Sleepwalk

by Ros Seddon

  ‘Oh my God it’s only been two weeks since I saw you and you’re the size of a house already!’

  ‘Oh Sandy. You always say the nicest things. What have you got there?’

  ‘Er……. fresh chocolate muffins of course.’

  ‘You’d better come in then.’ laughed her friend.

  They chatted for a while and Sandy asked her how life was treating her. Felicity told her how happy she was with David and little Ollie and how well he was looking after her, then the phone rang.

  ‘He’s checking up on me. If I don’t answer right away he phones me to make sure I’m ok.’ Felicity explained their daily routine to Sandy.

  ‘Oh my God Flick. You should rent him out when this bump comes out. You’d make a fortune!’

  ‘No way. I’m keeping him all to myself.’

  Sandy helped her with some washing and while Felicity made coffee in the kitchen, she ran the hoover over the downstairs carpets then they both sat down to coffee and chocolate muffins.

  ‘Have you heard from Ollie’s Mum lately?’

  ‘Ah…… you could say that. She’s coming over to see him in a week or so; just about the time the baby’s due to be precise. She hadn’t written for three months and then this.’

  ‘Three months? Poor Oliver! He must be excited about her visiting though?’

  ‘Ah………’

  ‘Haven’t you told him?’

  ‘David doesn’t want him to get too excited too soon. I think he may be right. If we tell him now and then she cancels…… I dread to think how he would take it. She’s been a tad unpredictable and quite unreliable recently. Apparently she’s got a new job and I imagine she’s been working a lot of hours otherwise…… well, Sand, he’s written to her four times in the past three months and heard nothing back from her. I can’t imagine what’s going through his poor little mind.’

  ‘Selfish cow. I still can’t believe she walked free from that court Flick. I’ve lost all faith in the British Justice system now. Oh I saw that lad last week in East Barton. D’you remember?; the one that did the stary eyes thing in the court room? He’s working in the council offices there…… something to do with the rivers and conservation department I think. He was so funny. Nice lad; different now. Seems really quite intelligent and a bit of a computer whiz. Someone was having problems with their computer and he sorted it out for them.’

  ‘Williams, he was called; Stephen Williams.’

  ‘That’s the one. Can’t believe he used to live under that bridge though; must have been freezing in the winter.’

  Sandy stayed until after lunch and told her friend she would be back on Tuesday the following week. She worked part time three days a week at the school, but would spend as much time as she could with her on Tuesday and Thursday next week as she believed Felicity shouldn’t be left on her own now. David had already arranged for his Mother to call in daily and check on Flick during the last week of her pregnancy so she was thankful to Sandy for her offer. She had two days grace from the Mother in law from hell…………

  Vanessa Gordon was out on patrol in her Land rover with her partner beside her on the passenger seat, wagging his tail furiously and sniffing the fresh country air through the open window. Ever since Slim had moved in with her and secured his position at the river authority’s office some two years ago, Bits had become her closest friend and companion. Everywhere Vanessa went in fact, Bits was always close behind. At first he had been confused wanting to go with his master, and every morning when Slim left for work Bits would bound up the garden path behind him and run excitedly around the VW Golf Slim had bought when he’d first passed his driving test, but after a week or so of his master shouting at him, ‘Go back Bits! Bed! Into your bed, go on!’ He realised his days of following Slim were well and truly over and would return to his kennel in Vanessa’s garden where she would find him shortly afterward, his head resting on his paws, whimpering solemnly, pining for his master. Of course the kennel hadn’t lasted long. The first signs of rain dripping through holes in the old corrugated tin roof and Vanessa had taken pity on him and brought him into the cottage where he had been ever since. The old log basket that had once been his bed had been made redundant when through sheer determination and constant scalding Bits had progressed to the cottage sofa beside the Rayburn in the kitchen. As Vanessa’s broken leg and hip had healed she became more and more active; more so than before the accident. Her leg grew so strong in fact, that she no longer required the walking stick that had been her strength and support for so many years; although she still carried it around with her through force of habit.

  They had spent most of the day checking the river and its boundaries on the northern side of East Barton and as the afternoon sun began to fade Vanessa turned the old Land rover onto the wasteland behind Sainsbury’s. It was the first time she had stepped foot on that land since the day of her encounter with Slim and Bits when she’d had her fall. The land seemed more overgrown now and yet the familiar pathways were still there and she was pleased to see that the river path had been recently trimmed and cleaned up. Bits tore around his old patch like a crazed demon checking all his old familiar spots and sniffing every square inch of space to ensure no one had taken over his territory. She walked down toward the river bank and called to him then turned left along the path. Just as she turned the corner a shadow appeared in front of her, startling her, and Bits who was suddenly by her side began to bark at him. She only caught a glimpse of his face; a side profile and one staring eye, because he dipped his head as he passed her by muttering, ‘Afternoon.’ then he was gone as quickly as he’d appeared, up toward the road. Vanessa was expecting a dog to come bounding out of the bushes after him. The river paths were mainly used by people walking their dogs. No one else really had cause to come here. The paths were muddy at this time of year and were certainly no short cut leading to anywhere in particular, so the sight of a man with no dog at four o’clock in the afternoon was a rare one indeed. And there had been something familiar about his face; although she couldn’t be sure………..

  ‘Hey Vanessa! Thought you were having that mongrel put down?’

  ‘Wash your mouth out Vernon! They can hear you know………. everything we say!’

  ‘Going soft in your old age.’ Said Vernon

  ‘Go to hell Bassett.’ ………. Bassett? Where did he get that nickname? Oh yes, she remembered now. His Mother used to make him wear brightly coloured striped tank tops and he reminded everyone at school of a liquorice allsort. Now……… where had she seen that face before? Not Vernon’s of course…….. the stranger on the river path………. he seemed somehow familiar. As she neared the Landrover a silver car was just pulling away over the viaduct. She pulled herself up onto the sill of the Landrover and strained to see through the rails of the bridge hoping to catch a glimpse of the registration number but the car had accelerated too quickly and was now just a silver blur in the distance.

  ‘Come on Bits. That’s enough for today. Let’s go home.’

  The little dog scampered up the bank and leaped up onto the passenger seat of the cab, panting hard.

  ‘Ee..uew! We must do something about your doggie breath Bits. A little trip to the canine dental hygienist wouldn’t go amiss methinks………….’

  Oliver only attended school in the mornings until September when he would be full time. Felicity had been collecting him from school every day for the past few months since she had taken her maternity leave from work but now that she was so close to her due date David’s Mother had taken over this role. On Wednesday morning Felicity was feeling good. She had done two machine loads of washing, had hoovered and polished right through the house and was in the back garden hanging the washing on the line when she heard the phone ringing and rushed in to answer it.

  ‘Ah Felicity dear. How are you feeling this morning?’

  ‘Fine thank you Sonya; in fact I’m feeling as fit as a fiddle. There’s really no need for you to come over today.
I feel really quite active so it’s not going to happen for a few days yet I think.’

  ‘Do you really? That’s good. Do you think you would be able to pick Oliver up for me at lunch time? Only I have a slight predicament. Charles has forgotten to take some rather important paperwork with him today so I have to go in to the city and take this file to his office, then I have an appointment at the opticians which I’d quite forgotten about amidst all of the confusion with the baby due and what with looking after you and everything. Now do you think you could manage it?’

  Looking after me! All she does is busybody her way around the house moving things around and interfering with their happy homestead…….

  ‘Of course Sonya I’ll be fine, really. I’m feeling quite athletic today. I could run a marathon in fact! You go on and do what you have to and I’ll collect Oliver today.’

  ‘If you’re sure.’

  ‘Absolutely.’

  ‘All right. Well I’ll see you on Friday then and Felicity?’

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘Please don’t run any marathons in your condition.’

  ‘No. Just a figure of speech.’

  At twelve thirty Felicity was at East Barton prep school waiting at the gates for Oliver.

  ‘Goodness Flick look at you! Must be any day now!’

  She turned to see Helen Stoodley, Tommy’s Mother, sporting a posh blue buggy; one of the new fold away ones that had a reclining seat so it could be adapted for babies and toddlers of all ages. It was the kind Felicity had wanted but David’s Mother had already brought them a new pram which could easily be converted into a carry cot and a rocking cradle. It was better for the baby’s comfort and safety she’d said. What she’d omitted to tell them was that it was incredibly heavy and you needed a mini-bus to transport it because it took up so much room. Felicity peered into the buggy, lifting back the little pink blanket to croon over Helens new baby who was sleeping peacefully.

  ‘Helen she’s beautiful. What did you call her?’

  ‘Adrienne.’

  ‘That’s a pretty name.’

  ‘Have you picked a name yet?’

  ‘Tammy if it’s a girl; we’re a bit undecided if it’s a boy.’

  The school door opened then and Miss Turner appeared, her eyes squinting in the sun as she checked for parents.

  ‘Joshua, your Mummy’s here so you can go; and you Heidi…….. and Katie Green……. David Jenkins and Katie Goddard. The rest of you wait there just a minute please.’

  The first few children ran to their Mothers showing off their drawings and cardboard models.

  ‘Oh great….’ Sighed Helen, ‘….more junk to display on the sideboard.’

  Felicity laughed.

  ‘Thomas Stoodley your Mummy’s here……. And Jane, and Oliver; you can go too.’

  Miss Turner was saying.

  Oliver appeared with the biggest toilet roll holder and egg box adaptation of a dinosaur Felicity had ever seen.

  ‘Look Mummy I made a dinosaur!’ he shouted excitedly.

  ‘Wow Ollie! That’s great! Well done!’

  Helen looked at Felicity and they both laughed.

  ‘I’ll walk along with you Flick.’

  They walked the twenty minutes it took to get to Chestnut Drive where Helen lived and by that time Thomas had invited Oliver to tea and Oliver had accepted. Helen insisted it was okay and she would drop him home later when Ian got home from work. Felicity set off at a good pace home as she was in dire need of the bathroom but she hadn’t got far when the first pain hit her. It was strong, and lasted for what seemed like a couple of minutes. She had to stop and lean against a garden wall until it passed. Oh my God that really hurt……. She composed herself and continued on her way but as she turned the corner into Rose Lane a second pain struck her. It was stronger than the first and again she had to stop and reach for the railings of the garden she was passing, where she almost cried out; the pain was so bad. As soon as it passed she walked more quickly, her heart racing and then as she reached the gate she heard a car behind her. She hoped it was David but of course it was too early. It was a red car, and not one she recognised. She had almost reached the door when she just couldn’t hold herself any longer and felt a sudden wetness beneath her and on her bare legs and her feet. Oh great now I’ve actually wet myself; how embarrassing……. she thought, and then realised that it must mean her waters had broken and Felicity began to panic. She had the key in her hand but her hand was shaking so much she couldn’t get it into the lock. Must phone David……..

  ‘Felicity isn’t it?’ said a soft voice behind her. She turned around and was faced with her worst nightmare.

  ‘Are………. Are you ok?’

  The next few minutes were a blur. Felicity’s head was swimming as she helped her into the house and sat her down in the kitchen; all the time, her voice calm and reassuring.

  ‘It’s okay Flick. Everything’s going to be okay…….. just breathe…….. that’s it….. remember your breathing…… that’s it……. good. Has it passed now?....... good. Okay now just…… don’t try to move……. That’s it. I’m just going to the phone. I’ll be right back. Everything’s going to be fine.’

  Everything’s going to be fine? What was she doing here? The letter……. She had said she was coming……. but not now……. not like this…… Felicity could hear her on the phone in the hall.

  ‘Ambulance please. No 9 Rose Lane, East Barton. Please hurry she’s having the baby!’

  Felicity got to her feet and stepped toward the kitchen door but as she did so she was struck down with another contraction and she quickly retreated and sank into the hard chair panting for her life and clutching the table with her left hand. She could hear Ellie shouting her orders at someone. ‘Well you’d better find him, and quickly! His wife is having the baby now!’ She must be phoning David……. or was she pretending to phone? .......... What if she had come here to finish the job she’d started when she set fire to the cottage? Oh my God! …… I must get to the phone…….

  ‘What are you doing Flick? Sit down, you could fall!’

  ‘I want the phone. I need to phone David.’

  ‘I’ve tried he’s not in the office. They’re going to track him down and send him straight home. Don’t worry. An ambulance is on it’s way and I’ll stay with you. You have nothing to worry about.’

  Ellie pulled a chair around the table and sat down beside her.

  ‘Ok now Flick……. You don’t mind me calling you Flick do you? Ok, now when is the baby due?’

  ‘Two…… two days.’

  ‘Ok. Good. So it’s full term then, that’s good. So why has David left you on your own?’

  ‘He…… he didn’t. His Mother was supposed to ………’

  ‘Ah…….. The delectable Sonya. Well, trust me …… we’re better off without her help.’

  Felicity felt herself warming to Ellie with just that one statement. Already they had found some common ground.

  ‘Do you have a pen and a piece of paper Flick?’

  ‘In my bag.’

  ‘Ok.’ She reached for Felicity’s handbag that was lying on the kitchen table and passed it to her. ‘Well maybe you could write a note for David while we’re waiting for the ambulance, you know, in between contractions. Then, if he gets here after we’ve gone in the ambulance he’ll know we’re on our way to Exeter maternity unit. Ok so, how long have you been having the contractions?’ Ellie checked the clock on the kitchen wall. He hadn’t changed it. It was a round retro sunshine clock that she had brought him on their honeymoon. He’d wanted it because he had seen one like it on the film set of ‘Only Fools and Horses’ so she’d bought it just to please him. The clock said 1.20pm.

  ‘I ……. I don’t know ……. Ten minutes? Fifteen maybe.’ She was writing a note to David, her pen unsteadily across the paper.

  ‘And how many have you had? And how long are they lasting?’

  ‘I don’t know- not very long. Oh God w
here’s David? Oh ……… Oh……. Ouch! Oh Jesus not again!’

  ‘Ok Flick. Now breathe…….. that’s it …….. you’re doing really well.’ Ellie watched the second hand flickering around the suns rays ……. all the way around, and a bit more before the pain began to subside.

  ‘God it bloody hurts, this child bearing lark.’ Felicity panted through the end of the contraction. Ellie smiled. She didn’t envy Felicity her pain right now. The pain of childbirth was one she would never forget.

  ‘That one lasted over a minute Flick. We need to time them. How often they come and how long they last. We need to tell the ambulance staff when they get here.’

  ‘Where the hell are they anyway? And why are you being so bloody nice?’

  ‘Sorry?’

  ‘I wanted to hate you for what you did but you’re making it very hard when you’re being so bloody nice to me ……. Ow! Ouch Oh God!’

  ‘Another one?’ Ellie was shocked. If the pains were coming this quickly the ambulance had better hurry up or they’d be too late .………

  David had spent two hours with important clients. He had spoken to his Mother earlier to make sure she was checking on Flick and she’d said Felicity was nest building, which meant the baby would be along in a day or two, but certainly not today. One of the clients had an appointment but the other he had seen at short notice and he had wanted their business so badly he had switched his telephone to the answering machine and refused all calls for an indeterminate period of time. As Peter Hinchley of Hinchley Partnerships shook his hand and left his office with a cool smile on his face David was feeling quite positive. He knew he had done the right thing. The branch had been lacking in personal service for some time and now he was in control this was going to change. Businessmen liked to know their affairs were in order and this, David believed required the personal touch. And if Peter Finchley and Partners flourished then so would this branch and David was determined to succeed in his new role as manager. David closed the door and returned to his desk to make some notes and file the Hinchley’s loan offer but no sooner had he sat down than there was a knock on the door and Lorna burst into the room.