A Winter Baby for Gin Barrel Lane

by Lindsey Hutchinson

  Over the past months, Nellie and Nancy had knitted scores of baby clothes and Dolly had drawers full of little jackets and caps, cardigans, shawls, mittens and bootees.

  Sadie had bought some absorbent material from which she made piles of napkins to wrap the baby’s bottom in. Baby toys and banana shaped bottles poured in from their many friends and were stored in a spare room.

  Eli Hodges gave her a gift of a wooden rocking cradle made by one of his sons and Jack bought blankets and sheets and a baby carriage. Everything was ready for the day Dolly’s baby decided to arrive.

  In the early hours of a summer morning, a feeling of discomfort woke Dolly up. Then she realised the sheet was wet. Jack stirred as she climbed out of bed, then as she gasped, he was fully awake.

  ‘Dolly?’

  ‘Jack! The baby – I think it’s coming!’

  ‘Shit, shit, bloody cack!’ Jack mumbled as he began to throw on his clothes.

  ‘Owww!’ Dolly moaned as she leaned forward, clutching her stomach.

  ‘Wait! Not yet, I ain’t dressed!’ Jack yelled.

  ‘I don’t think the baby cares, Jack!’ she yelled back.

  ‘I know, I’m sorry. Oh, hell, what do I do?’

  ‘Fetch Sadie!’

  Jack hobbled down the hallway to Sadie’s room with one leg in his trousers. The other leg went in after he banged on the cook’s door. ‘Sadie! Come quick! Dolly’s in labour!’

  The door opened and Sadie, looking like an apparition in a flowing white nightgown, rushed through. ‘Out of my way!’ she said as she ran to Dolly’s side.

  Jack followed but was prevented entry. ‘Put the kettle to boil and fetch towels,’ Sadie instructed before closing the door. Then opening it again she yelled, ‘And fetch Alice!’

  Jack banged on Alice’s door, yelling that Dolly had started her labour. Then he went to the airing cupboard, pulling out a bundle of towels. As he made to take them to Sadie, he saw Alice come from her bedroom.

  Alice took the towels from him saying gently, ‘A cup of tea would be nice.’

  Jack went to the kitchen like an automaton. He made tea in a daze and carried it upstairs on a tray. Kicking the bedroom door, he was relieved of the tray when it opened. ‘Hot water,’ said Alice.

  ‘What?’

  ‘A bowl of hot water now, please,’ Alice repeated firmly.

  Jack nodded, then hearing a groan from Dolly he grimaced and fled.

  A little while later he took the hot water to the bedroom. ‘How is she?’ he asked.

  ‘All’s well, don’t worry,’ Alice said, taking the bowl from him before kicking the door shut.

  Jack paced the landing, shuddering each time Dolly yelled out. Please, God, look after my wife and child. Over and over Jack prayed as he wore a groove in the strip of carpet.

  A scream rent the air and Jack’s hand raked through his hair. This was his fault. If he’d been more careful then Dolly wouldn’t be suffering now.

  Sitting on the top step, Jack cried into his hands. He couldn’t bear to think of his beloved wife in so much pain. Each time she yelled, he drew his shoulders up to his ears. Let it be finished, for both our sakes!

  At the other side of the bedroom door, Dolly groaned. Beads of sweat formed on her brow before pooling and running down her face.

  ‘You’re doing fine, it won’t be long now,’ Sadie said encouragingly.

  ‘Oh God! Please let it be over soon! Aghhh!’ Dolly wailed as another wave of pain rolled over her. She gripped the bedclothes, waiting for the agony to pass.

  ‘All right, take a deep breath and push,’ Sadie instructed.

  Sucking in air, Dolly raised her head from the pillow. Holding the breath, she pushed down with all her might.

  ‘That’s it. Now rest a minute and when the pain comes again give another push.’

  Over and over Dolly strained hard until she felt her strength fading. ‘I can’t…’

  ‘You have to, gel, you can’t leave the little mite half in and half out. One more go should see it finished. Come on now, let’s get this child into the world.’

  With a final effort, Dolly felt the baby slide from her body and she lay back panting.

  ‘Well done, Dolly. It’s a boy!’ Sadie said excitedly.

  ‘Is he all right?’ Dolly asked on a whisper, feeling tired to the bone.

  ‘He’s perfect.’

  Dolly heard the slap and then the baby wail and she cried with relief. A moment later, the swaddled bundle was in her arms.

  ‘Right, we just have to expel the afterbirth now so, Alice, place your hands there on Dolly’s lower belly and when I say, you press down hard.’

  Alice did as she was bid.

  ‘Dolly, we need you to give one last push, then it’s all over.’

  Dolly nodded but was intent on staring at the beautiful baby in her arms.

  ‘Ready, Alice?’ Seeing the nod Sadie went on, ‘Ready, Dolly?’ Another nod. ‘Now!’

  Dolly winced at the pressure on her lower abdomen but felt something slick slip away from her.

  The towel beneath Dolly’s bottom caught the sticky mess and Sadie bundled it up and threw it into the bowl. That would be taken downstairs to be burned in the yard.

  ‘Congratulations,’ Alice said as she peeped over at the tiny infant.

  Dolly smiled, too tired to reply.

  Jack had also heard the slap then the wail of an infant. A little while later, the door opened and he was allowed in. ‘Come and see your wife and son,’ Sadie said.

  Jack rushed to Dolly who held the baby in her arms, a tired smile on her face.

  ‘Oh, Dolly! Thank God you’re all right!’

  ‘Jack, meet your son,’ Dolly said as she held out the child.

  ‘Oh, I ain’t sure…’

  ‘Just hold him firmly,’ Dolly said.

  So Jack did. He looked down at the little pink face and muttered, ‘He’s perfect.’

  Sadie and Alice slipped quietly from the room and went to the kitchen. They would all be needing more tea. Alice set the kettle to boil while Sadie took the bowl outside where she burned the afterbirth in a corner of the yard.

  A few hours later, Jack was banging on the back door of the Crown Saloon.

  Nellie’s voice carried to him as she yelled, ‘Wait a bloody minute!’

  Unlocking and opening the door, she was surprised to see Jack standing there.

  ‘It’s a boy! Mum, I have a son!’

  Nellie hugged him tightly. ‘Congratulations, lad, I’m so pleased for you. Are they both all right?’

  ‘Yes, they’re champion. Mum, you have to come and see him. Bring Nancy,’ he said impatiently.

  ‘Just as soon as we’re dressed, we’ll be over,’ Nellie said and smiled as Jack raced away. There was still so much of her little boy in him.

  Nancy came down bleary eyed. ‘If that’s Aggie I’ll bloody kill her for disrupting my sleep!’

  ‘Nance, Dolly’s had a baby boy, and they’re both fine.’

  ‘Oh, Nell, thank the good Lord.’

  The two women hugged and shed tears of joy. Then they went to dress as fast as they could so they could visit Dolly and the baby.

  Dolly was snoozing when her friends arrived. The baby was sleeping soundly in the cradle Eli’s son had made and Jack had placed next to their bed. Jack was dozing in a chair. The new parents woke when Nellie and Nancy entered quietly.

  ‘Come in,’ Dolly beckoned.

  They went instantly to the cradle and again happy tears fell silently down their faces.

  ‘Oh, Dolly, he’s beautiful!’ Nellie said on a breath.

  ‘Bloody gorgeous,’ Nancy said. ‘What are you going to call him?’

  Dolly glanced at Jack who shrugged. ‘I like the name Joseph,’ she said, her eyes still on her husband.

  Jack nodded. ‘Joseph it is, then,’ he said.

  ‘Hello, Joseph,’ Nellie whispered and the baby wrinkled his nose in his sleep.

  ‘Oh look, Nance, h
e knows his name already.’

  ‘You can pick him up, Grandma,’ Dolly said and saw Nellie beam with pleasure at the name. Holding the child, Nellie rocked him gently, talking to him all the time.

  ‘Give us a hold,’ Nancy said and Nellie passed the boy to her friend, reluctantly.

  The two women couldn’t take their eyes off the tiny bundle and when Joseph snuffled then let out a whimper, they all knew he was hungry. Passing the little one to his mother, they all left her to feed him in peace and quiet.

  Over tea in the kitchen, Jack yawned and before long they were all doing it.

  ‘You’d best be prepared, lad, now the baby is here you won’t be getting much sleep,’ Nellie warned.

  ‘Why not?’ he asked innocently.

  ‘Crikey, you’ve a lot to learn about babies,’ Sadie said.

  Jack nodded, realising the truth of it. ‘Mum, Sadie and Alice were amazing. I couldn’t have… you know, helped Dolly.’

  Nellie thanked the women for bringing her grandson into the world safely then asked, ‘How long was she in labour?’

  ‘About four hours all told?’ Sadie’s question was directed at Jack who nodded.

  ‘Bloody hell! Usually the first takes an age. I bet she’ll be one of these girls who can have kiddies like shelling peas,’ Nancy said.

  The women laughed loudly at Jack’s shocked expression.

  ‘I ain’t sure I could go through that again!’ he muttered much to their amusement.

  ‘It won’t be up to you, lad. If Dolly wants more children then you’ll just have to step up to the mark,’ Nellie said.

  ‘Oh, blimey. Maybe I should move back to the Emporium!’

  The women burst out laughing as Jack dropped his head into his hands.

  50

  On the pretext of having the accounts audited, Nellie went to visit Mr Sharpe, her solicitor.

  ‘Come in, Nellie, how very nice to see you.’

  ‘And you. Mr Sharpe, I’ve come to change my will.’

  ‘Take a seat, dear lady, and tell me what needs altering.’

  ‘Dolly had a baby boy this morning, so I want to include him.’

  ‘Congratulations! I trust mother and baby are both well?’

  Nellie nodded.

  Picking up a pen, Mr Sharpe made notes as Nellie spoke. Then at the finish, she asked, ‘What do you think?’

  ‘My opinion is you have been very fair. I’ll get this drawn up immediately and, if I may, I will bring it to you for signature.’

  ‘Thanks, Mr Sharpe, I’d appreciate that.’

  ‘And are you quite well, Nellie?’ he asked with a worried expression.

  ‘Yes, thank you for asking. It’s just with Joseph being born – I’m feeling my years a bit that’s all.’

  ‘Ah, you and me both,’ Andrew Sharpe said.

  ‘I’ll away now, I have some shopping to do. Thanks for your help,’ Nellie said as she rose to leave.

  ‘Give my regards to everyone.’

  ‘I will,’ Nellie said and with a wave she was gone. She had little in the way of savings, but what there was she had left to Joseph to be held in trust until he was of an age to make it useful.

  At the jeweller’s, Nellie bought a silver money box for Joseph then flowers for Dolly from the market before heading home.

  Everyone dropped a coin into the money box and Nellie took it and the flowers across the road.

  Dolly was thrilled with the thoughtful gifts and she and Nellie chatted quietly, Joseph sleeping comfortably in Nellie’s arms as she sat in the chair by the bed.

  ‘I think Aggie’s missing having something to tell us all now Ezra’s gone,’ Nellie said.

  ‘It was so sad. I wish I could have helped him out,’ Dolly replied.

  ‘Ezra was a law unto himself, Dolly, he would have ended up the same way no matter what. Anyway, you just concentrate on yourself and this little man.’

  ‘Jack’s been so good, Nellie, he adores his boy.’

  ‘That he does. A word of advice, if you don’t mind me saying. Joseph will keep you busy all the time, feeding, washing his clothes and later colic most likely. So remember you have a husband as well. You’ll both be tired and short-tempered but keep the love between you.’

  ‘Thanks, Nellie, I’ll do my best.’

  After an hour or so, Nellie left Dolly to sleep while the going was good.

  Dolly’s laying-in period was ten days and for the first week of his baby son’s life Jack stayed home to help out. He quickly learned to change napkins and spent more than enough time rocking the child in his arms. For the second time in his life, Jack was in love – with his newborn son. With all his help, Dolly was able to sleep and recover from the trauma of childbirth. Sadie and Alice were happy to do what they could and so give the young couple plenty of rest.

  Frank and Joey managed the running of the Emporium perfectly well whilst Jack spent time with his wife and new baby.

  Nellie and Nancy visited every day, if only for an hour, and Dolly welcomed their advice. Soon Dolly was well enough to take Joseph out in his baby carriage. Life was sweet for the Larkins.

  One morning, around eight o’clock, Aggie walked into the Palace and the staff, who were busy cleaning and restocking the bar, noticed she was not her exuberant self.

  ‘I wonder, can I have a private word with Dolly?’ she asked.

  Danny Whitehouse trotted off to the kitchen, where Dolly sat chatting with her cook and maid. A moment later he led Aggie through.

  ‘What’s on your mind, Aggie?’ Dolly asked.

  ‘I’ve brought this for the babby first off,’ the old woman said, handing over a beautifully knitted shawl.

  ‘It’s beautiful, Aggie, thank you. I have to ask, how could you afford it?’

  ‘I begged the wool from the market and made it myself,’ Aggie said proudly.

  ‘Then I thank you again, that makes it extra special,’ Dolly said.

  Aggie sat at the table and accepted tea and cake from Sadie.

  ‘I’ve been making enquiries and Ezra’s brewery is still empty. It don’t belong to anyone now, so why don’t you stake your claim with the council?’

  ‘What would I do with it?’ Dolly asked, but already her mind was considering the idea.

  ‘You could store extra gin there, or even have your own distillery!’

  ‘My finances wouldn’t stretch to getting the repairs done, let alone setting it up as a going concern.’

  ‘Not yet, maybe, but if you don’t put your name on that building, some other bugger will.’

  ‘Aggie has a point,’ Sadie put in.

  ‘All you need is a name plate telling folks it belongs to you and you’re good to go – when you have the money, that is.’

  ‘Would it be that simple?’ Dolly asked.

  ‘Yes! Get yourself to the council and tell them what you’re doing, then all you need is a sign with your name on it, which could be hung on the gates,’ Aggie said.

  ‘I’m not sure what Jack would say about it,’ Dolly said tentatively.

  ‘If I know Jack, he’ll be pleased. You ain’t got time to dilly-dally, my wench, if you want it then take it while you have the chance! It won’t be long before the kids start bostin’ the winders then it’ll be more expense to put it right.’

  Dolly looked at Sadie and Alice who both nodded their agreement.

  ‘You’ll never get another opportunity like this, Dolly,’ Sadie said. ‘Remember when you told Ezra you could only take on another building if it was a free gift? Well, this is it!’

  ‘I’m not sure the council will allow it,’ Dolly proffered.

  ‘It ain’t up to them. Ezra Moreton owned the land and the building and had no one to leave it to,’ Aggie went on.

  ‘I could ask Mr Sharpe to come with me. He’s my solicitor so he’d know the law.’

  ‘Even better!’ Aggie enthused.

  ‘Why don’t you go now? Alice and I can look after Joseph for a couple of hours,’ Sadie offere
d.

  ‘He’ll need a feed…’ Dolly began a little reluctantly.

  ‘He can have a bottle just this once if he wakes,’ Alice said.

  ‘I’ll go and have a word with Mr Sharpe, then,’ Dolly said as she got to her feet. ‘Thank you, Aggie.’

  ‘My pleasure.’ Aggie grinned as she followed Dolly through the bar to the main room.

  ‘Danny, Aggie has earned herself half a dozen free tots today. I’m just popping out, I shouldn’t be too long,’ Dolly called as she grabbed her purse and bag before leaving.

  ‘What have you done to deserve this, then?’ Danny asked as he poured her first drink.

  ‘Wouldn’t you like to know?’ Aggie chuckled.

  Dolly alighted from the cab at Mr Sharpe’s office and was greeted warmly.

  ‘Many congratulations on the birth of your baby,’ Andrew said.

  ‘Thank you, Mr Sharpe,’ Dolly replied, wondering how he knew, then chided herself. Aggie most likely. ‘I’m in need of your expertise on a certain matter.’

  ‘Take a seat, my dear, and explain.’

  Dolly did as she was bid. When she had finished speaking, Mr Sharpe said, ‘I see no reason why you can’t claim ownership, although we should check first with the council. As far as I know there are no living relatives so it belongs to no one at present, but may I suggest – a little financial remuneration to the council may go a long way in helping your cause.’

  ‘A bribe, you mean?’

  ‘Of sorts, although I prefer my words to yours,’ Mr Sharpe said with a little laugh.

  ‘Wouldn’t I need the deeds to the property?’

  ‘It would be my guess they will be in the safe in the office. If you are to visit the council, would you like me to accompany you?’

  ‘Yes please, Mr Sharpe. They might ask questions I can’t answer.’

  ‘Then let us be off,’ he said, grabbing his hat. ‘There is nothing here that can’t wait a while.’

  Dolly was nervous as they arrived at the council office, but Mr Sharpe assured her all would be well. It was he who spoke to the council representative in his best authoritative solicitor’s voice.