Foxden Hotel (The Dudley Sisters Saga Book 5) by Madalyn Morgan (ebook reader ink txt) 📕

‘Nothing to worry about. Baby is fine. She has all her fingers and toes,’ the midwife said, ‘but because she’s early, I’d like Doctor to have a look at her.’ Some minutes later the midwife was back with the doctor. Bill approached the doctor who put up his hand. ‘Doctor can’t tell you anything until he has examined your wife and daughter, Mr Burrell,’ the midwife said brusquely. ‘You must be patient!’

‘Fine! That’s all they can say - and be patient!’ Bill sat down. A minute later he stood up with a start. ‘It’s a girl. The midwife said, daughter.’ Bill sat down again, but couldn’t settle. ‘The doctor’s been in there a long time. You don’t think there’s anything wrong with the baby, do you, Bess?’

‘No… You heard what the midwife said. The baby was early, so the doctor has to check her over. It’s normal medical procedure.’ Bill frowned, he didn’t look convinced. Bess wasn’t convinced either, but she carried on, ‘They have to check all premature babies. It’s just a precaution, there’s nothing to worry about.’ Bess had no experience with babies, premature or otherwise, she just hoped what she said to Bill was of some help.

‘Mr Burrell?’ Bill turned at the sound of his name. ‘If you’d like to come in now, your wife is ready to see you.’ Bess took a step forward and looked optimistically at the nurse. ‘Husband only,’ she said. When Bill went into the ward, the doctor and midwife left.

Passing Bess and Frank the midwife smiled. ‘Mother and baby are doing well.’

‘The child has a good pair of lungs. Takes after her mother, I gather,’ the doctor said, winking at Bess.

‘Yes,’ Bess said, looking between the midwife and doctor. Her heart almost leapt from her chest with relief. ‘She’s doing well, Frank. Our little niece is doing well. Margot is too. She wanted a girl. She said she didn’t mind, but secretly I knew she wanted a girl.’ Bess looked along the corridor. ‘Do you think we’ll be able to see them today?’

‘You’re asking me? I have no idea about these things. Tell you what? I’ll go and find a telephone, let Maeve know Margot’s had the baby, so she can telephone Ena and Claire.’ Frank gave Bess a peck on the cheek and set off down the corridor.

‘Get Maeve to ring Mam when she’s told the girls.’ Frank waved in response. She probably won’t answer the telephone, Bess thought. She looked down at the bag at her feet. It contained an assortment of vests, socks, and bibs, two pale pink nightdresses, and two lemon blankets with white satin edging. She was engrossed in her thoughts when she heard Bill call her name.

‘Sorry, I was miles away. How are they both?’

‘Wonderful. The baby is the most beautiful baby I have ever seen. She’s very small,’ Bill cupped his hands, ‘but she’s perfect. Margot’s worn out, but she insists she wants to see you. The nurse said she’ll be in trouble if the midwife catches you in there, so you’re not to stay long, but she said to come in for a couple of minutes.’

Bess picked up the carpet bag and pushed open the door to Margot’s room. The sight that met her filled her with the happiest, warmest, feeling... ‘Hello, darling.’ She tiptoed over to the bed. Margot was propped up by an elaborate arrangement of pillows that allowed her to hold her baby daughter in her arms.

‘Say hello to your Auntie Bess, baby,’ Margot said, gently pulling on the white sterile blanket that swathed the tiny child.

‘Hello, beautiful girl,’ Bess whispered. ‘She’s absolutely perfect, Margot.’ Bess smiled at her niece through tears of joy, and then looked at her sister. Her hair was stuck to her head with perspiration. Her eyelids were red and looked heavy. ‘What about you? How are you feeling?’

‘Sore and tired. I expect I look a fright, but,’ she said, looking down at her daughter, ‘I don’t care. The only thing that matters is this little one is here and she is healthy,’ Margot cooed.

Bess was aware that the nurse, who had been hovering at the back of the room, had slowly made her way over to her patient’s bed and was standing at Bess’s side. ‘I’d better go and leave you to get some rest, darling. I’ll be back to see you as soon as you’re allowed visitors. Bye, bye, sweetheart,’ she said, blowing her little niece a kiss.

‘There are some things in here for the baby,’ she said, handing the bag to Bill. At the door, Bess looked back at Margot. She was already asleep. She mouthed thank you to the nurse and quietly left.

‘The baby is perfect,’ Bess said, falling into Frank’s arms. ‘She is gorgeous and Margot is amazing. She’s so… so motherly.’

Frank laughed. ‘Come on, let’s go home.’ As they turned to leave, Bill came out of Margot’s room.

‘Thank you for being here. And thank you for this.’ He lifted the carpetbag to waist height. ‘Margot needs some undies and another nightdress, so while she’s sleeping, I’m going to go home and get washed and changed, and pick up some clean clothes for her. I’ll take this with me, so it’s waiting for them when they come home.’

‘Do you want me to take anything to wash?’ Bess asked, ‘I could bring it back when I come in next.’

‘No need. Margot bought new nightdresses, and she’s got drawers full of underwear.’

Outside the hospital, before going to their respective cars, Bill promised to telephone Bess that evening to give her an update on Margot and the baby’s progress, and to tell her when she could visit again.

Waving goodbye to her brother-in-law, Bess slipped her hand into Frank’s hand and strolled by his side to the car.

Bess called at her mother’s cottage