A Good Catch by Fern Britton

Author:Fern Britton
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780007562954
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2014-04-26T16:00:00+00:00

20

Greer absorbed the news with a quiet acceptance. Jesse was devastated. But as neither of them was able to talk to each other with anything other than superficial stoicism, they didn’t know how each of them truly felt.

When Freddie was almost six weeks old, Jesse made his regular nightly trip to his in-laws’ house to see his wife and son.

Freddie was in the arms of his grandmother, drinking greedily from his bottle of formula.

Greer was taking a bath.

In the silence of the beige and cream sitting room, with its sateen sofas and Tiffany lamps, Jesse felt a stranger. Foreign. His presence neither understood nor recognised.

‘How is Greer doing?’ he asked Elizabeth. He wanted to ask his mother-in-law specifically when Greer could come home, but he felt awkward. He didn’t want Elizabeth to accuse him of pushing Greer before she was ready.

Freddie released the teat from his mouth and Elizabeth expertly lifted him upright and forward so that she could rub his back. Freddie obliged with a deep burp.

‘Good boy,’ said his grandmother. ‘Who’s a good boy for Nanny? Want some more? Still hungry?’ She stroked the teat against Freddie’s lips until he took it in his mouth and closed his eyes, sucking sleepily.

Jesse asked again. ‘Is she feeling better?’

Elizabeth didn’t look at him as she answered. ‘She’s still very weak.’

Jesse tried again. ‘You’ve been wonderful. Looking after her and Freddie. I can’t wait to have them home.’

‘Yes, well, Greer will know when she’s well enough.’ Freddie was now asleep. His head lolling in the crook of his grandmother’s elbow. A small stream of creamy dribble was escaping from his lips. ‘Now then, young man. It’s the Moses basket for you,’ said Elizabeth, putting the bottle on the table at her side and preparing to stand up.

Jesse jumped up from his chair, hoping that he might be able to help. He hadn’t had many chances to hold Freddie in the last six weeks. He had not yet been allowed to give him his bottle. ‘Can I hold him?’

Elizabeth hesitated before saying, ‘I think he needs to sleep. He likes it. It’s better that we keep his little routine going.’

Greer came in wearing her old Snoopy dressing gown and with her hair wound into a towelling turban. ‘Hi, Jesse. You’re earlier than usual.’ Her face lit up. ‘Mum, you didn’t tell me Jesse was here.’

‘I didn’t want to disturb you when you were having a nice bath.’

Greer went to Jesse and hugged him. ‘Have you had a cuddle with Freddie?’

Jesse saw his chance. ‘I was just asking your mum.’

‘He’s asleep,’ said Elizabeth, still holding Freddie. ‘I’m just about to put him down.’

‘Mum! Jesse and Freddie haven’t seen each other since yesterday. And Jesse didn’t get a cuddle then because you’d put Freddie down. Hand him over.’

‘It’s important to have a routine,’ Elizabeth protested, but couldn’t stop Greer taking Freddie.

‘I know, Mum, and you’ve done a wonderful job, but hand him over to his daddy.’ Greer turned to her husband, who gave Elizabeth a triumphant smile.

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