Family Affairs at the Orchard Cottage Hospital by Lizzie Lane

Author:Lizzie Lane [Lane, Lizzie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Published: 2024-10-10T00:00:00+00:00

Nancy lay back in an armchair, her swollen feet resting on a footstool and her hands resting protectively on her swollen belly.

Her sister, Lucy, knelt beside the footstool and began kneading Nancy’s feet, her fingers flexing her toes, her knuckles pressing into her insoles.

Nancy sighed. ‘That’s lovely, Lucy. I don’t know how big my feet are going to be if this baby doesn’t come soon. Like two boats on the river, they’ll be.’

‘It’s not the size of your feet I’m thinking of. It’s the size of your belly.’ Lucy gave her sister’s lump a sharp prod. ‘Come out, why don’t you?’

Nancy laughed. ‘He’s choosing his time, that’s for sure.’

‘You’ve got to be at least two weeks overdue, but never mind, he’ll come when the time suits him.’

The sisters exchanged reassuring smiles. It was good that they were both nurses, each understood that babies didn’t always arrive spot on nine months. They also both knew that if the new baby didn’t come soon, then drastic measures might have to be taken.

‘I don’t want a caesarean,’ Nancy said, suddenly mirroring the conclusion in her sister’s mind. ‘I want to have my baby at home like I did Polly.’

Lucy patted her hand so vehemently that Nancy wanted to tell her to stop in case it fell off.

‘I’ll be here for you, Nancy. I’m your sister and don’t you forget it.’

She shook her head. ‘You’re working, Lucy. I don’t want to take you away from work.’

‘Now don’t you worry. If the worse comes to the worst, I’ll look after Polly.’

‘I don’t know about that.’

‘Well, you can’t inconvenience Ned. He’s working too and, besides, men are useless where babies are concerned.’

Nancy chuckled. ‘I can’t argue with you there. And as for Aunt Rose…’

They both waved the very thought of their unreliable aunt away. Rose drank and at times was barely in charge of herself.

‘Right,’ exclaimed a resolute Lucy, slapping her hands on her thighs. ‘You rest whilst I take Polly out for a walk. No ifs, ands or buts.’

Glad of some respite – being pregnant and plagued by a two-year-old was draining – Nancy agreed.

‘Bliss,’ she said with a heartfelt sigh, leaned her head back in the chair and closed her eyes. She was all alone and easily fell asleep.

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