by Joan Jonker
‘No one could give her an answer to those questions, my dear. They’d only be hazarding a guess and that would be very wrong. My advice is to make little of it, leave her with some hope. I never give a new mother bad news unless I’m forced to. Far better for them to find out gradually than have it sprung on them. In my opinion, the legs will both grow at the same rate, so one will always be shorter than the other, leaving the child with a permanent limp. But that can be rectified to a small degree by having special shoes made.’
‘I’ll get Dot Baker to tell her, they’re very close. And I know she’ll find the right words to say so Mary doesn’t get too upset.’ Gertrude wrapped the blanket around the baby and settled her in the middle of Maggie’s bed. ‘Thank you for coming out, Doctor, I appreciate it.’
‘There’s something else she’ll ask, too, Gertrude. She’ll want to know if the beating her husband gave her is responsible for the handicap. The answer to that is “no”. The trauma of the beating may have caused the baby to arrive a few weeks early, but this slight deformity has been present since the day of conception.’
‘I’ll explain all that to Dot and she can tell Mary in her own way. Now, I’ll see you out and have a word with her friends before taking myself off home. I’m bone weary and don’t know whether I’ve got feet on me or not.’
‘Is it not time you retired, Gertrude?’
‘There’s days when I would agree with you, but not today. I’m glad I was here for Mary, she would have been lost and alone in hospital.’ The little woman drew herself up to her full height. ‘Did I tell you she’s called the baby after me?’
‘A well-deserved compliment, my dear.’ Hunger pangs gripped the doctor as he walked downstairs with her. He’d barely eaten anything since breakfast and was more than ready for his dinner. And if he wasn’t mistaken, the delicious smell coming from their kitchen when he left the house was roast pork, his favourite. With the crackling off the joint, crispy roast potatoes and his wife’s apple sauce, you couldn’t beat it.
‘Tell Mary I’ll call in tomorrow to see her.’ Dr Gray righted his wayward spectacles as he stepped into the street. ‘And give my regards to her friends.’
‘I’m going to have a word with them now, before I leave. It’s best they know what the situation is before they see Mary. The last thing she needs is shocked faces and words of sympathy.’
The nurse began to close the front door. ‘Thanks again, Doctor, and good night.’
Dot waited until Colin was in bed before explaining to Katy. ‘They’ve asked me to tell her, but I’m dreading it.’
There were tears in Katy’s eyes. ‘Ah, Mam, that’s terrible! Fancy a little baby like that, it doesn’t seem fair. And I’m awful sorry for Mrs Campbell. But perhaps the doctor’s made a mistake, Mam, yer never know.’
‘No, sunshine, because Gertrude knew before she sent for him. And Betty noticed when she was washing the baby, but she didn’t have the heart to tell anyone.’ Dot shook her head sadly. ‘I wish to God they were mistaken.’
John drew in his legs and sat forward on the chair. ‘Dot, a few hours ago, Mary gave birth to a beautiful baby girl and we all laughed and cried with happiness. And our hearts were filled with love for her. Do you love her any the less, now?’
Dot looked horrified. ‘Of course not! How can you even think such a thing?’
John clasped his hands between his knees. ‘I was as devastated as everyone else when Gertrude told us. But she is still a beautiful baby, nothing has changed that. And she’ll still be beautiful as she grows older. It is very sad if she has to go through life with a limp, but children are born every day with worse handicaps than that and still manage to enjoy a full life. And that’s the line I think you should take with Mary. Don’t go in there looking sad or hold her hand while you sympathise with her. Keep a smile on that pretty face of yours and tell her she has a beautiful baby, we all adore her, and it isn’t the end of the world.’
Dot’s eyes never left his face as she digested every word. Then she let out a deep sigh. ‘I needed that lecture, John, to put things in perspective. Ye’re right, of course, I would have gone in there and cried me eyes out while I was telling her. But your little speech has brought me to me senses. This is a day for rejoicing, not worrying about what might happen in the future.’ She managed a smile. ‘For being so clever, yer can come with me to see Mary.’
‘Ooh, Mam, can I come as well?’ Katy bounced on the chair with excitement. ‘I’m dying to see the baby.’
‘I don’t think that would be a good idea, sunshine. Besides, I don’t like leaving our Colin in the house on his own.’
‘Colin’s fast asleep, he won’t come to any harm for ten minutes,’ John said. ‘And I think Katy would be good for Mary.’
‘Why do I always end up giving in to you?’ Dot narrowed her eyes. ‘D’yer know, I give in to you more than I give in to meself? I must be losing me grip.’ But her heart felt lighter as she stood up and pushed the chair under the table. ‘Come on, let’s go. Time is marching on and I’d like to be in me bed by midnight.’
‘Shall I take the nappies I’ve bought for her?’ Katy asked. ‘And the little pair of bootees?’
‘Yeah, that would be nice.’ Dot picked the key off the sideboard. ‘No noise on the way out, or me laddo will be down like a shot.’
Maggie opened the door to them. ‘Go in the living room for a few minutes, Dot, while I see if Mary is respectable. She was feeding the baby a few minutes ago.’
Paddy nodded a welcome and folded the newspaper he’d been reading. ‘Sit yerselves down and take the weight off yer feet. Sure, it’s been a long day for all of us, so it has. Betty left about half an hour ago, swearing that if she hasn’t lost a stone in weight after all the running around, then there isn’t any justice.’
Dot grinned. ‘I bet she said, “bleedin’ justice”, Paddy.’
The Irishman scratched his head, a smile on his face. ‘Sure, she has a liking for the word, I’ll grant yer that. But yer can’t take exception to it because she’s very funny. Tired as she was, she had me and Maggie in stitches, the things she comes out with. And her heart is certainly in the right place, that’s for sure.’
Dot had been leaning on the sideboard, frightened to sit down in case she couldn’t get up again. When she heard Maggie’s footsteps on the stairs, she straightened up. ‘Is she ready for visitors, Maggie?’
‘Yes, the baby’s been fed and is fast asleep.’ Her eyes were troubled. ‘Are you going to tell her?’
Dot nodded. ‘I wasn’t looking forward to it at all, ’cos I knew I’d end up crying with her. But I feel a lot better about it now, after John gave me a good talking to. No tears, no sympathy, just joy that the baby is healthy. So d’yer want to come up with us, Maggie, and perhaps we can take that troubled look off yer face?’
The baby was nestled in Mary’s arms, and she smiled with pleasure at her visitors. ‘I’m just making friends with me daughter. Come and say hello to her, Katy.’
‘I’ve brought a present for her.’ Katy laid the bag on the bed before looking down at the sleeping child. ‘Oh, isn’t she lovely! Ah, Mam, will yer just look at the size of her! She’s like a little doll.’
‘Would you like to hold her, Katy?’
The girl’s eyes were like saucers. ‘Could I, please? I’d love to. I’ve never held a newborn baby in me arms before.’
When Mary tried to raise herself, she winced with pain. ‘Me back is still sore. Will you do it, Dot, please?’
Dot rounded the bed. ‘Only for a minute, sunshine.’ She picked the baby up and smiled at her daughter. ‘Watch how I’m holding her. The head in the crook of yer right arm, and yer left arm goes across the body and under, to support her back. Babies like to feel secure, so don’t be frightened to hold her tight.’
Katy’s face was a picture of happiness. ‘Mr Kershaw, I’m going to pinch one of your favourite words, if yer don’t mind. She’s adorable.’
‘Oh, it’s n
ot one of my words, Katy, it’s one of your mother’s. When she’s in one of her good moods, she uses it to describe me.’
Dot gasped. ‘Well, you big-headed so-and-so, John Kershaw! I have never once said yer were adorable; yer must be dreaming.’
‘So that’s where I’ve heard it, in my dreams, eh?’ John puckered his lips and nodded his head slowly. ‘Yes, I remember now, D.D. That was the morning I woke up with a smile on my face and a song in my heart.’
‘What would yer do with the man, Maggie? I never win with him, he’s got an answer for everything.’
The Irishwoman smiled. ‘Sure, it’s pleasant dreams the man has, Dot, and I’d not begrudge him those.’
Mary took her watchful eyes from the baby to say, ‘I think ye’re adorable, John.’
Katy giggled. ‘I think ye’re adorable, too, Mr Kershaw. And all the other things, like kind, caring and generous. I think ye’re all those.’
‘Oh, my God!’ Dot lifted her hands in mock horror. ‘He’s big-headed enough without all that flattery! I bet he won’t be able to get his hat on after this. Probably won’t even be able to get through the ruddy door.’
John chuckled. ‘Am I as adorable as Trudy?’
Four voices answered as one. ‘No!’
‘Talking about Trudy,’ Dot said, ‘it’s time she was back with her mother.’ She was about to take the child from Katy when she said, ‘Why don’t yer try those bootees on her, sunshine, to see if they fit?’
Maggie held her breath, wishing she was downstairs with her Paddy. But it would be cowardly to walk out of the room now. It was something that had to be done and the sooner it was over the better. Then perhaps her heartbeats would stop racing and the headache she’d had for the last few hours would disappear.
Mary patted the side of the bed. ‘Lay her down here, Katy.’
‘You’d better do it, Mam, I’d be frightened of dropping her.’
‘Give her here to me and you get the bootees out.’ Dot placed the baby down on the bed, and as she opened the blanket she raised her eyes to meet John’s. He nodded, and his smile seemed to tell her she was doing fine. ‘You bought them, Katy, so you put them on her.’
Free from the restriction of the tightly-wrapped blanket, the baby’s legs were kicking out like mad and Katy was terrified of holding one of the legs still in case she hurt her. So she appealed to her mother for help. ‘Give us a hand, Mam.’
‘Hey, young lady, who’s handy with their feet, eh? It’ll be footie with the lads for you, not playing with a doll and pram.’ Dot laughed as she tied the satin ribbon on the white woollen bootee which was far too big for the tiny foot. ‘Mary, have yer noticed that Trudy’s right leg is a bit shorter than her left?’
Mary pushed herself up on her elbow, ignoring the pains shooting up her back. ‘No! There’s nothing wrong with her legs!’
‘I know there’s nothing wrong with her legs, look at the way she’s kicking out.’ Dot kept her tone light. ‘I wouldn’t have known, it’s barely noticeable. But Gertrude’s used to delivering babies and she mentioned it. She said it’s nothing to worry about, so take her advice and don’t worry. Ye’re very lucky, Mary, yer’ve got a beautiful healthy baby, an’ if yer don’t want it yer can pass it over to me.’
‘Ooh, yeah,’ Katy said, following her mother’s lead. ‘It would be smashing to have a baby in the house.’
‘No, no, no!’ John said. ‘If Trudy’s being given away, I’m first in the queue. And I should be a firm favourite, with Mary thinking I’m adorable.’
‘Only because she doesn’t know yer, John Kershaw.’ Dot’s head fell to the side and her hands went to her hips. ‘She doesn’t know how stubborn and bloody-minded yer are. How yer’ll keep on about something until yer get yer own way, like a big soft kid.’
‘Excuse me,’ Maggie interrupted, ‘but isn’t it my bed that Mary’s in? So doesn’t that give me priority over the lot of yer? Me and Paddy have already discussed it, so we have. And when Mary decides it’s time to go home, sure she’ll not be allowed to take the child with her.’
Dot kept on talking as she placed the baby in Mary’s arms. ‘Over my dead body, Maggie O’Connor! Blimey! They’ve only been in the street five minutes and already they’re ruling the flippin’ roost.’
Mary held her daughter close. She’d got a terrible shock when Dot had mentioned that about Trudy’s legs, but she felt more at ease with herself now. If it was anything serious, her friends wouldn’t be acting the goat the way they were.
‘I’ll go straight up, if yer don’t mind, Mam,’ Katy said when she closed the front door after them. ‘I can’t keep me eyes open.’
‘You poppy off, sunshine, I won’t be long behind yer. His nibs here is in for a disappointment if he thinks I’m making him a cup of tea, I’m too whacked. He can pick up his coat and then he’s on his merry way.’
Katy leaned forward and kissed her mother’s cheek. ‘Yer did well tonight, Mam, I really was proud of yer.’
‘Thanks, sunshine. It’s a load off me mind, I can tell yer. And all the praise isn’t down to me – you can take your share of it. A little brick, yer were.’
Katy smiled with pleasure. ‘Good night and God bless, Mam, and you, Mr Kershaw.’
‘Good night, Katy.’
As soon as they were in the living room, Dot shook a finger at him. ‘I meant what I said, John Kershaw, no cup of tea tonight. I’ve been on me feet since half-six this morning, that’s seventeen hours, and me legs are like jelly.’
‘At least you can sit down for two minutes for a quiet chat. We haven’t had any time to ourselves all day, and it’ll do you good to unwind before you go to bed. Otherwise your head will be so full you’ll never be able to sleep.’
‘I’ve got news for you, sunshine, right now I could sleep on a flippin’ clothes-line. And that’s with the pegs still on it.’
‘What about me? Don’t you care whether I’ll be able to sleep or not?’
‘Oh, don’t try and soft soap me, John Kershaw.’ Without thinking, Dot sat down on the arm of the couch. ‘Yer can stay here and talk to yerself all night, if yer wish, but I’m going up to bed to rest me weary head.’
Before she realised what his intentions were, Dot was picked up and put down on the couch with her legs outstretched. ‘There you are, you can rest easy while we go over the events of the day.’ John pulled the fireside chair nearer. ‘I thought you were marvellous, the way you handled Mary. No one could have done it better.’
Dot’s mouth had dropped open with shock, and she closed it now as she glared at him. ‘I am going to bed whether you like it or not, yer cheeky so-and-so. Whatever yer want to talk about can wait until the next time yer come.’
‘Tomorrow?’
‘Yer can come tomorrow, I’ve promised to sit with Mary in the afternoon to give Maggie a break. I won’t be able to do much to help through the week, with working, so I’ll do me stint tomorrow.’
‘I’ll sit with you. That would please Mary because, as you know, she thinks I’m adorable. So does your Katy! You are the only one who doesn’t think so.’
Despite herself, Dot grinned. ‘Well, two out of three isn’t bad going, yer can’t complain about that.’ She slipped her legs over the side of the couch and pushed herself up. ‘And now, Mr John Kershaw, I’ll bid you good night and sweet dreams.’
‘OK, you win, this time. But before you go, will you tell me how much Mary needs to pay her rent? Plus a few shillings to give Maggie, so she doesn’t feel she’s accepting charity.’
‘I suppose you’re going to pay it yerself, are yer?’
John shook his head. ‘No, I’m going to ask her husband for it.’
‘Never! Ye’re not, are yer?’
‘I most certainly am! Mary and the baby are his responsibility and so far he’s got off very lightly. I would willingly pay it, but why should I? If I don’t take the rent-money off him it will be spent on ale, and Mary will find herself in arrears when she goes home. Arrear
s that she won’t be able to pay off.’
‘You’re full of surprises, you are. For a man that’s never been married and doesn’t know what it’s like to run a house and family, ye’re very thoughtful. Yer should get married, John, ’cos yer’d make a damn good husband.’
‘Oh, I have every intention of getting married, probably in the next year or so. But in the meantime, you haven’t answered my question. How much am I to ask Mr Thomas Campbell for? The rent, plus a few shillings.’
‘Yer can ask for ten bob, but whether yer’ll get it or not is another thing.’ Dot looked very thoughtful before asking. ‘Yer’ve got someone in mind for yer wife, then?’
John nodded. ‘Have done for a while now. It’s just a case of getting the lady in question to see sense.’
Again Dot thought for a while before saying, ‘I wish yer luck, John. Whoever she is, she’s getting a good ’un, and yer can tell her I said so.’
‘I wouldn’t dare do that, she can be very awkward at times.’
‘Put yer foot down with her and start as yer mean to go on.’ Dot jerked a thumb towards the door. ‘Go home now, please, I really need me bed.’
She held the door open and as he passed her, John kissed her cheek. ‘Sleep well and have pleasant dreams. I’ll be dreaming about the two out of three adorables, and wondering what they can see in me that the third one can’t.’
‘Get yer ladyfriend to be the third one, then yer’ll be happy.’
‘I can’t do that, D.D. You see, she’s not one for showing sentiment or affection.’
‘Ye’re an unlucky blighter, aren’t yer? Still, I’m sure things will look up for yer.’ She began to close the door. ‘Good night, John.’
‘I’ll see you tomorrow, after dinner.’ His voice came through the closed door and Dot smiled as she climbed the stairs. He was a persistent beggar, wouldn’t take ‘no’ for an answer.
She undressed quietly then slipped between the sheets. Katy was already fast asleep, her breathing gentle and even. Dot turned on her side, closed her eyes and waited to join her daughter in dreamland. But sleep didn’t come right away because there was a niggle at the back of her mind. How could he have a ladyfriend when he was round at theirs practically every night? Perhaps it was someone he worked with, she thought. But it was a queer kind of courtship if they didn’t meet outside of work. And she must be a cold fish if she never showed sentiment or affection. He deserved someone better than that.
