by Joan Jonker
‘I’ll see yer across the street, then I’ll call for Nellie. I know yer’ve got a case packed ready, so all yer need to do is change yer knickers. Yer can be doing that while I knock for Nellie, and I’ll run up and ask Maisie to ring for a taxi.’ Molly took her daughter’s elbow and led her across the cobbles. ‘Don’t worry, sunshine, ye’re going to be fine. Just keep remembering that very soon yer’ll have yer little baby in yer arms. And when yer look down into a beautiful new face yer’ll think a miracle has happened.’
Nellie was already at her door with her coat on. ‘I saw Doreen crossing over, girl, and I had an idea that her time had come.’
‘I want yer to come to the hospital with me, sunshine, so while I run to ring for a taxi, will yer call at Mary Watson’s and ask her if she’ll sit with Victoria until we get back, or until Phil comes in from work?’
‘Yeah, I’ll do that.’ Nellie pushed the door closed behind her. ‘And I’ll ask Mary to let Jack and George know, in case they get in from work before we get back.’
The taxi came fairly quickly, so there was no time for nerves to take over, and no time for tears. But when Doreen looked through the taxi window to see Aunt Vicky standing on the step being supported by her neighbour, Mary Watson, there was a lump in her throat as she waved goodbye.
Doreen’s first bad contraction came when they were halfway to the hospital. When she groaned and clutched her tummy, Molly forgot all the things she’d promised herself over the last few weeks about staying cool, and began to panic. Oh, please God, she prayed, let us get to the hospital on time. She knocked on the glass sliding window which separated them from the driver and he slowed to a crawl before turning his head. When he saw Doreen doubled up with her arms holding her tummy, he didn’t need Molly’s warning to get them to the hospital as quickly as possible. While he was a family man and loved children, he didn’t like the idea of one being born in the back of his cab. Not when he’d spent hours on Sunday giving it a thorough clean out.
Molly had half a crown ready in her hand. When the taxi pulled up outside the hospital entrance, she thrust the money at the driver without even asking how much the fare was or noting the look of relief on the man’s face. ‘Move out of the way, Nellie, while I help Doreen down. Mind yer don’t bang yer head, sunshine, and come out backwards, it’ll be easier for yer. Leave yer case, I’ll see to it.’
Once they were in the entrance hall, Nellie took hold of Doreen’s arm. ‘I’ll walk her down the corridor while you fetch someone.’
‘Don’t leave me, Mam,’ Doreen cried, ‘I’m frightened!’
‘A nurse will be more use to yer than I am, sunshine, and I’ll get one quicker on me own.’
And Molly was true to her word. In no time at all she was hurrying ahead of a nurse who was used to the ways of mothers. They’d raised families themselves but were still afraid when the time came for one of their daughters to start their own family.
‘I’ll attend to Mrs Bradley now.’ The nurse was kind and efficient. She took the case from Nellie and told them, ‘If you want to wait in the waiting room, I’ll be along to see you when she’s been examined by the doctor. I’ll let you know if she’s being kept in.’ As she led Doreen away, she said over her shoulder, ‘You must be prepared for a long wait because we’re very busy at the moment.’
There was a look of pleading on Doreen’s face when she glanced back. ‘Don’t go home, will yer, Mam? Not without seeing me?’
‘I’ll be here, sunshine, don’t you worry about that. No matter how long it takes, I’ll wait until I know what’s happening.’
‘Getting yerself all het up isn’t going to help Doreen,’ Nellie said for the umpteenth time. ‘I know we’ve been here an hour, but the nurse did say it would be a long wait. So will yer stop pacing the floor, girl, ’cos ye’re turning me into a nervous wreck.’
‘Just wait until it’s your Lily expecting a baby, yer’ll be singing a different tune then. And it’s only natural for me to worry. Yer should understand that instead of telling me to shut up and sit down. My daughter is not here to have a tooth out, yer know.’
The door to the waiting room opened and the nurse came in. ‘Your daughter is in labour, Mrs Bennett, and we’re keeping her in. We’re preparing her now before taking her through to the labour ward.’
‘Is she all right?’ Molly asked, and without giving the nurse time to answer, blurted out more questions. ‘How often is she having the pains now? How long d’yer think it will be before the baby’s born?’
The nurse raised her eyebrows. ‘Doreen tells me she has two sisters and a brother. After having four children, you should know that is a question no one could answer. Babies will come when they’re ready and not before.’
‘I know all that, Nurse, but having had four meself, I know what Doreen’s going through. And you’ll have seen enough mothers to know it’s not unusual for them to be as worried as I am. So I’m asking yer to let me see me daughter before yer send me packing off home.’
‘Go on, Nurse,’ Nellie said, coaxingly. ‘A couple of minutes isn’t going to hurt no one.’
‘You will be allowed to see Doreen as soon as she’s been gowned. But the labour ward is not the best of places to sit in as many of the women are in the process of giving birth and are quite vocal.’
‘Nurse, when I was having each of my babies I used to scream the place down, so I’m the wrong one to criticise.’ Molly managed a weak smile. ‘Mind you, if any of them frighten me daughter I’ll put a sock in their mouth.’
Nellie tugged on her coat. ‘Yer haven’t got a sock with yer, girl, so yer’ll have to use yer fist.’
‘Anyone causing a disturbance will be evicted from the ward, so bear that in mind.’ The nurse was joking as she made for the door. ‘And for your punishment you will be made to sit in the labour ward until you’ve learned to behave yourselves.’
‘Hang on, please.’ Seeing the nurse was in a happy frame of mind, Molly thought she’d try her luck and hopefully get some information. ‘You must have seen hundreds of babies born and probably have more experience than the doctors. So in your opinion how long has Doreen got to go?’
‘I would say she’ll be a couple of hours at least, but I’m only hazarding a guess. It could be any minute or it could take until tomorrow. I’m sorry, that’s the best I can do.’
Molly and Nellie returned to their chairs, both looking down in the mouth. ‘We could be here this time tomorrow,’ Nellie grumbled. ‘Trust you to have a slow daughter.’
‘I’ll have a bet with yer to pass the time away,’ Molly said. ‘I’ll bet yer a tanner that Doreen has her baby before midnight.’
‘Okay, girl.’
Molly tutted. ‘What d’yer mean, okay, girl?’
‘I mean, I understand that if Doreen doesn’t have her baby before midnight, yer owe me a tanner. That’s all right with me, girl, I can buy meself a quarter of Liquorice Allsorts and a quarter of Mint Imperials.’
‘But yer do understand that if I win the bet, yer owe me a tanner?’
‘Oh, yer never asked me to have a bet, girl, so don’t be trying to get one over on me. Yer said you’d bet me a tanner, yer didn’t say anything about me having a bet. I mean, yer never asked me when I thought the baby would be born, did yer?’
‘Ye’re a tight-fisted so-and-so, Nellie McDonough, honest to God, yer are. Yer’d take my tanner but wouldn’t take a chance on having to give me one!’
‘Oh, stop yer flipping moaning! I’ll have a ruddy bet with yer ’cos it would be worth a tanner to shut yer up.’ Nellie jerked her head back and rolled her eyes. She was only acting to keep her mate’s mind occupied and away from her daughter. ‘I bet your Doreen has her baby before ten o’clock tonight, so there!’
‘Okay, ye’re on! If the baby’s born before ten I owe yer a tanner. If not then the Mint Imperials and the Liquorice Allsorts are mine.’
Nellie’s bosom rose as she gave a deep sigh. ‘It’s a mug’s game, this having babie
s lark. God should have invested another pastime which was as exciting as having sex, but without the problem that goes with it. Or He could have made intercourse horrible, then red-blooded women like me wouldn’t be chasing our husbands around the bed every night.’
‘Every night, Nellie? Aren’t yer exaggerating somewhat? Or is that why George always looks worn out, as though he’s carrying the cares of the world on his shoulders?’
‘He’s the happiest man in Liverpool, is my feller. I know he may look tired all the time but can yer think of a nicer way of wearing yerself out? It beats joining a rambling club, I can tell yer. Not that I’ve ever been in a rambling club, like, but I knew a bloke who was and he was the most miserable sod imaginable! I wouldn’t have been chasing him around the bed every flipping night.’
‘How can yer talk about rambling clubs when the furthest I’ve know yer walk is to the shops and back?’ Molly said before remembering. ‘Oh, I was forgetting the time I coaxed yer to walk to Walton Vale. Yer moaned about it for a month afterwards.’
‘It’s all right for you, yer haven’t got corns on yer toes what give yer gyp. Bloody murder they are, and not a word of sympathy do I get from you.’ Nellie gave another deep sigh. ‘Ay, girl, I’m running out of things to talk about. How about a game of “I Spy”?’
The appearance of the nurse had Molly jumping to her feet, childhood games forgotten. ‘How is Doreen? Can we go and see her now?’
‘Yes, she’s still in the main ward so you can see her. But only for a few minutes because it’s a busy ward and the nursing staff can be run off their feet so visitors are not welcome.’
Molly’s face dropped. ‘Yer mean, I can’t sit with her?’
‘I’m afraid not. And even when she’s had the baby, only fathers are allowed in for the first few days. So come and see your daughter now because it may be seven to ten days before you see her again.’ The nurse walked from the room, her freshly starched uniform making a rustling sound. She was followed by Molly, with Nellie coming up behind, her little legs moving fast to keep up. ‘Don’t let her see you’re worried, she’s nervous and agitated enough already. Try to cheer her up.’
‘Can’t I wait in the waiting room until she has the baby? I won’t be no trouble, I just want to know she’s all right.’
‘Good grief, you could be there all night! I suggest you go home and ring up in about four hours. And the husband will be allowed in once Doreen’s had the baby and been taken to the maternity ward.’ They reached the entrance to a ward and the nurse waved her hand. ‘Third bed down on the right. Remember, five minutes only or you’ll get a ticking off from the Ward Sister. As I said, they’re strict about visitors.’
Doreen’s arms were lying flat by her sides on top of the white sheet. Her eyes were wide with trepidation. She was amazed that some women were relaxed enough to hold a conversation with the person in the next bed. All she wanted was to curl up under the sheets and cry. And when she saw her mother coming towards her, a broad smile on her face, the girl wanted more than anything to hold out her arms and beg to be taken home. But she didn’t. Because when she saw Auntie Nellie behind her mother, waddling down the ward with a face red from the exertion of trying to keep up, Doreen actually managed a smile. ‘Hello, Mam! Auntie Nellie!’
‘Hello, sunshine! We’re under strict instructions to stay only a few minutes so we’ll have to be quick.’ Molly stroked the blonde hair before kissing her daughter. ‘Only husbands are allowed to visit, even after the baby’s born, so yer won’t see me for a while. But I’ll be getting Maisie to ring in every couple of hours to ask how things are, and I’ll be thinking of yer all the time.’
Nellie moved closer to the bed. ‘I won’t get too near, girl, in case it’s catching. But we’ll all be thinking of yer, all yer family and friends what love yer. And yer can tell the doctor I said we don’t want a baby what’s always crying so he’s to pick a nice quiet one.’ Her chins agreed with her nodding head. ‘Otherwise we’ll bring it back and exchange it for another.’
Molly could have kissed her friend for bringing a smile to Doreen’s face. ‘Phil will be here as soon as he’s had a bite to eat, sunshine, and we’ll all be waiting for him to get back with his news. If there’s anything you want bringing in, let him know and I’ll get it for yer.’
A nurse appeared at the food of the bed. ‘I’m afraid you’ll have to leave now.’
Molly nodded. ‘We’re just going.’ She bent for a last kiss. ‘Yer’ll be fine, sunshine, and it’ll all be over in no time.’
When Nellie bent for her kiss, she whispered, ‘Try and have it before ten o’clock, girl, ’cos I’ve got a bet on with yer mam.’
The nurse overheard and was smiling when she escorted the two women from the ward.
It was eleven o’clock and Victoria Clegg’s living room was full. All the Bennett family were there, even Ruthie who had flatly refused to go to bed. Jill and Steve had been there since seven, as had Tommy, Rosie and Nellie. They were all on pins waiting for Phil to come home from the hospital.
‘I thought he’d have been well home by now,’ Molly said, her eyes on the clock for the umpteenth time. ‘Doreen must still be in labour.’
‘Calm down, love,’ Jack said. ‘It could be hours yet.’
Then they heard the key turning in the lock and all eyes were on the door when Phil walked in. He hardly had time to close it behind him before Molly was clutching his arm. ‘How is Doreen?’
His eyes went around each of them before his face broke into a wide grin. ‘Doreen and I are the proud parents of a beautiful son.’ That was all he was able to say before the hugs, kisses and handshakes started. All the women were crying with happiness, and in Molly’s case with deep relief.
‘Can we have a bit of quiet now?’ Jack asked. ‘Give the lad a chance to tell us more about the baby and Doreen.’
Phil pulled a chair over to where Victoria was sitting. He took her hand in his before telling them, ‘The baby weighed seven and a half pound, has a good set of lungs and is perfect. Doreen was very tired when I left her, but happier than she’s ever been. And I can’t put how I feel into words. I’m dizzy with happiness, bursting with pride and ten feet tall.’
His Aunt Vicky squeezed his hand. ‘Have yer had time to think of a name for your son?’
Phil nodded. ‘We chose the name when we first knew Doreen was expecting. We had two names, one for a boy and one for a girl. The baby’s going to be called Bob, after my father.’
‘Oh, I’m so happy,’ Molly said, tears sliding down her cheeks. ‘Yer’ll have to let yer grandma know as soon as yer can.’
‘I promised Doreen I’d go in me dinner hour tomorrow. She’ll be over the moon, particularly when I tell her what we’re calling our son.’
‘Will yer give Doreen a big kiss for me tomorrow night?’ Jill was feeling very emotional. ‘Tell her me and Steve can’t wait to see the baby. And we’ve got stacks of baby clothes for her so she won’t need to worry on that score. And we stuck to white, thank goodness, in case it was a boy.’
‘Didn’t meself have the same idea?’ Rosie said. ‘Blankets, sheets, pillowcases and matinee coats, all in white.’ She turned her beautiful Irish eyes on her dearly beloved intended. ‘And we both send Doreen a kiss, don’t we, sweetheart?’
‘I’ll say – a whopper!’ Tommy was still getting used to the idea of his sister becoming a mother. She was only a year older than him! ‘Tell her we’re all very proud of her.’
Nellie had been quiet up till now. ‘Just out of curiosity, Phil, what time was the baby born?’
‘A quarter to ten, Auntie Nellie.’
The chubby face that turned to Molly was creased in a wide grin. ‘That’s a tanner yer owe me, girl.’ Then she rubbed her hands and said to Phil, ‘Tell Doreen I’m not only proud, but richly proud. And tell her the timing was perfect.’
There was much laughter when Phil said, ‘She knows that, Auntie Nellie. She told me to tell yer she wants half of that
tanner for making it on time.’
Molly gave a deep sigh. ‘If she can crack jokes then I don’t have to worry about me daughter. I’ll rest easy in me bed tonight, thank God.’
‘If I don’t get me tanner tonight, girl,’ Nellie told her, ‘I’ll charge yer a penny a day interest.’
‘Sod off, Nellie McDonough! I’m a grandma now or had yer forgotten? Yer’ll treat me with respect from now on.’
Chapter 23
Ten days after the birth, Doreen and the baby were discharged from hospital and Phil took the day off work to bring them home by taxi. No man had ever looked happier or more proud as he helped his wife and child down the high step of the cab. Molly, Nellie, and Mary Watson were waiting outside Miss Clegg’s house and a few of the neighbours came out for a peep at the new baby and to offer their congratulations.
‘I knew he’d be blond,’ Mary said, gently stroking the cheek of the sleeping child with a finger. ‘He couldn’t be anything else with his mam and dad both being blond. I bet he’s got blue eyes, too!’
Molly fussed around her daughter. ‘Let’s get inside, sunshine, yer don’t want to be on yer feet too long. And Victoria’s been a nervous wreck waiting for yer.’
Doreen made straight to where the old lady sat in her rocking chair. ‘Here yer are, Aunt Vicky, you can have first hold.’
Victoria searched Molly’s face. ‘You should be first to hold him, Molly, he’s your grandson.’
‘No, that’s all right, sunshine, I held him that time I sneaked into the hospital. I managed a quick cuddle before the nurse told me off for being there.’
Victoria’s faded blue eyes were blurred with tears as she held the child of the couple who’d made her house into a home. ‘He’s beautiful. Look at those tiny hands and fingernails, they’re perfect.’ Slowly she set the rocking chair in motion while softly singing a lullaby. This was the first time in her life that she’d held a new-born baby in her arms. If the man she’d loved hadn’t been killed in the First World War, she too would have known the joys of motherhood and of rearing a family.