Against All Odds

by Marian L. Jasper

  She went upstairs and lay on the bed recovering; she was missing Patrick already. She stayed there until she heard Zelma pottering around downstairs and she could hear the boys rousing. It’s going to be a very long two months, she thought.

  In the kitchen, Zelma was getting breakfast for the boys, who were washing and getting themselves ready for school.

  “When’s the baby due, Liza?” asked Zelma.

  “I believe it will be at the beginning of May. Is it that obvious? You realise that I haven’t told Patrick. I was going to tell him last week but when he said that he had been assigned to Fort Butler and the reason why, I felt it best not to bother him as I know he would be very worried, and I only want him to concentrate on what he has to do to keep himself safe. I didn’t want his mind to be on anything else but keeping out of danger. I’m going to have to see a doctor soon but I won’t go to Dr Bridges; instead I’ll see Dr Steele at the fort.”

  “You were right not to tell Patrick. He would worry about you and not himself. You know it’s dangerous for you to have children; you’ve been told that. In fact, you were told that it was unlikely that you would have any more children,” said Zelma.

  “I know, Zelma and there’s no point in looking disapprovingly. Patrick and I love one another in all senses of the word. It would be impossible for us to keep away from each other. Neither of us have will power where that is concerned,” said Liza.

  “Well, I’ll just have to make sure you look after yourself. I’ll see that you eat well and get lots of rest, and I’ll look forward to another child to look after,” said Zelma and off she went to ensure the boys were getting ready for school properly.

  Even though the boys were at school, Liza still had plenty to keep her occupied. She had discussions with Mr Pembroke the Bank Manager, which she had put off for a week so that she could spend that time with Patrick. She was checking on her various investments and making sure that her rents were on time. Patrick had previously been in to the bank to sign the documents on his ownership of the blacksmiths. He was reluctant as he didn’t feel that it should be in his name, but Liza pointed out to him that unless he did, nobody would reap the rewards on the business as nobody would be able to access any money that it may make. He was the only one who had the right of access to the account. She now found that unknown to her Patrick had set up accounts in the names of Matthew and John and all profits were being divided equally between them. She smiled thinking that he would soon have to set up another account for their child when it was born.

  She next called on Kathy and Joe who immediately took her through to their sitting area. Greg had taken a great deal of pressure away from them; they could now take time off together and enjoy visits from friends, which obviously included Liza. She told them that it was very quiet around her house now that the boys had started school.

  “It won’t be quiet for long though, will it, Liza?” said Kathy.

  “No, you’re right, Kathy; but I know that it doesn’t show yet, so how did you know?” asked Liza.

  “It’s in your face. I’ve seen enough women in your condition to know the signs very early on. I suppose you’re suffering morning sickness; how did you manage to hide that from Patrick as I know you will have done. You wouldn’t want him to go away worrying about you with what he is going to have to undertake.”

  “It hasn’t been easy and especially this morning as I wanted to see him off. Zelma knows as she has been aware that I have been sick each morning, but she said nothing until Patrick had left. I wonder how many other people know and have kept quiet until now,” said Liza.

  “Probably every woman who has ever had a child, but you know that the whole town will be looking after you whilst Patrick is away and especially Joe and me and of course Zelma,” said Kathy.

  “So, we’re going to be grandparents again,” said Joe happily. “It would be nice if it’s a girl this time, but who cares as long as it’s healthy.”

  “Ben’s and Brigeta’s must be due in about six weeks’ time,” said Kathy.

  “This town is really building up now,” said Joe, “there were very few children here when Danny was born. He led quite a solitary childhood until the fort was built and then there were a couple of children there for him to play with. One of them was the colonel’s daughter, Felicity, although she was a little strange when she was young. Some days she would be the best of friends and on other days she wouldn’t talk to you. I’m pleased she grew out of that. I dare say you met up with her in Ireland.”

  “Yes, we met up on quite a few occasions,” said Liza and then changed the subject back to children in Benson. “I have to admit that I thought that Matthew was the only child in town, but realised that there were those who I just hadn’t met because they really didn’t have a school or the parents didn’t have a place to meet and talk together. It all seems to be changing now for the better.”

  It was not lost on Kathy that Liza did not want to talk about Felicity and wondered whether all was well between Edward and Felicity, but she knew better than to ask Liza because she was well aware that she would not get an answer from her on anything that might be an awkward situation which could be affecting any of Liza’s close friends.

  Liza had lunch and spent a couple of hours with Kathy and Joe. She went home in time to greet Matthew and John from school and of course, Si was also with them. They really were quite an inseparable threesome and Liza was really pleased that none of them would be spending a solitary childhood as dear Danny had done.

  The evening was the worst time for Liza; it was a very lonely time. The boys were asleep and Zelma had stayed with her for a while, but she was tired and needed her sleep, so Liza was alone and could not help feeling anxious. It had not even been a day since Patrick left and it felt like a lifetime but it comforted Liza to know that he would be returning. Last time she was in this situation, she had no idea whether or not he would be able to return. She thought that she may as well get an early night; hopefully she would sleep and if she did, it would mean that when she woke it would be one day nearer to Patrick’s return.

  In the morning Zelma appeared in her bedroom with some biscuits and told her to stay there as she had heard that if something could be eaten before getting out of bed, then the morning sickness could be averted. Unfortunately this cure for morning sickness did not work on Liza much to Zelma’s annoyance.

  The boys did not bother Liza before they left for school as Zelma had told them that their mother was not feeling too well that morning. Liza decided that when she felt better a little later on she would go and visit Ada and Bea, but before calling on them she would try to see Dr Steele and get him to check her over and perhaps suggest something that could help with her morning sickness. It had not happened to her when she was carrying either Jonathan or Matthew. Her two miscarriages had been too soon for her to suffer any sickness, but she knew from other people that it was quite a normal occurrence.

  Later in the morning Liza made her way to the fort and found Dr Steele at his desk immersed in paperwork.

  “Good morning, Liza, what can I do for you? You’re looking a little pale, is there something wrong?”

  “There’s nothing wrong, Doctor, quite the opposite, in fact. I’m pregnant. It should be due in May but I do feel that it might be prudent to be checked over by you, just to make sure everything is going according to plan. Also my morning sickness is quite severe and I wonder if you can suggest anything that I could do or take to ease it,” said Liza.

  “I’m not your doctor, Liza, Dr Bridges is. Shouldn’t you be consulting with him?” said Dr Steele.

  “I don’t want to consult with him. He nearly cost me my life and if Patrick hadn’t been there as well as Kathy, then I wouldn’t be here now talking to you about my baby. As I’m the wife of one of your soldiers then don’t I have the right to consult with you?” asked Liza.

  “It would be courtesy to let Dr Bridges know that you were changing doctors, but as you are here, I’ll exam
ine you to make sure that all is well with you,” said Dr Steele. “You know that it isn’t very wise for you to have children, in fact I’m surprised that you have conceived.”

  “I know you think that, Doctor, but this is the second time that I have conceived since that awful Frank Wyley time, but I had an accident and lost it,” said Liza.

  Dr Steele put his arm around Liza’s shoulder and said, “Well, we’ll have to try to make sure that this one survives. Does Patrick know yet?”

  “No, I didn’t want him to worry about anything other than his own safety,” said Liza.

  “Very wise, Liza, although your own situation is not quite so wise, but too late to think about that now,” said Dr Steele.

  The outcome of her examination was that all seemed to be in order, but he wanted to see her every week until the baby was born.

  “That seems a little excessive, Doctor. Surely there’s no need for that, are you concerned about something?”

  “Yes, I am concerned that you are pregnant. Liza, you’ve had one child who died shortly after birth, one child who is perfectly normal, one miscarriage with severe complications and another miscarriage due to an accident, so of course I’m concerned at how your body is tolerating yet another pregnancy. I need to keep an eye on you for both yours and your child’s sake and you know Patrick would agree with me,” said Dr Steele.

  From the doctor, Liza called on Ada and as usual Bea was with her. “I was going to call on you later on today,” said Ada.

  “Oh, I’ve saved you a journey then,” said Liza.

  Ada and Bea were delighted to hear that Liza was going to have another child and were sworn to secrecy as far as Patrick was concerned. Liza knew that it wouldn’t be long before her condition would be obvious to all.

  Liza was then going to make her way to see Brigeta but before she left, Ada asked if she was going to be at home the next morning. “I’d like to pop in and see you if it’s convenient,” said Ada. Bea seemed to pretend not to hear what was going on. Liza said that she would make sure she was at home in the morning.

  Brigeta was looking very uncomfortable, her feet were swollen and she seemed very hot. She immediately wanted to get Liza coffee and cake, but Liza told her to keep her feet up and she would look after her and informed her that in a few months’ time she would have to be looked after herself. Once again, she said that it must not get back to Patrick as he needed nothing on his mind other than the job that he was doing at the moment.

  “Is it not dangerous for you, Liza? I remember Dr Bridges saying that it would be a problem for you,” said Brigeta.

  “With all due respect to Dr Bridges, who I know has been a very good doctor in his time, but he really needs to update his medical training. I’m seeing Dr Steele who wants me to visit him on a weekly basis, which I think is rather excessive, but I believe that while Patrick is away he doesn’t want to take any chances with my health. But I really do feel that it is unnecessary,” said Liza.

  “What is it that you English say? ‘Better safe than sorry’,” said Brigeta.

  Brigeta showed Liza all that she and Ben had prepared for the baby. The spare room was festooned with toys and the cot had pretty sheets and blankets. Liza was quite envious, but it would not be long before she would be getting her spare room for a new family member.

  “I understand that Patrick will be taking over from one of the lieutenants who came to the fort six months ago. The one who is staying is so very handsome. I believe his name is Mark Kendal and if I wasn’t happily married to Ben, I’d be swooning along with all the other girls here and in town,” laughed Brigeta.

  “Patrick told me that there were a couple of new men at the fort, but obviously he didn’t describe what they looked like. I look forward to meeting them and I’ll let you know what I think of their looks,” laughed Liza.

  Liza arrived home before the boys had come in from school and there were letters waiting for her. Amongst them was one from Peter, one from Edward and a very heavy one from Amelia. She wondered whether she should read them before her meeting with Ada but then thought that if the colonel hadn’t told her about Felicity and the child then she would have been anxious to see what was in the letters. However the boys would be home shortly which would not be conducive to reading such private correspondence, so she would leave it until they were asleep.

  When the boys were finally in bed she sat in her comfortable rocking chair by the fire and pulled a couple of lamps near so that she could easily see. She started with Peter’s letter which was full of business news and it seemed that all the farming projects were going in the right direction, although it would be a while yet before much of a profit would be seen. He touched on the charity work and said that Wendell would be writing shortly with details on the success of that and how Jamie’s house for the children was coming along. Lastly he mentioned Edward’s problems saying that the family were still in turmoil and he was very worried about Edward. He knew that both his mother and Edward had written to her, so there was no need for him to go into detail, especially as it was not his place to spread gossip but he was pleased that she was being made aware of the situation.

  Edward’s letter was next and as expected it was full of sadness followed by anger and then back to sadness again.

  ’My dear Liza,

  By now you probably know of the difficulties I have had with Felicity and her child. I am absolutely devastated as I did love Felicity so very much and she has killed any feelings I had for her. I have been very stupid as it was really obvious what was happening, but I just didn’t see it. I’m sure I was being laughed at behind my back.

  Strangely Felicity doesn’t seem to worry about what she has done wrong and expects me just to accept the situation, but of course I can’t do that. I really think that she has a mental problem.

  None of her so-called friends want to know her and she cannot understand this. She keeps sending notes and calling on people but is turned away and she rants and raves at me for this happening.

  I really don’t know what to do with her, I just can’t live with her and I most certainly can’t live with her child. I hate them both and for me to have such vehement feelings worries me. I have never before hated anyone and I don’t like this feeling.

  She has named many people as the father of the child including Patrick and Jamie, however the real father says that he and his wife will take the girl, which seems an excellent solution to one of my problems, although I don’t know how she can give up a child without a second thought. My main problem is what to do with Felicity. She is still living in our house and creating disruption. Both Peter and Joseph have moved out for the time being as they feel that they need some peace and quiet to get on with their lives and their jobs. My father just carries on and loses himself in his work, but my poor mother bears the brunt of all the nastiness in this household and the gossip which was bound to ensue.

  I do wish you were still here, Liza, as I know you would have come up with a solution and I do know that Mother misses you so very much and especially now when she could really do with your support, as could I.

  I would love to come and visit you but at the moment it would bring back too many memories and perhaps the only real solution would be for Felicity to return to her parents because they are probably the only ones who could have any feelings for her, and nobody there need know about the child.

  I know you have had difficulties with Felicity, which were all of her making, but I know you would do your best for her if she does return, even though she has never been kind to you.

  You were worried about our marriage as I had admitted to you that Felicity was not my first love. I should have stuck to my first love, but I know that my first love never loved me in the same way.

  If you don’t mind, I would like to keep writing to you because having done this now, I do feel a great deal better, although I know that I am burdening you with my problems. I realise it is not the same as talking to you, but it does come a very
close second.

  I will truly look forward to a reply from you and I think about you a great deal and wish you well.

  With love from your dearest friend,

  Edward’

  Poor Edward is in such a dilemma, thought Liza, but I do hope he is not really looking to me to solve his problems, only he and Felicity can do that. She did also hope that Felicity did not come to Benson as she knew that Felicity would try to make life difficult for her, although Liza believed that she would not be the only target for her vindictiveness.

  Amelia’s letter set the situation out quite bluntly.

  ’My dear Liza,

  That disgusting wife of Edward’s has pushed this family to the brink of despair. She has brought forth a bastard child and can see nothing wrong in it. I feel sorry for any child of Felicity’s; she really can have no hope of achieving a normal life.

  It was bad enough when she tried to take everything from you and blacken your name to whoever would listen to her. I admire the way you took all her insults and remained aloof from it all and never once spoke against her. There is something evil in that woman and unfortunately she now bears our name.

  Edward is distraught and Peter and Joseph have moved from home as they cannot bear to be in the same house as her. Wendell carries on as best he can, but he has told Edward that he must resolve the situation to our family’s advantage and not to Felicity’s.

  I do wish you were still here, Liza, as I could always talk to you as you are my only true friend. I know whatever I told you would go no further. I could always rely on your good counsel although I doubt whether even you could come up with a solution to this problem.

  I know that Felicity has claimed that several people are the father of her child, including both Patrick and Jamie and I want to reassure you that none of us have ever believed her claims. Jamie is furious that his name has been bandied about by her. His comments were that he may be many things but he is not stupid and would never bed a stupid woman.