by Kitty Neale
Bernie shook his head doubtfully, but said no more as he headed for the kitchen.
Dolly stood up and, walking to the window, she drew the curtains aside. ‘I can’t imagine what’s keeping Kevin.’
‘Maybe he’s met up with his friends and is having a drink—’ Pearl suggested, breaking off with a gasp as another pain shot through her.
Dolly swung round at Pearl’s gasp, her brow creased.
‘If that’s another pain you may be having contractions.’
‘But the baby isn’t due yet.’
‘It could be coming early. We’ll time them, and for Christ’s sake sit down again before you fall down.’ Dolly showed no sympathy as she added, ‘And don’t look at me like a frightened rabbit. You’re only having a baby and there’s no need to make a fuss.’
Kevin’s eyes had flicked up and down the High Street before he stepped outside. It had been months now and surely he was safe? After it happened he’d scoured the newspapers, but there had been nothing, no report of a rape, and he was beginning to think that Mary hadn’t reported it.
Maybe he could risk raising his head a little. With that thought in mind he made for the local pub. If he sat indoors with Pearl for much longer he’d go mad, the silly cow driving him daft with her inane chatter. At one time all he’d thought about was moving out, of finding a place of their own, but that had been put on the back burner now. They’d do it one day, but in the meantime they were fine where they were. With Pearl as big as a house he had no interest in her body, and his mother kept him supplied with pocket money.
He pulled open the bar door, a cloud of cigarette smoke engulfing him as he walked inside.
‘Well, bugger me, look what the cat’s dragged in,’ Nobby said, his smile tight. ‘Has your old woman let you off the leash at last?’
‘Pearl hasn’t got me on a leash. I’ve been a bit under the weather, that’s all.’
‘Don’t take us for mugs, Kevin. We’ve seen you scuttling around on the odd occasion and you looked all right.’
‘My asthma’s been playing me up.’
‘If you say so, but you’ve surfaced just in time. We’re on to a nice little earner and need a driver.’
‘No, thanks, mate. I want to keep my nose clean for a while.’
Nobby’s eyes narrowed. ‘I thought so, and I ain’t too pleased that you left us out of the loop.’
‘What are you talking about?’
‘There’s only one reason why you’d keep your head down for this long and it ain’t got anything to do with asthma. I reckon you did a job without us and nearly got caught.’
‘That’s rubbish. I told you I ain’t been well and I came in here for a drink, not a cross-examination. Now if you don’t mind I’m going to get myself a pint.’ He glanced at the glasses in Nobby and Dick’s hands. ‘Are you ready for another?’
‘Yeah, I wouldn’t say no,’ Dick Smedley said, speaking for the first time.
Nobby nodded an affirmative, but his voice was hard as he said, ‘and once you’ve got them in, we’ll talk again about the little scam we’ve got planned.’
‘You can talk all you like, mate, but I ain’t interested.’
Despite all the cajoling, Kevin refused the job. Nobby was angry, but he didn’t care. As far as he was concerned the bloke was all mouth and he wasn’t intimidated.
At ten thirty, after a good few whisky chasers, Kevin left the pub and staggered across the road. An ambulance was parked outside the café, but his eyes were barely able to focus. He halted in his tracks, swaying, but before he could gather his addled thoughts, it drove off.
With unsteady hands, Kevin let himself in, almost falling up the stairs to the living room, and as soon as his father saw him, he jumped to his feet.
‘It’s about time you turned up. Pearl’s in labour and she’s been taken to hospital.’
‘Where’s Mum?’
‘You weren’t here so she’s gone with Pearl and she ain’t too pleased about it. Well, don’t just stand there, get yourself to the hospital.’
Kevin grinned inanely, trying to focus on his father as he spoke again.
‘Look at the state of you and you ain’t fit to drive, that’s for sure. I’ll call you a taxi.’
With a bemused expression Kevin sank onto the sofa, closed his eyes and knew no more as he fell into a drunken sleep.
‘Kevin! Kevin, wake up!’
‘Wh … what?’
‘I said wake up.’
His mother’s voice sounded loud in his ears and, managing to open one eye, Kevin saw her looming over him.
‘You’ve got a son.’
‘Wh … what?’
‘Christ, you sound like a parrot. Wake up, for Gawd’s sake.’
‘What’s the time?’
‘It’s four o’clock. Now did you hear what I said? You’ve got a son!’
Kevin’s head was thumping and he groaned, trying to pull himself upright, surprised to find himself on the sofa. His mouth was dry, and he grimaced at the bitter acrid taste on his tongue. ‘Any chance of a cup of tea, Mum?’
‘Bloody hell, Kevin. I can’t believe you. I’ve just told you that you’re a father and all you can do is ask for a cup of flaming tea.’
Kevin knuckled his eyes and saw his father coming into the room, his expression showing concern
‘How is she, Dolly?’ Bernie asked.
‘She’s fine, but it was a long labour. Well, Bernie, you’re a grandfather. Pearl gave birth to a lovely, bouncing boy.’
At last Kevin’s brain began to function. ‘Pearl’s had the baby?’
Dolly exhaled loudly. ‘So, you’ve come to life at last. You picked a fine time to go missing and I’ve been stuck at that flaming hospital all night.’
‘She’s actually had the baby?’
‘Am I talking to myself? Yes, she’s had the baby and you have a son.’
‘Christ,’ Kevin said, sinking back with shock.
‘Make us all a drink, Bernie. I’m fair worn out and without any sleep I don’t know how I’m gonna cope with the café today. Bloody hell, who’s gonna do the vegetables?’
‘I can’t believe this, Mum,’ Kevin said as his father scuttled from the room. ‘The baby wasn’t due yet.’
‘He came a bit early, but he’s fine and you can see him later.’
‘And Pearl’s all right?’
‘Yes, of course she is.’
‘Bloody hell, I’m a dad,’ Kevin whispered in awe.
‘I’ve been trying to get that through your thick skull for the last fifteen minutes.’ His mother’s words sounded harsh at first, but now she smiled softly. ‘He’s a lovely baby and the spitting image of you.’
‘Is he?’ Kevin said eagerly. His son! And he couldn’t wait to see him.
‘Here you are,’ Bernie said, passing a cup of tea to Dolly and then handing one to Kevin.
Dolly yawned widely. ‘Trust that girl to go into labour at such an awkward time, and now we’re well and truly stuck.’
‘You could ask Madge to do the vegetables. The new waitress will just have to manage on her own.’
‘I suppose it’s a possibility, but she ain’t gonna be too happy about it. Still, it’ll only be for just over a week. Pearl will be home again then and we can get back to normal.’
‘I don’t see why Kevin can’t give us a hand. If he takes over the counter, I can cover for Madge while she’s working in the kitchen.’
‘Leave it out, Dad. I’m going to the hospital to see my son.’
‘You can’t go yet,’ Dolly said. ‘Visiting time isn’t until one o’clock and there’s nothing to stop you giving us a hand. That goes for every day until Pearl comes home.’
‘But, Mum—’
‘No arguments, Kevin,’ she said, her voice firm. ‘It won’t hurt you to help out. After all, it’s your wife that’s putting us to all this inconvenience, and until she can get back to work we’ll have to pull together.’
Kevin gazed up at
his mother, wanting to argue, but this time he could see that she was in no mood for cajoling. She looked tired, dark rings under her eyes.
Suddenly he was struck by a thought. ‘Hold on, Mum. Pearl won’t be able to work in the café when she comes home. She’ll have the baby to see to and I don’t fancy taking Dad’s place behind the counter permanently.’
‘Don’t worry, son, there’ll be no need for that. I’ve got it all worked out but I’m too tired to talk about it now. I’m gonna have a bath and hopefully it will freshen me up.’
Kevin frowned, wondering what his mother had in mind, but then his mouth tightened. Christ, he dreaded working in the café and, like his mother, he’d be glad when Pearl came home.
Chapter Thirty
Dolly was pacing up and down, the baby held firmly in her arms. ‘One more day off, Pearl, and then you can get back to work.’
‘But how? I can’t leave Johnny.’
‘We just need a routine, that’s all, and I’ve worked it all out.’
‘But—’
‘It’s simple,’ Dolly interrupted. ‘You can start work extra early and I’ll look after the baby while you prepare the vegetables. As long as I’m downstairs by six o’clock it’ll be fine, and you won’t need to be in the kitchen again until it’s time to cook them.’
‘Who’ll look after Johnny while I’m doing that?’
‘Kevin can watch him for an hour or so or, failing that, we can have him with us in the kitchen.’
Pearl ruminated on Dolly’s words. Yes, she could start work early, but would she be able to drag herself out of bed? ‘I’m hardly getting any sleep. Johnny only lasts an hour before he wants another feed.’
Dolly smiled fondly at the baby. ‘Yes, I heard him last night. He’s a hungry little bugger, that’s for sure. The best solution would be to put him on a bottle and then any of us can feed him.’
‘Oh, no, I don’t want to do that!’
‘If he wants feeding that often, it’s probably because you haven’t enough milk to satisfy him. Surely you don’t want to starve the poor little mite?’
‘Not enough milk? But he only woke up once a night when I was in hospital.’
‘While he was in the nursery they probably topped him up with a bottle. After all, they wouldn’t want to disturb all the other mothers in the ward by bringing him to you every hour.’
‘But surely my milk is best for him.’
‘Not if he’s hungry. A bottle would be the best thing. Wait and see, he’ll thrive.’
‘I’m still not sure.’
‘Well I am, so that’s an end to it. Now take Johnny for a minute while I find my purse. I’ll give you the money for all the paraphernalia. You’ll need to buy bottles, teats, and powdered milk. Then in the morning, we can start the new routine.’
Pearl wanted to protest, but was too scared of Dolly to argue. ‘I’ll take Johnny with me to the chemist. It’ll do him good to get a bit of fresh air.’
‘No, it’ll be quicker to go on your own. You can leave him with me,’ Dolly insisted, laying the money on the table and taking Johnny from Pearl’s arms.
With a sigh Pearl did as she was told, and was soon outside, heading for the chemist. She turned the corner, almost colliding with Derek.
‘Oh!’
‘Well, well, I didn’t expect you to be out and about so soon.’
‘Oh … you’ve heard that I’ve had my baby.’
‘Yeah, I heard. I may not be working my stall, but gossip still reaches me. How are you doing?’
Pearl was relieved that Derek wasn’t showing any animosity. His expression was mild. ‘I’m all right, and Dolly insists that I start work again tomorrow.’
‘That soon?’
‘Yes, well, you know Dolly. My mother-in-law rules the roost and we all have to do as she says. Mind you, Kevin won’t be too pleased about having to look after the baby while I’m working in the kitchen.’
His face immediately hardened, mouth grim as he replied, ‘Yeah, somehow I can’t see Kevin as a babysitter. Still, you knew what he was like – Dolly too – before you schemed to marry him. As the saying goes, you made your bed and now you’ve got to lie on it.’
Pearl knew she deserved this, deserved all that Derek threw at her. ‘I hurt you, and I’m sorry, but I didn’t mean to. Really I didn’t.’
‘It’s a bit late for apologies now, Pearl,’ Derek said, and as her eyes met his, he gazed into them for a moment. ‘When I look at you like this, I can’t believe what happened. Dolly told her story, Kevin too, but somehow, along with yours, they don’t ring true. If you want to open up, I’ll listen, and if you’re unhappy, you only have to say the word.’
Pearl tore her eyes away. Time had passed, but even if Derek found out the truth, he might still go for Kevin. No, she had to keep her mouth shut – for both their sakes. ‘It was the truth, Derek, and if you hate me, I don’t blame you.’
He opened his mouth to speak, but she interrupted. ‘I’m sorry. I must go now.’ Bye, Derek,’ she blurted, hurrying away.
Pearl rushed to the chemist, saddened by her encounter with Derek. She had opened up old wounds for him, seen his pain. Oh, if only they didn’t have to see each other, if only she and Kevin could move from this area. Kevin’s nerves had been bad and he had given up looking for work, but he was recovering, and now maybe she could broach the subject again.
Another week passed. Pearl had been home for over two weeks now and disturbed by her’s movements, Kevin turned over in bed. He forced his eyes open to glance at the clock. Bloody hell, it wasn’t even four in the morning and he didn’t know how she got up this early to start work.
‘Kevin! Kevin, where’s the baby?’
He ignored the panic in her voice, saying impatiently, ‘In his bleeding cot. Where do you think?’
‘He isn’t. It’s empty.’
‘What!’ He swung his legs over the side of the bed, his mind jumbled before he had a coherent thought. ‘Maybe Mum’s got him.’
Their eyes met, and without another word they made for Dolly’s room.
As Kevin opened the door, all he could see were two humps in the bed and his heart began to thump in panic.
‘Mum, wake up!’ he shouted. ‘Johnny isn’t in his cot.’
‘Bloody hell, where’s the fire,’ Dolly grumbled as she turned onto her back. ‘I heard him crying in the night again so I brought him in with me.’ She moved the blankets to reveal Johnny snuggled by her side.
‘Christ, Mum, you frightened the life out of us.’
‘Well, that’s nice, ain’t it? I thought I’d give Pearl the chance of a good night’s sleep and this is the thanks I get.’
‘Yeah, sorry, Mum,’ Kevin said, his heart calming down. ‘It was good of you.’
‘I’d better give him his bottle before I start work,’ Pearl said as she stepped forward.
‘He’s already had it, and I’ve changed his nappy. The poor little mite was soaking wet,’ Dolly said reproachfully, and then her tone broaching no argument she added, ‘he can stay with me and you can put the kettle on.’ Kevin glared at his wife, his voice equally harsh. ‘You daft cow Pearl. I’m going back to bed and I don’t appreciate being woken up for nothing.’
Pearl saw her husband storm off, and chastened by both him and his mother, she headed for the kitchen. Whilst waiting for the kettle to boil, she had a quick wash, finding her breasts hard and painful, engorged with milk as she gingerly took off her nightdress. Tears filled her eyes as a feeling of helplessness washed over her. In the short time she’d been home from the hospital, Dolly had taken over her son, so much so that she hardly felt that Johnny was hers. Even his name had been Dolly’s choice, Kevin happily falling in with his mother’s suggestion.
The kettle began to whistle, and hurriedly throwing on her dressing gown, Pearl rushed to make the tea, carrying two cups through to Dolly’s bedroom as soon as it had brewed.
‘About time too,’ her mother-in-law complained.
‘Morning, Pearl,’ Bernie said, but his eyes were on the baby snuggled between them. ‘Look at him, he’s spark out, but how come he’s in with us every morning?’
It was Dolly who answered, ‘The poor little nipper was screaming his lungs out, but as usual Pearl didn’t hear him. Honestly, I don’t know how she sleeps through it. I always heard Kevin when he was a baby.’
Unable to believe that she’d failed to hear Johnny crying again, Pearl’s eyes filled with tears. What sort of mother was she?
‘Get going, girl,’ Dolly snapped. ‘There’s work to be done, but you’re standing there like a tit in a trance.’
Pearl nodded, throwing one last glance at her son before leaving the room. He looked so snug and cute sandwiched between her in-laws, but her arms ached to hold him, to console him for not hearing his cries. Pearl dashed her tears away. The sooner she prepared the vegetables, the sooner she’d be back again and for a while she’d have Johnny to herself. She hurriedly dressed and, without bothering to drink her tea, dashed downstairs.
That afternoon, when she finished cooking the vegetables, and despite Dolly’s scowl, Pearl went across to see Bessie, the woman smiling as she went into the shop.
‘Hello, love,’ she said, moving to look into the pram, her face soft as she gazed at Johnny. ‘He’s thriving.’
‘Yes, and it seems Dolly was right about putting him on the bottle.’
‘If you say so. Anyway, what’s up, love? You seem a bit down in the mouth.’
‘Nothing really.’
‘Don’t give me that. Now come on, tell me what the problem is.’
Pearl sighed. ‘It’s just that I don’t hear Johnny crying in the night and I feel like a useless mother.’
‘Considering that you have to be up at four in the morning, it ain’t surprising.’
‘Dolly said she never failed to hear Kevin when he was a baby.’
‘Huh, I can see she’s still holding herself up as a saint.’
‘She wakes for Johnny, and I don’t.’
‘If you ask me, you shouldn’t have to work in the café. When is Kevin going to get a job?’
‘I don’t know. I mentioned it yesterday, but he said his nerves are still bad.’
