The Midwives of Lark Lane

by Pam Howes

  Cathy chewed her lip as Jean said that the four of them needed to get their heads together and work out who would do what shift and when. She’d prefer not to do nights if possible. But anything would have to do for now, until they really got under way. More staff would need to be brought in if things were going to get busier. She’d been there since first thing this morning and it was now almost eight o’clock. She felt light-headed with tiredness mixed with elation at the very successful first day.

  Epilogue

  April 1964

  Penelope wriggled around on her bed, trying to get comfortable. The baby was never still. She put her hands on her stomach and could actually feel its feet sticking up near her ribs. She smiled, thinking how her estranged boyfriend James would say it was a boy and he’d be a footballer. She wished she knew where James was. All she did know was that he’d been sent to a boys’ Borstal for six months after getting involved with a tough gang who robbed shops and then sold on the goods to make money. He’d wanted to leave the gang but they’d threatened him and told him he knew too much for his own good and they’d have to kill him to keep him quiet, and the fear had made him go along with them. He’d written to her, but her mother had laughed and thrown his letter onto a roaring fire and told Penelope to forget about him as she’d never see him again.

  They’d met walking home from school one day, he from Quarry Bank school and she from a small, private girls’ school nearby. He’d hurried around a corner and bumped smack into her. She’d dropped her bag and he’d picked it up and carried it to her house, leaving her at the gate with a wave. The following night he’d been waiting for her on the same corner and they’d met regularly after that and had fallen in love.

  They’d been inseparable until he was sent away. He didn’t even know she was pregnant as there’d been no time to tell him. He would think she didn’t care because she hadn’t replied to his letter, but she had no address to contact him. Fat tears rolled slowly down her cheeks. The midwives here were so kind and caring and she wondered if they would help her if she confided in them about the secret that she’d never told to anyone. Once she’d given birth and her baby was adopted it would be too late to do anything. She looked across at Sarah, who was snoring quietly, oblivious to Penelope’s turmoil. The pain she felt when she thought of James was agony and tore at her heart every single day. There was a tap at the door and it opened slightly. Alice popped her head around.

  ‘Tea and cake going spare in the kitchen,’ she whispered so as not to wake Sarah.

  Penelope struggled to her feet. ‘I’m on my way.’ She’d be like the side of a house with all the cake she’d eaten since arriving here. But it was so nice to feel loved and cared for, and the staff here at Woodlands always made them feel as though they were a part of the family. Many new mothers and babies had come and gone since she and Sarah had arrived on that cold February morning. Sarah’s baby was due this month.

  In the kitchen Cathy was taking her morning break and greeted Penelope with a grin.

  ‘You okay, Pen? You looked a bit serious as you walked in the door then. Have a seat. Do you want to talk?’

  Penelope nodded. ‘Yes please, I think I do. But could we do it privately somewhere?’

  Cathy nodded. ‘Let’s go in the lounge. It’s empty at the moment.’ Penelope followed Cathy and they sat side by side on the sofa. ‘Go ahead. Anything you say to the staff here is confidential and we won’t tell your parents. You know that don’t you?’

  Penelope nodded and told Cathy the tale of how she came to be in Woodlands Maternity Home and how she now wanted James to know where she was and to let him know about their baby, but that she had no idea how to get in touch with him.

  Cathy nodded. ‘We may be able to help with that. I’ll write down some details and see if Millie can start the ball rolling. Leave it with me and we’ll see what we can do. If it’s what you want, then that’s what matters. Right, I’ll bring you a notepad and pen and if you can give us as many details as you know about James, his birthdate, home address, that sort of thing. He may well be back home by now and for all you know it’s possible he’s tried to get in touch again.’

  ‘Well there’s no chance my parents will tell him where I am. They’ll have sent him packing. My mother is a right snob and she said he’s not the right class of boy for me.’ She rolled her eyes, smiled and patted her baby bump. ‘I guess I’ve well and truly blotted my copybook class-wise now, anyway.’

  Cathy told the others at break about what she and Penelope had talked about. ‘I hope we can find James for her. Millie’s on the case already. We might have a successful pairing there for one of our young mums and if they want to make a life together then we can help them to do that. James sounds a decent enough lad, just one who was easily led astray by the gang he got involved with. Borstal may have straightened him out, with a bit of luck.’

  Millie popped her head around the door. ‘Mrs Roper is on her way in. Pains started an hour ago and she’s just managed to get hold of her hubby at work. He’s gone home to collect her. And Miss Hannah Shaw is being brought in by her mother later this afternoon. She’s booked in long-term, not due for three months but according to her mother the neighbours are starting to notice.’ Millie shook her head. ‘I ask you. What are some people like?’

  ‘Indeed,’ Cathy replied, jumping to her feet. ‘We’ve two due to go into labour over the next few days, so it’s going to be another busy week and Sarah may start very soon too.’ She frowned and clutched the edge of the table. ‘Oooh, I feel a bit dizzy.’ She took a deep breath.

  ‘That’s with jumping up too quickly,’ Ellie said. ‘Take it easy.’

  By teatime, Millie had located James, who was now living back with his parents in Allerton. The news was conveyed to Penelope, who was told she could write to him. He hadn’t been told any details of her condition or her whereabouts just yet, but had sounded overjoyed according to Millie, who’d pretended she was a friend of Penelope’s passing on a message. ‘I thought it best to keep it informal at this stage seeing as we didn’t need to contact any of the authorities to locate him,’ Millie told Penelope.

  ‘I’ll write to him tonight. Has anyone got a stamp? I’ll pop out to the postbox at the end of the road when I’ve finished. Stretch my legs a bit and then I’ll know for sure it’s on the way. It is okay to put this address on for him to write back, isn’t it?’

  ‘Of course,’ Millie said. ‘I’ve got stamps in the office and if he wants to visit you here, maybe on a Saturday afternoon, then that’s fine too. We can give you somewhere private to talk. Will you tell him about the baby in your letter?’

  Penelope nodded. ‘Yes, I don’t want him just turning up and then me presenting him with this.’ She pointed to her bump. ‘If he doesn’t want to know then he needn’t reply and that will tell me how he feels.’

  ‘It’s worth a shot,’ Millie said.

  On her day off the following morning, Cathy walked away from the doctors’ surgery feeling her smile stretching her face. She couldn’t wait to see Gianni’s face when she told him the good news. She hoped all would go well and she wouldn’t miscarry again, although she’d been assured that there was no reason she couldn’t carry a baby to full term this time. Her mam was off today too, so she’d call in and see her before picking Lucy up from school, but she wasn’t saying anything until she’d told Gianni. They’d been trying for a baby since before Christmas and she’d been getting worried when the months passed and there was no sign.

  It was very early days, she was only about eight weeks, but she’d suffered her usual nausea and just had a feeling, and when Luca said Maria was seeing babies in the crystal ball she’d seen it as a good omen. She would work until she no longer could, and then take her maternity break. Gianni had started up a small business at home, using his draughtsman skills to design built-in storage furniture and kitchens, and he had told her they’d look after the children between them. He’d had a few interested clients and once hi
s design was approved, Johnny and Jimmy would carry out the construction and fitting work, with Gianni overseeing the final stages. It was a new addition to the renovation work they did and was proving popular.

  Cathy let herself in at the front door. Her mam was pegging washing out on the line in the back garden. ‘Hiya, Mam,’ she called.

  Alice came bustling in with an empty basket. ‘Great day for drying the washing. Have a seat and I’ll make us a brew. We drink enough tea in this neighbourhood to sink a battleship.’

  Cathy laughed and sat down at the table. ‘Just thought I’d call in on my way to pick up Lucy. Shall I get Roddy for you and take him back to ours for tea?’

  ‘Oh, love, that would be such a help. I can get on with cleaning upstairs then. I never seem to get a minute since we opened Woodlands.’

  ‘I know the feeling. But at least Gianni is home a lot and he can stick the washing out for me or put a casserole in the oven for our tea. He’s a big help.’

  ‘He’s a good lad. But then Sadie brought him up the right way. So I’d expect nothing less from him.’ Alice looked across to the mantelpiece at a framed sketch that Gianni had given her last year of Sadie, Millie and herself. He’d copied it from an old war-years photo they’d had taken. Friends forever; even though Sadie was no longer here, she was never forgotten and often brought up in their conversations.

  ‘He’s definitely a one-off,’ Cathy said. ‘And I’m so glad he’s my one-off. How’s our Sandra enjoying her training? I’ve not seen her for ages. Can’t seem to catch her in these days.’

  ‘She’s loving it. She’s never here. If she’s not at the hospital she’s round the corner at Ben’s house or at the Cavern with her mates.’ Alice rolled her eyes. ‘Young love, eh?’ She laughed. ‘Oh to be a teenager again.’

  ‘Just as long as Ben’s not too much of a distraction,’ Cathy said. ‘Keep reminding her what happened to me!’

  ‘Oh I do,’ Alice said, trying to frown at Cathy, but smiling. ‘All the time.’

  Cathy left her mam’s and knocked on Debbie’s door to see if she was ready to walk to school to meet Jonathon.

  ‘I am. Come on in, I’ll just strap Catherine into the pram. I’m meeting myself coming backwards today,’ Debbie said. ‘I’ve not stopped since I got up.’

  Cathy laughed and tickled her namesake under the chin.

  ‘I’ve still not got around to getting her christened,’ Debbie said. ‘She’ll be going to school at this rate. But with Johnny and Jimmy doing loads of work for us, everywhere is a mess and the garden is full of junk. It’ll be next year before I can invite anyone in for a buffet.’

  ‘You can have the buffet at ours,’ Cathy said, ‘or better still, at Woodlands. We could have a garden party if the weather is nice. Just let me check with the others tomorrow and I’ll let you know. The garden is lovely right now, Freddie’s worked hard and there’s a swing and a sandpit for any kiddy visitors. It’s ideal really.’

  ‘Oh, Cathy, that would be brilliant. Thank you so much. As soon as you can let me know I’ll book the church and vicar. They do christenings on the last Sunday of the month. So end of April will be lovely.’

  As Cathy was asking the others if they’d object to the garden being used for Catherine’s christening, the postman arrived. Millie called out to Penelope that there was a letter for her and she jumped to her feet, her chair crashing to the floor as she shot into the hall.

  ‘It’s got to be from James,’ Ellie whispered. ‘Fingers crossed everything will work out all right.’

  ‘Wish I could write to Barry,’ Sarah said wistfully. ‘But Gloria would make mincemeat of us both if I did that.’

  Alice patted her hand. ‘Gloria sounds a right one if you ask me. Barry needs to grow a pair. He’s entitled to his own life and to make his own decisions. If you are having any doubts about letting your baby go, then don’t do it. You can stay here while you get on your feet and then we’ll help you to find a job and a place to live. You mustn’t feel bullied by this Gloria.’

  The others all agreed that it would be a lovely idea to host a garden party for Catherine’s christening at the end of April. Cathy rang Debbie from the hall phone and told her the good news. She and Gianni had last night decided they would wait another week or two before announcing their new baby news to everyone else. Cathy had told him she didn’t like to tempt fate too early, she was still scared she might lose the baby and they’d agreed the end of April would be a good time. He’d been thrilled to bits and had hugged her until she squealed to be let go. She knew he’d enjoy a son to share his love of engines. Fingers crossed she could give him one this time.

  By the time everyone arrived back from the church, where baby Catherine had behaved impeccably, Marlene had a sumptuous spread laid out on trestle tables. Bunting was tied on the trees, courtesy of Freddie’s wife, who had made it from odd bits of fabric and ribbons she’d had in her work box for years. The sky was blue with fluffy white clouds and although it was still spring, no one needed a coat outdoors. Lucy, Jonathon and Rodney were arguing over who should have first go on the swing; Lucy won the argument by stating that ladies should always be first.

  Cathy stood on the back doorstep and looked out at the people milling around in the garden. She felt contented, loved and happy, and above all else, safe. Even the outbuilding where Jack had hidden didn’t spook her like she’d thought it might do. Everyone who had meant something to her from the past was here. Her godparents, Marlene, Freddie and Millie. Her lovely mam, Debbie, her lifelong best friend, and Davy, who she’d known since her first working day, Karen, Ellie and Jean, her nursing colleagues who were like sisters to her. Her younger siblings, her much-loved husband and daughter, and Jimmy and Johnny, who had helped to make Woodlands such a successful venture. She felt a little tug on her heartstrings as she wished Granny Lomax and Sadie could be here too. But she was sure they were with them in spirit. It was good to see the young mums-to-be enjoying themselves, and Penelope and James were talking in earnest at the bottom of the garden. Penelope had asked if she could invite him today as it was the only day he got off work from his new job and was the first time they had met for months. Her face had lit up as he walked into the hall and they’d not stopped talking since. Things were looking good on that score at least.

  Doctor Kelso was here and he hadn’t taken his eyes off Ellie all day; she in turn had smiled more than Cathy had ever seen her do before. A sure sign that her friend was healing inside and learning to trust again. After Davy had made a short speech and thanked everyone for their help and kindness in making today happen at last, Gianni got to his feet and, taking Cathy by the hand, he said, ‘I’d like to make a little speech too if that’s okay? First of all, I’d like to congratulate everyone at Woodlands for the success of this very worthwhile project. It goes from strength to strength as the weeks go by. The girls have worked so hard and the dedication they show to all their patients is reflected in the visitors’ book and many letters of thanks on the pinboard in the hall.’

  Everyone clapped, and then Gianni took a deep breath. ‘Now, I know they are booked up for many months ahead, but if possible, could you just squeeze one more delivery in later this year for my lovely wife?’ Cathy burst out laughing as everyone looked at them with puzzled expressions. Gianni continued with a big smile on his face, ‘Cathy and I would like to announce that we are expecting a second baby Romano in late November.’

  As a loud cheer went up and glasses were raised, Gianni pulled Cathy into his arms. ‘I love you, Mrs Romano,’ he whispered. ‘Here’s to us and ours and our wonderful new future.’

  If you were swept up in Cathy’s story, don’t miss The Liverpool Girls by Pam Howes, which follows sisters Carol and Jackie as they support each other through tragedy and loss in Liverpool.

  Available now!

  The Liverpool Girls

  The Mersey Trilogy Book 3

  Available now!

  Will tragedy tear them apart – once and for al
l?

  It’s 1966 and in Liverpool two sisters are about to have their lives turned upside down…

  Sisters Carol and Jackie haven’t had the easiest of childhoods, but as they grow up and begin their own lives both hope for happier times ahead. Stylish Carol works in Lewis’s department store, while Jackie dreams of drama school, and a career on the stage.

  But the sisters are heartbroken when they discover they have been dating the same man, and an unexpected pregnancy causes a rift between them. Parents Dora and Joe must overcome their past hurts and help their daughters, despite the meddling of Joe’s second wife Ivy.

  As the sisters’ troubles spiral and difficult decisions must be made, can the family pull together – or will Jackie and Carol’s sisterly bond be destroyed forever?

  The Liverpool Girls is a heart-breaking and compelling story of family, loss and love. Perfect for fans of Annie Groves, Anne Baker and Kitty Neale.

  Get it here.

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