‘Next contraction, Norah.’ Even Dr Darkins was sounding more animated. ‘I want you to push as hard as you can.’
Norah lay back against the pillows panting hard, waiting. What did he think she had been doing? She was aware of the overwhelming irritation she felt for the middle-aged man who had been present throughout. Why was he there and Arthur was not?
‘Arthur … I want him here with me.’ Her voice was thin and reedy.
‘I really don’t think …’ Dr Darkins began but Cissy leapt up immediately.
‘I’ll fetch him.’
She found him sitting outside, shoulders slumped, his head in his hands, and called his name.
‘What is it?’ He sprang to his feet and strode inside the cottage. ‘What’s happened?’ His face was ashen, his eyes pools of fear.
She grabbed his hand. ‘Come quickly. Hopefully, the baby is about to be born.’
As he entered the room, Norah screamed for the first time, a raw, primal sound of sheer will and effort. Arthur rushed to her side and grabbed her hand, just as her tiny, baby girl was delivered.
◆◆◆
She was gorgeous, Arthur thought as he cradled her, wrapped in a thin blanket, in his arms. Although she had been born early and was very small, she was perfectly formed and he marvelled at her delicate, pink fingers and toes. She looked up at him now, so trusting and innocent, and he felt consumed by love for her. He could understand why Norah had been prepared to give her life for her; he would do the same in a heartbeat.
‘Isn’t she a darling?’ Cissy was smiling at him. ‘Look at all that lovely black hair, just like her daddy’s.’
He stroked it gently, afraid he might hurt her with his work-roughened hands. ‘How’s Norah doing? Can we go back in and see her yet?’
‘I’ll go and see.’
After the birth, Dr Darkins had checked the baby over and pronounced her healthy before handing her to her mother. Pale and exhausted, Norah had clung to her daughter.
‘Hello Iris,’ she had crooned. ‘Oh, she’s so beautiful. Our daughter.’ Her eyes gleamed with triumph as she looked across at Arthur.
He had shaken Dr Darkins warmly by the hand, almost overcome with emotion. ‘I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done. You too Cissy.’ He gave her a hug.
‘We’re not out of the woods yet.’ The doctor’s voice held a note of warning but Arthur was oblivious as Iris was lifted from her mother’s arms and given to him. ‘Take the baby through to the living room for a moment. I’ll give you a call when you can come back in.’
He had carried her awkwardly over to the chair, unsure how best to hold such a fragile form, and sat down. Outside, it was still dark but the dawn was beginning to creep in. He'd had no sleep for twenty-eight hours and endured a roller coaster of emotions but now he'd never felt more alive or more at peace with the world. Jimmy’s death had torn him apart but, sitting there, rocking his daughter, he had hope - hope of redemption, hope of a new beginning, hope for the future.
He felt Cissy’s hand on his shoulder. ‘The doctor said to stay here. At the moment, Norah’s still bleeding. You’re not to worry.’ She saw the flash of concern in his face. ‘That’s often the case after a difficult delivery. I’m sure he’ll call us soon. Meanwhile, I don’t know about you but I could do with another cuppa.’
They sat together, chatting amiably, for some time. The sky lightened to a lilac hue, Iris slept peacefully and they waited.
◆◆◆
In the other room, Dr Darkins did all he could but Norah continued to bleed. It was something he had seen too often before and he cursed his helplessness as he called Arthur and Cissy to rejoin him.
◆◆◆
Once again, Norah felt herself weightless, looking down on the scene unfolding. Her friend Cissy was crying as she held her precious daughter.
‘Don’t cry, Cissy,’ she wanted to tell her. ‘Look how perfect she is. It was all worth it to see her born safely.’
Her husband, her darling husband, was holding the white-faced woman on the bed, his body shuddering with sobs.
The doctor was standing to one side, busying himself with tidying his instruments, sadness etched in the lines and pallor of his face.
How she wanted to return. How she wanted to hold her daughter, nurse her, see her grow, fall in love, have her own children. But she knew she could not. All she could do was to keep her promise to watch over her, to protect her and keep her from harm.
Not long now. She could feel death’s shadow creeping ever closer, slowly engulfing her. With a sigh, she exhaled just one more time. It was her final breath.
◆◆◆
Chapter 23
Emily - January 2017
The day ended in frustration. After finding Arthur’s final resting place, Emily and Jennifer had searched the immediate area for Norah or James but to no avail. If they were buried in the churchyard, it was not near him. Then it had started to rain - fat, icy drops which rapidly became a downpour. They had returned speedily to the cottage but not before they became soaked through. Emily was especially concerned about Alex and insisted he have a bath to warm him. Alex himself was not so keen and threw a rare tantrum. By the time they had eaten supper, a chicken chasseur Jennifer had left in the slow cooker that morning, and he was peacefully asleep in bed, she felt completely frazzled.
Meanwhile, David had phoned but it was not good news. His mother had taken a turn for the worse and would be unable to see them today.
‘We’ll see how she is in the morning. She does particularly want to see you but obviously, we don’t want her going downhill. I’ll be in touch,’ he'd told Jennifer, who had
