the living room.
‘I’m having a few twinges of pain again, but I expect they’ll pass.’
‘The baby isn’t coming, is it?’
‘Don’t be daft,’ Dolly snapped. ‘She’s got another month to go yet. Anyway, where’s Kevin? He said he was only going out to buy cigarettes and I expected him back by now.’
‘Me too,’ Pearl agreed, gasping as she bent forward.
‘You’d best sit down,’ Bernie urged as he rose to his feet.
‘It’s only a small pain.’ But even so, she sank thankfully onto the sofa.
Bernie hovered anxiously by her side. ‘Do you want a glass of water or something?’
‘For goodness’ sake, stop mollycoddling the girl,’ Dolly snapped.
Relieved that the small twinge had passed and anxious to placate her mother-in-law, Pearl struggled to her feet. ‘I’m fine now and I’ll make a cup of tea. Would you both like one?’
‘I’ll make it,’ Bernie said, ‘and if you ask me I think it’s about time you stopped work.’
‘Leave it out! I haven’t found someone to stand in for her yet, and until I do she’ll have to carry on.’
‘Have you seen her feet? They’re swollen up like balloons.’
‘That’s nothing. Mine were the same when I was carrying Kevin, but I don’t remember you showing me any concern.’
‘Honestly, Bernie, I don’t mind working,’ Pearl said, knowing that this could soon escalate into a violent row. She knew what her mother-in-law was capable of and had seen her laying into Bernie on several occasions. ‘I’ve got a chair in the kitchen and can sit down whilst preparing the vegetables.’
Bernie shook his head doubtfully, but said no more as he headed for the kitchen.
Dolly stood up and, walking to the window, she drew the curtains aside. ‘I can’t imagine what’s keeping Kevin.’
‘Maybe he’s met up with his friends and is having a drink—’ Pearl suggested, breaking off with a gasp as another pain shot through her.
Dolly swung round at Pearl’s gasp, her brow creased.
‘If that’s another pain you may be having contractions.’
‘But the baby isn’t due yet.’
‘It could be coming early. We’ll time them, and for Christ’s sake sit down again before you fall down.’ Dolly showed no sympathy as she added, ‘And don’t look at me like a frightened rabbit. You’re only having a baby and there’s no need to make a fuss.’
Kevin’s eyes had flicked up and down the High Street before he stepped outside. It had been months now and surely he was safe? After it happened he’d scoured the newspapers, but there had been nothing, no report of a rape, and he was beginning to think that Mary hadn’t reported it.
Maybe he could risk raising his head a little. With that thought in mind he made for the local pub. If he sat indoors with Pearl for much longer he’d go mad, the silly cow driving him daft with her inane chatter. At one time all he’d thought about was moving out, of finding a place of their own, but that had been put on the back burner now. They’d do it one day, but in the meantime they were fine where they were. With Pearl as big as a house he had no interest in her body, and his mother kept him supplied with pocket money.
He pulled open the bar door, a cloud of cigarette smoke engulfing him as he walked inside.
‘Well, bugger me, look what the cat’s dragged in,’ Nobby said, his smile tight. ‘Has your old woman let you off the leash at last?’
‘Pearl hasn’t got me on a leash. I’ve been a bit under the weather, that’s all.’
‘Don’t take us for mugs, Kevin. We’ve seen you scuttling around on the odd occasion and you looked all right.’
‘My asthma’s been playing me up.’
‘If you say so, but you’ve surfaced just in time. We’re on to a nice little earner and need a driver.’
‘No, thanks, mate. I want to keep my nose clean for a while.’
Nobby’s eyes narrowed. ‘I thought so, and I ain’t too pleased that you left us out of the loop.’
‘What are you talking about?’
‘There’s only one reason why you’d keep your head down for this long and it ain’t got anything to do with asthma. I reckon you did a job without us and nearly got caught.’
‘That’s rubbish. I told you I ain’t been well and I came in here for a drink, not a cross-examination. Now if you don’t mind I’m going to get myself a pint.’ He glanced at the glasses in Nobby and Dick’s hands. ‘Are you ready for another?’
‘Yeah, I wouldn’t say no,’ Dick Smedley said, speaking for the first time.
Nobby nodded an affirmative, but his voice was hard as he said, ‘and once you’ve got them in, we’ll talk again about the little scam we’ve got planned.’
‘You can talk all you like, mate, but I ain’t interested.’
Despite all the cajoling, Kevin refused the job. Nobby was angry, but he didn’t care. As far as he was concerned the bloke was all mouth and he wasn’t intimidated.
At ten thirty, after a good few whisky chasers, Kevin left the pub and staggered across the road. An ambulance was parked outside the café, but his eyes were barely able to focus. He halted in his tracks, swaying, but before he could gather his addled thoughts, it drove off.
With unsteady hands, Kevin let himself in, almost falling up the stairs to the living room, and as soon as his father saw him, he jumped to his feet.
‘It’s about time you turned up. Pearl’s in labour and she’s been taken to hospital.’
‘Where’s Mum?’
‘You weren’t here so she’s gone with Pearl and she ain’t too pleased about it. Well, don’t just stand there, get yourself to the hospital.’
Kevin grinned inanely, trying to focus on his father as he spoke again.
‘Look at the state of you and you ain’t fit to drive, that’s for sure. I’ll call you a taxi.’
With a bemused expression Kevin sank onto the sofa, closed his eyes and knew no more as he fell into a drunken sleep.
‘Kevin! Kevin, wake up!’
‘Wh … what?’
‘I said wake up.’
His mother’s voice sounded loud in his ears and, managing to open one eye, Kevin saw her looming over him.
‘You’ve got a son.’
‘Wh … what?’
‘Christ, you sound like a parrot. Wake up, for Gawd’s sake.’
‘What’s the time?’
‘It’s four o’clock. Now did you hear what I said? You’ve got a son!’
Kevin’s head was thumping and he groaned, trying to pull himself upright, surprised to find himself on the sofa. His mouth was dry, and he grimaced at the bitter acrid taste on his tongue. ‘Any chance of a cup of tea, Mum?’
‘Bloody hell, Kevin. I can’t believe you. I’ve just told you that you’re a father and all you can do is ask for a cup of flaming tea.’
Kevin knuckled his eyes and saw his father coming into the room, his expression showing concern
‘How is she, Dolly?’ Bernie asked.
‘She’s