It didn’t take long to change Lillian’s bedroom into the delivery room, since it had been scrubbed and disinfected a few days before.
A rubber square was laid on the mattress, followed by an old flannel sheet that had been almost boiled out of existence. Folded up, it would serve as a birthing pad.
Minnie performed the necessary preparation on the patient, like an enema, a shave and a good dose of castor oil – all designed to encourage a sanitary birth environment. Esmé lined up bowls, pads and a warm shawl made from the same flannel sheet to receive the baby. From the cellar, Ma had dug out a pair of shop scales to weigh the child on.
‘Ma’s cellar seems to be a bit of a treasure trove,’ Minnie whispered as they washed the dust from the scales, and placed a square of towelling on the metal tray for the infant’s comfort.
Minnie smiled at they tied clean white aprons around their middles. ‘I’m really looking forward to this. I love babies. When I marry . . . if I marry, I want four children of my own. What about you, Es?’
‘Two . . . perhaps three, but not straight away.’ And they would look like Leo.
They checked that all was ready. There was a wicker cradle ready to receive the child, with a mosquito netting hanging from a metal bar curving over the top.
Lillian gave a little whimper and Minnie gazed down at her. ‘Has labour started?’
Lillian nodded.
Minnie’s capable hands probed carefully over Lillian’s distended stomach, and she smiled. ‘The head’s well down. Did you have any pains before these?’
‘No . . . but my back hurt a few times when I was having my rest and I couldn’t get comfortable. Then I fell asleep and forgot about it.’
Minnie exchanged a smile with Esmé. ‘Let me know the next time you have a contraction so I can measure how strong they are. Afterwards, Esmé will swab the area so you’re nice and clean for the delivery.’
Esmé went down to fetch some hot water to add to the cold she already had. She found Leo in the sitting room sipping tea with Ma, and remembered they’d been going to the cinema to see the Hitchcock film, Thirty-Nine Steps, with Robert Donat.
She gave him a quick kiss, then took the cup from his hand and helped herself to a gulp. ‘I can’t stay, but the way things are going, I shouldn’t be too long. We might catch the late sitting.’
‘If you need me I’ll be here.’
‘It’s going to be one of the easy births, and shouldn’t take long. Minnie’s in charge and I’m the fetch and carry nurse. But thanks anyway, Leo.’
Ma’s face took on a worried expression. ‘Lil will be all right, won’t she? She’s only a kid.’
‘All the better, since she’s nice and flexible.’
‘Shouldn’t she have a doctor?’
‘Goodness, Ma, will you stop worrying. Minnie and I are qualified midwives. We’ve done this many times before, and this is going to be one of the easy ones. We have Leo to call on if a doctor is needed . . . but I promise you, he won’t be.’
Lillian was having a contraction when she went back up. A few minutes and several more contractions later, Minnie told Lillian, ‘Your contractions are strong. This baby is in a hurry and will come into the world fairly quickly. You’ll get some strong pains one of top of the other when we near the actual birth. Try to stay relaxed, so it won’t hurt so much.’
Esmé patted her hand and smiled at her. ‘Don’t worry about anything. Dr Thornton is downstairs if we should need him.’
The baby’s head began to appear fifteen minutes after Esmé had swabbed Lillian.
Lillian grunted and groaned, and worked long and hard through the constant contractions. Perspiration covered her, but she was being carried along on the surging tide of her labour pains without too much effort.
Minnie talked Lillian through it. ‘The baby has fair hair . . . and a little wrinkled forehead. Try not to push for a minute while I feel for the cord . . . good . . . I want you to turn on your side, put your foot against my shoulder and push hard with the next contraction.
Esmé acted as a brace to her friend.
There was a prolonged grunt and the baby’s head was out. A few minutes later, the infant turned and slithered into Minnie’s waiting hands. She smiled at Lillian. ‘You have a darling little girl . . . so perfect and pretty. Wally would have been proud.’
Tears prickled behind Esmé’s eyes. Although her friend’s marriage to Wally had been a mistake from the start, she knew Minnie had been upset when she’d lost her own child. It said much for Minnie that she could be so generous of heart towards this girl.
The baby was placed on Lillian’s stomach, the afterbirth delivered cleanly, and the cord cut and tied.
Handed into the waiting sheet, Esmé made sure the airway was clear and washed her little screwed-up face with cotton wool dipped in warm water. A rosebud mouth and pert turned-up nose gave her a dainty look. The infant was placed on the scales and the weights adjusted. She gave a wail and began to quiver as she stretched her arms and legs. She was a good colour, as sweet a newborn as Esmé had ever seen. ‘Six pounds and four ounces at birth.’
Esmé couldn’t see anything of Wally in the child, but it was early days yet, and she hadn’t had all that much to do with him.
Minnie took up the child and gazed at her. Her eyebrow lifted a mere fraction, signalling that she’d been looking for a similarity too, and couldn’t find it. Esmé held her breath, wondering if the straightforward Minnie would say anything.
There was a fraction of a shrug, as though her friend had reminded herself that it wasn’t mandatory that a child should resemble its father – and she didn’t really care, either way. ‘She looks like you, Lillian, though I can see a bit of Ma in her.’ She placed the child in Lillian’s arms. ‘See if you can get her to attach to your breast. Some babies need encouragement before they can suck. I’m going to look below to see if you need any stitches, so don’t jump.’
While Lillian admired her daughter, Minnie briefly examined her patient. ‘Everything seems to be in order. You did well for a first child. What a wonderful birth, four hours from start to finish, and hardly a groan.’ She gently cleansed and dried the area. ‘I wish they were all like that. Pass over those pads, please, Es. And then we’ll change the draw sheet.’
When Lillian was comfortable, Minnie asked her, ‘Have you thought of a name for your daughter? And don’t you dare suggest Red Rafferty! Her appearance has created enough excitement for one day.’
Lillian giggled, then thought for a moment before giving a big smile. ‘Shirley, I think, after Shirley Temple, that child film star . . . and after Ma, as well. Shirley Marlene.’
‘That’s a pretty name.’ Esmé picked up the soiled sheets and the afterbirth, which was wrapped in the morning newspaper, and would be burned with the rubbish in the rusty oil drum that was used as a backyard incinerator.
A name jumped out at her. The article was short. Crime boss, John Teagan captured after an armed hold up, and faces fourteen years in jail for robbery with violence. Other charges are pending.
Esmé crooked her finger at Minnie and they moved to one side. They exchanged a smile when she read it. ‘I’ll ask Ma to tell Lillian tomorrow. I’ll go and put these sheets in to soak, and I’ll get you a cup of tea.’
Minnie took it from her hands. ‘I can see to all that . . . don’t keep Leo waiting any longer.’
She nodded. ‘Don’t wait up, Minnie, I’ve got my key.’
Minnie laughed. ‘Why don’t you do both of you a favour and stay with him all night.’
She surprised herself by saying, ‘Perhaps I will.’
Washing her face and hands she brushed her hair. She was growing it, and it rippled to her shoulders, where it terminated in loose curls. Pulling on brown slacks and drawing a long pink cardigan over a chiffon blouse, she powdered her face, applied lipstick and dabbed a little perfume behind her ears and in the hollow of her throat.
It was Coty’s Chypre. Chad had given it to her two birthdays ago, and although she’d been frugal with it, she’d shared the fragrance with Minnie, and now there was barely any left.
She hadn’t used it for some time, and the perfume brought a sharp, nostalgic moment of delight that she’d soon see her family again. Minnie had been right . . . this trip to Australia had been an adventure for both of them.
Snatching up her coat, she smiled as she heard Ma cooing over Shirley. That was going to be one spoiled baby.
They took a tram into the city and made the cinema in time, managing to get a seat in the back row, where they held hands and exchanged occasional, but increasingly passionate kisses. Towards the end of the film Leo whispered in her ear, ‘What’s that perfume you’re wearing?’
‘Chypre.’
He gave a chuckle. ‘It doesn’t smell like any sheep I’ve come across. You smell good enough to eat, though, and I didn’t have any dinner.’
‘Neither did I.’
His stomach rumbled loudly, and she chuckled. ‘If we left now we could take a tram to that fish and chip shop near your flat, then eat supper on the way to your place, where you can make me a cup of coffee to wash it down with.’
He raised an eyebrow. ‘You’ve got it all worked out, then.’
Far from it, she was hoping he’d work it out when the time came.
They ate crisply battered fish and fried chips from newspaper wrapping as they walked. After they’d finished, Leo dropped the paper in a rubbish bin and said, ‘That newspaper was probably full of chemicals.’
‘The contents tasted good, though . . . and besides, we didn’t eat the newspaper. It was only there to keep the food warm. It had that white paper lining.’
‘Also full of chemicals.’
She laughed, sliding her greasy hand into his. ‘It’s best not to think about it. Chemicals or not, it was delicious, and I enjoyed it.’
It began to rain, a fine drizzle that soaked the pavements and picked up the reflection of the city lights and turned the ground into a kaleidoscope of colours. The gutters rumbled with miniature streams of running water, and now and again a car went past, the tyres hissing in a blur of fine spray.
‘It will begin to pour before too long. We’d better run . . . the flat isn’t far.’
By the time they got there they were both dripping. Long as her legs were, they were no match for Leo’s, and soon she was out of breath. Collapsing against him when he used the key in the main door, she gasped out, ‘I can’t go another step.’
He swept her up in his arms, carried her up the stairs and balanced her precariously on one raised knee while he inserted the key into the door of his flat. Nudging it open he secured her under the knees and smiled down at her as they went inside and he set her on to her feet. ‘The bathroom’s through there. Hang your coat on the line over the bath. I’ll make us some coffee.’
Leo’s flat had two bedrooms, and was on the second floor of a four-storey red brick block. There was space to park a car behind the block. Leo had bought the flat with a legacy from his Thornton grandmother. The rooms had high ceilings, and the furnishings were sparse, with a masculine look of leather and some red curtains and matching cushions to soften it.
She supposed they’d live here eventually, though she’d prefer something with a garden so she could have a dog and grow vegetables.
When she was dry she joined him in the kitchen, towelling her wet hair. ‘What will you do about this flat?’
‘It’s not much use trying to sell it while the Depression is on. When we’ve gone Alex will pack up my personal things and take them to Fairfield to be stored, along with the car. The flat can be let furnished, and we’ll get ourselves a house when we come back.’
The kitchen was small and neat. ‘What about the Moth?’
‘The plane has its own shed at Fairfield, and there’s room for the car. Alex can have the use of them both, especially while he’s courting Minnie.’
‘Is he courting Minnie? She likes him a lot, and I’d hate her to be hurt again.’
‘Seriously . . . but it might take him a while to get round to asking her. I might have to give him a push.’
A smile sped across her face. ‘I’m glad, because I want her to be happy. When we get to London where will we live?’
Stirring a spoonful of sugar into her coffee, he added milk and handed it to her. ‘I’ve already had accommodation arranged for myself. It’s an attic bed-sitter and will be a bit small for two. We can find something bigger once we’re there. You’re not worried about how we’ll manage, are you?’
‘A little . . . I imagine I can get a job though.’
He placed her coffee to one side and lifted her to sit on the edge of the table, so their eyes were level. ‘We’ve never discussed finances, have we? I want you to know that I have enough money to support us comfortably, since I get a good income from the sheep station, and will have a wage from the hospital while I’m studying. You don’t have to work to help support us, Es. You only need to work if you want to, until we have children who need mothering.’
‘I do want to work.’ Colour touched her cheeks, and she remembered that she’d decided it was time to surrender her innocence. She didn’t really know how to go about broaching the subject.
‘Leo . . . I want to ask you something?’
His glance went to her mouth. ‘Ask away.’
‘I don’t know how to.’
The puzzlement in his eyes changed to dismay. ‘You’re not going to change your mind about getting married, are you?’
‘Lord . . . no.’
‘Well, what the heck is it? Stop keeping me in suspense and just say it.’
‘Would you . . . will you take me to bed?’
She giggled when his eyes widened in shock and he said, ‘What . . . now . . . this very moment?’
‘Oh, no . . . not at once. You can finish your coffee first.’
His mouth twitched at the corner, and his eyes filled with such amusement that her blush deepened. He began to laugh, then roared with laughter before choking out, ‘I had no idea you were churning with lust for me?’
‘I am not churning with lust. I don’t even know what lust feels like, never mind churning it. I don’t like you any more, Leo Thornton . . . you’ve embarrassed me and I’ll never forgive you.’
Her wail of frustration was muffled inside his mouth when he kissed her and said tenderly, ‘Yes you will. I adore you, Esmé. I take it all back. You neither churn nor lust.’
The touch of his lips had a weakening effect on her and she caressed his face. ‘I lied. I churn like a dairymaid and lust like crazy, and I meant what I said . . . it wasn’t a joke. I just don’t know how to flirt and be suggestive.’
‘You don’t need to with that direct approach. I got the message completely.’ The laughter left him. ‘Thank goodness for small mercies. I would suggest we go to bed before drinking our coffee, since coffee has a sobering effect.’
The breath inched from her lungs as his fingers walked up from her waist, undoing each button on her blouse. When he reached her breasts his palms gently caressed her, and then he bent his head and kissed each one. His hand slid under her buttocks and he lifted her and carried her into the bedroom, her legs wound about his body.
They had both seen naked people before, but this was different. His body was beautiful, long, lean and muscular, and she was ready for every caress from his fingers and tongue.
The bedroom was lit by a lamp in the image of a nearly naked woman draped in a cloth, and holding aloft a flame of opaque glass. It emitted a soft glow. Esmé was suddenly overtaken by shyness. ‘Are you going to leave the light on?’
He laughed. ‘If we’re going to be wicked let’s be brazen about it. I want to see your face.’
She soon learned what lust was, and triumphed in the way he responded to her tentative exploration of his warm body. Something gradually changed between them so the play became more intense, and Leo more commanding. His breath came in short bursts, and for a moment he reached into the bedside cabinet and removed a small packet with Silver Text written on the side and ripped the top off.
A condom! She’d demonstrated the function and purpose of such devices to expectant mothers at birth control lectures, to embarrassed giggles and ribald remarks. She’d never put one on living flesh. ‘Let me, Leo.’ Taking it from his trembling hands she rolled it down over his rigid penis, her palms gently caressing his skin as she went. It felt soft and silky against her fingertips. He made a strangled noise in his throat and rolled over on top of her.
She opened to accommodate him, and his hands lifted her. He impaled her with one movement, and the little jolt of shock she experienced was soon absorbed into a slow dance of advance and retreat.
‘My darling Es,’ he murmured against her ear, and shuddered when she gently bit the curve of his jaw in response.
She slid her hands over his backside, which was taut and powerful in its rise and fall, and he murmured something deep in his throat and the pace increased.
Now it was her turn to murmur. But there was a build up of raw excitement running through her that made her want to scream with the pleasure of him. Every nerve in her body was concentrated in that one place, and she felt reckless with her need.
His mouth explored hers, his tongue stroking in and out of her mouth. She was being made love to in more ways than one, consumed. It was sublime. Soon she became lost in a tumbling turbulence of thrusts and his breath began to pant from his mouth.
The excitement of the moment brought a sudden upward thrust of her pelvis that she hadn’t expected, and he growled with her when she cried out. There was the sudden flood of heat inside her, and he relaxed.
She lay there, cuddled against his body, feeling his heart beat against hers. She traced her finger over the angles of his face, his eyelids and the curving mouth that had left a warm imprint on hers, and she whispered, ‘I love you.’
His lashes fluttered and his eyes opened. He gazed at her, then lifted a strand of her hair from her face and tucked it behind her ear, smiling. ‘And I’m crazy about you. Now we’ve got the awkward bit over with, how do you feel?’
‘Perfectly wicked,’ she said.
The time passed quickly, and soon it was Esmé’s wedding day. Ma had made a good job of her wedding gown, and it looked lovely. Minnie wore a pink dress, and acted as her bridesmaid. Both of them carried a spray of pink silk roses to match the ones pinned to the lace on their hats.
Leo was waiting for her at the altar, elegant in a light grey lounge suit with double-breasted waistcoat. His eyes caught hers as she was escorted down the aisle on his father’s arm. Esmé couldn’t help but wish it were Denton Elliot giving her away.
The vows were exchanged and photographs were taken with Leo’s camera, so they could get the film developed on the ship.
Ma had done her proud and she hugged the woman. ‘Thank you for everything, Ma.’
‘Don’t forget to come back. Good luck, my love. Doc has got himself a treasure.’
On the stroke of eight, Alex and Minnie brought the car around. There was another round of goodbyes.
Leo’s mother gave her a tearful hug. ‘Look after my boy, and make sure he wears a vest in the winter. I don’t trust the cold weather in the old country.’
His father kissed her. ‘Welcome to the family, my dear.’ His eyes briefly speculated on Minnie. ‘I hope Alex does as well. It needs someone practical to be a farmer’s wife.’
Alex drove them to the ship in Leo’s car.
Tears in her eyes, Esmé hugged her friend. It would be a long time before she saw her again, ‘I’m going to miss you, Min. You won’t forget to write, will you?’
Minnie blinked back her tears. ‘Bon voyage, Es. I’ll see you in a couple of years. The time will fly pass, you’ll see.’
The brothers shook hands and they exchanged hugs all over again.
Gruffly from Alex, who’d shuffled his feet and cleared his throat now and again. ‘Look after her, Leo.’
‘Go on then, while you’ve got your best suit on,’ Leo said, elbowing his brother in the ribs.
‘What . . . you mean, now?’
‘Of course I mean now. The ship sails in a couple of hours, and if you want to come on board and share a glass of champagne with us, you’d better get it over with.’
Alex cleared his throat, then glanced round at them. He gave a resigned shrug and mumbled, ‘I reckon I’ll be getting married myself soon . . . that’s if she’ll have me.’ His embarrassed glance settled on Minnie. ‘Will you, Min?’
Minnie smiled. ‘I was beginning to think you’d never ask.’