Chapter 15
The campsite had now been open for a year, and things were going very well, on the Saturday night whilst Hannah and Stuart were laid in bed, and Sarah was in her cot in her own room, Hannah asked Stuart if they could go into Valletta on the Sunday, she needed to go to the market and buy a few bits and pieces, Stuart agreed and said. "Tell you what, let's make a day of it, we can go to the market, have some lunch then go off somewhere for the rest of the day". "Thank you, my love". Hannah said, "That would be lovely". they kissed and lying in each other's arms, fell asleep.
At 7 am on the Sunday, the three of them set off for Valletta, parking up in a small side street, then with Sarah in a sort of seat that Stuart had strapped to his back the three of them made their way into the market, Hannah was looking at underwear at one stall, then baby clothes at another, but Stuart did not seem concerned, there was money in his pocket, and plenty in the bank, so if his wife was happy, then so was he, plus the fact, she spoke Maltese, so it seemed was able to get a little bit off the price every time she bought something. As they were heading towards the bottom end of the market they suddenly found themselves looking at Hannah's mother and father, he did try and put his arms around her and give her a hug, but Hannah pulled away, he then saw Sarah on Stuart's shoulder and his face went into a huge smile, he tried to speak to Hannah in Maltese, but she moved closer to Stuart and held his hand very tightly. When the mother saw the baby, she pointed at it and started to say something in Maltese, Hannah's face went ashen, and the tears welled up into her eyes, she turned and with her husband and daughter made her way out of the market as quick as she could.
In Victoria Square, sat at one of the tables under a large sunshade Hannah was still crying, as their drinks arrived Stuart was trying to find out what was going on, in the end Hannah told Stuart that her mother had put a curse on their child because she said."I married you, an Englishman, a foreigner, a man of the devil". Stuart having heard what his wife had said, was outraged, and deep down inside wanted this situation to end as soon as possible, every time he met up with this man and woman, something was said or done to make both Hannah and his life hell for weeks or months, and it had to stop.
Back at the campsite, Hannah was still very upset, all she wanted to do was hold her daughter in her arms, trying to protect her from whatever was going to happen curse wise. Stuart went around the site, wondering if Michael might be still around, he found him in the camp shop helping stock the shelves, taking him to the clubhouse and sitting at one of the tables he told him what had happened at the market. Michael thought for a few moments then said. "I think I know these two, I could send a few of my young friends round to sort them out". but as Stuart said. "That makes us as bad as they are, no I want to do this properly, can you recommend a good solicitor". Michael's eyes sparkled. "Boss, I know just the man, I will give him a ring tonight". "Thank you, my friend". Stuart said and left Michael to do what he had to do.
It was three weeks later that Stuart Hannah and Sarah were sat in the courtroom listening to what was being said by the solicitor, the judge was not very happy with what he was hearing, he then looked at Hannah's mother. "Mrs Palmier". he said. "I demand you remove this curse from the child". Mrs Palmier stood up and in Maltese told the judge she had no intensions of removing the curse. "My daughter is a wicked woman, she had no right to marry into the family of the devil, anyone who is not a Roman Catholic and lives the way a Roman Catholic lives, are the devil's children and will burn in hell". The judge did not hesitate, he gave her a three year prison sentence, the bishop of Malta and father Hopgood did there best to remove the curse with prayer, but the mother was sat laughing at them, it was at that moment, the bishop of Malta stood in front of Mrs Palmier and said". I have powers to madam, as of this moment, you are excommunicated from the church of Rome, you are no longer welcome within our churches, and this curse I now put on you can never be lifted without the Vatican's approval.
Hannah told her father that she would remain in Malta until her husband's contract had been fulfilled and would then be moving to England for good, she asked the judge to place a ban on her family that they were not to come to the campsite or to contact her or her new family, and the judge was more than happy to do that. Hannah's mother was taken away by two police officers, as she left the courthouse still screaming in Maltese the judge called her back. "Have you just placed a curse on me now". Mrs Palmier was cackling like an old witch. "Well, in that case, an extra 12 months, let's see how you like that". Mrs Palmier was lead away her head bowed, as Hannah watched her go followed by her father, she said to Stuart, "I need to speak to father Hopgood".
Outside the courthouse, Hannah was speaking to father Hopgood. "Father". she said. "Now that my mother has been excommunicated from her church, where does she go for confession, she was the sort of person who went to the local church almost daily, and went into the confessional every week". Father Hopgood placed his arm on her shoulder. "Hannah my child, you are a good woman, even when your mother has done such a wrong to you and your daughter you still want her to have God. However, I feel that what your mother has done to you, will not be tolerated with the Almighty, and he will I fear turn his back on your mother for some time, God can see the love you have for your husband and daughter, and I think he who has the power has already lifted the curse, and maybe one day, when your mother repents from her greaves sin ever, he will look upon her with favour again, but it will take time, and a lot of prayer on her part".
Sarah was now walking, and as her mother would walk around the campsite Sarah would follow her, she was loved by everyone working at the campsite, and when she walked into the small shop, there was always a lolly or a small bar of chocolate for the little princess as they all called her, even the three grounds crew would take Sarah on rides in the rubbish truck, then bring her home to her mother, a little grubby, but never hurt, she always had a smile on her face and would giggle all the time.
Michael was now fully in charge of the campsite, over the last 6 months Stuart had slowly and carefully handed Michael all the duties, and all Stuart was doing was making sure that all the staff were paid on time, and even that, was a case of ringing the bank and arranging that the workforce's pay was put into everyone's account.
One night laying in bed, Stuart told Hannah that their job in Malta was now finished and that they would soon be going back to England". "I'm so glad my sweet". Hannah said. "So when do you plan for us to leave". "I think within the next two weeks". Stuart said. "I plan to hand over the whole setup to Michael tomorrow, we are going to have a two weeks holiday on the site, and then it will be back to the U.K. we have been out here now for 6 years, all bar 3 months, there is nothing more for us to do, so we may as well go back and enjoy a bit of what England has to offer.
Two weeks later after a tearful goodbye, Stuart Hannah and Sarah were taken to Luqa Airport, as Michael said goodbye, Stuart told him. "Once I get back to England and settled in, I will give you a ring and leave you my number, if you get any problems, give me a call and I will do my best to help you". they shook hands and Stuart joined his family heading into the departure lounge.
The flight back to England was fantastic, clear blue skies and no turbulence, even going over Paris you could see all the beautiful landmarks and with Sarah sat on her daddy's lap looking out of the window they were having a great time. Hannah was sitting next to Stuart and leaned across to him. "Stuart my love, I have some news for you, I stopped taking the pill a couple of months ago, I think, we are going to have a brother or sister for Sarah, I hope you are as happy as I am". Stuart sat up and kissed Hannah. "That's fantastic news, I love you".
Epilogue
Stuart and Hannah had a brother for Sarah, Stuart was given the job of looking after the main campsite in Dawlish. Birt and Brenda decided to retire, and now in there 70s live in the same house they bought when first married. Stuart and Hannah bought a nice little three bedroom bungalow in Dawlish, and Stuart would go to work every morning on his new electric bicycle.
He still gets a weekly phone call from Michael telling him how things are going, and only once did he have to go back, one of the new staff members was trying to get everyone to join the new labour union being set up, nobody was interested, so |Stuart gave the man two choices, leave, or keep his mouth shut about unions, he took the latter. Today, the campsite in Malta is doing very well, and the team that both Stuart and Michael chose to work with them, was the right decision.
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