A Class Apart by Susan Lewis

Author:Susan Lewis [Susan Lewis]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Random House
Published: 2009-07-01T16:00:00+00:00

The baby was crying again, but Kate didn’t mind. In fact she was pleased. It meant that she could hold her in her arms, comfort and feed her, play with her. She felt lonely when the baby was asleep, sitting there beside it, watching the tiny face crease and crinkle in dream, and the little fists open and dose. But now she was awake again, and it was probably time for her feed.

Kate looked at her watch. Yes, she would be hungry again by now. She popped her head into the kitchen to check that the milk was warming, then went to get her.

She was such a tiny, warm little bundle, and as soon as Kate lifted her from the bed she stopped crying. Her little blue eyes were open wide, and Kate wondered how much she could see.

“There, there,” she whispered. “Mummy’s here now. Mummy’s got you. Are you hungry? Yes, I expect you are. And I think you need changing too, don’t you?”

The baby whimpered, and Kate put her finger into the tiny fist. The child clutched at it greedily, and tried in her own feeble way to bring it to her mouth.

“Sorry,” said Kate. “It’s a clean nappie for you before you have anything to eat. We don’t want you getting a sore bottom now, do we,” and she smiled down into the little face.

She laid the baby on a towel on the floor, and changed the nappie. The baby had started to cry again, but Kate knew that that was only because she was hungry.

“Patience. Patience,” she cooed. “It’s coming.”

She went to get the bottle from the kitchen, then settled down on the settee to feed her. “My, you are hungry,” she whispered. “You’ll get fat if you carry on like this.”

The child’s eyes were closed, and she continued to suck greedily and noisily at the teat.

Kate jumped as the phone rang, and then glared at it angrily. If it didn’t stop soon it would disturb the baby. But it carried on ringing, until eventually she reached out and answered it.

“Kate! Where have you been? I’ve been trying to ring you all day.”

“Ellamarie,” said Kate. “Oh, I’ve been out and about a bit. I’ve had quite a lot to do.”

“Well, I’ve got you now. How are you?”

“Oh, I’m fine.”

“You don’t sound it,” said Ellamarie, bluntly. “Is your father still staying with you?”

“No, he went home the day before yesterday.”

“Are you sure you’re OK on your own? Would you like me to come round? I’ve got the snaps here from Scotland. There are some great ones of you.”

“No, no,” said Kate. “I’m fine, honestly. How are you?”

“Great! Seems like everything’s going ahead with the Queen of Cornwall.”

“Oh good.” Kate pushed the teat back into the baby’s mouth.

“Are you sure you’re all right?” said Ellamarie. “You sound a bit vague.”

“Vague? No, I’m all right, I was just thinking.”

“What about?”

“Nothing in particular.”

There was a short silence.

“I could come round now for an hour, if you like.”

“No, better not. I’m actually rather tied up right now.

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