Chapter Twelve
The baby was two days old when Monty asked, ‘Any thoughts on what we might call him yet? Are you still fond of William or James?’
‘I do still like those names,’ Annie answered as she stared down at the child who was snuggled against her breast. ‘But I thought I might like to call him Adam – Adam Alexander. What do you think?’
Monty blinked in surprise but managed a smile. ‘I think they’re both lovely names.’ He had hoped that the baby’s middle name might be Montgomery after him, but Annie clearly had other ideas.
‘Where did the idea for the middle name come from?’
Annie kept her eyes firmly fixed on the baby as she answered quietly, ‘I just thought the two names sounded nice together, but we can change one or both of them if there’s something you’d prefer.’
Hiding his hurt, Monty shook his head. ‘No, if that’s your choice I’m quite happy with it.
So, Adam it is then. Oh, and by the way, Mother sent word that she’ll be visiting today.
I had to let her and Father know the baby had arrived and I could hardly refuse when she sent word that she wanted to meet him. He is her first grandchild, after all.’
‘Of course,’ Annie agreed for Monty’s sake, although she wasn’t looking forward to it.
She’d spent hours just gazing at the baby for any sign of who he might look like, but as yet he just looked like himself, although his hair was as dark as her own, which she was grateful for.
It would have taken some explaining had he been fair.
‘Right, I’ll go and make us a cup of tea. Peggy’s coming round to make us some dinner. I’m not very good at cooking, as you know.’ That was rather an understatement. Annie often teased him that he could burn water.
Peggy had been marvellous since the baby had arrived, coming around to cook and clean and doing the washing, and not for the first time, Annie thanked God for her.
She was the nearest thing to a mother she had ever known, but she couldn’t help wondering what her real mother would have thought of Adam.
Eve and Susan had also been to meet him, Eve bearing his first teddy bear and Susan with two tiny hand-embroidered nightgowns.
When Peggy arrived, Annie told her of her mother-in-law’s impending visit and Peggy frowned.
‘In that case we’d best get you washed and changed and get your hair brushed. We don’t want her pickin’ fault,’ Peggy declared as she bustled away to fetch Annie a clean nightdress.
‘I can get up and wash and change myself,’ Annie objected.
But Peggy wouldn’t hear of it. ‘You’ll stay where you are fer another few days at least, my girl,’ she told her firmly.
Annie shrugged and settled back against the pillows. Adam had just been fed and looked like a contented little angel snuggled against her. She had to admit that it was rather nice being waited on and having all the time in the world to focus on her son
At three o’clock that afternoon Peggy went upstairs to inform Annie that her in-laws had arrived.
‘Mr Taylor-Lloyd an’ Reggie ’ave come too,’ she said, and when Annie looked distressed, she told her, ‘Don’t worry, I’ll not be lettin’ the men up.’
Minutes later Peggy showed Annie’s mother-in-law into the room with Monty close behind her.
Annie had just finished feeding the baby again and had changed his napkin. With a brief nod at Annie, Mrs Taylor-Lloyd said somewhat unnecessarily, ‘So you’ve had him then.’
‘Yes, as you can see.’ Once again, she had rubbed Annie up the wrong way. She always had a knack of doing that no matter how hard Annie tried with her, and she doubted anything would ever change between them now.
‘Hmm, and a month early. A good weight too for a premature baby!’
Annie knew exactly what she was insinuating and felt colour flood into her cheeks. The woman crossed to the bed and peered down at the child. ‘I have to say he looks nothing like Montgomery did when he was born.’
‘I think it’s rather difficult to tell who a newborn baby looks like, Mother,’ Monty said placatingly. He could see that Annie was getting agitated.
‘Well, he’s certainly going to have his mother’s hair. Am I allowed to hold him?’
Without waiting for an answer, she drew off her gloves and laid them on the bed before holding her arms out. Annie reluctantly allowed her to take Adam.
‘Feeding him yourself, are you?’
When Annie nodded, she sniffed her disapproval. ‘I always think people of class should employ a nanny to bottle-feed the baby. The mother gets back into shape so much more quickly that way.’
‘I don’t want him to have a nanny; I want to feed him and look after him myself,’ Annie answered sharply.
‘And what about his grandfather and uncle who are downstairs. Are they not allowed to meet him?’
Peggy quickly stepped in. ‘I didn’t say they weren’t allowed to meet him. I said I didn’t think it would be appropriate for them to come up here while Annie is nursin’ an’ still in bed. But I’ll take ’im downstairs to meet ’em if you like?’
‘It’s all right, I’ll take him,’ Monty said quickly as he gently took the baby from his mother’s arms. Flashing Annie an apologetic smile, he made for the door with his mother following, promising, ‘Don’t worry, darling. I’ll bring him straight back in a few minutes.’
Peggy stayed behind. This was the first time Adam had been out of Annie’s sight since he’d been born and she could see that she wasn’t happy about it. ‘Let ’im do it to keep the peace,’ she advised.
Annie nodded. ‘I will, although I hate the thought of Reggie anywhere near my baby.’
Peggy shrugged. ‘I doubt they’ll stay long. I certainly shan’t be panderin’ to ’em,’ she said bluntly. ‘An’ if they want a cup o’ tea Monty can make it for ’em. Now you just rest for a few minutes while I go down an’ keep me eye on things.’
Downstairs Annie could hear the murmur of voices, although she couldn’t make out what was being said, and when Peggy had gone, she felt the ever-near tears spring to her eyes.
Oh Alex, I wish you could see him. Monty had gone into the spare room to sleep for a few days and she was grateful for that at least, because guilt sliced through her every time she looked at him or saw him with Adam.
He had been so good with him, but she wondered what he would do if he ever discovered the truth.
Fifteen minutes later Peggy returned Adam to her. ‘It’s all right, they’ve gone now,’ she informed her as she placed him back in Annie’s arms.
‘Were there any more sarcastic comments about him being premature?’ Annie asked.
Peggy avoided her eyes as she started to tidy the bed.
‘Not really.’ Then seeing that Annie was upset she told her sternly, ‘You know what I told yer before – what’s done is done an’ to all intents an’ purposes, Monty is ’is dad an’ he’ll be a good ’un, if I ain’t very much mistaken.
So, pull yerself together an’ accept things as they are, else yer goin’ to end up breakin’ ’is ’eart an’ he don’t deserve that. ’
‘I know,’ Annie muttered miserably.
Before Annie knew it, Christmas was almost upon them. She had loved staying at home and looking after Adam, who was thriving, but now she was beginning to miss the shop. Susan had it running like a well-oiled machine and it was doing remarkably well.
‘I was thinking I might go back to work for a few hours each week,’ she suggested tentatively to Monty one evening.
He was sitting by the fire reading his newspaper and he looked up sharply. ‘What? Already? But Adam is only a few weeks old. Who will look after him?’
‘Well, while I’m still breastfeeding, he could come with me and lie in the kitchen in his pram,’ she told him.
‘It’s nice and warm in there and when he needs feeding Susan or Mrs Jenkins will take over.
’ They had employed Mrs Jenkins to help out in the shop some weeks ago and she had turned out to be worth her weight in gold.
Monty didn’t look at all enamored of the idea, so she rushed on, ‘I just thought it would get me out of the house for short spells. I can’t even go out in the garden at this time of year, so I don’t get to see many people while you’re at work, and I’d enjoy the company.’
‘Hmm, I still think it’s rather too soon.
’ Monty was concerned. ‘The weather is awful at the minute and it’s going to get worse before it gets better.
Is it wise to take a baby out in the cold so soon?
And you should be using this time to rest. You’re up in the night feeding Adam and I don’t want you overdoing it.
The shop is doing perfectly well without you. ’
Annie looked determined. ‘I’m sorry if you’re not happy with the idea, Monty, but you must understand that I’m not used to sitting about all day.
And yes, I do know Susan is doing a marvellous job, but it’s still my shop!
As for taking Adam out in the cold . . .
Well, of course I would make sure that he was very warmly wrapped.
I’m not a complete idiot and I wouldn’t risk his health for anything. ’
‘Oh, I know that,’ he assured her hastily. When she got that look on her face, he knew of old it would be no good arguing with her. ‘But if you must go back just promise me that you won’t overdo it.’
The glare she gave him said it all and he quickly turned his attention back to his newspaper.
The following day Mrs Taylor-Lloyd visited.
She had taken to calling in at least once a week, usually bearing expensive gifts for the baby.
Annie had an idea that she only brought them so she could tell her cronies what a wonderful grandmother she was, but she had to grudgingly admit that she did seem fond of Adam.
While Annie prepared some tea, her mother-in-law asked, ‘When may I have my grandson for an overnight stay? My friends would like to meet him.’
Annie blinked at her surprised. She was aware that Mrs Taylor-Lloyd had employed a nanny to care for Monty and Reggie when they were babies, so she’d probably never had to do a night feed in her life.
‘An overnight stay?’ She could hardly believe the woman had asked.
‘I’m afraid that won’t be for some time.
How would he manage without me? I am breastfeeding him, as you know. ’
Mrs Taylor-Lloyd tutted. ‘But surely he could be weaned onto a bottle now? My maid would take care of him during the night and she’s perfectly capable.’
Annie shook her head. ‘No, I’m afraid I have no intention of doing that just yet. But I could bring him round to meet your friends, if you like?’
The woman pursed her lips in annoyance. ‘No, that won’t be necessary. But don’t you think we should be planning the christening? And I’m hoping that you’ll have a change of heart about his name before the service.’
Annie frowned. ‘Why, what’s wrong with his name?’
‘I would have thought that was fairly obvious,’ her mother-in-law said surlily. ‘In the upper classes it’s usual for the first-born son to take his father’s name. If not for his first name, for his middle name at least.’
‘I assure you Monty is quite happy with my choice of names,’ Annie said quietly. The woman had been there for less than ten minutes and she was riling her already.
‘But where did Alexander come from? Why couldn’t it have been Adam Montgomery?’
‘If you feel so strongly about it, I dare say we could add it and call him Adam Alexander Montgomery Taylor-Lloyd,’ Annie conceded. ‘But it’s rather a mouthful don’t you think?’
Mrs Taylor-Lloyd looked triumphant. ‘Not at all. I think it sounds quite grand and he’ll thank you for it one day when he goes to boarding school and university.’
Annie could have told her that she had no intention of sending Adam away to a boarding school but decided not to bother. It would only cause another altercation. So, loading the tea onto a tray she took her mother-in-law into the parlour where Adam was fast asleep in his crib.
‘Actually, while you’re here, I need to tell you that I shan’t be home on Tuesdays or Fridays,’ Annie said as the woman settled into a chair and spread her skirts about her.
‘Oh, why is that?’
Annie strained the tea into a china cup and after placing it on its saucer she handed it to her mother-in-law. ‘I’ve decided to go back to the shop. Just two days a week to start with.’
The woman looked horrified. ‘But why? I’m sure Montgomery won’t be pleased with this decision. What about Adam?’
‘Monty and I have already spoken about it.’ Annie decided not to admit that Monty was no happier with her decision than her mother-in-law was. ‘And of course Adam will come with me.’
‘Oh, goodness me. This is most unacceptable,’ her mother-in-law spluttered. ‘Although if you are determined to work again there is a way around it. Adam could stay with me on the days you work. My maid would help me to care for him.’
‘That’s a very kind offer but I wouldn’t dream of imposing on you,’ Annie answered quickly. ‘And I couldn’t leave him anyway because as I said he would need to be fed.’
Adam stirred at that moment and thankfully the conversation went no further. But she had an awful feeling that she hadn’t heard the last of it – not by a long shot!