Modern Fairy Tales for Grown-up Girls by Tanya D. Ravenswater

Author:Tanya D. Ravenswater
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: eBookPartnership.com
Published: 2013-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

Almost a year later, over a rare family dinner at Turtle Towers, Imelda had a surprising confession to make to Edward and her parents. “I’ve decided – I want a baby. I’ve been thinking about it for a while. I keep remembering how lovely it was with Emily. People say that babies are so demanding. But Emily was quiet and beautifully behaved. I’m much older now. I’d cope with it better, I’m sure.”

Francesca and Gerald exchanged horrified glances.

“Emily? Who was Emily, Melda?” Edward looked puzzled and also nervous.

“Oh, didn’t I mention her?” Francesca intervened, before Imelda could continue. “We had another child, you know. Died when she was a baby, poor thing. Imelda took a lot to do with her. Children are like china cups ... fragile things ... Sad, but, as I think I mentioned to you before, Edward, things happen ...”

“Right, yes. Although I didn’t know you meant that ... Must have been devastating. For you all.”

“Yes, it was. I had terrible nightmares ... I still do.” Imelda replied. “But perhaps, Teddie, if I had my own baby, the nightmares might stop? And you’re all away so much. I would have someone of my own to talk to and look after.” Imelda’s eyes brimmed with tears.

“Melda ...” Edward had never seen her cry before. It unsettled him. Crying was a gusty, damp thing, best kept away from boxes. He offered her one of his pressed pocket hankies. Francesca’s and Gerald’s glares converged on him from the other side of the table. At that moment they were like the sharp points of a triangle, and he was in the right-angled corner. He had to do the right thing, for everyone’s sake. “Do you think you’d really like that, Melda? I mean, it’s not just about getting to hold a baby and talk to it, you know. There would be all the messy stuff and the awful pregnancy part ... putting on weight and stretching your lovely skin. You wouldn’t like being all out of shape, would you, Melda?”

“Edward ... that might just be enough ...” Francesca warned.

“It’s fine, Mummy, really. Teddie’s right,” Imelda interrupted. “I wouldn’t like that part. I know that’s the way it happens for some people, but it wasn’t like that for you with Emily, was it, Mummy? I’m sure you didn’t gain a pound. Emily was just there one morning, wasn’t she? There are different kinds of babies, I’m sure. Maybe some are messy, Teddie, but Emily wasn’t. I’m right, aren’t I, Daddy?”

“Of course, Imelda. Don’t worry, darling. Mummy and Daddy will sort things out for you and Teddie, won’t we, ‘cesca?”

“Gosh, Gerry. Would you? I’d do anything for Melda.” Edward acknowledged, gratefully.

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