Darkest Before Dawn Episode 13
Tilly couldn’t believe this was happening. Not now!
Isobel and Rose were at work and Maud was running errands for the neighbours. Even Sidney was out. Since waking, she’d had a niggling pain in her back, so had gone downstairs in the hope that stretching her legs would help. She wanted to see what the postman had brought. There was a letter for Isobel and Tilly propped it up on the table. She knew how much Isobel looked forward to her letters. It was then that a wave of pain radiated across her stomach and down her legs. The pain went as quickly as it had come and she sat down for a moment to recover. What was that? She took some deep breaths and realised she could feel the pain building up again like a wave. Maud had warned her that she’d get pains and they’d become stronger and stronger, but said that once the baby arrived the pain would go away as if by magic.
There was a number to call if she needed help, but Tilly didn’t think she could make it to the front door, let alone the telephone at the end of the road. She was overwhelmed with relief when the front door opened and Isobel came in, cheerful as always.
“Only me!” “Isobel!” Tilly cried.
“Thank goodness!” She’d forgotten Isobel was only doing a half day.
“What are you doing up, Tilly?”
“I think the baby’s coming,” Tilly said, gripping the back of a chair.
“Have you sent for help?”
“I haven’t had time.” Isobel’s arms around her were comforting and she was very calm.
“Let’s get you up to bed,” she said gently. “Don’t be frightened, Tilly. “I remember when Mum had Sidney. This is normal.”
“Is it?” Tilly gasped. “I feel as if I’m going to die.”
Isobel laughed softly. “Of course you’re not. Once I’ve got you in bed, I’ll run out and call Rose.”
“There’s a letter for you,” Tilly told her.
“I’ll look at it later,” Isobel said, tucking the envelope into her pocket.
Just as Tilly got into bed, Rose’s voice drifted up the stairs. “Are you upstairs, Tilly?”
“Auntie Rose!” Isobel shouted. “Tilly’s having the baby.”
Rose was up the stairs in a flash. “Call Doctor Kirby, Isobel,” Rose instructed. “Try to stay calm, Tilly. I’m here now.” She placed her hand on Tilly’s bump as she had another contraction. “Good and strong,” she said. “Are you ready to be a mum, Tilly? I don’t think you have too long to wait.”
Time passed in a blur of pain and kind words from Rose and Isobel until there was a hearty cry. Maud was right about the pain fading once she had her baby in her arms. Tilly couldn’t stop looking at him in wonder. There was a tap on the door and Rose laughed when Dr Kirby looked in.
“You’re too late, James,” she told him. “You missed all the excitement.”
“And all went well?” His eyebrows rose.
“Perfectly,” Rose replied. He turned his attention to Tilly and the baby, who promptly began to cry.
“I can see it did,” he said, coming over and running a finger over the baby’s cheek. “Hello, little one.”
“It’s a little boy,” Rose told him.
“A hungry boy by the look of things,” the doctor said. “His lungs sound in good order. May I, Tilly?”
The girl nodded and he took her little bundle to the dressing table, where he listened to his chest and checked him over. “Does he have a name?”
“Peter,” Tilly said at once. Everyone laughed.
“It’s a lovely name, Tilly,” Rose said. “Peter Pollard.”
By the time Maud and Sidney arrived home, Tilly had put the baby to her breast and he was sleeping in her arms. She looked up and saw Isobel with the letter in her hand. She’d opened it and was as white as a sheet.
“Are you all right, Isobel?” she asked, but the front door slammed before she could answer and Maud’s voice rang out. “For goodness’ sake, Sidney! How many times have I told you not to slam doors?”
Isobel pushed the letter back in her pocket. “It’s been an emotional day,” she murmured. “Are you sure there’s nothing wrong?” Tilly asked. “The letter?”
“It’s nothing,” Isobel said, turning away, but Tilly heard the pain in her voice.