I looked at my watch, it was time to get ready for dinner, making our way to the dining room we were greeted at the door by Henry. "Hello sir, madam nice to have you back, I have reserved your table for all your meals". he then escorted us to our table that looked out over the creek, he then helped Anna to her seat and removed the reserve sign from the table. "Does sir, madam want the usual bottle of wine". "Yes please Henry". I said, "But can we make it a half bottle every night, as you can see, , the wife will only have the one glass, just to be sociable". "Very good sir, I do understand". he walked away with a smile on his face.
We enjoyed our dinner, the menu had not changed too much, and for that we were grateful, it meant that both Anna and myself could eat everything put in front of us. We left the dining room at around 21-15 and headed for the bar, on leaving the dining room I quietly said to Henry. "Sorry Henry, no tip tonight, but I will have a load of Maltese money tomorrow, so will see your ok then". "Thank you, sir, I understand, it's always a pleasure to have people like yourselves staying with us".
In the bar, it was the same barman, the bar was half full, but I did note that our old sofa was free so told Anna to sit down while I got us a drink. I asked Anna what she wanted to drink and after a little think, she said "I had better stick to soft drinks on this trip, I will have the glass of wine with our dinner, but after that, I will stick to, mmm, I know, I will have a lemonade and lime. I went to the counter and ordered a San Mig and a lemonade and lime, the barman suddenly realised who I was, and with a smile on his face said "Good evening sir, nice to have you back, is the lady with you". I pointed to the window sofa where Anna was stood waiting for me, the barman gave her a wave. "Oh, and by the way, the lady is now the wife". I picked up the drinks and made to leave. "Congratulations sir". the barman said, he was about to ask for some money for the drinks, but I said. "Put it on my tab tonight, I will have Maltese money tomorrow, room 301". Very good sir, and yes, I do know the room number".
Sitting with Anna looking out of the picture window, she picked up my and took a sip. "Just as I remember it". then picking up her own drink, she put the glass to her lips and drank from the glass. " So love, what plans have you got for this trip". I asked her, she looked at me and with a smile on her face said. "I would love to go to Gozo again, I would also like to go to the". she giggled. Smelly fish market and the craft village, as for the rest of the holiday, I will be more than happy to potter around Valletta and Sliema". "Ok love, I will sort out an itinery which we can work to".
Back in our room, Anna was laid on the bed in her nightdress, one that she had bought in Taunton and sort of chucked into the case in case she needed it, it was almost see through, and although Anna was well and truly pregnant, she looked beautiful and to my eyes extremely sexy, I looked down at her, and as I stripped down to my birthday suit, she said. "Michael love, come here". I climbed in beside her and snuggled down with my arms around her neck. "I do love you Mr Palmer, come and do your duty". she rolled over so that her bottom was in my groin, I raised her nightdress and did what she wanted me to do. I made love to Anna in what I call slow time, the aim was to not upset the babies, but give Anna what she wanted. The twins didn't seem to worry too much, and as I filled the vault, Anna said mmm that feels wonderful, thank you darling I feel warm inside as well as out".
We had been in Malta for less than three days when the hotel manager came to our room. "Sorry to bother you both". he said. "But it seems that the local press has found out that you are back on the Island, and would like a follow up story". I looked at Anna and she gave me the nod, there was a huge smile on her face. "Ok". I said. "When"."Well sir, if you have no plans for later this morning, maybe we could do it around noon. I will organise coffee and sandwiches, that way you don't have to miss out on lunch, will chicken be ok"."Great". I said. "And if you can have the chicken sliced very thinly, that would be fantastic".
At noon, Anna and I were in the hotel restroom and library, and once again we had three cameras. and six reporters to talk to. Once we were all settled down, I told the reporters to asked their questions in an orderly fashion, and not to bombard us, we would answer as honestly as we could. How long have you been married was the first question from the Malta Times, I looked at Anna. "We have been married for just over six months, we got married on the 14th June". And when is the baby due, was the next question. I again looked at Anna, then said. "The twins will be born late January early February. and yes for those of you doing the maths, they were conceived before the marriage, but please remember, we are both British, we are both Church of England and our church does not rule us, the government rules, and if two people are in love, and they make love, as long as they are committed to each other, then any children of that union will be loved and cared for. Both Anna and I are married and both our children will carry the Palmer name with pride, they will be bought up in a loving home, and although we love then equally, we will show them that if they break the house rules they will be punished, but in a loving way".
Mrs Palmer, why did you come back to Malta so late in your pregnancy. Anna looked at me and I gave her the nod. "Go on love, this one is yours". "We were". Anna said. "Invited out here by the management and staff of the hotel, as you all know, the last time we were out here we were having major problems, well I was, and the manager and his fantastic staff did everything they could to shield me, and because I was". she held by hand. "With this wonderful man at the time, the hotel felt it there duty to shield us both. At the last interview, my husband gave the hotel a glowing reference for the British who love to come to Malta for there holidays, we have been told this time out here, that, that this hotel is fully booked for the next two years. That my friends, is with your help and a rather sad story on my part, but that part of my life is over, I married this wonderful man, and God in his wisdom has thought fit to allowed us to have a family, I feel, that from a life of sorrow, I walked into a life of joy and hope".
Mr Palmer, why do you love Malta so much. "Well". I said, as I said last time we had this conversation, I lived out here in 1956, came out here as a schoolboy, even lived across the road from this very hotel, though in those days it was a car park. I went to the Royal Naval School Tal Handaq and loved every minute of it, the family and myself even built a two man canoe that my brother and I used almost daily, and in 1959 when we had to go back to England, I was heartbroken. But I then joined the Royal Navy and was very soon back out here on my latest ship, and I was able to revisit some of the places I loved. When I had my problem with my second marriage, I had to escape, and this was the only place I could think of at the time, a place where I could lie low for a couple of weeks and mingle with the local people and tourists. As you also know, at the time Anna was running away, but she did not know Malta at all, didn't know the place existed, but on the flight out, we became friends, found we were staying at the same hotel and over 14 days fell in love, a holiday romance we call it in England. With us, the love just grew and grew and we both realised we had to take the next step, however, step 4 had already taken place without our knowledge". I placed my hand on Anna's tummy. "When Anna's husband had killed there child whilst still in the womb, Anna was told she would never be able to bear children, so when Anna and I got together and she told me this, well, for us it was party night every night. Then last May, we found out that Anna was pregnant, we had already planned to get married in the June so we were not unduly worried. Anyway, we both love Malta, it's like our second home, and when the twins are born, we will be bringing them out here where they can enjoy the sunshine, clear blue water and most of all Maltese hospitality".
With the interview now over, we shook a few hands and then headed back to our room, we were exhausted and needed to rest, we laid on the bed and very soon our eyes closed and we were asleep, when I did wake up and looked at my watch, it was almost time for our evening meal. As the holiday went on, we did everything we had put on the itinerary, even the trip to Gozo was, well a little rough, but Anna was still happy and like she said. "As long as I have you beside me love I feel safe, happy and content".
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