Tin Hats and Gas Masks (18 page)

She tried to do what she was told, puff and push in the right places, and she hung on to Aunt Bessie's hand with such force that the poor woman was forced to cry out herself. Just when she thought she couldn't do it an excruciating pain almost made her pass out and dimly, she heard the midwife say, ‘Good girl, one more, come on, you're nearly there.' She could hear herself screaming now, then suddenly it was all over, and the midwife was saying, ‘Well done, Annie, you have a beautiful baby boy.'

Suddenly she felt herself going, heard the anxious voices and realized with horror that the baby hadn't cried. That was when she did pass out.

Annie opened her eyes to find Aunt Bessie still beside her.

From a great distance she heard her own voice say, ‘He's dead, isn't he? My son was stillborn.'

Bessie's arm was supporting her as she said quietly, ‘No Annie. He's alive and well.'

‘But – but he didn't cry and you were all bothered and—'

‘He only needed a slap to get his breath. He has a powerful voice I can tell you. It was you who needed the attention for a few moments my love. You fainted on us.'

Aunt Bessie eased her up in the bed and the midwife gently placed the baby in her arms. He seemed to be making little chuckling sounds and he looked like a miniature
Johnny.

‘Oh,' she whispered, holding the fragile bundle to her breast, ‘you are so beautiful.'

‘I'll make you a cup of tea,' Aunt Bessie said, ‘then you can have a good long sleep and be fresh for when Johnny comes down this evening. You can stay here as long as you need, you know, Annie, and when you are back in town I hope you'll often come for weekends and holidays in the country. I should like that and I'll be able to see more of this little fellow too.'

Aunt Bessie touched the baby's downy head gently.

‘We will, Aunt Bessie. And I'll never forget your kindness, never.'

‘Don't be silly, you're keeping the room aired for me, aren't you?'

She turned when she reached the door. ‘Ben and I couldn't have children, you know, it was the only thing missing in our marriage. We both wanted them.'

Quietly she slipped from the room and Annie looked at her baby son's dimpled hands and perfect nails. A tear fell on to his soft skin as she kissed his forehead.

‘That'll be them now, Annie,' Bessie said when the doorbell rang that evening. ‘I bet Maggie will be the proudest grandma in London.'

Annie gazed at her baby son. She looked radiant. Johnny came in alone.

‘You all right, Annie?' He kissed her tenderly and laid a huge bunch of bronze and yellow chrysanthemums on the bed.

‘I'm fine, darling.'

He gazed at her adoringly and gently took hold of her hand.

‘Don't you want to see the baby?' she said.

Almost shyly Johnny looked at his son. ‘He's a funny-looking blighter, isn't he, Annie?'

She smiled. ‘He'll do all right, Johnny, I'm sure he will. Your mum has promised to help me, and we'll make up to him in love what he hasn't got in money.'

‘You bet we will.' Johnny bent over the tiny head cradled in her arms. ‘Tell you something, Annie, he's already the luckiest little chap alive except for me, because he has you as his mum.'