Chapter 17

The process on which Percy and Barbie had embarked turned out to be lengthy, laborious and, it seemed, held no guarantee of success. Dr Flint knew many of the basic facts concerning adoption and was able to point them in the right direction. He suggested that as they had always been regular in their attendance at the local anglican church it might be appropriate to approach the Church of England Adoption Society. They were fortunate to find that the Society was, at that time, open to new applications

The couple soon discovered that there were numerous forms to fill in, interviews to attend, and many weeks of waiting when nothing happened. It was hard on the nerves, now that they had committed themselves to the idea, and sometimes it was Percy who became despondent, and sometimes Barbie.

‘Perhaps it’s all too much for us,’ said Percy one day, when they had both rushed to pick up the post, and there was still nothing from the Adoption Society. ‘Perhaps we should have accepted that having a child is just not for us.’

‘Don’t lose hope, Percy. That’s not like you. We must just keep smiling. It’ll be all right, you’ll see.’

Then, a few days later, the letter came. The Society had accepted them as prospective parents and would let them know when a suitable baby had become available. Percy and Barbie were overcome with joy. In a surprisingly short time another letter came. The Society knew of a baby that was to be handed over for adoption in March, and provided all went well then they suggested the Pipers prepare themselves for an arrival in April.

There were three months to wait. It proved to be an enormously exciting time, and there was so much to do – a nursery to prepare, helpers to find for the shop, equipment to be bought – all the paraphernalia a baby requires. But everything was in place in good time, and then it was just a matter of waiting.

At long last two proud parents stood either side of the cot, gazing at its tiny occupant, speechless with wonder. For her part the baby gazed back, her deep blue eyes mirroring the adoration bestowed upon her by the two mesmerised adults. She gazed at her new parents, her eyes unblinking and steady.

‘She’s so tiny!’ gasped Percy. ‘How can she be so small and yet so perfect!’

‘She’s beautiful! Oh Percy, isn’t she beautiful?’ Tears were rolling down Barbie’s cheeks. She was consumed by the rush of love that swept through her body as she realised that this tiny infant was now her daughter. The baby seemed to approve of what she saw, too, as she gurgled happily. The mutual admiration continued for some time.

Then suddenly the little face began to pucker, the body trembled and sobs gained in crescendo until the whole tiny being was transformed into a seething cauldron of misery vociferously expressed.

‘Whatever do we do now?’ Percy, alarmed, felt helpless at the sight of such tragic emotion. ‘Should we feed her?’

‘I don’t think it’s the right time.’ They had been given a sheet of the baby’s daily routine and advised to stick to it, as this would provide continuity.

Barbie hesitated for a moment, then bent down and picked the child up out of the cot. Holding the baby against her, with her left arm bearing the baby’s weight, her right hand caressed the little back with an expert touch that surprised herself, let alone Percy. Miraculously the sobs began to lose their power, and after a few snuffling noises peace descended once more.

‘There, all she needed was a cuddle.’ Barbie walked up and down, talking softly and soothingly to the little bundle that was now apparently enjoying a deep sleep.

‘You’re a wonder, Barbie! You knew just what to do. How did you know that?’

‘Don’t know,’ admitted Barbie. ‘Just felt right to do it, somehow. I tell you what, Percy. We should use her name, so she gets used to hearing it. The name’s written on this wrist band, and we saw it on the birth certificate – it’s Francesca.’

‘That’s a bit of a mouthful. Can’t we change it?’

‘Oh no!’ Barbie looked shocked. ‘That’s her given name – the name her mother gave her – we mustn’t change it.’

‘I think we can. It’s not written in stone. After all, we’re her parents now, so we can call her what we want.’

‘I don’t know so much, Percy. I really don’t think we should change it. It’s as if … oh, I can’t explain it, but it’s like a trust … the woman who bore her named her, and even if she has upped and left, leaving the child behind, I still wouldn’t feel right changing it.’

‘Just as you like, Barbie. In any case, we can always shorten it. There’s nothing to say we can’t do that. Perhaps we’ll call her Frannie, or Fran. I wonder what her surname was, before it got changed to Piper. We don’t know, do we?’

‘No, we don’t. The Society told us, didn’t they, that it’s usual in these cases to use the shortened form of birth certificate, so the parents’ names are not shown, only the adoptive parents’ names.’

‘I bet her real parents weren’t married,’ muttered Percy.

‘Poor little mite. What a start in life! Never mind, she’s all respectable now, and that’s all there is to it. She’ll never know how her life began. All she needs to know is that she belongs to Mr and Mrs Piper, and now she’s in a good home and she’ll be loved.’

‘Yes,’ agreed Percy, knowing that was what Barbie needed to hear. But silently he wondered if the tiny scrap now fast asleep on his wife’s shoulder ought to be told about her origins, some time. Ah well, that thought could be shelved for a very long time.