gone through check in we headed for the baggage area, and as there were only a 100 people on the flight, we didn't have to wait very long for our main luggage. Grabbing our cases we made our way to the exit, as we passed the customs desk we were called over, I put both cases on the desk and we waited. the customs man said to Anna "Which case is yours". Anna pointed to her case and was asked to open it which she did, on top of the case was the envelope." Please open that madam". "Sorry". Anna said, I am not allowed to, I have been told by Dorset police, that this envelope cannot be opened until I got home". As Anna was talking, I noticed a police officer stood in the doorway, he came over. "Mrs Battly". Anna nodded. "Will you both follow me. In a small office, the police officer explained that he was from Avon and Somerset and needed to be sure that both envelopes were still in Anna's possession. "Mr Palmer, do you have transport at the airport". "No". I said. "I was planning to get a hire car from the airport". "No need sir". he handed me his notebook. "Mr Palmer, if you could write your address and postcode on here, we will arrange transport for you to your front door". he smiled.
Ten minutes later, Anna and I found ourselves in the back of a police car being driven at breakneck speed back to Taunton, 45 minutes later, I was thanking the two officers for the ride, as they stood behind me while I opened the door to my flat, As I stood to one side to let Anna go into the passageway, the two police officers wished us goodnight and left.
In the flat, I gave Anna a guided tour around, showing her what I had, then asking Anna to give me both envelopes from her case. I put then both into my own safe, a little bigger than the one in the room at the hotel, but big enough to keep all of any documents we may have plus some, with that job done I felt we could both relax a little more. I then took Anna for a little walk to our village shop, I bought bread, milk, cereals and marmalade. "Right love, this will see us until tomorrow, then we will go into Taunton and do a big shop, plus anything else you may need, we do have a load of good clothes shops, and I do think we need to restock your wardrobe". "Michael, what about dinner tonight". "No problem". I said. "We can get fish and chips". then I said. "Anna do me a favour, grab me some butter from the cold cabinet". We walked back to the flat, I put the kettle on to make us both a cup of tea. Anna was in the bedroom sat on the bed in front of her, her open suitcase. Michael love, where do I put my clothes". I pulled back the 6 sliding doors on the wardrobe and said. "There you go sweetheart, all the room you will ever need. I heard the kettle and went and made the tea, in the biscuit tin, I found an unopened packet of dark chocolate digestive, so I put some on a plate, then putting everything on a tray I took it into the lounge and placed it on the coffee table. Walking back into the bedroom Anna was still sat on the bed, but both cases were now empty, and on the bed was a pile of clothes. "Whats this lot". I asked, Anna, looked at me, a smile on her face. "This lot needs washing". I picked up the pile and headed for the kitchen with Anna close behind me. "Please Michael love, I need to understand, I need you to teach me how this washing machine works, so that when your not around, I can get on and do it myself, so please love, instruct me, and I will try and take it all in". I showed Anna how the washing machine worked, the extra spin cycle, the fact I only used the 30 minute wash program or the machine will carry on for hours. "Ok love, I think I have got the gist of it". I stood back and watched as Anna filled the drum, put in the liquid and switched the machine on. As the machine started both Anna and I went into the lounge and sat on the sofa to drink our tea. As we sat enjoying our cuppa, I found a small pad and gave it to Anna, "Ok love, the fridge freezer is in the kitchen, as is the food cupboard, what you need to do now, is think of the foods you like and write them down,, then tomorrow, we will go into Iceland and stock up on everything we want, they will deliver, and we can then go and buy you some clothes, maybe some trousers, a couple of skirts, dresses shoes and night attire". "Michael, why night attire, we sleep in our birthday suits, which I might say, I love, and you are there to keep me warm in bed". "Ok". I said. let's change that to nice fluffy dressing gown for the winter months". "Ok". Anna said. "A dressing gown I could do with, plus a winter coat, and a couple of coats I can wear in inclement weather". We sat for ages making the list, I looked at the clock on the wall it was almost six thirty. "Right love, fish and chips, are you going to stay here, or come with me". "I think I will come with you, I still feel a little out of it at the moment".
We made our way to the chip shop and bought cod and chips twice with mushy pies. Back in the flat, I realised that the washing machine was still on, I showed Anna my magic drier, and she put the clothes onto it, then with the cover over it, I switched it on saying. "By morning, everything will be bone dry, and no creases".
We sat enjoying our fish and chips, Anna made a cup of coffee for us both, once we had eaten our fish and chips and had cleaned up, we sat back on the sofa with just the coffee, it was nice and quiet and I felt very happy, then Anna said. "Michael love, do you realise it's now been nine hours since you kissed me". I looked at Anna and then leaned across to her, the kiss was warm and tasted if fish vinegar and mushy peas, but I didn't care, as we held the kiss Anna put her arms around my neck and slid herself across the sofa so that she was soon on my lap, we again kissed, this time slightly harder. "Mmm". Anna said. "That feels good, oh, and Michael, are you getting". I stopped her with another kiss, then picking her up in my arms I took her into the bedroom turning off the lights as we went, then laying her on the bed she looked up at me, a look that said, Michael, I don't know what you are planning to do to me, but I am more than happy to try anything in this bed. I undid the buttons on her blouse, then the buttons on her skirt, she was almost naked apart from the bra and panties, I lay alongside her and as she came into my arms she whispered in my ear. "Darling, the ban". she couldn't say any more, the kissed stopped her, but I knew what she wanted, and being as she had said in the past, I was the perfect gentleman, I gave her what she wanted. As we lay in each other's arms Anna said. "I love you, Michael, I love your flat and I love our new life together, and I love the fact that the bank vault is full and I will sleep very well". We closed our eyes and fell asleep, not in each other's arms, not even with me holding Anna's left breast, we slept with our bottoms touching, and very comfortable it was too.
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