Darkest Before Dawn Episode 14

“Go and wash your hands.” Maud’s voice drifted up the stairs. “You could plant carrots under those fingernails.”
“I’ve been on Mr Hobbs’s allotment,” Sidney replied. “You can’t dig without getting a bit of dirt on you.”
Isobel went to the landing and called down. “Up here, Mum.”
“Is everything all right?” Maud asked as she hurried upstairs. “What’s been happening?” She appeared in the bedroom doorway and her mouth dropped open when she saw Tilly sitting in bed with the baby in her arms. “Come and say hello to your grandson, Maud,” Rose said.
Maud sank into a chair and Tilly held out the baby for Rose to pass to her.
“He looks so much like Edward,” she said. “But that little mouth is like yours, Tilly. He’s going to be such a handsome lad.”
“I’ve washed me hands,” Sidney said as he joined them. “Is that a baby?”
“No, it’s a sack of coal,” Rose teased.
Tilly looked at Isobel, expecting her to join in the teasing, but she had a distant look in her eyes.
“Off you go, Sidney,” Maud scolded. “This is no place for a mucky urchin.”
“It’s OK,” Tilly said. “Say hello to your nephew, Sidney. He’s called Peter.”
“Hands?” Maud asked, and when Sidney held out his hands for inspection, Tilly saw they were shaking. He bent over to look at Peter and reached out, pushing his finger into the little fist and looking in wonder as the tiny fingers closed round it. “He ain’t half little,” he said. “It’s like we’ve got Edward back, ain’t it?”
Tilly reached out and ruffled his hair.
His mother and sister were crying. “It’s exactly like that,” she said, touched by his perception.
It was a beautiful day for a christening. People had gathered at Rose’s house after the church. Maud smiled as she watched baby Peter being passed from one person to another out in the garden. He was a contented child.
Maud had warned her and didn’t mind the fuss. As for Tilly, she’d thrived since the birth and was already looking healthier and happier. She wished the same could be said for Isobel, who seemed shaken up by the whole thing and had been unusually quiet lately.
“I’ll take them for you,” Sidney said, eyeing up the plate of fish paste sandwiches Maud was about to carry outside. He licked his lips and Maud hoped he wouldn’t eat half of them before offering them round. Watching him, she thought how presentable and clean he looked for once in his life, and she felt a twinge of pride.
Isobel was chatting to the son of one of Rose’s neighbours and Maud frowned, but at least her daughter looked happier. There was a knock at the door and she was delighted to open it to Dr Kirby, a box in his arms.
“I brought some supplies. Just some tea, milk and other bits and pieces.”
“Bless you.” Maud smiled. “That is such a help. Are you coming in?”
“Yes, please,” he replied with a grin. “I’m sorry I didn’t make it to church; there was an emergency at the hospital.”
“Rose is in the garden,” Maud told him.
“I’m not here to see Rose,” he protested, and Maud smiled. “Of course not,” she agreed as he headed for the garden.
Maud was sure there was something going on between the doctor and her sister-in-law.
Alf would have loved this – no doubt he would have cooked up some sausage rolls and a nice ham.
Tilly came in with the baby in her arms. “He’s hungry, Mum,” she said. “Shall I go upstairs?”
“Go in the front room,” Maud instructed. “I’ll make sure no-one disturbs you. Tea?”
“Yes, please.”