Chapter 28
‘Careful, easy does it,’ whispered Robin to himself as he gently eased the first twin baby out of the car, then passed him to a waiting Jasmine. He followed her while carrying the second sleeping babe, who was totally oblivious to her very anxious but excited and proud parents.
Jemima and Barny had made excellent progress and had been released from their incubators a few days ago. The consultant had declared the babies well enough to be discharged from hospital. Both Robin and Jasmine had been at their side, ritually praying and willing the twins to grow and develop into stronger babies which would allow them to come home. And their prayers had been answered. That day had come.
It was now mid-August and the distant fragrance of heather and chamomile came from the coastline. Yellow flowers of gorse scattered the cliffs and pretty pink blooms of thrift clung to rocks, creeping further inland to join the spiney leaves and blue flowers of sea-holly popping from sand dunes. The sun shone cheerfully in a cloudless, powder blue sky.
‘What a beautiful day to bring them home,’ remarked Jasmine in a hushed voice, not wanting to wake them.
‘It was always going to be a beautiful day, wasn’t it?’ replied Robin, gazing affectionately at his son and daughter. He unlocked the front door and was just about to push it open when Bunty literally ran up the path to greet them.
‘Oh, you’ve brought them home!’ she gushed, stirring the sleeping babies.
Jemima opened her eyes to see Bunty’s face staring directly at her and wailed loudly, which in turn set Barny off whenshe peered down at him too. Jasmine and Robin exchanged a despairing look. So much for not wanting to disturb them.
‘My, my, they’ve both got a good pair of lungs, haven’t they?’ laughed Bunty, totally ignorant to her unwanted disruption.
‘Yes, they have,’ replied Jasmine wearily. She was tired and just wanted to get them inside. Robin tactfully intervened.
‘Give us a couple of days to get them settled and you’re welcome to visit,’ he said with a smile.
This seemed to do the trick. Bunty looked from one to the other. The penny dropped.
‘Yes, yes, of course. I’ll let you get on.’ She had one last peek at the twins, then discreetly left them.
‘I hope she hasn’t taken offence,’ sighed Jasmine once they were inside.
‘I’m sure she understands,’ assured Robin.
It did make them wary though, as to how intrusive their next-door neighbour may be.
‘It’s only natural that she’d be excited to meet them,’ he added.
‘I know, but for now it’s just you and me. It’s our first day home, together as a family,’ replied Jasmine.
‘It certainly is,’ he agreed.
They carefully carried Jemima and Barny upstairs to their nursery. Then after rocking them tenderly back to sleep, placed each one side by side into the waiting cots.
‘Everything all right, sweetheart?’ asked Perry when seeing Bunty return so soon.
‘Yes, didn’t want to keep them. First day home and all that,’ she answered.
‘Probably best,’ agreed Perry. Then took in her expression. She looked a tad pensive.
He knew how much Bunty was desperate to see the twins and hoped she wasn’t hurt at her obvious dismissal. He’d had reservations when she’d seen Robin’s car pull up and then get the babies out with Jasmine; but she hadn’t given him chance to say anything before dashing out of the house. ‘I’m sure there’ll be plenty of time to visit.’ He patted her shoulder.
‘There will,’ she agreed.
‘Anyway, I’ve been thinking,’ Perry said, quickly changing the subject. This got her attention.
‘About what?’ she asked.
‘A mini-break?’
‘Really?’
‘Why not? I was thinking of another trip on the boat,’ replied Perry.
