“Who is it?” asked a wary Ray.
“Uncle Ray, it’s me. It’s Kate.”
“Ooh, Kate, love. Come in out of the cold, child.” He opened the door wider and she stepped in to the hall.
“What are you doing out at this time? What is the time?” he said peering at the old and beautifully engraved grandfather clock standing in the hall. “It’s three o’clock in the morning, darlin’. Whatever’s the matter?”
“It’s Emma. I think she’s started.”
“I’ll get Ivy,” he said nervously, quickly running back up the stairs. Kate could hear the murmur of voices coming from upstairs and the sound of bedsprings twanging back into place as Ivy got out of bed. She called to Kate over the landing banister. “I’ll be right there, Kate. I won’t be a minute.”
Emma had woken Kate out of a dream-filled sleep just ten minutes earlier. She’d thought she was still dreaming when she turned on to her back and saw the shadowy figure of Emma standing in front of her in her pink nightdress, shaking like a leaf.
“I feel as if I’ve wet myself. I couldn’t stop it. The water just gushed out and it’s everywhere.”
“Don’t worry, Em’,” whispered Kate. “Your waters have broken. Your baby’s on the way. I'll get Aunty Ivy.”
“I’ll stay at the house with your mum,” Ray offered.
“Are you sure, Uncle Ray? She might be rude to you if she wakes up.”
“That won’t bother me.” He lowered his voice. “Emma needs you at this special time.” She put her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek. They hadn’t asked any questions about Emma’s pregnancy, just offered help and support. “Thanks, Uncle Ray. I want to be with her.”
He shrugged on his coat on as Ivy came down the stairs already in hers. “I’ll go to the phone-box and call the ambulance,” he said, “though I don’t s’pose she’ll give birth just yet. She’s a long way to go hasn’t she, Ivy?”
“Oh, yes. It’ll be hours yet.”
Kate’s gaze strayed to Ivy’s head. “Aunty Ivy, you’ve still got your rollers in.”
“Don’t worry about that, pet. I still look gorgeous, don’t I, Ray?”
“You certainly do, darlin’. As always.”
“Is this it?” Jack looked over the landing banister, his face puffy with sleep.
“It certainly is, lad,” answered Ray. “Emma’s baby is about to make an entrance into this crazy world we live in.”
“Are you coming as well?” Kate asked him softly. Putting his arm round her shoulder, he kissed her cheek. “Do you want me to?” She smiled and nodded. Ivy watched them with approval. “Ah, young love. We were like that once, weren’t we, Ray?'
“You still are.”
***
The midwife placed a pristine cot-sheet in a transparent crib in the corner of the room. She examined Emma again to see if she'd dilated any further. “I think we’re in business,” she said triumphantly. Kate held Emma's hand. The midwife asked Emma to push down as hard as she could on her next contraction. Emma nodded, her hair plastered flat to her head with perspiration after a fourteen hour labour.
“Right,” said the midwife as the doctor arrived. “Are you ready, Emma?” It seemed to Kate that everyone in the delivery room, including the male doctor was pushing with her sister. Emma's daughter was born at fifteen-minutes-past-five, the afternoon of the 30th April, 1977.
Everyone beamed. Another baby had been delivered safely into the world. They took the baby to the crib and wrapped her in a fleecy sheet. The midwife stood by Emma and held her hand. “You were very brave, Emma. You had a difficult time but you’re young and fit and in a few day’s you’ll feel like your old self again. My advice to you is to get as much sleep as you can while you’re here with us in hospital because when you get home I can guarantee that you'll get very little.”
Emma smiled weakly, exhausted. Kate hugged her. “Em’ it’s over. You've done it,” she said smiling. “I’m so proud of you. The baby’s beautiful and she looks just like you.”
“Do you remember me saying the baby would be a girl, Kate?” Emma said quietly. “I desperately wanted a girl. I’m so lucky.”
“Yeah, you are. She's gorgeous and I can't wait to get you both home. I need to find a coffee machine. I’m nearly dying of thirst and the caffeine will keep me going. The nurses want to bathe you and give you a cup of tea. And you need to sleep.”
Kate went outside to the corridor. Long wooden pews were placed against the walls and Kate sank down on one, exhausted. She swung her legs round so that her feet rested on the seat, and drawing her knees up to her chin began to cry. She’d run the gauntlet of many different emotions in the delivery room; fear and frustration at Emma's pain; utter joy and pride when the baby was finally born. She was exhausted, yet a great swelling feeling of love for her family surged through her so strongly she thought her heart would burst.
Suddenly two arms engulfed her, wrapping her in a cocoon of coat sleeves as a soft motherly voice soothed her as she wept. Ivy pulled Kate to her chest. “It’s all right, my love,” she said. “It’s over now. You cry my darlin’, you cry. You’re the bravest little girl I’ve ever met, Katie and I’m proud to know you.”
“She had a girl, Aunty Ivy. She’s got a beautiful little daughter.”
“I know. The nurse came and told me. She said what a tower of strength you were and I was so proud Kate...and relieved. You were in there for such a long time.” She fished about in her bag for a hanky. “There we are,” she said smiling. Kate took the handkerchief and wiped her eyes. “I didn’t know you’d stayed. I thought you’d gone home ages ago.”
“I couldn’t go home and leave you, ducky. I would’ve come in to help but the midwife said it was a bit crowded in there so I decided to sit here and knit. I always take me knitting where ever I go, just in case. I managed to finish a little matinee jacket for the baby. I hope Emma likes it.”
“She’ll love it. It’ll be the first one she’s had.” Ivy’s face changed. “And what about Angie? I suppose she hasn’t bothered to organise anything?”
“She hasn't mentioned the baby. I suppose she thinks she doesn't have to because she's ill.” Ivy’s eyes widened. “Ill, my Aunt Fanny. She could have asked someone, couldn’t she? I’d have got something for her if she’d thought to ask, but I dare not come over home, Kate. I think I’m frightened of what I might see...and say. You know what I’m like. If I think someone’s not doing what they should, well...I have to say my piece but I’ve been that worried.” Ivy warmed to her subject. “Ill indeed. She’s no more ill than you or I. All right, I know she took a tumble down your stairs and can’t walk, but where did she used to walk to before. The offy and back and that was it. It would have been better for all of you if she’d popped her clogs there and then instead of dragging you two poor little darlings down with her ranting and raving. The whole street hears her y’know. Getting on at you. Honestly, sometimes I feel like coming over and doing her in meself.”
At the moment Kate had an irrepressible urge to laugh. She tried to hold it back but giggled. The giggle turned into a huge laugh that she couldn’t stop. Ivy frowned. “What are you laughing at, Katie?”
“I’m sorry Aunty Ivy,” Kate said, hardly able to speak. “I just got an image of you creeping round the house in the dead of night, wearing your rollers, and with one of your knitting needles in your hand.” Ivy threw back her head and laughed with her. “I don’t think I’m cut out for that game. I’m no Emma Peel...and Ray’s certainly no Steed, that’s for sure.” Ivy took Kate’s hand in her own. “We’ll always be here for you, Katie, no matter what. I look on you as one of my daughters. You mustn’t forget I’ve known you and your sister for a very long time. It’s as if we’re family already and you mustn’t struggle on alone. If you need us, tell us. You know Jack adores you, don’t you?” she said quietly.
A nurse came out of the delivery room. “You can come in now.” Kate grabbed Ivy's hand. “Let’s go and see
Emma and the new baby.” Ivy hesitated. “I don’t think they mean me.”
“Of course they mean you. We’ll both go in.”
Emma cradled her new-born infant, glowing with happiness and pride. “Would you like to hold your niece, Kate?”
“Is it OK? I mean, well...you’ve only just given birth to her?”
“You were here when she was born. You have more right than anyone to hold her and I want to share her with you. Please, Kate.”
Kate took the sleeping bundle into her arms and cradled her. A surge of maternal love went through her, startling her. “She’s so gorgeous,” she whispered softly. “I love her already.”
“Aunty Ivy it’s your turn now. I want you to hold her as well, so she knows there’s lots of love around her.” Ivy nestled the baby down into the crook of her arm and stroked her face and hair. “She’s a blonde, Emma, just like her mum.”
“Yes,” Emma said. “I’m really glad about that.”
Kate shot her sister a look. The memory of Stephen – for Kate was sure he was in Emma’s thoughts – passed quickly, contentment replacing the frown that had settled on her otherwise glowing face. Her happy smile was in place again.
“What will you call her?” Ivy asked Emma.
“I knew her name as soon as she was born,” she smiled. “I’m going to call her Christina, because she reminds me of a beautiful china doll I saw in Kendalls’ window a few months ago. It had green eyes and beautiful blonde curly hair and lips painted in a red cupid’s bow. I fell in love with the doll straight away. Her name was Christina. It’s how I knew my baby would be a girl.”
Ivy kissed the top of Christina’s downy head and placed her back in her mother’s arms. “I think I should go now. Emma’s tired and to be honest so am I. I’m going to phone Jack at work. He said he would pick me up when I was ready. Will you come too, Kate?” Kate nodded. “I won’t be a minute.”
Kate sat by Emma’s bed, stroking the top of Christina’s head as Emma held her. There was silence between them. Kate caught Emma’s eye and smiled. “Don’t worry, Em’. I know you’re worried about coming home with the baby but I promise you with all my heart I’ll keep you and Christina and Mum apart.” She took Christina gently from her young mother’s arms and placed her back in her crib. “Go to sleep, sweetheart” she said to Emma. “You look after Christina and I’ll look after mum. We’re a team remember.” She kissed Emma’s cheek and ruffled her hair. “Get some sleep, sister,” she whispered.
As she left the delivery room she turned and looked at them both. Christina slept peacefully and Emma wasn’t long to follow. Kate said a silent prayer asking for peace now that Christina was born. The baby was the most important person in all their lives right now. Christina McGuire had arrived.
Chapter 29
“Can we do it, Jack? D’you think we can do it?”
“Course we can. It’ll look completely different. And you’re good with colour and design. Go for it.”
“OK. I will.”
Kate converted the living-room to a bed-sitting room for Emma and Christina. Jack took her to a store on the outskirts of Willowbridge where they bought paint and a piece of carpet to transform it into a room that would give Emma and her new baby the sanctuary they needed. She painted the walls a creamy-beige and covered the old settee with the dark-brown chenille curtains that hung at the windows before Angie had had her accident. With a wash their success as seat covers had surprised Kate and with renewed enthusiasm she'd bought some bright orange material to make new curtains and cushion covers.
She transformed the cheap off-cut of carpet she had bought with an Indian dhurri rug in orange, brown and cream placed across the centre. When it was finished she stood back and surveyed her handy work. She had succeeded in changing the whole appearance of the room.
“We need some plants,” she said to Jack. “Y’know, spider plants, and a couple of yuccas. It would transform the room, really make all the difference.” That same afternoon Jack turned up at the house, laden with plants.
“You’re so lovely, d’you know that?” Kate said, pushing some of the leaves aside to find a spot to kiss him through all the foliage. “You look as if you’re in camouflage. Is that how you looked in the army? Y’know, when you were training.”
“Very witty.”
When she’d rearranged the plants for the third time Kate threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. “I love you so much, Jack Daly, I would marry you tomorrow.” He raised his eyebrows and she blushed and folded her arms in front of her. “I’m so sorry, Jack. I didn’t mean it.” He took her face in his hands and kissed her softly. “Charming. So you wouldn’t marry me if I asked you?” She could have kicked herself for saying it. They’d never discussed marriage, or anything for a future life together.
“No, that’s not what I meant...I meant....” Struggling to find the right words, she looked up at him to see a wide grin cross his face. “You’re taking the rise out of me, aren’t you?” she said crossly. “Right, Jack Daly, you’ll pay for that.” She chased him round and round the room and then into the hall and out of the front door. Ivy was cleaning the windows at the front of the Daly house. She looked up and smiled, glad to see them so happy and having fun.
Kate squealed with laughter as the chase suddenly turned and Jack began to chase her around the garden. They ran back into the house to hear Angie banging furiously on her bedroom floor. Kate put her finger to her lips, giggling. “I think it’s a bit late for that,” laughed Jack.
“What the bloody ‘ell's going on down there? I need a cup of tea.” Jack swept Kate up in his arms and kissed her deeply. “This won’t last forever, Kate. I love you with my heart and soul and one day you’ll be free of all this. Don’t ever forget it.”
“I’ll never forget,” she whispered. “It’s the only thing that keeps me going.”
***
It was Tuesday the fifth of May, the day Emma was to bring Christina home. Kate hadn’t told Angie about Christina’s imminent arrival and Angie hadn’t asked. Emma concluded that as Angie hadn’t mentioned it, she didn’t want to know. Kate even considered telling Emma that Angie had asked after her and Christina, but she knew Emma would never believe it.
A watery May sun threw dappled light into the room Kate had prepared for her sister and her baby. It smelt fresh and clean, and a new cot for Christina completed the picture; a welcome home present from Jack and his family. Kate was nervous about the home-coming. She wanted everything to be right; a peaceful loving environment in which to raise a child. She went into the newly painted room yet again. Seeing the bright colours and the beautiful new cot gave her confidence and she began to look forward to Jack bringing them home from hospital.
As Emma carried Christina into the hall, Kate rushed out to greet them. “Close your eyes, Emma. Jack and I have something to show you.” Kate could hardly wait to see what Emma would make of the bed-sitting room they had prepared for her
“I can’t,” said Emma. “I’ll drop Christina.” Kate willingly took the baby from her arms. “Go into the living-room,” she said. “There’s a surprise for you in there.”
Emma opened the door and gasped with delight when she saw what Kate and Jack had done for them. “This is brilliant. Is it for Christina and me?” Kate nodded. “Now you have your own little place. You and Christina. You won’t have to worry about Mum now. It’s somewhere for you to find privacy for you and your baby.” Emma threw her arms around Kate and the baby. “I never expected this. You’re the best sister anyone could have. Thank you from Christina and me.”
Jack put Emma’s bag into the room and stood by Kate, his arms round her shoulders. “She did a good job, didn’t she, Emma?” Emma turned and looked at them. Kate was still holding Christina while Jack stroked the baby’s cheek. “It’s strange looking at you two with Christina. You could so easily be her mum and dad. I wish I had a camera. It would make a lovely picture.” Kate placed Christina back in her mother’s arms. She s
hivered inexplicably, wishing Emma hadn’t said it. “I know the sun's out today but there’s still a nip in the air,” she said rubbing her hands together. “I’ll light the fire, Em’. We don’t want Christina to get cold.”
“Anyone fancy a cup of tea?” asked Jack. “I think we could all do with one.”
They sat in Emma’s room, sipping tea and talking about Christina and how lucky they were to have her. “Would you ever let him know?” asked Jack. “He is her father, isn’t he? I know I don’t know the guy, but I’d want to know if I’d just had a daughter.” Emma laughed bitterly. “Yes, Jack, but you’re a good person. He’s rotten right down to his flared trousers and stack-heeled shoes. He didn’t want to know when I was pregnant and he definitely won’t want to know now.”
A stab of guilt went through Kate at the mention of Stephen. She’d pushed Diana Barton to the back of her mind, but deep down she felt that Christina’s grandmother had a right to know about her. “I think you should tell him, Emma.” said Kate. Emma shook her head. “No way. I never want to see him again and I definitely don’t want him anywhere near my baby.” Jack glanced at Kate with raised eyebrows and she quickly changed the subject. The option was still open about whether she would tell Diana about Christina and she wanted it to stay that way. Kate had liked Diana. She wasn't responsible for Stephen's behaviour towards them but she knew Emma wouldn't see it like that.
The next few days were learning days. They coped as well as they could, pacifying the attention seeking of both Angie and Christina. Emma hadn’t taken Christina to visit her grandmother, but Angie asked Kate if she could see her only grandchild. Emma had waved Kate away at the suggestion she should take her baby to her mother. “You are kidding aren’t you?” she said to Kate. “I don’t want her boozy breath all over my baby. It’s not healthy. No. Not now, not ever.” Kate had made various excuses to her mother why Emma hadn’t taken the baby to see her and eventually Angie’s interest in Christina waned. Things returned to how they were before Christina’s arrival, with Angie’s main concern being Kate’s attentions to her. When she was flat out, Kate would pretend she hadn’t heard Angie shouting for her. She's all right, she thought. There's no way she could yell like that if she wasn't.
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