After dressing Hope in the larger onesie and taking a moment to mourn the fact that her newborn clothes no longer fitted her and that her little baby was growing up with every passing day, Courtney picked her up and took her downstairs.
“We’ve got a busy day ahead of us, little one,” she told Hope once she laid her down on the floor mat where she could enjoy the overhead mobile that kept her mesmerised. “We’re moving house today. Can you believe it? Are you all packed yet, or do you expect me to deal with all that for you?”
When Hope waved her hands and made a gurgling sound, Courtney laughed, then got on with collecting the rest of their remaining things still scattered around Rosie’s living room.
Later that day, Courtney’s Uncle Colin and Aunt Lorraine would arrive to collect her belongings to take them over to their own house. After six weeks spent living at Rosie’s, Courtney had finally persuaded her cousin that it was better if she accepted the offer of her aunt and uncle’s guest room. Although Rosie insisted she didn’t want her to go, and that she’d miss both her and Hope terribly if they left, Courtney was smart enough to understand that Rosie needed her own house back, especially now that things were really taking off with her new boyfriend, Adrian. The two of them were getting on like a house on fire, and it was obvious that what had begun as casual, easy dating was quickly turning into much more.
Courtney knew Rosie needed and deserved privacy at home. It wasn’t easy to kindle a spot of late-night passion when there was a wailing infant in the next room and a frantic new mother pacing the floor.
And both Courtney and Rosie knew there just wasn’t enough space, either. Rosie’s house was sweet and snug, but the guest room was tiny now that it was stuffed with baby paraphernalia. The house where Courtney’s aunt and uncle lived was much bigger, and so too was the guest room there. Until she got back on her own two feet and could afford a new place of her own, or until the local council found a social housing solution for her, moving into her aunt and uncle’s house was the best idea all round.
Last night, Courtney had packed up most of her and Hope’s things. Once Colin and Lorraine came and collected her belongings, she planned to do a quick tidy up around the house so it would be nice and neat for Rosie when she returned from work later that evening and before Colin returned to pick up her and Hope and shuttle them over to their new home. In the meantime, she had many bits and pieces still to gather up and was determined nothing would be left behind.
She was packing up baby bottles in the kitchen when she heard a knock at the front door.
“I hope that isn’t your Uncle Colin already here for our stuff,” she said to Hope, picking her up from the floor mat and cradling her in her arms as she dashed through to answer it. “I’ve still got stuff to pack!”
But when she answered the door, it wasn’t her uncle who stood there.
“Olive!” Courtney exclaimed, thrilled to see the older lady. “Hello!”
“Hello, dear,” Olive beamed, her gaze turning to the baby. “And this must be Hope. Oh, she is a cutie, alright. I’ve been so excited to meet her. I hope I’m not disturbing you?”
Courtney opened the door wider and waved Olive inside. “Not at all. Come in. Although you’ll have to excuse the mess. I’m in the middle of packing. When did you get back from Canada?”
“Just a couple of days ago. I would’ve dropped by to see you yesterday, but the jet lag left me all out of sync until now.”
Once they were in the living room, Olive turned and looked at Hope and the smile on her face widened.
“She is abeautifulbaby, Courtney. I’m so thrilled for you.”
A few days after being discharged from hospital, Courtney fulfilled the promise she’d made to Olive and sent her a message to let her know Hope had been born, along with a few photos of her new baby. While Olive was still in Canada, they’d kept in touch off and on, Olive checking in on their progress and Courtney asking after Olive’s grandson’s wedding celebrations once the big day arrived. Olive had promised to visit her and Hope once she returned to Hamblehurst, and Courtney was delighted to see her now.
“Would you like to hold her?” Courtney asked.
“I’d love to.”
Courtney passed the baby to her friend, who scooped her into her arms and settled down on the sofa for a cuddle.
“You are the most beautiful little baby,” Olive cooed while Hope peered up at her, eyes wide. “And look at those blue eyes of yours. Aren’t they something?”
Hope made a gurgling sound, which got Olive laughing.
“She’s a character already,” Courtney said. “And she keeps me on my toes.”
“Of course she does. How are you coping, dear?”
“I’m doing okay. It helps to have amazing support all around me.”
Olive nodded to the packed bags. “And it looks like you’re all set to move in with Colin and Lorraine.”
“It’s the best thing for everyone,” Courtney nodded. “They have more space there for all this baby stuff, and although Rosie denies it, I’m sure she’ll be glad to have her house to herself again.”
Hope made a fussing sound and began crying.
“I think someone wants her mother,” Olive laughed, standing up and handing the baby back to Courtney.
As soon as Courtney took her, Hope settled down and started making the little noises she recognised as meaning it was time for a nap. She settled the baby in her little bassinet and Hope’s eyes soon closed.
