What sort of world was she bringing her child into?
Jack squeezed her shoulder, sensing she was distressed. ‘It might take a while for things to get back to normal. We owe the Yanks so much money and most of the factories have been turned over to war work – but once the men are home, families reunited, Britain will get back to work and will be a happier place.’
Twenty-Eight
Jack didn’t get a chance to speak to George away from the others until the following morning. ‘How do you think your dad’s looking?’
‘He’s definitely lost weight but he seems okay – not nearly as unwell as I’d feared.’
After telling him what Fred had said about his health George shook his head. ‘I’m not sure it’s wise not to tell my sister. She won’t forgive you if she finds out that you knew how ill he was and didn’t share that knowledge.’
‘I gave him my word. He saw a heart specialist at the hospital and I don’t believe that guy could have got it wrong. I just hope Fred sticks around long enough to see our baby born.’
‘I thought it strange that you and Ellie moved here so quickly. I’m surprised that she’s happy to be excluded from the kitchen, not have her own domain. But then, she’s never been particularly domesticated so she’s probably quite enjoying not having to worry about mundane things.’
‘I reminded her that we have our kite here and once this bloody lot’s over we can start flying again. I’m hoping I can handle a Tiger Moth one-handed as I could fly a fighter.’
‘Will you open the flying school again?’
‘I’m not sure there will be any call for it and there certainly won’t be spare fuel for a while. As long as we can go for pleasure jaunts occasionally, I’ll be happy enough.’
‘You could always build yourself something, you can certainly afford it, if this place becomes too antiquated for you.’
‘I’m going to suggest to Ellie that we put an extension on the side, something with higher ceilings, modern plumbing and central heating. I’ve become soft since I stopped flying.’
‘Do you think this will be the last time I see my dad?’
‘I don’t see why it should be. You don’t live that far away and now you have a car, and presumably access to petrol, there’s no reason you can’t come again. Why don’t you come here for Christmas? Give your nanny the time off.’
‘Are you sure you don’t mind? You’re likely to be having a baby in the middle of it. At least we won’t have a German bomber drop on the Anderson shelter like we did when Neil was born.’
‘That’s settled then. If we pool our resources, we won’t go short. By the way, where did you get your petrol?’
‘Since I donated the ancestral pile to the government and paid for the conversion to a rehab centre out of the estate funds, you’d be surprised what I can get my hands on. There’ll definitely be real coffee, chocolate and booze this year.’
Jack slapped him on the back. ‘Even more reason for you to spend it here. We’ll do stockings for the children, but not worry about gifts for the adults.’
He could hear Neil laughing outside the office and, smiling, he opened the door. ‘We’re playing hide and seek, Uncle Jack, do you want to join in?’
‘Who’s doing the seeking?’
‘Mummy. Aunty Ellie’s too fat to hide so she’s doing the counting. Are you going to play too, Daddy?’
The game continued until lunchtime and even Joan and Mabel joined in. The baby was asleep upstairs with nanny keeping watch.
He was sorry when his brother-in-law and his family left after Sunday lunch. The house seemed flat and empty without them.
‘I’m going to miss the little ones,’ Mabel said as she made yet another pot of tea.
‘It’s only a few weeks before they’ll be here again, love, and there might be a new baby in the house as well.’
Ellie smiled at Fred. ‘We’re having a party for Neil’s second birthday on Boxing Day, it would be wonderful if our baby has arrived by then. The midwife’s coming tomorrow and I’ll ask her if she thinks I might be early.’
‘You want to get as near to full-term as possible, Ellie love, don’t want any complications,’ Joan said.
He was constantly surprised at how much Joan and Mabel knew about babies and pregnancy when neither of them had been fortunate enough to have children of their own.
They had Christmas to look forward to as well as the arrival of a son or daughter. He feared that there might well be a death in the family before there was a birth and that would change everything.
*
After the midwife left the following day, Jack rushed upstairs to speak to Ellie and find out what she’d been told.
‘I’m too lazy to get up again, Jack, do you think anyone will mind if I stay here and read for the rest for the afternoon?’
‘Fred’s nodded off in the sitting room and Joan and Mabel have gone into the village to a meeting of some sort. What did the midwife say?’
‘The head’s engaged – this means the baby’s getting ready to come. She thinks he’ll be here before Christmas.’ Something about the way she said it raised alarm bells.
‘How much before Christmas?’
‘Don’t look so worried, darling, our baby’s already big enough to survive if he came tomorrow.’
‘You’ve not answered my question, Ellie.’
‘I was trying to lead around to it gradually. I’ve been told to rest, not do anything strenuous and keep my feet up as much as possible. I could go into labour at any time and it would be much better if it’s not for another two or three weeks at least.’
‘Sod me. That’s not good news. I don’t know how she can possibly know for certain that the baby’s big enough to survive. For God’s sake, you’re only thirty-three weeks by their calculations.’
‘The doctor’s calling round in the next few days. I’m not going into hospital whatever he says. I’ll be much more comfortable here in my own bed with my family close by.’
*
The genial doctor didn’t come for another week. He confirmed what the efficient midwife had told Ellie. ‘Have you had any spotting? Contractions?’
‘Neither of them. I feel absolutely marvellous apart from being in danger of toppling over when I’m on my feet. Are you quite sure my baby is big enough to survive if he comes early?’
‘I’m certain of it. I think you must be one of those young women who ovulate at the beginning of your cycle rather than the middle which would make you thirty-six weeks rather than thirty-four. First babies can come as much as three weeks early.
‘However, they are, on balance, more likely to be late. Therefore, Mrs Reynolds, if you take things easy, I don’t see any difficulties arising. Avoid the stairs, and I shouldn’t attempt to get in the bath as you might very well get stuck.’
‘It would be wonderful if he comes before Christmas which from what you’ve told me seems very likely.’
He nodded as he packed up his bag. ‘I see you’ve decided that you’re having a boy – I hope you’re not disappointed if you’re wrong.’
‘I don’t care what sex it is but I just have a feeling I’m carrying a son. Whilst you’re here, doctor, do you mind having a look at my father? I’m sure he’s thinner than he was a few weeks ago.’
‘I should be delighted to, my dear, but he’s refused to see me. There’s not a lot that can be done for him now. Your father is certainly doing a lot better than either myself or his specialist expected.’
‘Specialist? I didn’t know he’d seen a specialist or that you were already aware that he hasn’t been himself.’
The doctor looked appalled as he realised he’d been indiscreet, and possibly broken his Hippocratic oath by betraying details of his patient’s condition. He was out of the door as if the house was on fire and she heard him clattering downstairs and then the front door banged. He certainly hadn’t been in to see Dad.
Mabel had given her a little brass bell to ring if she wanted any
thing, although she was quite capable of yelling for attention if necessary.
She rang it loudly and waited for someone to come. Joan backed in with a tray. ‘Got you a lovely cup of tea and some biscuits just out of the oven.’
‘Thank you. Everything’s fine and my due date has been moved forward by two weeks. The doctor thinks the baby will come fairly soon but there’s no risk as he’s already more than big enough.’
‘That’s good news. Everything’s ready for the little mite and for your delivery so all you want to do is take it easy until you get your pains.’
‘What I really need is to speak to Jack. No need for him to rush, it’s not particularly urgent, but when you see him will you ask him to come up?’
‘He’s gone out with the land girls this morning to see the other three farms. He said he wouldn’t be back until teatime.’
‘Of course he has, I’d forgotten. He did tell me this morning, but I was half asleep. What’s Dad doing? I’m not allowed downstairs and he can’t come up and I really miss being able to speak to him.’
‘He’s doing the crossword with Mabel in the sitting room.’ Joan pulled up a chair and sat down. ‘I don’t think he’s too clever, Ellie. I wish the doctor had stayed long enough to look at him whilst he was here.’
‘I asked him to but he said that Dad has refused to see him. I agree with you. There’s something really serious going on and he’s hiding it from us.’
‘Mabel has tried speaking to him but he says he’s fine and she’s to stop fussing. Maybe your Jack will have better luck.’
The remainder of the day dragged because the baby was so active she wasn’t able to sleep. Occasionally she was forced to push on a lump when it stuck painfully under her ribs. Poor little thing must be so cramped inside and desperate to get out.
She’d temporarily abandoned her autobiography and had run out of books to read. The telephone rang a couple of times and Mabel answered it but it was obviously nothing important and certainly nothing to do with her.
The curtains were drawn and the fire burning brightly when Jack eventually returned. She heard him speaking to Joan, Mabel and Dad as he hung up his coat kicked off his wellington boots. He thundered up the stairs and rushed into her.
‘I’m sorry I’ve been out so long. I didn’t know the doctor was coming today or I’d have returned sooner. What did he tell you?’
Ellie quickly explained and he looked relieved. ‘It’s not that I want to talk to about, it’s my dad. I’m certain there’s something seriously wrong because the doctor let slip that Dad had seen a specialist and there wasn’t anything more to do for him.’
She hoped Jack would reassure her, tell her there was nothing to worry about, but he did the reverse. He climbed onto their massive double bed – made from two singles put together – and put his arms around her. Her stomach lurched as she knew she was going to hear the worst possible news.
When he’d finished her cheeks were wet. ‘It must have been so difficult knowing this and pretending everything was all right. I don’t blame you for keeping it from us but you’ve got to tell Mabel, and George must tell Fiona. I don’t care if I’m not supposed to go downstairs, I want to spend every available minute with him as we don’t know how long we’ve got him here.’
‘You don’t want you to risk the life of our unborn child, and Fred wouldn’t want you to either. Stay where you are for another week and then ask the midwife when she comes if it will be safe to go downstairs in the circumstances.’
She dried her face on his shoulder. ‘I’m so glad we moved here and that I’ve had these past few weeks to spend with him. I’ve been thinking about it, and now I’m not sure you should tell Mabel. She’s so looking forward to Christmas, the new baby, and the family being here.
‘Once she knows she’ll be watching Dad every minute just in case he dies. It will make us all miserable.’
‘In which case, sweetheart, you can hardly go downstairs. Mabel will know something’s up if you go against the doctor’s orders like that.’
‘I’ll wait a week like you suggested and then tell them that the midwife has said it’s safe for the baby to come. After all I’ll officially be thirty-seven weeks, the baby wouldn’t be considered premature at all. Neil was two weeks early and he was absolutely fine.’
‘Then we’re agreed, we won’t say anything to Joan or Mabel and you’ll stay where you are for a week.’
‘I think it might be better if Neil and Penny’s nanny came. I’m certain this baby will come long before Christmas and an expert pair of hands might well be invaluable.’
‘I’ll give George a call and let him know what’s going on, but only after Mabel and Fred have gone to bed.’
She didn’t want to talk anymore, she was too upset. He understood and just held her close so she could try and get her thoughts in order. So much had happened since 1939 when she’d first met Jack.
His uncle had still been alive and none of them have known what a villain he was. Her mother had left to live with Sir Reginald who had turned out to be a fascist. Now both Joe and her grandfather were dead. Then her beloved brother Neil had died at Dunkirk and Greg had died after the Battle of Britain.
Jack had lost his hand in Africa – in fact he’d had three serious crashes and was lucky to be alive at all. Now just as things were coming to a close, and the end of the war was in sight, she was going to have a baby but her beloved father was going to die.
‘Jack, you have to ring my mother and tell her what’s happening. I think she will want to be here – after all she was married to him for over twenty-five years.’
‘If Charlotte comes then there isn’t room for the nanny – we’ve only got five bedrooms up here. It’s a good thing our baby’s going to sleep in here with us initially as the nursery will be used again for our niece and nephew.’
‘Speak to Mum first and if she wants to come then there’s no need to ask George to bring their nanny. We’ll have three grandmothers here to share the care of the children.’
‘Remember, if Fred dies then Mabel won’t be in a fit state to do anything. It will be down to Joan to take care of cooking and for Charlotte to look after you. I’m quite sure Fiona can manage her own two if she has to.’
*
Jack didn’t get the opportunity to use the telephone on the hall table until after the nine o’clock news. The government had finally admitted that a new type of flying bomb was causing the explosions in London. When would it ever end?
He asked the operator to connect him to Charlotte and hoped that she hadn’t gone to bed early. She repeated her number, as one always did when answering the telephone, and waited for him to speak.
‘Charlotte, I’m afraid I’ve got some bad news for you…’
‘The baby? Has something happened to your baby?’
‘No, Ellie is confined to bed for another week but then it will be safe for her to get up as she will be only three weeks from her new delivery date. I’m sorry to have to tell you this, but Fred hasn’t long to live. He’s got something wrong with his heart.’
‘How dreadful. How is Mabel coping?’
‘She doesn’t know as Fred insisted nobody was told. Ellie knows now but we decided not to tell Mabel. He is not in any pain and if you didn’t know what was going on you probably wouldn’t notice.’
‘If it was me I would want to know so I could prepare myself.’
‘She’s quite different from you and would spend every second asking him how he is and make his last few weeks difficult. He told me he wants to enjoy them without being surrounded by long faces.’
‘George said that he and the family are coming to spend Christmas with you. Won’t that be too much in the circumstances?’
‘We’re hoping that you’ll come before that. Whatever happens Ellie’s going to have the baby in the next couple of weeks and if anything happens to Fred in the meanwhile life will be very difficult and we’ll need all the help we can get.’
‘M
y goodness – you really think he’s likely to die so soon? That he won’t even live to see the New Year?’
‘He was told he only had a few weeks and that was before we moved in. He’s really living on borrowed time. If you could come next week that would be great.’
‘I’ll get things arranged here and then catch the first available train. What will you tell Mabel and Fred about my coming so precipitously?’
‘That Ellie has asked you to be here when she has the baby.’
‘I just wish I was coming in better circumstances. I can’t tell you how much it means to me that you and Ellie want me in your lives and that I’m going to be there for the birth of my third grandchild.’
‘Let us know when you’re going to arrive at the station and I’ll come with the pony and cart to collect you. Will we see you tomorrow or the next day?’
‘Tomorrow. Good night, Jack.’
He put the receiver down and leant for a few moments against the wall. Fred was no age at all, had only married the love of his life three years ago. It was so unfair. He loved the old guy and had hoped he would be around for many more years.
He was not given praying but tonight he sent up a fervent request to the Man upstairs that He allowed his father-in-law to remain on this earth so he could see his new grandchild and celebrate his last Christmas with his family.
Twenty-Nine
Ellie was heartily sick of languishing in bed and dreaded that Dad would pass away whilst she was stuck up here. The midwife finally agreed with her that it would be perfectly safe to go downstairs now.
‘Mum, I’m going to have a strip wash in the bathroom but would be grateful if you came in with me just in case I overbalance.’ This sounded like a joke but was in fact a very real danger.
‘I think it quite extraordinary that from the back you barely show, yet you are so large in the front.’
Over and Out Page 27