Time to Say Goodbye

by Rosie Goodwin

  ‘Hm, yer should be restin’ wi’ yer feet up,’ Cissie scolded. ‘An’ lookin’ at the size of yer I’ll eat me hat if yer go another seven weeks. Are yer quite sure yer’ve got yer dates right?’

  ‘I think so.’ Kathy gratefully took the glass of lemonade her mother was holding out to her and after taking a long drink she asked, ‘So how did the dinner with Mr Willerby go last night? I must have been asleep when you came in because I didn’t hear you.’

  ‘It went very well,’ Sunday admitted. She’d been to Treetops for dinner on a few occasions over the last few months and was now thoroughly enjoying John’s company. He was very easy to get on with and she sensed that, like her, he was lonely following the death of his wife. He had confided that he and his wife had brought Giles up since he was ten years old when John’s son and his young wife had both been killed in a driving accident and that had confirmed to her what a truly lovely man he was, for he was clearly very proud and fond of his grandson. It was nice to have someone to discuss things with, she’d decided, and she and John were comfortable in each other’s company now.

  Just then Livvy marched over in her riding gear with a face as dark as thunder.

  ‘Oh dear, what’s wrong now?’ Sunday asked, noting her daughter’s stormy face.

  ‘It’s that arrogant beast up at Treetops,’ Livvy raged. They immediately knew she was talking about Giles. She never had a good word to say about the poor chap. ‘Can you believe he just asked me if I wanted to have Willow shod along with the other horses George and Billy are taking to the blacksmith’s tomorrow? Just who the bloody hell does he think he is? I’m quite able to pay for my own horse’s shoes! We’re not paupers!’

  ‘He was probably just trying to be kind knowing that you’d most likely be at work,’ her mother pointed out but Livvy was having none of it.

  ‘Huh! He needn’t bother,’ she stormed, her pretty face twisted with fury. ‘It’s bad enough that he’s taken over our stables without him being condescending!’ She turned and slammed indoors without even waiting for an answer and Sunday shook her head.

  ‘I’ve given up hoping those two will ever be friends,’ she said sadly and Cissie nodded in agreement.

  ‘I reckon yer right there. But in fairness, it’s down to Livvy. Giles ain’t a bad young chap if she’d only give him a chance.’

  ‘There’s not much hope of that happening now,’ Sunday agreed glumly as Kathy hauled herself to her feet.

  ‘I think I’ll go and put my feet up for a while,’ she informed them and once she’d gone Sunday shook her head again.

  ‘I wish this birth was over,’ she admitted worriedly. ‘I keep thinking …’

  ‘I know exactly what yer thinkin’ an’ yer can stop that nonsense straight away,’ Cissie scolded, waggling a finger at her. ‘Yer thinkin’ o’ what happened when she was born, ain’t yer? But it’ll be different for her, you’ll see!’

  ‘Hm, let’s just hope you’re right.’ Sunday pursed her lips and stared across the lawn, trying to think of something else because the thought of losing Kathy was just too much to bear.

  Early that evening, Livvy ventured across to the stables again. Now that Kathy was so huge, she had taken over the care of her horse too and she wanted to get them fed and settled as she had a date that evening with a young man she had met from the village. As she approached, she was surprised to see the vet’s car parked outside and quickening her pace she entered the stable block and stood for a moment as her eyes adjusted to the light. After being out in the brilliant sunshine it seemed very gloomy in there.

  ‘All you can do is watch her carefully and if nothing has happened by the morning ring me again and I’ll come back out,’ she heard the vet say.

  Curiosity drew her towards the stall where he was talking to Giles.

  ‘I’ll do that, thank you.’

  She saw that Giles looked worried as he tried to calm one of the mares who was due to have her foal any time.

  ‘Is there a problem?’ she asked as the vet nodded to her and strode past her.

  Giles glanced up. ‘There is actually, this one is having trouble I reckon, that’s why I called the vet out.’

  ‘Oh.’ Livvy didn’t quite know how to respond. Grudgingly she admitted that Giles did seem to be very fond of the horses. ‘So … is there anything I can do to help?’

  He looked mildly surprised. It was the first time she had ever spoken to him civilly. Usually she snapped his head off as soon as he opened his mouth so now he only spoke to her when it was strictly necessary. ‘Thanks, but I don’t think there is. I’m going to stay over here with her now till she’s had the foal.’

  ‘But that might mean spending the night here,’ she pointed out.

  ‘It wouldn’t be the first time.’

  Liberty, the horse in question, was one that her father had bred, and she had been one of his favourites. Livvy knew that had her dad been there he would have done exactly the same. ‘Right, in that case I’ll see to our horses and leave you to it.’

  He nodded and she hurried away to see to Willow and Bramble.

  When she entered the stables the following evening after work she peeped into Liberty’s stall and was delighted to see a pure black baby suckling from his mother.

  ‘He’s a little beauty, isn’t he?’

  Livvy swung about to find Giles standing right behind her. He looked desperately tired but pleased as punch.

  ‘She finally had him at three o’clock this morning with a little help from me,’ he told her, coming to lean on the half door next to her. ‘With his pedigree he’ll be a real asset to the stables when he’s older.’

  Instantly her face set as she ground out, ‘Oh, I might have known it would all come down to money.’

  ‘We’re running a business here,’ he reminded her.

  Two spots of colour flared in her cheeks and her eyes blazed. ‘Quite! My father’s business,’ she said testily and stamped away, leaving him to shake his head. Women! He’d never understand them if he lived to be a hundred!

  ‘So now what’s wrong?’ Sunday asked as Livvy stormed into the kitchen a short time later.

  ‘It’s that insufferable pig, Giles!’ Livvy spat. ‘I thought for a while last night that he actually had a heart when he stayed with Liberty to help her deliver her foal but all he thinks about is the money! As if he hasn’t got enough owning Treetops and Dad’s business.’

  ‘It’s hardly his fault if his grandfather chose to buy the house,’ Sunday patiently pointed out. ‘And if he hadn’t bought it we would have had to sell it to someone else anyway, in case you’ve forgotten.’ She was getting a little tired of the vendetta Livvy seemed to be waging against the Willerbys, but her words fell on deaf ears, for Livvy had already barged off to her room in a huff.

  Oh, I’ll just leave her to it, Sunday thought dejectedly. What with worrying about Kathy and Livvy’s attitude towards their new neighbours she was just about at the end of her tether!

  Chapter Eighteen

  ‘Is anything wrong, love?’ Sunday asked Kathy one evening late in August as she was just about to retire to bed. It had been a hot, humid day and everyone was drained. Everyone but Kathy that was, who seemed to be wandering about like a cat on hot bricks.

  ‘No, I’m fine,’ Kathy assured her as she paced up and down the small hallway, her hands on her back. ‘I’ve just got this niggly backache. You go on up, I’ll be following you soon when I’ve cooled down a bit.’ Even now with the windows wide open there was not a stir of breeze and the house felt airless.

  ‘All right, but call me if you need me.’ Sunday made her way up to her room where she washed using the jug and bowl she had placed on the washstand ready. She slipped into her nightdress and after releasing her hair from its pins she brushed it thoroughly. But Kathy was on her mind so instead of climbing into bed she went back downstairs.

  Kathy was still pacing, and a little worm of fear wriggled in Sunday’s stomach. This couldn’t be the start of
the baby coming surely? There was still at least four weeks to go.

  Kathy turned to say something to her but then stopped abruptly as a small puddle of water appeared on the floor between her legs. The colour drained from her face as she stared down in shock. Part of her nursing training had been spent on the maternity ward in the hospital, so she knew only too well what this meant. Her waters had broken. Early or not, the baby was on its way. Suddenly she wished she didn’t know what was coming and she was afraid.

  Sunday meanwhile appeared to be perfectly calm, although her stomach was churning. ‘Right, young lady,’ she said cheerily. ‘It looks like we’re going to meet the new member of the family before too much longer so let’s get you upstairs and into bed while I get everything ready.’

  ‘But I haven’t had any pains yet, only backache,’ Kathy protested. ‘Do I have to go up just yet?’

  ‘I suppose not,’ Sunday agreed. ‘First babies are notorious for taking their time before putting in an appearance, so I’ll make us a nice mug of cocoa and we’ll see what happens next.’

  Sunday filled a saucepan with warm milk and set it on the hob to heat, while Kathy sat in the fireside chair staring into the empty grate. She had truly believed that Ben would be back before the baby arrived but now she was forced to admit that he hadn’t even taken the trouble to write to her and the hurt hit her like a blow. Up until now she had managed to convince herself that Ben had loved her, but doubts were creeping in and she had to face the prospect of bringing their child up alone. That is if she survived. Although she’d tried hard to push them away, thoughts of her mother had been preying on her mind more and more as the birth approached. Would she die too? What would happen to her baby then?

  ‘Here you are, darling, get that inside you.’ Sunday interrupted her thoughts as she pressed a mug of steaming cocoa into her hand.

  Noticing the look of fear on her daughter’s face, Sunday told Kathy gently, ‘Don’t be frightened. Giving birth is one of the most natural things in the world. You’re going to be just fine. Now, drink that while I run up to the house and get John to phone the midwife for me. She needn’t rush – you’ll probably be hours yet. I’ll just pop upstairs to get dressed first.’

  As she was about to leave the kitchen, Livvy breezed in, with a sullen expression on her face.

  ‘I’ve just spent the most boring night of my life listening to my date ramble on about his father’s farm,’ she grumbled, then seeing the look on Kathy’s face she asked, ‘What’s wrong?’

  ‘Nothing,’ Sunday assured her. ‘But Kathy’s baby is on its way. I was just about to get dressed so I could go up to the house and ask John to get the midwife to come.’

  Livvy’s face paled to the colour of lint as her hand flew to her mouth. ‘Oh crikey … the baby is coming … You stay here. I’ll run up to the house.’ And without another word she went sprinting off like a greyhound.

  Sunday rolled her eyes at Kathy, sharing a grin. Livvy wasn’t very good with things like this and would never have made a nurse.

  ‘Right, I’m going to get dressed anyway,’ she said, turning towards the stairs. ‘I have an idea we may have a long night ahead of us.’ Then she too was gone, leaving Kathy alone with her gloomy thoughts.

  Livvy was back in no time with John close behind her and Kathy’s pains started shortly after that, at which point Sunday insisted she should go upstairs.

  ‘I’m terrified,’ Sunday admitted to John when Livvy had gently led Kathy away. ‘Kathy’s mother died after giving birth to her. She was one of twins but the other baby, a little boy, died too.’

  ‘Now we’ll have no more of that silly talk,’ he scolded gently. ‘Kathy is going to be just fine. She’s young and healthy and she’ll come through this with flying colours, you’ll see.’

  Sunday was suddenly glad he was there. He had been so kind and understanding when she had told him that Kathy was going to have a baby and had shown no condemnation whatsoever.

  ‘So, you just put that smile back on your face and get up those stairs and be strong for your girl,’ he ordered. ‘And meanwhile, I shall stay down here and make sure you have plenty of hot water. I’ll send the midwife up when she comes, shall I?’

  ‘You really don’t have to stay, John. It could take hours yet,’ Sunday objected but he wouldn’t hear of leaving and so eventually she made her way up the steep stairs saying a silent prayer as she went.

  When Nurse Bennett, the midwife, arrived she rolled up her sleeves and took control of the situation immediately. She was a stout, middle-aged woman with short, silver-grey hair and a stern expression, but those that knew her would vouch that she had a heart made of pure gold. Kathy had met her on a number of occasions when she had visited the new mothers at the hospital and knowing that she was in safe hands reassured her slightly.

  ‘Hm,’ Nurse Bennett said thoughtfully as she straightened after listening to the baby’s heartbeat through her pinard.

  Sunday’s heart started to beat faster with panic as she saw the frown on the woman’s face. ‘Is there something wrong?’

  ‘Not that I know of, dearie,’ the woman answered calmly and turning her attention back to Kathy she told her, ‘I’m going to examine you now and see how far on you are. Just lie as still as you can, there’s a good girl.’

  It proved to be easier said than done for Kathy, for the pains were coming thick and fast now but she grit her teeth and did the best she could, while Livvy escaped to wait downstairs with John.

  ‘Ugh, I’m never going to have a baby,’ she declared as she hurried into the kitchen. Normally she didn’t even wish John good day if she could help it, but tonight she was too concerned about her sister to care about anything else.

  ‘Oh, I’m sure you’ll feel differently when you meet the right young man and settle down,’ he told her, with a sparkle in his eye, but she was too busy pacing the room with her eyes fixed fearfully on the ceiling to even take in what he said.

  The time ticked away, each minute feeling like an hour to those waiting and as the night progressed John and Livvy could hear Kathy’s anguished cries getting louder.

  ‘There must be something wrong. Surely it shouldn’t take this long?’ Livvy fretted. And then just before dawn, as the sky became a kaleidoscope of pinks, purples and oranges, a piercing scream rent the air and Livvy gripped the edge of the table as her eyes stretched wide. The scream was followed by a moment of uncanny silence followed by the indignant squawk of a newborn wail.

  ‘Oh my goodness, I think she’s had the baby.’ Livvy was almost limp with relief as she and John strained to hear what was going on.

  Upstairs Nurse Bennett handed a tiny little bloody bundle into Sunday’s waiting arms.

  ‘It’s just as I thought,’ the woman said as she bent to the new mother again. ‘He’s only a little scrap of a thing. Far too small for her to be the size she was. I reckon there’s another one in here.’

  And sure enough, ten minutes later another baby, slightly larger than the first born, was delivered. This time it was a girl and Sunday unashamedly cried tears of joy as she stared down into their little puckered faces.

  ‘Well, they might be a little on the small side, but their lungs certainly seem to be functioning properly,’ she laughed as the midwife checked them over.

  ‘They’ll do,’ Nurse Bennett said with a satisfied smile and taking them from Sunday she placed them into their mother’s waiting arms.

  Kathy stared down at them in awe. They were tiny but beautiful and she could hardly believe that she had managed to produce something quite so perfect. The only thing that marred the birth for her was the fact that their father wasn’t there to see them, and Kathy could only assume he didn’t want to be. But I won’t think about that for now, she told herself. From now on I must concentrate on these two because they’re surely the very best thing that has ever happened to me.

  Soon after, the babies were wrapped in towels and handed to Sunday, while the midwife saw to Kathy a
nd with a smile on her face that stretched from ear to ear, she carried them downstairs for their first bath.

  ‘It’s a boy!’ she announced joyously as she entered the room where John and Livvy were anxiously waiting for her. ‘And a girl!’

  ‘Twins!’ Livvy clapped her hands in delight as she raced over to get her first glimpse of her baby niece and nephew. ‘Oh, they look just like Kathy,’ she declared as she stared at the downy dark hair on their tiny heads. And then she hurried off to fetch bowls of warm water and watched as Sunday tenderly bathed them one by one before dressing them in the tiny flannel nightgowns they had ready.

  ‘They look just adorable, like little dolls,’ Livvy giggled. It was already apparent that she was going to spoil them both shamelessly.

  ‘I agree,’ John said, and Sunday was sure his eyes were damp with emotion as he stared down at the babes. ‘They’re just perfect!’

  Eventually when the midwife had washed Kathy and got her into a clean nightdress, Livvy retired to bed and the babies were taken back upstairs to their mother for their first feed as John and Sunday sat at the kitchen table, tired but happy.

  ‘I’ve been thinking,’ he said presently. ‘It’s going to be a very tight squeeze, all of you fitting into this little place. Kathy would be very welcome to move into the nursery up at Treetops if she wished to.’

  Sunday was shocked at his kind offer although she already knew what Kathy’s answer would be should he suggest it to her. Kathy would want to stay here with her.

  ‘That’s really kind of you,’ she told him warmly. ‘But I’m sure we’ll manage very well here. Thank you, though.’

  He shrugged. ‘Just a thought. I quite like the idea of babies up at the house, and the way Giles is going I don’t think I shall be having great-grandchildren anytime soon. But anything she needs, you just let me know. I don’t want those babies to go without, or young Kathy for that matter, do you hear me?’