The Midwives of Lark Lane

by Pam Howes

  ‘Come on, Debs, we’ll do it with you,’ Jean encouraged as Debbie panted slowly and grabbed at the mask again to take a deep breath.

  ‘Another,’ she grunted and pushed hard again.

  ‘That’s it,’ Cathy said. ‘The head is born. Nearly there. Next contraction and it’ll be all over. It’s definitely got auburn hair and your little turned-up nose.’

  As Debbie pushed one more time and Cathy eased out the shoulders and finally the slippery little body, she couldn’t stop the tears rolling down her cheeks as she gazed at the perfect little daughter of her dearest friends. ‘Debs, you’ve got a little girl. Oh my goodness, she’s lovely.’ She wiped her eyes, and then clamped and cut the umbilical cord. After wrapping the tiny baby in a white cotton sheet, she handed Debbie her daughter.

  ‘Well done, Debs and Cathy,’ Jean said, giving Cathy a hug. ‘It’s not easy seeing your friend in pain, but you both did great. She’s a little beauty.’

  ‘I’m amazed she’s a girl,’ Debbie said, choking on her tears. ‘I never thought I’d get a daughter. Oh, Davy will be made up now we’ve got one of each. We’ll definitely need an extension now so she can have her own bedroom. Thank you so much, you two.’

  ‘All in a day’s work,’ Jean said. ‘Isn’t that right, Cathy?’

  Cathy nodded and smiled through her tears. Debbie reached for her hand, sharing the special moment, but Cathy knew they were both also thinking of the baby Cathy had lost. She took a deep breath. ‘I’ll go and ring Davy at his mam’s and let them all know. Any names yet?’

  Debbie shook her head. ‘I was so sure she’d be another boy that we’ve only picked boys’ names. She was going to be Justin. I quite like Alison though. I’ll see what Davy says when he gets here tonight.’

  ‘I’ll get her weighed and properly cleaned up while Jean delivers the placenta and finishes sorting you out,’ Cathy said, taking the baby from Debbie. She laid her on the table on a nappy and caught all the corners up together, slipping the hook of the scales through all four corners. ‘Seven pound three ounces,’ she announced. ‘Smaller than Jonathon was, but a good weight for a dainty little girl.’ She washed the baby’s hair and gently wiped her body clean, pinned on a nappy and slipped a tiny cotton gown on her. Big blue eyes looked back at her and Cathy could see her friend in every inch of her face: her nose, lips, eyes and hair colour. She was the double of her mummy.

  Eleven

  Back on the ward Cathy finished her shift and said goodbye to Debbie until tomorrow. She spoke to Davy, who sounded delighted by the news and said he’d be there as soon as he was allowed back in. He reminded her to let Gianni know about the house. She set off to go back to Women’s Medical. Granny was still sleeping and Sister told her she’d been like that all day. They’d set up a saline drip to stop her from becoming dehydrated. Sister asked her to come into the office and take a seat.

  Cathy sat down and chewed her lip as Sister opened the sheaf of notes on her desk. ‘I’m sorry, Nurse Romano but it really isn’t good news I’m afraid. The X-rays showed your grandmother has a huge shadow on her lungs. We will conduct a further X-ray tomorrow depending on how she is, but blood test results also show her red blood cell count is low and the white count is very high. We also noticed that her gums bleed easily, and she had a nosebleed earlier. She has a number of bruises on her body, her arms and legs and her torso. This is common with a high white-cell count. But her lethargy and shortness of breath are also signs that Doctor Munro says point to a condition called AML, acute myeloid leukaemia.’

  Cathy stared at Sister with her mouth open. ‘She has had a few nosebleeds recently, but she put it down to blowing her nose too hard,’ she said, her voice wobbling. She wiped her eyes. ‘And those bruises Granny says are because she’s always bumping into things now her eyesight’s failing a bit. I should have guessed she had more than just a bad chesty cough, but she’s so stubborn and refused to see a doctor for months. I feel terrible for not realising things were more serious.’

  Cathy was silent for a moment as she choked on a sob, then went on: ‘I know she has had angina for a few years now as well. I had to practically force her to go to the doctors’ with me. I guess at Granny’s age there’s not a lot can be done now.’ She sighed. ‘I really do feel bad. So what will happen next?’

  ‘Well, like I say, maybe another X-ray tomorrow and possibly further blood tests. But I’m afraid your grandmother is a very poorly lady and the best we can do for her now is make sure she’s kept comfortable and hydrated. You’ll find she will probably sleep most of the time. My nurses are preparing a small side room for her and we’ll transfer her into it later. It’ll be more private and you can pop in any time you like to see her. I know you are her only relative.’

  Cathy swallowed hard and nodded. ‘My mam works here a couple of days a week. Granny was her mother-in-law until my dad died. She’s very fond of her. Can she come in too?’

  ‘Of course. Tell her to make herself known to either me or any of my nurses.’

  Cathy nodded. ‘I will. She’s Auxiliary Nurse Harrison. She works on the children’s ward down the corridor from here.’

  Sister smiled. ‘Ah, I’ve met your mother. Alice, isn’t it? I’ll look out for her. Now you get yourself off home, you look worn out. If there are any changes at all we’ll ring you at once.’

  ‘Please do,’ Cathy said, sniffing back her tears. ‘No matter what time it is. My stepfather will bring me in.’ She got to her feet and, thanking Sister, left the ward on legs that didn’t feel like they’d hold her up for much longer. The bus was just pulling up as she got to the stop and she climbed on board and sank onto a seat at the back, dabbing at her eyes with a hanky.

  ‘Bad day, queen?’ the conductor asked as he gave her a ticket and took her fare.

  ‘So-so,’ Cathy answered with a half-smile. ‘I’ll be glad to get home and put my feet up for a while.’ She closed her eyes for a few minutes. It had been the most emotionally draining day she’d had in a long time, and it wasn’t over yet.

  ‘Take my car and drive to Liverpool now. You should be with your wife,’ Luca said and Maria nodded her agreement. Gianni had just come back from the phone box looking pale and anxious. Cathy’s granny was very poorly in hospital, he’d told them, and Cathy had been really upset on the phone. ‘Go on, boy. We can manage. Give you time to catch up with that little girl of yours as well.’

  ‘What about the show? How will you do it with just the two of you?’

  ‘Marco and I will improvise. Your place is with Cathy and Lucy. It sounds like it’s the final days for her granny and she’ll need you with her when the end comes.’ He handed Gianni the keys to his two-tone, yellow-and-black Ford Consul, his pride and joy. Gianni had passed his test in the car at his dad’s insistence and was familiar with it. Luca also handed him a five-pound note. ‘Fill it up,’ he instructed. ‘There’s a garage down the road. Drive safely and give our love to Cathy and our little Lucy. I’ll call Cathy’s mother’s house tomorrow night before we start the show. Write down the phone number for me, son.’

  While Gianni wrote down the number, Maria hurriedly packed him a bag of clothes and toiletries. She gave him a hug. ‘Drive carefully and safely and stay with your family as long as you need to.’

  ‘We’re in Liverpool later this month so no need to rush back up here. Stay with them and look after them,’ Luca said, patting him on the back. ‘We’ve got that new labourer Dougie on board to help us for a while and he seems to be shaping up okay.’ They waved him off and Luca shook his head. ‘It’s time Gianni settled down with Cathy; either her here with him, or him back home with her. One of them is going to have to compromise at some point. They can’t go on forever living apart like this. It’s not right for the child, as I well know.’

  Maria rolled her eyes. ‘That’s wishful thinking on your part, my love. I feel they should be together, too. But they are as stubborn as each other.’

  Alice opened the door, leaving the ch
ain on. Who on earth was knocking at this time of night? Feeling jumpy, thinking of Jack, she peered cautiously through the gap and gasped. ‘Gianni!’

  ‘Hello, Alice, it’s so good to see you,’ Gianni said as she gave him a hug.

  ‘Oh, come on in. Cathy will be so pleased to see you. She hasn’t stopped crying since she came home from work. It’s been quite a day for her.’ Alice caught her breath and went on, ‘She’s in the front sitting room curled up on the big sofa bed. She may even have fallen asleep, but don’t worry about waking her up, she’ll be that thrilled to have you here.’

  Alice pushed open the door and peeped in. The curtains were closed and the red-shaded lamp in the corner cast a warm glow around the room. The radio was playing softly in the background. Her daughter was half-dozing, but still sobbing softly into a cushion. She obviously hadn’t heard Gianni’s knock at the door. ‘Cathy,’ Alice whispered and shook her by the shoulder. ‘You’ve got a visitor, love. I’ll leave you to catch up with him. Call me when you want a drink or anything.’ She nodded at Gianni to go in, closed the door behind him and rejoined Johnny in the back room. He was watching the news on the telly. Since her discovery in the paper about Jack they had watched every report they could but there was still no news of his capture. ‘Gianni’s just arrived,’ Alice said, sitting down beside him.

  ‘Oh that’s good news, love,’ he said, smiling. ‘Just what Cathy needs right now.’

  Cathy stared at Gianni as if she’d seen a ghost. She jumped up and he caught her in his arms and held her tight, raining kisses on her face as she sobbed in his arms. ‘I can’t believe you’re here,’ she said. ‘I’m probably asleep and dreaming.’

  ‘You’re not,’ he whispered into her hair. ‘Dad told me to come home to Liverpool tonight. He’s lent me his car. I came as soon as I could. I’m so sorry about your granny, Cath, I really am. But I’m here for you now and I’ll stay with you until the fair comes to Liverpool at the end of the month.’

  ‘Thank you. I don’t think she’s going to last that long if I’m honest, but I’m so glad you are here with me. Lucy will go mad when she sees you in the morning.’

  ‘I can’t wait to give her a cuddle.’

  ‘Have you had anything to eat tonight?’

  He shook his head. ‘Maria was about to dish up supper when I got back from the phone box.’

  Cathy nodded. ‘Let’s go in the back and I’ll make you some cheese on toast and a brew. Johnny and Mam won’t mind us invading.’

  Gianni followed her into the back room, where Johnny greeted him and made room on the sofa. ‘Good to see you, Gianni. Sit yourself down. Nice that you’ve come home to support our Cathy. We’ve just been watching the news. They’ve still not picked up that Dawson bastard. Well, there’s nothing on the news again tonight to say different anyway. He’d better not show his face around here or he’ll have me and Jimmy to answer to.’

  ‘And me,’ Gianni said. ‘Couldn’t believe it when Cathy told me he’d escaped. I hardly see the telly with working at night and I rarely catch sight of the paper after it’s done the rounds. I suppose he’ll be long gone now. Lost up in Scotland or lying low for a few months.’

  Cathy shuddered. ‘Don’t let’s talk about him. Makes me feel all weird, knowing he’s out there somewhere. Anyway, Mam, Gianni’s had nothing to eat tonight so I’m going to make him some cheese on toast and a cuppa. Do you two want anything?’

  ‘No thanks, love. We’ve had some supper earlier while you were dozing. Go on back in the front room and I’ll make Gianni something. You must have loads to talk about. You can grab some blankets and sheets and pillows from upstairs and pull out the sofa bed. You’ll never both manage on that little bed upstairs in Lucy’s room and besides, you’ll want a bit of time to yourselves. Go on, get it sorted out and I’ll bring your food through when it’s ready.’

  By the time Alice brought his supper in Gianni had pulled out the sofa bed mattress and he and Cathy had made it up with bedding, ready for the night.

  ‘That looks nice and cosy. Gives you both a bit of space as well. Cathy’s got a lot to tell you that she couldn’t get out on the phone with her crying so much. I’ll leave you both to it.’ Alice left the room and closed the door as Gianni stretched out on the bed and held his arms out to Cathy, who joined him.

  She reached for the little tray her mam had put his supper on and gave it to him. ‘Eat first while I tell you all the news and then we can catch up properly.’

  He smiled, a twinkle in his eyes. ‘Good. I hate that your granny is so ill, but I’m really grateful that we have this time together. I’m looking forward to loving you all night long.’

  Cathy stroked his cheek. ‘So am I,’ she whispered. ‘It feels like it’s been forever.’

  ‘Right, well tell me what’s been going on then, apart from Granny being so poorly.’ He bit into his toast and rolled his eyes with pleasure. ‘You can’t beat nice strong Cheddar.’

  ‘Well, for starters, I helped to deliver Debbie and Davy’s baby daughter today,’ she began. His eyes opened wide. ‘She’s beautiful. A tiny version of Debbie with the auburn hair.’

  ‘Oh, sweetheart, I bet that was hard for you, seeing your best friend in agony as well as bringing back thoughts of the baby we should have had.’

  ‘It was. But it was also a very special and precious moment in my life that I’ll never forget. I felt so emotional as I held Debbie’s daughter.’

  Gianni nodded and held her tight. ‘I’m sure you did,’ he whispered into her hair. ‘I can’t wait to catch up with them. I suppose Debs will be in hospital for a while though.’

  ‘About another week. She did very well, so apart from resting she won’t need to stay in too long. I feel dead proud of her. And,’ Cathy continued, ‘they’ve got the mortgage through on the house. I was supposed to ask you tonight if you’d got things sorted with your solicitor but I couldn’t speak, as you know.’

  ‘Oh that’s just brilliant!’ Gianni exclaimed. ‘I’ll set the ball rolling tomorrow. I couldn’t be home at a better time, well apart from the main reason behind it,’ he added, shaking his head sadly. He finished his supper while Cathy snuggled up silently beside him.

  ‘Right,’ he said when he’d finished eating and drunk his tea. ‘I need a pee and to brush my teeth. Can I have a quick look in at Lucy as well? I promise not to wake her.’

  ‘Of course you can. Come on.’ Cathy got to her feet and carried the tray back into the kitchen. She accompanied him upstairs and sat on the top stair while he used the bathroom. Together, they opened the door to where Lucy was curled up asleep on her bed in her little pink room, surrounded by teddies, her long dark hair fanned out all over the pillow and her long dark lashes flickering gently in sleep.

  Gianni took a deep breath and blew a kiss into the room. ‘She’s growing up so quickly. She’s just beautiful.’ He took Cathy’s hand and laced his fingers through hers. They stood silently for a few seconds, staring at their daughter.

  ‘Come on,’ Cathy said softly, closing the bedroom door. ‘We need some time to ourselves now.’

  Jack accepted the glass of vodka and coke from Eloisa, who invited him to sit on the grass and dropped down next to him. The mid-July night was warm and still fairly light from the half-moon shining in a clear starlit sky. Someone had lit a campfire away from the living wagons and a couple of the hands were strumming guitars and singing folk songs. The small crowd sitting around the fire seemed relaxed and called out greetings to him. Today had been good and he’d really enjoyed himself. Everyone was so friendly and helpful and had gone out of their way to make him feel at home. He’d been kept busy by Lenny, sorting out all sorts of problems: cleaning up after kids puking on the ghost train, selling tickets to Ferris wheel riders, and taking over on the rifle range when the lad in charge had been rushed to hospital with stomach pains. The stall was opposite Eloisa’s hook-a-duck game and she’d been giving him come-on glances from under her dark fringe all night, making his
pulse race and his balls tingle. Ronnie seemed oblivious to his girlfriend’s flirty ways and Jack wondered what the score was between the pair.

  Late afternoon the boss’s son had turned up, looking anxious. It was the first Jack had seen of him and he was surprised to see it was Gianni, the biker Cathy had been seeing. He kept well back away from them and stayed hidden behind a tree while observing what was going on. That was all he bloody needed, Gianni spotting him and blowing his cover. It was a good few years since their paths had crossed and in his present guise Jack didn’t think he would recognise him, but he was taking no chances. Eloisa was all over the lad, greeting him with a hug, but she’d been pushed to one side as he’d spoken agitatedly to Luca and Maria and had then been given a bag by Maria and had driven off in Luca’s fancy car.

  Jack had caught some of the conversation, that he needed to be home with his family, but who was his family and why did he need to be home with them when surely all fair people lived on site? He got the gist that Gianni was part of the bike show and was concerned about leaving his dad and uncle in the lurch. He’d need to make sure he kept out of Gianni’s way when he came back until he got the measure of what was going on. There’d been no sign of Cathy. They must have split up and he’d got a wife and kids somewhere that he was going off to join. Cathy would still be nursing, he reckoned. Well, the hospital was where he was planning to start looking for her anyway, when he eventually made it home to Liverpool. That bitch had it coming to her.

  He knocked the drink back and jumped to his feet. ‘I’m off to bed, lads,’ he announced to the other hands, who were sharing a joint now. He was surprised the boss allowed it, given that they were all pissed, too. Or more like, he didn’t know what they got up to once the fair closed for the night.