When the Bough Breaks by Connie Monk Read Free Book Online Page B

until she felt herself being lifted and heard Dennis say, ‘Now we’ve got her up, I can manage her. Take the pail, Stan, and empty it in the ditch right at the end. I’ll carry Kathie to the house.’
    â€˜Are you sure? She must have got pretty heavy.’
    â€˜She’s coming round. We’ll manage.’
    Kathie was making a huge effort to gather her wits. Why was she being carried?
    â€˜Can walk,’ she tried to say, but her mouth seemed to have a will of its own and didn’t want to shape the words. And her back felt as though it had broken in two.
    â€˜You must have tripped,’ she heard him say.
    â€˜Ground . . . kept moving . . .’ At least her voice was coming back and she reached up to put her arms around Dennis’s neck in an attempt to ease her weight. ‘Too heavy . . . can walk.’ As reason returned she was conscious that he was getting breathless so she wriggled to get to her feet. ‘Put me down . . . honestly.’
    He stood her on her feet, keeping his arm around her.
    â€˜Have you hurt yourself? You mustn’t carry that bucket. You should call me, or get one of the boys.’
    â€˜It wasn’t that.’ It was no use; she couldn’t hide it from him. ‘It was because my back hurts. I expect everyone feels the same. It’s probably just the way the baby is lying.’ Sounding so strong and brave had been an enormous effort, but she couldn’t keep up the pretence. ‘Den, suppose something is wrong with the baby. It’s . . .’ Whatever it was was lost as she leant against him burying her face against his shoulder.
    â€˜Why didn’t you tell me? One of the boys could have done the pig.’ As he spoke he was holding her against him with one arm and with the other hand rubbing her back.
    â€˜It can’t be the baby starting to come, can it? It’s not due for more than six weeks. It can’t be, can it?’ He heard the fright in her voice.
    â€˜It’s possible I suppose.’ He made sure his voice had a ring of confidence, even though he was gripped with fear for something so far from his knowledge. ‘Some people get their dates wrong, so I’ve heard.’
    â€˜I didn’t get it wrong. My last period started on Good Friday. Oooh!’ Her exclamation escaped before she could stop it.
    â€˜Arms round my neck; I’m getting you indoors. Then I’ll send young Bert to bring Nurse Cox.’ And with almost superhuman strength he hoisted her back into his arms and carried her to the house at what was nearly a run. Leaving her bent double in her chair he went to find Bert Delbridge and send him on his mission.
    When he got back into the cottage there was no sign of Kathie.
    â€˜Kathie! Where are you? Kathie!’ he yelled up the stairs then, getting no reply, took them two at a time in his quest to find her. Then downstairs again. ‘Kathie! Where the hell are you, Kathie?’
    That’s when he noticed the door of the old earth closet was open. He found her there, leaning weakly against the wall.
    â€˜Couldn’t you manage the stairs? Poor old Kathie. Come on love, I’ll get you up to lie on the bed. Nurse Cox will be here soon, Bert’s gone to get her.’ Her answer was a silent, convulsive movement she couldn’t control as she retched. ‘You feel sick? This place is enough to make anyone feel sick. Come on, love, let’s get you upstairs.’
    â€˜. . . was the pigsty . . . the smell . . . it’s all over my Wellies . . . couldn’t pull them off.’
    What a moment for him to remember the first time he’d seen her, a girl like no other. Slim, a picture of health, her eyes so clear and luminous, her wide bright smile. It hurt him to see what time had done to her. Even the rich chestnut of her hair seemed no more than dingy brown, her skin looked weathered and yet there was nothing to hint at a healthy outdoor life,