Family Drama 4 E-Book Bundle. Leah Fleming

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СКАЧАТЬ on his father as he spoke again.

      ‘Look at the state of you and you ain’t fit to drive, that’s for sure. I’ll call you a taxi.’

      With a bemused expression Kevin sank onto the sofa, closed his eyes and knew no more as he fell into a drunken sleep.

      ‘Kevin! Kevin, wake up!’

      ‘Wh … what?’

      ‘I said wake up.’

      His mother’s voice sounded loud in his ears and, managing to open one eye, Kevin saw her looming over him.

      ‘You’ve got a son.’

      ‘Wh … what?’

      ‘Christ, you sound like a parrot. Wake up, for Gawd’s sake.’

      ‘What’s the time?’

      ‘It’s four o’clock. Now did you hear what I said? You’ve got a son!’

      Kevin’s head was thumping and he groaned, trying to pull himself upright, surprised to find himself on the sofa. His mouth was dry, and he grimaced at the bitter acrid taste on his tongue. ‘Any chance of a cup of tea, Mum?’

      ‘Bloody hell, Kevin. I can’t believe you. I’ve just told you that you’re a father and all you can do is ask for a cup of flaming tea.’

      Kevin knuckled his eyes and saw his father coming into the room, his expression showing concern

      ‘How is she, Dolly?’ Bernie asked.

      ‘She’s fine, but it was a long labour. Well, Bernie, you’re a grandfather. Pearl gave birth to a lovely, bouncing boy.’

      At last Kevin’s brain began to function. ‘Pearl’s had the baby?’

      Dolly exhaled loudly. ‘So, you’ve come to life at last. You picked a fine time to go missing and I’ve been stuck at that flaming hospital all night.’

      ‘She’s actually had the baby?’

      ‘Am I talking to myself? Yes, she’s had the baby and you have a son.’

      ‘Christ,’ Kevin said, sinking back with shock.

      ‘Make us all a drink, Bernie. I’m fair worn out and without any sleep I don’t know how I’m gonna cope with the café today. Bloody hell, who’s gonna do the vegetables?’

      ‘I can’t believe this, Mum,’ Kevin said as his father scuttled from the room. ‘The baby wasn’t due yet.’

      ‘He came a bit early, but he’s fine and you can see him later.’

      ‘And Pearl’s all right?’

      ‘Yes, of course she is.’

      ‘Bloody hell, I’m a dad,’ Kevin whispered in awe.

      ‘I’ve been trying to get that through your thick skull for the last fifteen minutes.’ His mother’s words sounded harsh at first, but now she smiled softly. ‘He’s a lovely baby and the spitting image of you.’

      ‘Is he?’ Kevin said eagerly. His son! And he couldn’t wait to see him.

      ‘Here you are,’ Bernie said, passing a cup of tea to Dolly and then handing one to Kevin.

      Dolly yawned widely. ‘Trust that girl to go into labour at such an awkward time, and now we’re well and truly stuck.’

      ‘You could ask Madge to do the vegetables. The new waitress will just have to manage on her own.’

      ‘I suppose it’s a possibility, but she ain’t gonna be too happy about it. Still, it’ll only be for just over a week. Pearl will be home again then and we can get back to normal.’

      ‘I don’t see why Kevin can’t give us a hand. If he takes over the counter, I can cover for Madge while she’s working in the kitchen.’

      ‘Leave it out, Dad. I’m going to the hospital to see my son.’

      ‘You can’t go yet,’ Dolly said. ‘Visiting time isn’t until one o’clock and there’s nothing to stop you giving us a hand. That goes for every day until Pearl comes home.’

      ‘But, Mum—’

      ‘No arguments, Kevin,’ she said, her voice firm. ‘It won’t hurt you to help out. After all, it’s your wife that’s putting us to all this inconvenience, and until she can get back to work we’ll have to pull together.’

      Kevin gazed up at his mother, wanting to argue, but this time he could see that she was in no mood for cajoling. She looked tired, dark rings under her eyes.

      Suddenly he was struck by a thought. ‘Hold on, Mum. Pearl won’t be able to work in the café when she comes home. She’ll have the baby to see to and I don’t fancy taking Dad’s place behind the counter permanently.’

      ‘Don’t worry, son, there’ll be no need for that. I’ve got it all worked out but I’m too tired to talk about it now. I’m gonna have a bath and hopefully it will freshen me up.’

      Kevin frowned, wondering what his mother had in mind, but then his mouth tightened. Christ, he dreaded working in the café and, like his mother, he’d be glad when Pearl came home.

       Chapter Thirty

      Dolly was pacing up and down, the baby held firmly in her arms. ‘One more day off, Pearl, and then you can get back to work.’

      ‘But how? I can’t leave Johnny.’

      ‘We just need a routine, that’s all, and I’ve worked it all out.’

      ‘But—’

      ‘It’s simple,’ Dolly interrupted. ‘You can start work extra early and I’ll look after the baby while you prepare the vegetables. As long as I’m downstairs by six o’clock it’ll be fine, and you won’t need to be in the kitchen again until it’s time to cook them.’

      ‘Who’ll look after Johnny while I’m doing that?’

      ‘Kevin can watch him for an hour or so or, failing that, we can have him with us in the kitchen.’

      Pearl ruminated on Dolly’s words. Yes, she could start work early, but would she be able to drag herself out of bed? ‘I’m hardly getting any sleep. Johnny only lasts an hour before he wants another feed.’

      Dolly smiled fondly at the baby. ‘Yes, I heard him last night. He’s a hungry little bugger, that’s for sure. The best solution would be to put him on a bottle and then any of us can feed him.’

      ‘Oh, no, I don’t want to do that!’

      ‘If he wants feeding СКАЧАТЬ