One Step at a Time (35 page)

There was little traffic on the roads now petrol was rationed, so she relaxed, glad to have this time alone to gather her thoughts.

The front door was opened as soon as she drove up, and Mrs Sterling came out to greet her.

‘Amy, what a lovely surprise.’ She gave her daughter-in-law a hug. ‘Come in. How long can you stay?’

The grief of losing her son was etched on her face and she seemed to have aged ten years over the last few weeks. Amy hoped that news of the baby would help to ease the pain a little. She knew it had for her, although she would never get over the loss.

‘I was wondering if you’d let me stay for a couple of weeks, Mrs Sterling?’

‘We’d love that, and I think it’s time you called us Charles and Mildred, don’t you?’

Amy smiled her agreement.

‘You can stay for as long as you like. Have you brought a case with you?’

‘It’s in the boot.’ Amy went to the rear of the car, but before she could remove the case, Mildred had picked it up eagerly and they went into the house.

‘I’ll show you to your room after we’ve had a drink. Dinner will be an hour yet, so would you like a sherry?’

‘Not for me, thank you.’ She looked around,
searching for any sign of her father-in-law. She wouldn’t give her news until they were both here.

‘Charles will be home any moment.’ After pouring herself a small drink, Mildred sat opposite Amy. ‘Oh, it’s so good to see you, my dear. How have you been keeping?’

‘It’s a struggle, but Mrs Dalton and Ted have been a great support.’

‘I’m sure they have.’ Mildred listened for a moment. ‘Ah, here he is.’

Amy heard the key in the front door, and remembered how she had waited eagerly for the same sound as John arrived home. She had been told that time would ease the pain, but it was still almost crippling, and she didn’t believe it would ever go completely. She had loved him so much, and still did. Time could never change that.

‘We have a guest, dear.’ Mildred greeted her husband with a smile on her face. ‘Amy’s come to stay for a while.’

‘That’s wonderful.’ He kissed her cheek. ‘I hope it’s going to be a long stay?’

‘A couple of weeks.’ She waited until he had settled. Like his wife, he looked drawn and tired. ‘I’ve come unannounced because I have some news for you.’

‘Is it Ben?’ Mildred clasped her hands together tightly as if expecting bad news.

‘No, we still haven’t heard anything about him. But this is good news.’

Charles sighed. ‘That will make a change, Amy. What is it?’

She pitched straight in. ‘I’m pregnant. It must have happened at Christmas, while we were here…’

She tailed off. Her hurried explanation appeared to have had a stunning effect, for they were both on their feet, staring at her, as if they hadn’t understood what she had just told them.

‘I’m very happy about it.’ Amy was concerned now. They weren’t saying anything. They couldn’t be unhappy about the baby, surely? This wasn’t the response she had expected. ‘I thought you’d be pleased.’

That remark snapped them back to life. Mildred began to cry and smile at the same time, and Charles dipped his head as if trying to control his emotions.

Then he looked up. ‘Oh, my dear, you couldn’t have given us better news.’

Mildred finally recovered, taking hold of Amy’s hands. ‘This is absolutely wonderful. We shall all have something of John in the child. What a gift!’

Amy breathed a huge sigh of relief. ‘Gosh, for a moment I thought you weren’t happy about it.’

‘We were stunned, that’s all.’ Charles sat beside her, grinning broadly. ‘You did the right thing leaving London. It will be safer here for you and the baby.’

‘I won’t be staying all the time,’ she told them firmly, as she knew they would try to persuade her to remain with them. ‘I won’t do anything to put the baby at risk, it is far too precious, but I would like it to be born in Chelsea. We were so very happy there for the short time we had together.’

‘We understand.’ Mildred’s eyes were shining with joy. ‘For the next two weeks you can relax, sleep and eat. And whatever your decisions are, Amy, we will respect them and do all we can to help. How are you feeling?’

‘All right at the moment, but I was sick this morning.’

‘Well, you just tell me what you want to eat.’ She looked at her husband with a smile of amusement. ‘Do you remember that I had a craving for pickled gherkins?’

He chuckled. ‘Don’t remind me.’

Amy was delighted to see the change in them. They were such good people. Now the news had been accepted with joy, she was suddenly tired, yawning time and again. It would be good to take things easy for a while, away from the threat of air raids. A time of quiet to let this all sink in, and prepare herself for the birth of John’s child – their child.

‘Oh, I’ve brought my ration book with me. You can’t feed me without it.’ Amy pulled a face as she held it out. ‘Better not try and give me an egg at the moment.’

‘I understand.’ Mildred’s eyes filled with moisture again as she gazed at Amy. ‘Do you know how much this means to us, Amy? You are carrying the grandchild we thought we would never have. This is a bittersweet day for all of us.’

Amy couldn’t agree more.

*

That was the best night’s sleep she’d had for some time. Amy stretched, looking round the pretty pink room, relieved Mildred had been thoughtful enough not to put her in the room she had shared with John over Christmas.

There was a knock on the door and Mildred came in with a cup of tea and a plate of plain biscuits. ‘Good morning, my dear, did you sleep well?’

‘Very soundly. I hardly remember getting into bed last night.’ She propped herself up and took the cup. ‘You mustn’t wait on me. I’m usually the one who does all the cooking and clearing up in our house.’

‘You must allow me a little indulgence.’ Mildred smiled and sat on the edge of the bed. ‘What would you like for breakfast? I’ve got some bacon—’

The cup crashed down on the bedside table as Amy scrambled out of bed and rushed for the bathroom.

When she came back Mildred was waiting for her. ‘I shouldn’t have said that, should I?’

Amy shook her head, picked up the cup and gulped her tea down.

‘Ah, you’re obviously all right with tea, so what about a fresh pot and some toast?’

Her stomach didn’t rebel at that suggestion. ‘That will do fine.’

‘You just take your time and stay in bed as long as you like. It’s only nine o’clock.’

‘Good gracious! I’ve usually been up for a couple of hours by now.’

‘There’s no reason for you to get up early while
you’re here.’ Mildred walked to the door, and then looked back, amused. ‘My sickness stopped when I reached four months.’

‘That’s something to look forward to then,’ Amy muttered as she crawled back into bed, picked up a biscuit and nibbled cautiously.

32

Bowing to pressure from Charles and Mildred, Amy had stayed for three weeks, enjoying the peace of the countryside, and had returned to London feeling rested. But the raids had been bad, and after a particularly nasty one, she had willingly returned again, much to her in-laws’ delight. They were naturally worried about her being in danger, and even more so now that she was pregnant. However, by the end of May the bombing had stopped and she had been able to come home. She loved John’s parents dearly, but Chelsea was her home and she didn’t like leaving it for too long. There were still raids in various cities and industrial areas, but the persistent night-after-night bombing of London had stopped, much to everyone’s relief.

Now it was 26 September and the house was full, eagerly awaiting the birth of her baby. Charles and Mildred had arrived four days ago, quickly followed by Howard and his girl, Chrissie.

‘Do sit down, Amy.’ Howard placed a chair behind her as she stood in the kitchen door, hands in the small of her back. ‘You’re as round as you are tall, and top heavy.’

She grimaced at him, but sat down as he held on
to her shoulders. Apart from about four weeks of morning sickness, she’d had a trouble-free pregnancy, and the months had gone quickly enough. Now she was fed up – the baby was a week overdue.

Howard crouched down in front of her. ‘You’d better get a move on, Amy, as Chrissie and I have only two days left of our leave, and we want to see the baby before we go back.’

‘I want to see it too.’ She sighed and rubbed her back again. ‘Why don’t you marry Chrissie?’

‘When the war’s over.’

‘But that could be years yet. We’ve survived Dunkirk, the Battle of Britain, as Churchill called it, and the Blitz, but we’re still on our own in this fight. America is showing no sign of joining us.’

‘Look on the bright side.’ Howard grinned. ‘Hitler didn’t invade.’

‘Not yet!’ she glowered, making him roar with laughter.

‘Oh dear, we are in a bad mood, aren’t we?’

She cuffed him round the ear. ‘So would you be if you had this.’ She ran her hands over her very large bump.

‘But it’s John’s baby,’ he said gently.

The scowl disappeared and love filled her large eyes. ‘I want to hold it.’

‘Won’t be long now.’ Chrissie came in, looking extra pretty without her army nurse’s uniform. ‘Time you had a nice bath.’

‘Bath?’ Amy gave her a disapproving look. ‘I had
one this morning, and you know what a job I had getting in and out of the tub.’

‘I’ll help you again. I’m used to bathing bigger people than you. Come on, you’ll feel better after it.’

With a resigned sigh, Amy hauled herself out of the chair, muttering, ‘I bet she’s a terror on the wards.’ Then she grabbed hold of Howard. ‘Ooooh!’

Mildred was immediately by her side. ‘What is it? Have the contractions started?’

Amy nodded. ‘I think so. I’ve never felt anything like that before.’

Chrissie checked her watch. ‘Let’s see when the next one comes. Walk around if you want, Amy.’

Howard put his arm around her and they walked slowly up and down the kitchen.

The next contraction had Chrissie springing into action. ‘Ted, you go for the midwife. Tell her to hurry. The contractions are only eight minutes apart. This is going to be fast for a first baby. Oh, and let the doctor know as well.’

Amy smirked at Howard. ‘Bossy, isn’t she?’

‘Into the bedroom with you.’ Chrissie took over from Howard.

‘Everything’s ready.’ Mildred came the other side of Amy and they led her into the other room.

In the end it was eight hours before her daughter decided to grace them with her presence, and came into the world yelling at the top of her voice. To Amy it was the most wonderful sound she had ever heard.

‘Let me see her!’ She struggled to sit up, but was pushed down again. ‘Show me!’

The baby was put in her arms and she searched her little face, looking for John’s likeness. It was hard to tell, but one thing was clear, their daughter didn’t have Amy’s wide mouth or up-tilted eyes, or at least not yet.

‘Be like your daddy,’ Amy whispered, her voice thick with tiredness and emotion.

The doctor was there as well, and after examining both mother and baby, declared himself satisfied. ‘You have a fine strong daughter, Mrs Sterling, weighing in at six pounds, ten ounces. You have done well, but now you must rest.’

‘Thank you.’ Amy could hardly keep her eyes open.

‘You are lucky to have a skilled army nurse staying with you. She will look after you and the baby for the next two days.’

Amy smiled her thanks at Chrissie, hoping Howard did marry her soon. If she hadn’t married John when he’d asked she wouldn’t have this beautiful baby now. She liked Chrissie very much and they got on well together.

When she was washed and put in a clean nightdress, with the baby in the cot beside her, she fought to stay awake for a little longer, knowing how anxious Charles and Mildred would be to see their son’s child.

‘All right now?’ Chrissie made sure the bed was tucked in properly. ‘Shall we let everyone come in, then you can sleep?’

‘John’s parents first, Chrissie.’

They came in very quietly and gazed into the cot, where their granddaughter was now sleeping peacefully. There were tears, and that was quite understandable. Even Charles had to blow his nose.

Mildred bent over the bed and kissed Amy on the forehead. ‘She’s beautiful. Thank you, my dear.’

Charles did the same. ‘What will you call her?’

‘I’m going to call her Grace.’

‘Excellent choice.’ He glanced at his wife who was now mopping up fresh tears. ‘Don’t you think so, my dear?’

‘Yes, that’s a beautiful name; she’s a gift of grace.’

‘You must leave now.’ Chrissie urged them out. ‘Amy’s very tired.’

Amy was vaguely aware of the others coming in, but she was exhausted mentally and physically. John’s child had been born safely, she was perfect, and that was all that mattered…

Amy’s recovery was quick, and by the time Howard and Chrissie’s leave ended, she was already up. Charles also had to return to work, but Mildred stayed for another week, reluctant to let her grandchild out of her sight. The baby was a real blessing, and had given them all hope for the future after the crushing sorrow of John’s death.

Baby Grace was a contented little girl and only cried when she was hungry. Over the next few weeks her hair began to grow and, although it was going to
be light brown and not black like her mother’s, it was fast turning into an unruly mop. It was the only thing she seemed to have inherited from Amy, which her mother was pleased about.

By the time she was two months old, the resemblance to her father was beginning to show. She had gentle blue eyes, and it hurt Amy sometimes when she saw those bright, intelligent eyes watching her, reminding her so much of the man she had lost, but there was also joy that she had been given the wonderful gift of his child.

As December arrived they began to plan for a special Christmas. Baby Grace was going to be the centre of attention, and spoilt on her first Christmas, Amy was sure.

Then on 7 December they received the astounding news that the Japanese had bombed the American fleet at Pearl Harbor.

There was an air of suppressed excitement around the camp. Ben could feel it,
see
it in the faces of the other prisoners. He swore under his breath. There was so much to sketch here and he couldn’t get enough blasted paper. Charlie had pinched a pencil for him from somewhere – no one ever asked where Charlie got the things he turned up with – and he’d been given a small notebook, but that was now full.