Chapter 30
At the moment Tilly felt that explosion pierce her eardrums and rattle through her brain, her sister, Dot, was experiencing the all-encompassing pain of childbirth.
Her body felt as if it was splitting in two and her bones ached with the continuous racking that surged through her body.
While Tilly’s body and brain floated in the blessed release of unconsciousness, Dot had to endure and fight against her body’s desire to give up.
This baby did seem to be taking a long time to emerge, almost as if it was reluctant to meet the world. Mary glanced at Kate and beckoned her to come close.
‘Baby is breech,’ Mary whispered in Kate’s ear. ‘I’ve never done a breech birth before. I think you should get Albert to go and fetch the doctor. I can manage the birth, but she’s going to need stitches afterwards.’
Kate went downstairs to inform Albert, who left immediately. Sarah enquired after Dot and how the birth was going and if everything was going to be all right.
‘It’s a breech birth, so it’s much harder for her, poor Dot. Just keep Anthony busy down here and I’ll call you when you can come up and he can see his new cousin,’ Kate replied. ‘Send the doctor straight up when he arrives. I just hope he’s not out on another call. Dot is going to need him.’
‘Is everything all right?’ Dot asked, a worried look on her face when Kate returned.
‘Nothing to worry about; everything will be fine,’ Mary replied, hoping beyond hope that everything would be fine. ‘Baby is just making us all work a bit harder, that’s all. He or she is coming into the world feet first. She’s going to be a cheeky one, I can see that. She’ll keep you on your toes.’
‘Always supposing she’s a girl,’ Kate said. ‘You just need to hang on, Dot, and push as hard as you can. Think of how William would want you to try your best.’
‘I can’t. I just can’t push any more. I’m exhausted.’ Dot sighed, letting her head fall back on the pillow.
‘You can. You’re almost there,’ Kate said, holding her sister’s hand.
‘Just one more really hard push,’ Mary Suss said. ‘That’s all. Now as soon as you feel the next wave of pain, take a deep breath and give it all you’ve got.’
‘That’s not much,’ Dot complained.
‘Come on, Dot, you can do it,’ Kate said, encouraging her sister.
‘I don’t know how you did this twice,’ Dot moaned.
‘Three times, there were two of them the second time, remember?’
On the final push, Dot let out a huge sigh of relief and collapsed back on the bed. She listened out for the baby’s cry and when she heard nothing, asked with desperation in her voice, ‘Is the baby all right?’
For a few moments a wave of panic swept over her. The sweat streamed into her eyes and mingled with her tears. Tears of joy or of sorrow? She hoped of joy.
She asked a second time, while there was rapid activity at the end of the bed.
Finally, after four excruciating minutes, Dot heard the gentle cries of the tiny life that had just come into being.
Mary gave the scissors to Kate, who cut the cord, thinking all the time of the children she had given birth to.
She was so happy for Dot, that she had a healthy baby after all she had been through.
Mary wrapped the tiny form in a white cloth and placed the baby on Dot’s chest. Dot pulled back the cloth and gazed for the first time at the wonderful little being that she and William had created.
‘Meet your baby girl,’ Mary said.
Dot was overcome with joy. She cried and laughed and cried again. Such a flood of emotions. ‘You gave me a hard time, little girl,’ she said. ‘I hope that’s not a sign of things to come.’
‘Well, I’m sure that she’ll do her best to keep you on your toes.’ Kate smiled. ‘They all do.’
‘But I will love her whatever she does.’ Dot sighed, playing with her tiny fingers.
Dot couldn’t take her eyes off the little bundle in her arms. The baby’s eyes opened and she look up at Dot. ‘I’m your mum,’ Dot said. ‘It’s going to be just you and me, little one, but I will do my very best for you.’
The baby smiled at Dot. Dot tickled the side of the baby’s mouth and she automatically turned towards her mother’s fingers.
‘Looks like she’s hungry already,’ Kate said.
‘Just like her father. He loved his food. Looks like she has his blue eyes too,’ Dot replied.
‘They all have blue eyes when they’re first born. It will be a few weeks yet before their true colour emerges,’ Mary said.
Kate kissed her sister. ‘Have you thought of a name?’ Kate asked.
‘Yes, I thought Jemima because the name means dove. It’s a symbol of peace, freedom and hope.’
‘That’s a beautiful name,’ Kate replied. ‘And most appropriate for a baby born in wartime. Let’s hope she is the bringer of peace.’
The doctor arrived and after Dot had been given a wash and Jemima had taken her first feed, Sarah brought Anthony up to meet his new cousin.
‘Congratulations, Dot, she’s lovely,’ Sarah said. ‘All we need now, is for this terrible war to end and Ronnie and Tilly to come home safely. God bless you, Jemima, and may you grow up in a more peaceful world.’