by Tania Crosse
She pronounced the name with such tender compassion that Anna blinked her eyes wide in bewilderment. But – Charlie. It had a good ring to it. And Charles Millington sounded proper grand.
‘Yes, I rather like that. Charlie. Yes, Queenie. I’ll call him Charlie.’
And as she bent to kiss the little forehead, she noticed a tiny tear, like a pearl drop, trickle from Queenie’s eye.
‘Oh, look! He’s opened his eyes!’ she suddenly cried in delight. ‘Hello, Charlie! I’m your mum!’ she told him as he looked up at her with a puzzled frown.
Chapter Eighteen
‘My, is it time to go already?’ Queenie sighed almost in annoyance. ‘I’s only just got yere.’
‘You’ve been here for the whole of visiting!’ Anna chuckled. ‘And you mustn’t come every day. I know how awkward it must be for you.’
Queenie nodded. ‘Depends on ’oo can give us a lift. Been so kind everyone ’as. Pity that there bus don’t go at the right times, an’ not every day at that. P’r’aps I—’
‘Come along, ladies. Visiting’s over.’
‘Sorry, Nurse. You’d better go, Queenie.’
‘Well, just one more kiss for little Charlie.’ The older woman bent over to place her lips on the baby’s forehead. ‘I’ll get in to see you again as soon as I can.’
‘Yes, I know you will, Queenie. You just take care now.’
She watched as Queenie left the ward, the last visitor to go, but she still paused at the door to blow a final kiss before she disappeared. Anna sighed with contentment and relaxed back against the pillows, cradling Charlie in her arms.
‘Is that your mum?’ Carrie asked from the next bed.
Anna closed her eyes briefly. ‘No. Queenie’s a sort of adopted aunt. I live with her.’
‘Really?’ Anna could tell that Carrie’s reply was tempered with caution. ‘She seems a very homely sort. And … what about your husband if you don’t mind my asking?’ she said guardedly.
Anna bit her lip, cross with herself for letting it slip that she lived with Queenie. But there were bound to be questions asked when no husband appeared. Anna mentally braced herself, ready to keep to the story that her husband had been killed in a road accident, but then she raised a nervous eyebrow in Carrie’s direction and held her breath. The other young mother seemed the sort who would understand. She hoped she was right.
‘I’m not married,’ she dared to mutter.
Her heart put in an extra beat, and she saw Carrie lift a surprised eyebrow. ‘Oh dear, I’m sorry,’ the girl answered, but there was no malice in her tone. ‘I shouldn’t have asked. I didn’t mean to pry.’
But Anna felt encouraged by her attitude. ‘No, it’s all right. I don’t mind telling you. You see, I was deeply in love. At least I thought I was. And I honestly believed we were going to be married. Only it turned out he was already engaged to someone else. It wasn’t until after he was married that I found out I was pregnant.’
‘Oh, Lord. You were led right up the garden path, then. I thought you didn’t seem the type to, well, you know what I mean. So, living with Queenie, is that because your parents don’t want to know?’
‘Oh, no. My parents both died fairly recently,’ Anna replied almost automatically, it seemed. She was getting used to explaining to people. She wondered how many times in her life she would have to do so.
‘Oh, crikey, Anna, how awful!’
‘My father was knocked down by a lorry. Last summer. And my mum died the previous autumn. She wasn’t well and fainted at the top of the stairs. She fell down and broke her neck.’
‘O-oh, Anna! And there’s me upset because my parents live so far away, they can’t come to see me and Poppy until next week.’
‘Oh?’ Anna eagerly latched on to the change of subject. ‘I thought as you didn’t have a local accent.’
Carrie gave a light, tinkling laugh. ‘No, I’m from Surrey. I met Jeffery when we were here on holiday a few years ago. We’d rented a cottage and something went wrong with the electricity. The owners got in touch with Trembath’s in Tavistock. In West Street. Do you know it?’
‘No, I don’t. I know Tavistock a bit, but not that well, I’m afraid.’
‘Well, they sent out an electrician. It was Jeffery. We got chatting, and one thing led to another, and, well, here we are!’ she grinned. ‘Happily married and with our first baby. Oh, I’m sorry,’ she said, the joy slipping from her face. ‘That sounded terribly smug.’
‘Oh, don’t worry. I’m right off men at the moment,’ Anna told her with such conviction it astounded even herself. ‘In fact, I don’t think I’ll look at another man ever again.’
‘Oh, I’m sure you will. One day.’
‘No, I won’t. Only little Charlie here. I shall devote myself to bringing him up and nothing else. In our little cottage up on the moor.’
‘Gosh, that sounds idyllic.’
‘Oh, it is. In many ways. But there’s no electricity or anything, so it’s quite hard work. It’ll be a super way of life for a little one, mind.’ And suddenly Anna found herself looking towards a happy future, bringing up Charlie with Queenie’s animals, wandering on the moor, going to school in Princetown until he was eleven, and then hopefully to Tavistock Grammar. She would make sure Charlie had every opportunity for a fulfilling life. And she was really looking forward to it.
‘Ah, Mrs Cresswell and Miss Millington?’
It was afternoon rest time, and Anna had been quietly dreaming of Holly Cottage, the green moorland fields baked in sunshine, the goats, Queenie’s wrinkly smile, and a little boy running towards her on unsteady, chubby little legs. She sighed at the interruption and opened her eyes. For a moment, she thought she must still be caught up in the contented vision her mind had conjured up for her. Standing at the bottom of their beds was an extremely handsome young man. He was relatively tall, slim, and dressed in grey flannels, a subdued jumper over a shirt and tie, and a smart jacket. He somehow seemed familiar, and when he smiled at them, Anna felt something light up inside her.
‘I’m so sorry to disturb your rest, ladies,’ he said politely. ‘My father asked me to pop in. He’s been called away on an emergency and so can’t get in to see you this afternoon as promised. So I’m afraid you’ve got me instead. Oh, sorry. I should have said. I’m Dr Franfield. Junior.’
‘Yes, we’ve met before,’ Carrie said chirpily. ‘At the surgery in Plymouth Road.’
‘Did we? I’m so sorry. I’m afraid I don’t remember.’
‘Oh, it was just in the hallway as I was going in to see your father for a check-up.’
‘Ah. I’m sorry, I still don’t remember. But anyway, have either of you any worries?’ He picked up the charts at the bottom of each bed and ran a professional eye over them. ‘These look fine. And Sister’s pleased with you both. So any problems?’
As he looked at them, Anna noticed his incredible blue-green eyes, the strong jaw and pleasantly curved mouth. Oh, yes. He was the image of his father who must have been very attractive in his youth.
‘No, everything’s fine, thank you,’ she answered.
‘Well, in that case, I’ll leave you in peace. My father will be in tomorrow to give you both a full examination. And apologies once again for disturbing you.’
Anna found her eyes following him as he left the room, and then she heard Carrie sigh from the adjacent bed.
‘Gorgeous, isn’t he?’
‘Carrie! You’re not supposed to say things like that! You’re a married woman!’ Anna teased.
‘Ah, but you’re not.’ Carrie raised a speculative eyebrow. ‘I wonder if he’s married or footloose and fancy-free.’
‘Really, Carrie! Now, shut up and go back to sleep or whatever you were doing!’ Anna chuckled back.
‘Spoilsport!’
Carrie pulled one of her cheeky faces, but snuggled down again, and Anna did the same. It wouldn’t be long before Charlie would be brought in for his next feed and she would have the joy of ho
lding him again, rubbing his little back to wind him against her shoulder, breathe in the fragrance of his downy head. But into her mind kept filtering the image of the man who had stood at the foot of the bed for all of three minutes. Dr Franfield junior was an unattainable world away from her, but something had moved inside her at the sight of the attractive male and his warm, pleasant manner. She pushed the thought aside. It would take all her efforts to provide a good home for Charlie, and from now on, that was all that mattered to her.
‘Ethel! Mrs Shallaford!’
‘Annie!’
‘Little maid!’
‘Oh, how lovely to see you!’ Anna was overjoyed at her unexpected visitors. ‘I never thought you’d come all this way!’
‘Try keeping us away!’ Ethel grinned. ‘When us got Queenie’s telegram … Oh, look at ’en, Mum! ’E’s so tiny!’
Anna proudly drew back the shawl so that Ethel and Mabel could see Charlie properly. ‘He’s a little love, isn’t he?’ she breathed, still enchanted herself.
‘Oh, you forgets ’ow little they be,’ Mabel smiled, all gooey-eyed. ‘An’ that’s from someone what’s brought five little tackers into the world. Do ’e be’ave ’issel’, Annie?’
‘I think so. But they bring them to us strictly every four hours for feeding, so I don’t really know what goes on in between. I bathed him myself today, and they let me out of bed to change him now, as well.’
‘You’m feeling better, then?’
‘Oh, yes. Raring to go. A bit sore, but I can’t wait to get home. Would you like a hold, Eth? But not for too long, because I can’t get enough of him myself.’
She carefully handed Charlie into Ethel’s arms, but having dealt with so many younger siblings, Ethel was quite an expert. Anna relaxed back against the pillows and smiled up at Mabel as she rummaged in a large shopping bag.
‘Just a few bits for you. Old babby clothes. Not expecting to need ’em again messel’. Leastways, I ’opes not!’
‘Oh, how kind! Thank you so much.’
‘You got a name for ’en yet?’ Ethel glanced up, her expression besotted.
‘Yes. Charlie. It was Queenie’s suggestion. She’s been a brick. She’s somehow managed to get in every other day. Mind you, I think she’s bludgeoned people into giving her a lift!’
‘Come on, Eth. ’And ’en over. My turn.’
Charlie protested mildly at being passed over to a new person, but he soon settled down in Mabel’s practised arms. Anna smiled, totally content.
‘Did you come on the train?’
‘Us certainly did,’ Ethel confirmed. ‘Chose today cause it’s my arternoon off and us could leave early. Mum arranged for Primrose an’ Sammy to go ’ome with friends arter school.’ She sat back with a sigh and tipped her head. ‘You does look ’appy, Annie.’ But then her face clouded. ‘’Is Nibbs ’asn’t put ’is face in, at all?’
‘No, thank God.’ Anna screwed up her lips. ‘And I hope he never does.’
‘Good. You an’ Queenie can look arter the little chap proper fine. An’ us’ll always be there, too.’
‘And Carrie, here.’ Anna directed her head towards the next bed where Carrie and Jeffery were deeply engrossed in adoration of their daughter. ‘We’ve become good friends. She lives in Tavistock so we can use the bus to see each other.’
‘That’ll be nice for you.’
‘Oh, do I detect a touch of jealousy?’ Anna laughed.
‘Probably,’ Ethel admitted. ‘I really does miss you. An’ with Bert away …’
It wasn’t like Ethel to be downcast, and Anna reached out and squeezed her hand. ‘Never mind. You know he’ll be back for good in just over a year. And when Charlie’s bigger, it’ll be easier for me to come down to you.’
‘I’s not certain it will be! ’E’ll be bigger an’ ’eavier then.’
‘Oh, I’m going to keep my eyes open for a second-hand pushchair. You know, the sort where the handle and the foot-rest fold down. People put ads in the Post Office window in Princetown, so I’m hoping I might find one through that. It’d still be too cumbersome to take on a city double-decker, but I’m sure it’d be all right on our country bus. I know all the drivers and I’m sure they’d help me on and off with it.’
Ethel’s fleeting morose moment seemed to have passed. ‘You sounds just like me, planning everything.’
‘Us never ’ears the end of it!’ Mabel chipped in. ‘Yere, does you want another ’old, Eth? I really needs a fag. But I doesn’t suppose …?’
She glanced questioningly about the sterile, clean-smelling room, looking so forlorn that Anna had to chuckle. ‘I’m sorry, Mrs Shallaford. I think you’ll have to go outside.’
‘Ah, well. Yere, take the babby, Eth. I’ll wait for you down by the entrance. Us’ll see you again soon, Anna, love.’
‘Thank you so much for coming. Give my love to everyone. And thank you for all the clothes.’
‘Cas’n think of a better ’ome for ’em. TTFN, then,’ Mabel called, already fumbling in her handbag for her cigarettes before she was even out of the room!
Ethel shook her head. ‘Mum’s a one, bain’t she?’
‘She’s always been so kind—’
‘Oh, ’ello, little man!’ Ethel crooned in delight. ‘’E’s opened ’is eyes. Oo, they’m … I’s not sure what colour they be. Bit like yourn, maybe. Sort of greyish. But ’e’s a proper ’andsome little chap. Oh, dear.’ She jiggled Charlie up and down as he suddenly wriggled, his face puckering up as he began to grizzle. ‘Feeding time, is it?’
‘Not supposed to be yet,’ Anna frowned. ‘But perhaps he’s hungry anyway. After all, his stomach can’t tell the time, can it? Oh, Eth, I’ve got such a lot to learn about babies!’
‘Well, I’s certain ’e’ll let you know when ’e wants summat! Yere, take ’en back now. Mum’ll be waiting, an’ us’ve got a train to catch.’
Anna gratefully took Charlie back into her arms and smiled as Ethel bent to give them both a kiss on the cheek. It seemed such a grown-up thing to do. But Charlie had done that to them, hadn’t he? Made them grow up. A lump suddenly swelled in Anna’s throat.
‘Oh, Eth, we’ll always be best friends, won’t we?’ she croaked.
‘Just you bets, kiddo!’
And Ethel left Anna smiling. She cradled Charlie against her, giving him her little finger to suck. His tiny lips closed around it, and he settled down contentedly. Oh, she couldn’t wait to get him home and start their new life together!
‘Good morning, mothers,’ the smartly dressed gent greeted them as he entered the ward with Sister. ‘I’m the registrar. Would you like to register the births of your children with me now? Save you a trip to my office in town later on.’
The other two beds had become occupied in the last few days by pleasant enough women, one of whom had given birth to twins. But Anna and Carrie hadn’t felt the same affinity with them as they had instantly done with each other. Now, though, there was a general consensus that attending to the official business while they could would be most convenient.
‘You first, my dear?’ the man suggested, looking towards Carrie.
‘Yes, if you like,’ she smiled back, and the registrar went over to her.
Anna tried not to listen as she aimlessly turned the pages of that week’s Woman’s Own that Queenie had brought in for her. But she found her ears tuned to the conversation by the next bed, and her pulse began to race. It would be her turn next, a moment of decision. The moment when she could say, no, it will be better for Charlie to be adopted. But she knew she couldn’t do it. She loved him too much. Selfish as it may be, now that she had cared for, cuddled, fed by her own breast the scrap of humanity who had somehow wormed his way into her heart, she could not give him up.
‘Now, then, Mrs … er?’ the registrar said, turning to her.
She glared up at him, her chin jutting determinedly as if he were the enemy. ‘Millington. Anna Millington.’
‘I need the child’s details
first, please. Name and date of the birth.’
‘Charles Millington. Twelfth of January.’
‘Oka … ay. Cha … arles, and the twelfth,’ the fellow repeated as he filled in his ledger with perfect handwriting. ‘Now, the father’s full name and rank or profession, please?’
Anna’s mouth filled up with bile. Rank? Baronet. What a fiasco! If Gilbert had meant to marry her as she had believed, Charlie would have been in line for the baronetcy. Now the only title he would ever bear was ‘bastard’.
‘Can you put ‘father unknown’, please?’
The fellow raised an eyebrow. ‘Ah. Am I to take it that you are Miss Millington and that the child is illegitimate?’
Anna gulped. It was such a horrible word. She was grateful when the registrar lowered his voice when he spoke again.
‘In that case, the father’s details will be left blank. I can only insert them if the father is present and you both agree to it.’
Anna sighed with relief. At least she hadn’t been forced to acknowledge Gilbert as Charlie’s father. She just wished – oh, how she wished – that she had a loving husband to help bring Charlie up. But she and Queenie were determined to make a wonderful life for him, and what better place to grow up than Dartmoor?
Chapter Nineteen
‘You’m up early, cheel.’ Queenie’s face was a picture of concerned surprise as she waddled into the kitchen in her dressing gown. ‘Don’t say as the babby kept you up all night?’
‘No, just the opposite,’ Anna beamed. ‘He didn’t wake up for his night feed until five o’clock. He’s gone back to sleep now, so I thought I might as well get up.’
‘It’s only just gone six, mind,’ Queenie frowned. ‘You’ll be mortal tired later on.’
‘Probably,’ Anna grimaced. ‘But it means he might start going through the night soon. Oh, at last! But they say most babies start going through the night about six weeks, so Charlie’s bang on target.’
‘Yes, the little lover. Cold last night, weren’t it? Let’s ’ave a nice ’ot cup o’ tea as soon as the kettle boils.’