For Better, for Worse by Elizabeth Jeffrey

Author:Elizabeth Jeffrey [Jeffrey, Elizabeth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance, Historical
ISBN: 9780727883018
Google: zNv2kwEACAAJ
Amazon: 0727883011
Barnesnoble: 0727883011
Goodreads: 17165510
Publisher: Severn House Publishers
Published: 2013-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

Fourteen

‘Another whisky, Gilbert?’ Roger asked, holding up the decanter as they sat together in the morning room. Dr Eaves gave a yawn; he looked weary.

‘No thanks, Roger. Remember I’ve got my rounds to do, even if I have been up half the night,’ he said with a smile. He got to his feet and picked up his bag. ‘So I’ll just congratulate you again on a fine little grandson and be on my way.’

‘Well, thanks again for attending our daughter-in-law, Gilbert. We appreciate it.’

Gilbert Eaves waved the thanks away. ‘I really didn’t have to do a lot. Emma Blatch had everything under control.’

‘I’m sorry to have disturbed your night’s rest. But Doreen insisted on calling you. Just in case …’

‘She needn’t have worried. Emma’s a good woman to have at a birth. I’ve come across her before. She never panics and knows just what to do. She told me once she would like to have trained as a midwife, but of course her family couldn’t afford it.’ He shook his head. ‘Shame about her husband, too. He was a fine, hard-working man before the war and look at him now, a wreck of a man.’ He sighed. ‘But he’s only one of hundreds – thousands, in fact – ruined by it.’ He sighed again. ‘So many young lives wasted.’

‘At least he came back,’ Roger said thoughtfully.

Dr Eaves nodded. ‘Yes, for what it’s worth, at least he came back. Your John didn’t, I know that and I’m sorry, Roger.’

Roger nodded, acknowledging the doctor’s words. ‘It leaves a great gap,’ he said briefly.

‘It also means your plucky little daughter-in-law will have to bring up her son without a father.’

‘She’ll be all right. She’s got us,’ Roger said. ‘We’ll look after her and the boy.’

‘I’m sure you will.’

The door suddenly crashed open and Doreen marched in, her face a mask of fury.

‘She says she’s going to call the baby Jonathan, Roger,’ she said angrily, ignoring the doctor. ‘You must put a stop to it and insist she calls him John, after his father.’

‘I shall do nothing of the kind, Doreen, and I’ll thank you not to burst in like that when I’m having a drink with Gilbert to “wet the baby’s head”, as the tradition goes.’ Roger didn’t raise his voice, but his displeasure was plain.

‘I’m sorry, Gilbert,’ she muttered ungraciously, barely glancing at him. ‘But I feel very strongly that my son’s child should bear his name.’

‘What a good thing it wasn’t a girl, then,’ Roger remarked with the ghost of a smile.

‘Don’t be facetious, Roger. Can’t you see how upset I am?’ She took out a handkerchief and dabbed her eyes.

‘I’ll see myself out,’ Dr Eaves said, picking up his bag. He wanted no part of this dispute, but hoped privately that the young mother would have the strength of will to withstand her mother-in-law’s domination. He didn’t envy her; he’d known Doreen for a long time.

‘Sit down, Doreen, and calm yourself,’ Roger said sternly after the doctor had closed the door.

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