The Gypsy Bride by Katie Hutton

Author:Katie Hutton
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bonnier Publishing Fiction

23 Boy

24 Selling

CHAPTER 20

The Lord hath sought Him a man after His own heart.

Samuel 1:13–14

David

Canterbury, February 1925

‘Easier this time, wasn’t it?’ said Judith.

Ellen stared down at the baby’s crumpled face. ‘Oh yes – in all ways, and worth waiting for. I shall learn to love him.’

‘Ssh, silly. Of course you will! He’s a dear little baby; how could you not love him?’ said Judith.

‘I’m afraid of him taking Tom’s place. Tom has only me.’

‘He has a sister too and I’ll not hear different!’

‘Dear Judy. Will you go for Harold?’

‘I’ll go now. I’ll get the midwife another cup of tea and see if she’ll stay a few minutes longer. If not, there’s always next door.’

‘Oh no!’ Ellen sunk back into the pillows. ‘Not old Clerk. I don’t think I could cope with her just now.’

‘I’ll do my best.’

‘Bring Tom up before you go.’

*

‘Oh Tom! How big you are!’

It was true. Ellen marvelled at the toddler’s sturdiness, his size and solidity against the frailty of the little bundle in her arms.

‘My brother?’

‘Yes, Tom. If you two are friends you’ll never be lonely.’

‘But your tummy was very big. He isn’t,’ said Tom sceptically.

‘He’ll grow. You did. Look at you now!’

‘Did it hurt?’

‘A bit.’

‘Like doing big browns?’

‘Yes, but not so smelly . . . Get up here properly so’s I can cuddle you.’

‘Are you going to have more babies?’

‘Oh, I don’t know. We’ll need to ask Pa that.’

‘Will Pa like this baby more than me?’

‘Oh Tom! Of course not!’

‘And what about you?’ asked Tom.

‘Me? Well, I’ll love you more, Tom, because you’ll be a big brother. Big brothers need love so they can love, you see.’

‘He’ll want my toys.’

‘We’ll get more toys for him. But some you can share.’

‘I’ll decide,’ said Tom.

‘All right. What if you help me choose the toys for him?’

‘Yes. There’s Pa coming up now.’

Harold loomed in the doorway, still wearing his overcoat, bringing with him the coldness of the day and a miasma of soot and yellowing paper. Tom scrambled off the bed and stood warily to one side.

‘I’ve a brother,’ he said.

‘I’ve a son,’ said Harold, looking at Ellen and the child. He stepped forward and sat heavily on the side of the bed.

‘Oh Ellen, you have made me so awfully happy!’

Poor man, thought Ellen; her eyes moistened with pity.

‘May I?’

She held out the bundle; the baby mewled and bubbled.

‘David,’ said Harold. ‘The second son.’

*

‘What’s the matter, Ellen?’

‘Would you pass me that Bible, Judy?’

‘What do you want with that now?’

‘Please!’ said Ellen.

She riffled the pages, trying not to displace Harold’s numerous markers. ‘I used to be much quicker at this, Judy. I even won prizes.’

‘Sunday school prizes! Books no child would want to read!’

Ellen found the text and read it to herself, her lips moving.

And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.

‘Ellen, what is it?’ said Judith.

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