‘I thought we could do this bed today and then, tomorrow, you can give me a hand.’
Her mum’s enthusiasm felt like the most glorious reprieve. ‘What do you need a hand with?’
Lisa pointed to the small gap between the fence and the wall that ran along the boundary between their house and the Kelleways’.
‘I’m going to put some stakes in and plant a climber, fill that space, block it off.’
She looked determined, motivated and Daisy felt nothing but pride for the corner her mother seemed to have turned.
‘I can help you in the morning, but I won’t be here in the afternoon.’
‘Oh, where are you off to? Not working extra shifts, are you? I don’t want you working too hard, love.’
‘No, not working. I’m going fishing.’
‘Fishing? I didn’t know you were into fishing! But then I didn’t know Jake was into Cassian, so what do I know?’
‘He seems happy, Mum.’ This a reminder that it was a happy thing – Jake had found love! No matter her heart still flexed at the thought of her brother’s beau. She looked forward to the day this ceased to be the case.
‘He really does. I’m so proud of him, proud of you both.’ Her mum squeezed her hand.
‘And I’m proud of you.’ She meant it.
‘So, should I get the chips on tomorrow? Are you going to come home with a big fat fish for supper?’
‘No.’ Daisy shook her head. ‘I’m not going to catch myself a fish. I’m going to catch myself a nerd.’
‘You’ll need a big net.’ Lisa laughed and in that moment with the sun shining and her mum laughing, everything felt possible.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CLEORICHARDSON
‘Can I really go home?’ Cleo asked the nurse who had just taken her temperature and blood pressure.
‘Yep, you’ve had the all-clear from the doctor, you’ve showered, been to the loo and the little one’s doing well. You’re all set.’
‘Do you think I should maybe stay a bit longer, just to make sure everything is okay?’ She was aware of the nervous edge to her voice.
‘Everythingisokay. There’s no reason to keep you here. Take your baby home and rest!’
‘It feels a bit quick.’ She felt conflicted, wanting to get out of the place and show her son off to the family and also to get him back to their house in Swallow Drive so their life as a little family of three could begin. Yet simultaneously, she felt the flickering flame of fear rise in her gut at the thought of taking her son out of this building, being responsible for him without a clutch of capable medics just the other side of her door for any eventuality.
‘It would be odd if you didn’t feel a bit nervous,’ the kindly woman placated her.
‘I still feel like I’m catching my breath,’ she confided. ‘And I know it sounds ridiculous, but even though I had nine months to get used to the idea of having a baby, it’s still a bit of a shock! One minute I was on the old gas and air, pushing when instructed, and now I’m going home and, like I said, it feels a bit quick.’
The nurse laughed. ‘Again, all quite normal. Motherhood is a shock. I still feel that way.’
‘How old are yours?’ Cleo was keen to know when this feeling might subside.
‘Thirty-four and thirty-six.’ She winked.
Cleo laughed. ‘I also feel a bit ...’ She tried to think of the word.
‘A bit what, love?’ The nurse drew the curtains, letting the daylight flood the room and turned to give Cleo her full attention.
‘A bit, I don’t know, like my body doesn’t belong to me. My boobs are so sore.’ She placed her hand on her chest, feeling the sting of where her little one had chomped with his gums on her nipples for what felt like hours.
