Family Drama 4 E-Book Bundle. Leah Fleming

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СКАЧАТЬ he was in the nursery they probably topped him up with a bottle. After all, they wouldn’t want to disturb all the other mothers in the ward by bringing him to you every hour.’

      ‘But surely my milk is best for him.’

      ‘Not if he’s hungry. A bottle would be the best thing. Wait and see, he’ll thrive.’

      ‘I’m still not sure.’

      ‘Well I am, so that’s an end to it. Now take Johnny for a minute while I find my purse. I’ll give you the money for all the paraphernalia. You’ll need to buy bottles, teats, and powdered milk. Then in the morning, we can start the new routine.’

      Pearl wanted to protest, but was too scared of Dolly to argue. ‘I’ll take Johnny with me to the chemist. It’ll do him good to get a bit of fresh air.’

      ‘No, it’ll be quicker to go on your own. You can leave him with me,’ Dolly insisted, laying the money on the table and taking Johnny from Pearl’s arms.

      With a sigh Pearl did as she was told, and was soon outside, heading for the chemist. She turned the corner, almost colliding with Derek.

      ‘Oh!’

      ‘Well, well, I didn’t expect you to be out and about so soon.’

      ‘Oh … you’ve heard that I’ve had my baby.’

      ‘Yeah, I heard. I may not be working my stall, but gossip still reaches me. How are you doing?’

      Pearl was relieved that Derek wasn’t showing any animosity. His expression was mild. ‘I’m all right, and Dolly insists that I start work again tomorrow.’

      ‘That soon?’

      ‘Yes, well, you know Dolly. My mother-in-law rules the roost and we all have to do as she says. Mind you, Kevin won’t be too pleased about having to look after the baby while I’m working in the kitchen.’

      His face immediately hardened, mouth grim as he replied, ‘Yeah, somehow I can’t see Kevin as a babysitter. Still, you knew what he was like – Dolly too – before you schemed to marry him. As the saying goes, you made your bed and now you’ve got to lie on it.’

      Pearl knew she deserved this, deserved all that Derek threw at her. ‘I hurt you, and I’m sorry, but I didn’t mean to. Really I didn’t.’

      ‘It’s a bit late for apologies now, Pearl,’ Derek said, and as her eyes met his, he gazed into them for a moment. ‘When I look at you like this, I can’t believe what happened. Dolly told her story, Kevin too, but somehow, along with yours, they don’t ring true. If you want to open up, I’ll listen, and if you’re unhappy, you only have to say the word.’

      Pearl tore her eyes away. Time had passed, but even if Derek found out the truth, he might still go for Kevin. No, she had to keep her mouth shut – for both their sakes. ‘It was the truth, Derek, and if you hate me, I don’t blame you.’

      He opened his mouth to speak, but she interrupted. ‘I’m sorry. I must go now.’ Bye, Derek,’ she blurted, hurrying away.

      Pearl rushed to the chemist, saddened by her encounter with Derek. She had opened up old wounds for him, seen his pain. Oh, if only they didn’t have to see each other, if only she and Kevin could move from this area. Kevin’s nerves had been bad and he had given up looking for work, but he was recovering, and now maybe she could broach the subject again.

      Another week passed. Pearl had been home for over two weeks now and disturbed by her’s movements, Kevin turned over in bed. He forced his eyes open to glance at the clock. Bloody hell, it wasn’t even four in the morning and he didn’t know how she got up this early to start work.

      ‘Kevin! Kevin, where’s the baby?’

      He ignored the panic in her voice, saying impatiently, ‘In his bleeding cot. Where do you think?’

      ‘He isn’t. It’s empty.’

      ‘What!’ He swung his legs over the side of the bed, his mind jumbled before he had a coherent thought. ‘Maybe Mum’s got him.’

      Their eyes met, and without another word they made for Dolly’s room.

      As Kevin opened the door, all he could see were two humps in the bed and his heart began to thump in panic.

      ‘Mum, wake up!’ he shouted. ‘Johnny isn’t in his cot.’

      ‘Bloody hell, where’s the fire,’ Dolly grumbled as she turned onto her back. ‘I heard him crying in the night again so I brought him in with me.’ She moved the blankets to reveal Johnny snuggled by her side.

      ‘Christ, Mum, you frightened the life out of us.’

      ‘Well, that’s nice, ain’t it? I thought I’d give Pearl the chance of a good night’s sleep and this is the thanks I get.’

      ‘Yeah, sorry, Mum,’ Kevin said, his heart calming down. ‘It was good of you.’

      ‘I’d better give him his bottle before I start work,’ Pearl said as she stepped forward.

      ‘He’s already had it, and I’ve changed his nappy. The poor little mite was soaking wet,’ Dolly said reproachfully, and then her tone broaching no argument she added, ‘he can stay with me and you can put the kettle on.’ Kevin glared at his wife, his voice equally harsh. ‘You daft cow Pearl. I’m going back to bed and I don’t appreciate being woken up for nothing.’

      Pearl saw her husband storm off, and chastened by both him and his mother, she headed for the kitchen. Whilst waiting for the kettle to boil, she had a quick wash, finding her breasts hard and painful, engorged with milk as she gingerly took off her nightdress. Tears filled her eyes as a feeling of helplessness washed over her. In the short time she’d been home from the hospital, Dolly had taken over her son, so much so that she hardly felt that Johnny was hers. Even his name had been Dolly’s choice, Kevin happily falling in with his mother’s suggestion.

      The kettle began to whistle, and hurriedly throwing on her dressing gown, Pearl rushed to make the tea, carrying two cups through to Dolly’s bedroom as soon as it had brewed.

      ‘About time too,’ her mother-in-law complained.

      ‘Morning, Pearl,’ Bernie said, but his eyes were on the baby snuggled between them. ‘Look at him, he’s spark out, but how come he’s in with us every morning?’

      It was Dolly who answered, ‘The poor little nipper was screaming his lungs out, but as usual Pearl didn’t hear him. Honestly, I don’t know how she sleeps through it. I always heard Kevin when he was a baby.’

      Unable to believe that she’d failed to hear Johnny crying again, Pearl’s eyes filled with tears. What sort of mother was she?

      ‘Get going, girl,’ Dolly snapped. ‘There’s work to be done, but you’re standing there like a tit in a trance.’

      Pearl nodded, throwing one last glance at her son before leaving the room. He looked so snug and cute sandwiched between her in-laws, but her arms ached to hold him, to console him for СКАЧАТЬ