The Midwives of Lark Lane

by Pam Howes

  ‘I’m sure she’ll jump at the chance,’ Millie said. ‘She’s used to cleaning and cooking for quite a few. She had a large brood before they all fled the nest, and she also looked after her mam and dad until they died.’

  ‘She sounds like the perfect housekeeper,’ Karen said.

  Jean nodded. ‘She does indeed. Will you line her up, Alice? Let her know what we’re doing, and see if she’s interested.’

  ‘I will,’ Alice replied. ‘And I’ve just had another thought. We had a foreman called Freddie who was a great gardener and he’s also Cathy’s godfather. He’s semi-retired now and always looking for odd jobs in the area. He has a card in the post office window. Do we need a part-time gardener?

  ‘We will do, definitely. We won’t have time to do it ourselves so we’d need to get a man in. He sounds perfect. Put him on the list, Alice.’

  ‘This is great,’ Millie said. ‘It’ll be like old times back at the factory, but instead of planes and bombs, it’ll be prams for transport, and babies on the production line. I feel quite left out of things now, but I’m no nurse or midwife, so I’d be no use to you as staff.’

  Jean raised an eyebrow. ‘How are you at office work and answering the phone, Millie? We’ll need a receptionist and someone to man the office. There’ll be a lot of filing of notes and records to keep. It needs to be done properly as the powers-that-be from the NCT, and no doubt the NHS and social services, will do checks on us from time to time. It’ll be a case of keeping the books balanced and all that.’

  ‘Millie does all my books and paperwork,’ Jimmy spoke up. ‘And she’s never off our bloody phone! She can talk for England. I reckon she’d make a cracking secretary and receptionist. Might as well as keep it in the family and if Cathy’s going to be surrounded by her godparents she might as well as have her other godmother on board as well,’ he teased.

  ‘I’ll put you on the list then,’ Alice said, grinning. ‘This is all so exciting. I can’t wait.’

  ‘Just the permissions to be granted now and we’ll crack on,’ Johnny said.

  ‘I told Cathy I’m giving half of the money from my mam’s place to her to put into the business,’ Gianni said. ‘I think it’s a good investment.’

  ‘Thank you, Gianni,’ Johnny said. ‘That’s more than generous of you. Property is always a good investment if you pick the right place and I feel we’re onto a winner here. We can pay some of the mortgage off with your contribution.’

  Gianni smiled and looked at Cathy. ‘You’re okay with that, aren’t you?’

  ‘I am, if you are. Feels like we’re doing something really good together and that makes me very happy.’

  ‘All our dads are willing to chip in as well,’ Jean said. ‘Every penny helps.’

  ‘Well I think this has been a very productive meeting. Let’s all drink a toast to Woodlands Maternity Home then,’ Jimmy said, raising his glass. ‘Here’s to Woodlands, and all who give birth in her.’

  Sixteen

  Jack packed his belongings away and stowed the bag in his allocated cupboard in the shared caravan, placing Gianni’s sketchbook underneath and making sure it was well hidden from view just in case the door flew open when the caravan was on the move. He swigged down the mug of coffee he’d made and limped back outside to join the other hands on what was proving to be a very busy afternoon.

  The fair was in the process of packing up for the long-awaited move to Liverpool, where they’d be staying until the end of August. He couldn’t wait. He’d been told by Lenny that they’d be hitching up in Sefton Park for two full weeks. He missed his home city but he wouldn’t be reacquainting himself with any old friends when they got there. He’d check out a few places, see what was happening, but his visit was mainly to see what Cathy was up to.

  He wondered if his eldest daughter Sandra was still at school; at fifteen she was due to leave, surely. In his opinion kids should be getting jobs, not idling around taking exams until they were old enough to vote. His own teens and early twenties had been ruined by the war and then he’d lumbered himself with Alice and her brat. His life had not been his own from that day on, until his recent escape from that prison van. It felt good to be free of all responsibilities and to only have himself to think about.

  He’d become closer to Eloisa in the last few days, but not so close that he wanted to get too involved. A man in his position couldn’t afford to get too close to anyone. When she questioned him about his past he’d had to think on the spot and make stuff up. Keeping track of what he’d told her wasn’t easy. Still, not long now; he’d take his revenge on the woman who’d ruined his life and then he’d be off. He might take the steamer to the Isle of Man when he left Liverpool. He quite fancied living by the sea and he’d need another place to hide out as by the time he’d finished in Liverpool, there’d be more than a search warrant out for his arrest.

  Alice laughed as Marlene flung her plump arms around her. ‘So you fancy the job then?’ she asked her old workmate, whose face was wreathed in smiles.

  ‘I’ll say I do,’ Marlene replied. ‘It sounds right up my street. What a lovely idea to open a nice home like that.’

  ‘I’m so glad you want to join us. I’m not sure what hours you’ll be working until we get going properly. But I’m sure it’ll all work out to suit you.’

  ‘We can play it by ear,’ Marlene said. ‘When do you think it’ll be ready to open?’

  ‘Johnny reckons by the new year. They’ve got the keys now and are clearing stuff out and doing repairs to the roof. The plans for the home go before the committee this week and we’re just hoping it gets past. It’s all hands on deck once that happens. They’ve got most of the finance in place.’

  ‘I can’t see they’ll turn it down,’ Marlene mused. ‘There are plenty of young girls in need of a bit of help when they get themselves into trouble.’

  Alice nodded. ‘Many have no one to turn to. Our midwives are kindness itself. They’ll help them get back on their feet, no matter which path they choose to take after giving birth.’

  ‘I’m sure they will. And them that can pay a fee will get the best care there is. Better than a hospital bed any day.’

  Alice got to her feet. ‘Right, well I’ll pass on the good news to the others and as soon as I can let you know about when you can start I will. It’ll be before we open so that you can get the kitchen organised and let the girls know exactly what you’ll need. I’m off to see Freddie now to offer him a gardening and odd-job man position. Keep your fingers crossed that he’ll join us.’

  ‘He’ll jump at it,’ Marlene said. ‘You mark my words. Be like old times. I’m looking forward to it already.’

  ‘And me.’

  Freddie was just going out as Alice called on him, but he welcomed her indoors.

  ‘I won’t keep you a minute,’ she said. ‘I should have phoned you but I was round the corner at Marlene’s and thought I’d take a chance that you were in.’

  ‘I’m only off to the allotment for an hour to get from under my missus’s feet,’ he said. ‘It’s good to see you, Alice. Come through to the back room.’

  Alice followed him into the tidy room and took a seat of the sofa he pointed at. She could see his wife through the window, pegging out washing.

  ‘Now what can I do for you?’

  Alice told him why she was there and he beamed and nodded.

  ‘That would be smashing, queen. I’d love to be involved. And you say Marlene and Millie will be working there as well? It’ll be Rootes part two.’

  ‘Freddie, I’m so happy you’ll be joining us,’ Alice said. ‘And the others will all be thrilled to bits. It’ll be a great team and I’m sure the whole thing will be a success. I’ll get in touch again as soon as I have more news. I need to get off now so I can pick Roddy up from school.’

  Freddie showed Alice to the door, his wide smile splitting his face. ‘Catch up with you soon, gel.’

  Alice waved and dashed away, feeling accomplished. She c
ouldn’t wait for everything to fall neatly into place. She thought back to how far she’d come since she had first worked with Millie, Marlene and Freddie at Rootes during the war, and the twists and turns her life had taken since then and now how all the threads were pulling them together again. She was a great believer in fate and the saying, ‘what will be, will be’. Hopefully the next few months would fly by with no major problems and they could start 1964 with everything to look forward to.

  Gianni stood by Sefton Park gates with Lucy on his shoulders as the trucks and caravans drove past him and found places to park. They waved to everyone as each truck arrived and Lucy laughed as the passengers waved and made silly faces at her. Once Luca had parked, he came dashing across the grass to greet them. ‘Good to see you again, Dad.’ Gianni lifted Lucy down and bent to whisper to her, ‘This is your grandpa, Lucy, remember, I told you he was coming today.’

  Lucy nodded and smiled shyly. Luca got down to her level on one knee and spoke gently.

  ‘Hello, Lucy. It’s so nice to see you again.’ He held out his hand and she took it, looking up at Gianni for permission to go with Luca. ‘You have to pull me up. My knee hurts a bit today. Can you do that for me?’

  ‘Which knee?’ Lucy asked, frowning.

  ‘This one.’ Luca pointed to his left knee, the one he wasn’t kneeling on.

  Lucy let go of his hand, leaned over and dropped a kiss on his knee and then patted it. ‘That’s better now. Come on, I help you up, Grandpa.’

  Gianni smiled. ‘She’s taking after her mammy. Another nurse in the making.’

  ‘No bad thing there,’ Luca said, giving Lucy a hug. ‘And she’ll be a good one. My knee feels so much better already. Let’s go and see Maria. She has something special for you to do.’

  Gianni followed them to his dad’s caravan, where Maria flung open the door, her arms open wide. ‘Welcome, come on in. Oh it is so good to see you both!’ She gave Gianni a hug and a peck on his cheek and enveloped Lucy, who happily hugged her back and gave Maria a kiss.

  ‘Oh, she’s not at all shy,’ Maria said with delight. ‘I was so worried she wouldn’t remember us at all,’ she said to Gianni. ‘Lucy, come and see what I’ve made for you.’ Maria led the way to the dining area and opened a tin that was sitting in the middle of the table. She lifted out several gingerbread men and put them on a plate. ‘Would you like to give them all eyes and a mouth? I’ll show you how while your daddy and grandpa take a look around the fairground.’

  Lucy nodded and climbed up onto the bench seat, smiling broadly.

  Maria covered her clothes with a dainty pink-and-white gingham apron. ‘I made this for you. We don’t want to get your dress messy, now, do we?’

  ‘Thanks, Maria,’ Gianni said.

  ‘I thought doing this would keep her occupied. It’s too busy out there right now, and far too dangerous for a little child to be wandering around. I know you two will want to get ready for working together again.’

  Luca nodded. ‘It’s been a long time. We need to get the wall of death barrel erected and do a rehearsal as soon as possible.’

  ‘Well off you go then. Come back in an hour and I will have some tea and cake ready for you both.’

  Jack slunk down behind the trailer housing the waltzer ride as he watched Luca and Gianni make their way across to the wall of death trailer. He frowned, wondering what the score would be now they’d all arrived in Liverpool and whether Gianni would be back working with the bike show. He’d need to keep as low a profile as he could until he knew what was happening. He didn’t for one minute think Gianni would recognise him, but even so, he was taking no chances. Eloisa would no doubt fill him in with updates when she found out if Gianni was back for good. He could also do with finding out where Cathy was living now and, if she was still nursing, at which hospital she was based. ‘All in good time, Jack,’ he muttered as Lenny called out for him to come and help unload the waltzer cars. ‘All in good time.’

  As the fairground hands and Jack lifted the cars from the trailer, and Lenny and two others fixed the sides and the floor of the waltzer together, Jack spotted Eloisa making her way to her mother’s caravan. He whistled through his fingers to gain her attention and she spun around and waved at him. He beckoned her over but she shook her head and mouthed ‘later’ as she ran up the caravan steps. He frowned and carried on with his chores. Not like her to practically ignore him. Maybe she thought Gianni was in the van. He felt a twinge of jealousy. Well she’d soon find out he wasn’t because Jack could hear the roar of motorbike engines and guessed Gianni and Luca were preparing to ride around the park. He turned his attention to what Lenny was saying about making sure each car was firmly bolted to the floor.

  Eloisa hurried up the steps of the caravan, a smile fixed firmly in place. She’d just heard from her hook-a-duck assistant that Gianni had been seen earlier. She hoped he’d be inside talking to his dad. But the smile quickly left her face when she spotted Lucy with Maria at the table. ‘What’s she doing here? Where’s Luca and Gianni?’

  ‘Eloisa,’ Maria chastised. ‘That’s no way to speak to the child. She’s here helping me to decorate the biscuits while her daddy and grandpa are erecting their ride. And she’s doing a very good job too.’

  Lucy smiled with importance and stared at Eloisa with her solemn dark eyes.

  Eloisa looked away. The brat was so like her mother, apart from her eyes that were Gianni’s eyes, deep, dark and huge. ‘So they’re out unpacking everything? I’ll go and see if I can help.’

  ‘Don’t you be getting under their feet, now. You should be setting up your own stall.’

  ‘It’s ready. There’s nothing else much to do. It only took us half an hour.’

  ‘Then make yourself useful and see if anyone else needs a hand. There’s a lot to do before tomorrow’s opening night, as I’m sure you are well aware.’

  Eloisa rolled her eyes. ‘See you later,’ she said and stomped off outside, slamming the door behind her.

  Maria shook her head. ‘That girl,’ she muttered.

  ‘Is she naughty?’ Lucy asked, peering up at Maria from under her fringe.

  ‘Sometimes, yes, she’s very naughty,’ Maria said, smoothing Lucy’s hair from out of her worried eyes. ‘But don’t you worry about her. Let’s finish these gingerbread men and then we can have them with our tea when your daddy and grandpa come back. And you can pick one to take home for your mammy later.’

  Eloisa hurried over to the wall of death ride and looked around for Gianni. Marco popped his head over the parapet and asked her what she wanted.

  ‘Just came to say hi to Gianni,’ she said, flicking her long hair back over her shoulders. She didn’t really like Marco and he made it quite clear he didn’t really approve of her. Since she’d lost the baby that his son had fathered, he’d always treated her coldly, only speaking to her when he had to. He’d been angry with Alessandro and sent him back to Italy to his grandparents’ home, but he was always saying how much he missed him, probably just to make her feel bad, Eloisa thought.

  ‘He’s out across the park with Luca, giving the bikes a run.’

  Eloisa nodded and walked away. She looked up at the cloudless blue sky and smiled. Looked like they were in for a hot weekend, which meant the punters would be here in droves tomorrow. She loved it when the fair was busy and the weather was warm and sunny. It made all the difference to her working day. She wandered over to the waltzer, where Dougie had his back to her, stretched out on the floor of the ride fiddling around with a bag of tools. She tapped him on the leg and he looked up.

  ‘That was a short visit to your ma’s,’ he said, raising an eyebrow and shuffling forward to the rail to pull himself upright.

  ‘I just needed to use the bathroom quickly,’ she fibbed. ‘Portables are not up and running yet.’

  ‘Oh, aye, thought you might have been to see if she’d got any visitors.’

  Eloisa snorted. ‘She has. Gianni’s little brat is with her.’


  ‘And where are they? He and that wife you’re always telling me you can’t abide.’

  ‘He’s out on the bikes with Luca and she, I presume, is at work. Looks like she’s lumbered him with the kid and he’s dumped her on my mother.’

  He shrugged. ‘Maybe your mother likes having her there.’

  Eloisa stared scornfully at him. ‘Are you mad? Why would she? It’s not as if it’s her own flesh and blood.’

  ‘What’s her name, the wee one?’

  ‘Lucy. Why?’

  ‘I just wondered. That’s all. Wouldn’t do you any harm to be nice to the girl. Not her fault she’s got parents who leave her with anybody.’

  ‘Yeah, right. See you later.’ He was obviously not going to sympathise with her, so she might as well make herself useful elsewhere. ‘Oh, by the way, Dougie,’ she said, turning back. ‘No one has mentioned it being handed over yet, but did you sort out giving that sketchbook back? Because likely as not Gianni will want to take the rest of his stuff later if he’s staying elsewhere with Cathy and not at the van. There won’t be enough room for all of them with the brat as well. And I just know that sketchbook will be one of the first things he’ll look for.’

  ‘Err, no I forgot,’ he muttered. ‘We’ve been so busy with packing up in York and then setting up here. Leave it with me.’

  ‘Oh my God, you are joking? How the hell are you going to give it to Mum without him finding out it’s been missing? You can’t say it was dropped down behind the caravan today because we’ve only been here a few hours, and if you told Mum you picked it up in York she’d have expected you to hand something so private back immediately. You are such a stupid idiot, Dougie. You promised me—’

  He grabbed her arm and pushed his face close to hers. ‘Don’t you ever, and I mean ever, call me an idiot again. If you hadn’t taken it in the first place we wouldn’t have this problem. Now piss off out of my sight. I don’t want to see you again today.’