by Rosie Clarke
‘I’ll see what I can do if I get seconded to that general. He could get you in with no fuss, but there are other ways – leave it to me, Tom. You’re a big lad for yer age. I reckon we should be makin’ use of a lad like you…’
Tom thanked him, leaving him to settle into his room. It was good having someone in the house again. He’d come very close to giving his home up recently, because it was a waste just for one, and Ma wasn’t ever coming back, but he’d hung on for his father’s sake. It was a place for Jack to come when he was home on leave and he paid the rent, but he might decide not to bother if he knew for sure that Ma wasn’t coming back.
Tom had been to the infirmary again asking to see her, but they told him she’d been transferred to a secure hospital where she would get treatment for her mental problems. Now he’d got himself a lodger, temporarily, but there was a possibility he’d want to keep the room and return whenever he was in London with his general. Tom would enjoy the company of a man who had done his bit for the Army.
Chapter 8
Ellie bought the items Mabel had asked her to pick up after work and Tom had shown her the silk stockings, letting her buy a pair. She was feeling very pleased, because he’d told her they were rationing them to a single pair each for their regular customers, but only a few pairs remained so she was lucky to get them. She would have liked to be going to a dance somewhere to wear them, but that was only wishful thinking.
As she turned to leave, Ellie almost bumped into the soldier patiently waiting for his turn at the counter. He grinned and caught her arm, steadying her as she tried to avoid stepping on his toes and dropping half her purchases.
‘I’m sorry,’ she said and bobbed down to retrieve them. He did the same and their heads almost touched. Ellie blushed, embarrassed. ‘I’m an idiot. I was so excited about getting some silk stockings and didn’t notice you there…’
The soldier laughed, and Ellie laughed too, because he was rather too big to miss. ‘Well, I must have shrunk a bit in the night,’ he said. ‘Don’t you worry, miss – you couldn’t hurt these great clodhoppers of mine if yer stamped on them.’
‘I’d better go,’ Ellie said, sobering as she remembered what had happened the last time she’d laughed and talked with a soldier.
‘You get right on, little lady,’ the soldier said. ‘I’ve only come in for some ciggies and to tell Tom I’ll need my room for at least three weeks this time…’
‘Are you stayin’ for three weeks?’ Tom said and looked pleased. ‘You got the job then?’
‘Yeah, I start tomorrow – the only thing is… security might want to vet you, Tom. You won’t take offence if they come round and ask a few questions?’
‘Nah, course not,’ Tom said, still looking delighted.
Ellie left the shop before she heard any more. The large soldier was called Sid and he was obviously all right or he wouldn’t be staying with Tom Barton. She thought about the way he’d smiled at her and felt wistful, because there was something nice and comforting about him.
Going round to the back of Mabel Tandy’s property, Ellie entered the kitchen and put her bits and pieces on the table. She could hear her little daughter crying and went quickly upstairs. Mabel was trying to feed her some milky rice pudding, but Beth was red-faced and miserable, which wasn’t like her.
‘Why won’t she feed?’ Ellie asked. ‘I had difficulty feeding her this morning – but she did take some milk. Is she ill? She looks very red in the face…’
‘Yes, I know. I think she might have a little temperature, Ellie. Do you want to take her round the doctor’s? You’ll be in time for the evening surgery and I’ll get on with supper while you’re gone…’
‘Yes, all right,’ Ellie said and reached for her child. Beth felt hot and there was a little rash on her cheeks. She picked up a blanket from the back of a chair and wrapped it round her. Beth might be feverish and over-warm, but it was cold out now towards the end of February. She didn’t want her little girl to get a chill, because despite the way Beth had been got on her by force, she loved her to bits and couldn’t imagine how she’d ever considered giving her away. ‘I’d have come home earlier if I’d realised…’
‘I was just thinkin’ of phoning the doctor and askin’ him to call, but you’ll get seen sooner if you take her round,’ Mabel said, looking serious.
Ellie nodded and went quickly down the stairs and into the lane. The soldier she’d seen in the shop was standing by a large black car parked across the street and rubbing at the shining bonnet with a duster. He looked at her as she crossed the street and seemed to pick up on her anxiety instantly.
‘Is the kiddie ill?’ he asked as Beth started screaming.
‘Yes, I’m taking her to the doctor’s.’
‘Is it far? I’ll take you in the car if you like…’
Ellie hesitated. She wouldn’t normally get into a car with a man she didn’t know, but this one seemed genuine and the fact that he was staying with Tom made her feel safer.
‘Yes, please. The surgery is at the end of Commercial Road. I can direct you…’
‘I know the road,’ Sid said and smiled encouragingly at her. He took a peep at Beth and nodded. ‘Don’t worry, love – we’ll soon have you there. Poor little mite looks proper poorly…’
‘Yes…’ Ellie swallowed a sob. ‘I knew she was off her food this morning, but I was busy at work and Mabel, my landlady, looks after her until I get home and she didn’t call me…’
‘Probably thought it was just a little chill. Babies get lots of them and most aren’t serious but upsetting for them and their mums.’
Ellie settled into the front seat beside him. The seats were leather and smelled of polish. She glanced shyly at the obliging man at her side as he drove.
‘You sound as if you have kids of your own?’
‘No, but my elder sister has four, up to the age of nine – and I’ve often been roped in for nappy changing and bottle feeding.’ He smiled and Ellie realised he was really nice-looking when he smiled that way. ‘Don’t worry, Ellie – hope you don’t mind my usin’ yer name. Tom told me who you were when I asked.’ He laughed. ‘I was sayin’ how pretty yer were and he told me you was married…’
‘Peter is in the Army like you,’ Ellie said, her cheeks pink. It was a good thing that Tom had told him she was married, because Peter would kill her if she was seen with other men. Ellie wasn’t in the least afraid that Sid would do what that awful Knocker had done to her. He just wasn’t the sort of man that would rape and beat a young woman, but perhaps that made him even more dangerous, because Ellie was very much in need of some loving kindness. Mabel Tandy loved her and treated her like a daughter, but that wasn’t like being with a man who loved you. With Beth whimpering in her arms, Ellie couldn’t help wishing that the man driving her to the doctor’s was someone she could turn to and cry on, but she had to be careful and remember strangers could be dangerous.
She was thoughtful as the car slowed to a halt. Sid jumped out and opened the door for her and then took the baby while she climbed out. He gave her back and looked around.
‘There’s a place I can park just around the corner. I can’t leave the car, but I can wait if you want a lift back…’
‘No, you go,’ Ellie said. ‘I’ll be all right to walk home. I wanted to get here quick, but I’ll be fine now…’
‘Just as you like. I hope the child is all right…’
Sid got back in the car and drove off as Ellie went into the doctor’s surgery. It smelled of stale sweat and sickness, also strong drink on the breath of an old man who looked like a tramp. Ellie went to the reception desk and told her she was worried about her little girl, because she was hot and had a rash.
‘Take a seat over there. Doctor will see you as soon as he can…’
Ellie did as she was told, jiggling the child in her arms as she tried to hush her, but Beth had reached the screaming stage and she saw the receptionist look at her several times. At last she came
over to her and looked at Beth.
‘I’ve moved you up the list, Mrs Morris. Beth is clearly very unwell and I think the doctor needs to see her now…’
‘Thank you,’ Ellie said, her throat tight with anxiety. ‘I can’t quiet her – perhaps I should have stayed home and asked for a call.’
‘No, it’s best you brought her. You’ll be in in a moment…’
The doctor came out a minute or two later and called her name. Ellie followed him into the surgery and explained the situation. He told her to put Beth down on his couch and then he examined her while Ellie watched anxiously over her.
‘I’m glad you brought her in, Mrs Morris. I’m going to send Beth along to the hospital immediately, and of course you must go with her…’
‘What is wrong with her?’ Ellie was frantic with worry now.
‘I’m not certain, but I think it could be meningitis, though I haven’t seen many cases, so I’m not sure, it might be a form of sepsis, which is a kind of poisoning…’ He paused, looking worried. ‘I’ve heard of a treatment – a kind of vaccine called Flexner’s, but I don’t know if it works in all cases…’
Ellie had never heard any of the words before, but she could see that the doctor thought it was serious. ‘Will she be all right?’ she asked, beginning to tremble.
‘I won’t lie to you, Mrs Morris. I fear your little girl is very ill and it will be touch-and-go. We’re not very good with illnesses like this as yet…’
His answer terrified her. Beth couldn’t die, not after all she’d been through to keep her.
‘No! Please, don’t let her die…’ Ellie was crying, the tears slipping down her cheeks.
‘Is there anyone who can take you to the hospital?’ Ellie shook her head. ‘Go and sit in the waiting room. My receptionist will give you a form to take with you and an ambulance will come…’
The doctor escorted her back to the waiting room, but as he was telling the receptionist what to do, Sid came up to them.
‘I found a place to park safely. Is it serious, Ellie?’
‘She has to go to hospital. They’re sending for an ambulance…’
‘I can take you quicker,’ Sid said and looked at the doctor. ‘Just tell me where and I’ll take her now…’
Ellie was crying as Sid took the form she needed and guided her out to the car, which he’d parked at the back of one of the better shops in the road. He opened the door for her and she got in obediently, feeling numbed.
‘He says it might be meningitis or sepsis. I don’t know what either is – do you?’
‘I know they’re not good,’ he said and looked at her sideways. ‘The sooner we get Beth to the hospital, the better. Try not to worry, Ellie. Babies are stronger than everyone thinks. And it may not be that… it could be just a nasty rash of some sort…’
‘Why did the doctor send her straight to hospital?’
‘Because if she is really ill, it’s the best place.’
Ellie nodded. It was stupid, but she felt so much better now that Sid was with her. ‘You’ll stay with me at the hospital – won’t you?’
‘Yes, of course. I have to report for work at eight in the morning, but I’ll stay as long as I can…’
‘Thank you…’ Ellie looked at him shyly. ‘I love her so much. I don’t want to lose her.’
‘We’re getting to the hospital now,’ he said and gave her a reassuring look. ‘We’ll know soon… Keep your chin up, love. It may not be as bad as it seems.’
*
Ellie had never been as anxious or as distressed as she felt when the doctors took her little girl away to examine her. She kept looking at Sid, her eyes brimming with tears, begging him silently to tell her it was all right. After half an hour with no word from anyone, she was shaking and Sid put his arm about her, holding her tightly as they saw the doctor coming towards them. He looked at Ellie and then at Sid.
‘I’m pleased to tell you, Sergeant Morris – Mrs Morris. It isn’t meningitis…’
‘Oh, thank God,’ Ellie said and swayed, not even noticing that the doctor had mistaken Sid for her husband, or that he’d accepted it without comment. Sid put his arm around her and held her, comforting her. ‘What is it?’
‘It is a kind of food poisoning, which causes symptoms that can look like a more dangerous illness,’ the doctor said and frowned. ‘It means that it is still serious, but fortunately we are able to treat this sickness – and she will be kept in hospital for a couple of days until it’s under control. I think it is better if you go home for now, Mrs Morris. Is there some way we can contact you?’
‘Yes, Mrs Tandy – my landlady has a telephone,’ Ellie said and gave him the number. ‘But can’t I stay with her, please?’
‘It would be too distressing. Beth is in the best place, Mrs Morris. Nurse will take good care of her and we’ll let you know how she is in the morning.’
Ellie wanted to plead with them to let her stay, but hospitals were such daunting places and she knew they would not relent. Beth was in their care now and relatives were not allowed into the wards except at strict visiting times. She felt close to collapsing. The doctor seemed to realise that she was distraught.
He looked at Sid. ‘Please take your wife home, sergeant. She really can’t stay here…’
‘Come on, Ellie, we’d better go,’ Sid said. ‘The doctor and nurses will look after her – and you would just be in the way…’
Ellie nodded, but looked back several times as Sid took her out of the hospital. ‘What if she dies?’
‘She won’t, Ellie. The doctor told you, it is something they can treat…’
‘How could she have got food poisoning? We sterilise her bottle and boil her nappies…’
‘I don’t know, Ellie,’ he said. ‘Maybe, she got dirty hands somehow herself and put them in her mouth – who knows. She’s ill, but it isn’t the worst…’
Ellie mopped her tears on the hanky he gave her. She looked at him as he opened the car door for her to get in. ‘I’ll never be able to thank you for this,’ she said. ‘I don’t know what I’d have done on my own…’
‘I’m glad I was there and you don’t need to repay me. I’ve only done what any decent bloke would do…’
Ellie didn’t answer, but she knew Peter wouldn’t have done as much. He wouldn’t have tried to comfort her and he would have been glad if the child died. She swallowed hard, knowing that she was facing the truth at last. She’d tried to believe that everything would be fine when Peter came home, but she knew it wouldn’t. He would be angry that she’d kept Beth – and, if she was honest, she didn’t want to live with him ever again.
‘Cheer up, love,’ Sid said gently as they pulled to a halt in front of the wool shop. ‘I’m sure your little girl will be all right – the doctor seemed confident and that’s a good sign.’
‘Yes, it is,’ she whispered. ‘Thank you – thank you so much for everything…’
‘I really did nothing,’ Sid said, but Ellie suspected that he had risked getting into trouble because of what he’d done for her. ‘I shan’t see you in the morning – but may I come and ask how Beth is when I’ve finished for the evening? It might be nine or even ten…’
‘Yes, please come,’ Ellie said and smiled at him. ‘Goodnight, Sid.’
‘Goodnight, Ellie.’
He smiled at her, watched as she went into small passage that led to the back of the house and then got back into the car, driving off round the corner to the garage that had been arranged for his general’s official car… He’d taken some risks with it, driving her to the doctor and then the hospital and leaving it parked where anyone could have tampered with it or even stolen it. And he’d done that for her sake, when he knew that if anything had happened to it he could have lost the job he’d only just been given.
*
Maureen walked home quickly the next morning. She’d left Gran to look after Robin while she went to the shop. She’d warned Gran that Rory might call and hoped that he ha
dn’t forced her to let him in so that he could see his son. Perhaps if he’d been more respectful and asked rather than demanded she might not have minded him just looking at Robin – but if he thought he was going to have any say in how her son was brought up, he had another thing coming…
As she rounded the corner, she saw him leaning against the lamp post on the opposite side of the street, smoking a cigarette, and knew he’d waited for her. Maureen squared her shoulders, because there was no one to help her this time. Twice when Rory had been rough with her someone had turned up, but she couldn’t expect it to happen all the time. She had to stand up for herself.
‘So you’re back then,’ Rory said, crossing the road to meet her. ‘You know what I want, Molly…’
‘Don’t call me that,’ she said coldly. She’d liked it when he called her that once but not anymore. ‘Robin’s my son and Gordon is his father… so there’s no point in you wantin’ to see him.’
‘I have to get back to my unit this evenin’, but I’m not leavin’ until I see him – you know he’s mine, so don’t deny it.’ He looked at her stubbornly, but he wasn’t aggressive this time. Maureen realised she wasn’t afraid of him and her tension eased.
‘I could’ve been cheatin’ on you while you were cheatin’ on me with Carol,’ Maureen said, her head going up proudly. ‘I think you’ve forfeited all the rights you ever had as far as I’m concerned – and that goes for my son, too.’
‘I know you hate me now and maybe you’ve got a right,’ Rory admitted. ‘I’m not goin’ to try and take him away from you, Maureen – I just want to see him before they send me overseas again. Please… I know you loved me once.’
Rory had always been able to turn on the charm when it suited him.
‘Yes, I did and you broke my heart more than once,’ Maureen said. ‘Don’t think you can walk back into my life and take over again…’
‘I don’t and I am sorry. Believe me; I’ve regretted what I did. I was a bloody fool, Molly… Please, just let me see him. I shan’t trouble you often, but he is mine, I know it in my guts.’
