Orange Blossom Days by Patricia Scanlan

Author:Patricia Scanlan [Scanlan, Patricia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781471151156
Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK

‘Can you believe it?’ said Austen, handing her back her tea. ‘We’re grandparents. It only seems like yesterday when I was holding Tara and you were eating your tea and toast after giving birth. Where did the years go?’

‘I don’t know, I just don’t know.’ Anna gazed at the image of the peaceful little baby who looked so calm and untroubled as he slept in his father’s arms. May he always be as peaceful. Thank you, Mam, for Tara’s safe delivery and the gift of this new baby. She offered up a silent prayer of immense gratitude, snuggling in against her husband as the tension of the last hour drained away and she began to plan a batch cook to fill Tara’s freezer for the busy but exciting days ahead.

‘Here’s your first grandchild, Mum, Michael Austen Anthony Collins,’ Tara said happily, handing her precious baby to Anna with a look of utter pride. Despite the trauma of the Caesarean and the lack of sleep, she looked radiant.

‘Well done, darling, I’m so proud of you,’ Anna praised, taking the little bundle in her arms and gazing adoringly at the sleeping baby, with his shock of black hair. He was a MacDonald alright, she thought, noting his determined little chin and straight nose, secretly thrilled that her grandchild favoured their side of the family.

‘He’s a fine little chap.’ Austen stood at her shoulder gazing down at him in delight.

‘How are you bearing up, James?’ Anna turned to Tara’s partner, leaning up to kiss him on his stubbly cheek, noting his grey pallor and the dark circles around his eyes.

‘Grand, I’m grand,’ he said stoutly. ‘Sure Tara did all the work—’

‘I’d never have managed without you, love. You were my rock,’ Tara said gratefully. ‘And I think you should go home and go to bed for a couple of hours.’

‘Why don’t you come home with me? I’ll cook you a fry-up and then you can go home and get your head down and Anna can stay here for a while with Tara,’ Austen suggested.

‘Great idea, Dad,’ enthused his daughter. ‘James, you played a blinder but you’re bog-eyed with tiredness. Go with Dad.’

‘Are you sure? I’ll stay if you want me to, no bother,’ James offered.

‘Scoot!’ Tara grinned. ‘I want to go asleep myself. The painkillers are making me drowsy.’

‘Off with the pair of you. And make the most of it, James. Your last hours of freedom.’ Anna gave him an affectionate hug.

‘Listen to her, she speaks the truth. Come on, lad while the going is good.’ Austen patted the younger man on the back before leaning down to kiss Tara goodbye.

‘See you tomorrow,’ her father smiled at her.

‘See you later, babes.’ James kissed Tara and leaned in and kissed his son on his tiny snub nose before following Austen out the door.

‘Well how are you, really? How did it go?’ Anna sat in the chair beside her daughter’s bed, grandchild asleep in her arms, the pale wintry sun emerging from behind sullen clouds to stream down around them like rays from heaven.

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