In any ordinary life (In any oridnary Book 1) (2 page)

Chapter 2

At home Ivy lay in bed unable to sleep and as waves tightened in her stomach she could feel the storm brewing inside. Moving towards the door she stopped suddenly almost paralysed in fear feeling unable to shout for help as the pains came and went. The doctor had to visited regularly putting Ivy on bed rest but she knew tonight was different.

   The wind howled stronger and the panic washed over her along with the pains inside. Falling to floor with the last gasp she screamed, “MUM!” The house erupted in a sound of stomping footsteps and the transition from asleep to awake had been made in seconds and as her family gathered around.

They knew the baby was coming.

   Getting her to stand her waters broke and before she knew it she was on the way to hospital with eight people in tow. Ivy was given a side room with windows onto the corridor. The room was cold and dark and as the doctor appeared masked and gowned Ivy froze and panicked more.

   Looking over to her mum with a sense of helplessness Irene drew close to hold her daughters hand. “Mum I need Jeanie I can’t do this without Jeanie mum get her now. I can’t.” As Ivy screamed again Irene had no choice. Sticking her head out of the door she shouted with intent.

“Get Jeanie now!”

    Jeanie by this time was covered from head to foot with oil and her arms and back ached as the piston was heavy and cumbersome. Hearing Eric bellowing again from the office had started to draw on her patience and her temper. Pissed off, tired and covered in shit Jeanie shouted back not able to understand what his problem was.

“What the Fuck is wrong with you today?”

“You never listen do you I said get to the hospital now Ivy’s in labour and there’s something wrong.” Eric was more flustered than usual and as he threw his clipboard at her as he ran down the gantry. Jeanie didn’t need a second chance and as she ran out of the side door she didn’t stop to catch her breath.

I knew it I told her last night she looked like shit

Knowing she had to get there and fast she started to flag down anything which could get her there quicker than her own feet. Waving her hands rapidly a van slowed down and stopped just in front of her.

“What’s up Jea?” pausing and panting rapidly Jeanie tried to catch her breath, “I need to get to the Hospital...”

“Hop in I’m on my way over to that side anyway.”

Jeanie looked like a cat on hot bricks and as they reached the hospital she didn’t have time to say thank you, she was out before the van had stopped. Instead she waved in gratitude and barged her way through the double doors.

Running down the grey walled corridor her sisters sat in anticipation of her arrival. Jeanie still trying to gather breath bellowed in announcement, “Where is she?”

“Second one down.” Rose bleated with tears falling rapidly.

Not one for waiting she barged her way through and went straight to Ivy’s side, “What’s all this about?”

The panic was evident on both Ivy and Irene’s face, “I can’t do this Jeanie she’s stuck, for fuck sake she’s stuck!” tears rolled down Ivy’s cheek as the chaos began to unfold in the delivery room. Seeing Irene in the same state Jeanie spoke firmly to her mother.

“Calm down you’re not helping. Either stay and be calm or get the fuck out and I will deal with this. Doctor tell me what we have to do!”

“Just help.” Her mum put out of sorts by her comments hesitantly moved to one side and speaking through gritted teeth the small amount of venom rolled off her tongue. Irene silently saw her daughter take control and as panic still gripped Ivy’s face Jeanie’s presence brought her a small sense of relief. As she took control she listened intently as the gowned man began to speak.

“This baby needed to come out now do you understand.” Jeanie bowed down to Ivy’s ear and placed her hand on her head.

“Listen this baby has had enough and she needs to come out now grab hold of me sit up and push with everything you have and don’t stop until I say so got it.”

The screams of labour could be heard down the ward and holding onto Ivy she looked intently into her eyes always encouraging her sister. Ivy trusted her so implicitly that the pair worked in conjunction Jeanie to calm and Ivy to push. Ivy didn’t want to think anymore, squeezing her sisters hand she continued to coax her lovingly.

“Come on I know you can do it you tell me enough.” As the baby appeared Ivy fell back into the bed.

“Jea is she ok, please?”

“They’ve had to brake her arm to get her out but she’s ok she must be tough like you.” As the nurse turned around Jeanie jumped in fright.

“Oh you frightened me! Are you holding?” Jeanie stepped back shaking her head. Looking at herself in the glass she smiled uneasily as the nurse handed the beautiful baby girl over to Ivy. Stroking her sister’s head she smiled sweetly,” I’ll leave you to it…I stink and I think I’ve done my bit.” As she tried to leave the room Ivy extended her arm.

“Thank you!”

“You’re turn now.”

As the screams surrounded the corridor the footsteps of the remaining six sisters could be heard piling into the delivery room. Jeanie sat on the bench opposite the poster board closing her eyes. Taking a moment to reflect she whispered under her breath.

“Can’t say it’s been boring today what a day.” Not expecting a voice to appear Jeanie sat up straight embarrassed of the fact she had just been caught, “You can say that again!” Recognising that it was the doctor from the delivery room Jeanie’s cheeks flushed crimson.

“Sorry Doctor force of habit you know,” Blushing more she continued

“Anyway thank you.”

“Don’t thank me. I don’t think your sister could have done that without you.” The doctor smiled answering thoughtfully Jeanie embarrassed and still trying to shrug off the compliment blushed again.

“Smoke?” extending a packet of cigarettes towards Jeanie’s direction he continued, “I know it’s a bad habit and I’m not supposed to offer but in these circumstances I think I can bend the rule?” Still embarrassed that she had been caught talking to herself and half in shock that he hadn’t run for the hills Jeanie politely stood. “I don’t but a little air may be nice.”

As she strolled back down the grey dimly lit corridor she looked at the doctor’s face with seeming familiarity she couldn’t quite place were she had seen him before but she was certain she knew him.

   The door way had gathered a small congregation of people all trying to light cigarettes from very cold frost bitten hands and before Jeanie had time to speak the doctor had already started his set of questions.

“Do you remember me?” Jeanie looked puzzled shuddering in the cold and as she shook her head the doctor paused to light his cigarette

“Maybe it’s this light.” Taking her hand he led Jeanie to an unoccupied doorway at the side of the main entrance.

“Look closely” as Jeanie stepped a little closer.

“What about now?” as Jeanie was about to speak the doctor kissed her softly on the lips. Stepping back in shock and unable to comprehend what had just happened she came to her senses rapidly.

“James, your James Watson… Why did you what I mean What?” unable to string the sentence together James followed with his.

“I’ve wanted to do that for years and tonight gave me the greatest opportunity, “he paused taking a drag of his cigarette.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t help it and after the last time I just couldn’t. I couldn’t get you out of my thoughts and with everything that’s going on. I’m sorry this is happening a bit fast. “As the doctor paused Jeanie smiled anxiously.

“I remember how I can’t forget the last time we spoke cause it was at my father’s funeral.”

“We didn’t just speak Jeanie I’ve been thinking about that kiss for the last eighteen months. I don’t know whether I should tell you this and I’m sorry it’s so sudden but I asked for a transfer up here so I could find you.”

As James bent in closer Jeanie was still unsure of his actions. Trying to pull everything that happened at the day of the funeral she started to unravel where James fitted into the equation.

“I don’t understand why? Why would you do that? I mean nothing happened!”

James throwing the cigarette into the newly laid snow grabbed her hand and laid it on his chest softly.

“I’m staying at the Old Cock in town. I finish my shift at midnight tonight and I’m not going to take no for an answer!” Jeanie watched cautiously as his fingers warmed against her skin.

“You’re very sure of yourself aren’t you?” placing his other hand over the top of hers he pulled her close.

“I hoped you remember me a little better maybe it meant more…I just want you to hear me out. Please come to the pub tonight even if it’s just to finish off what I need to say. Listen I have to get back. Promise me”

Jeanie was still dumbstruck at his self assured assault and gathering all the information she remembered the kiss and she had remembered how passionate it had been and the gentleness of his touch. The problem was why now and why had it been only now that he had come to find her.

“I love you Jeanie I always have done and I’m here to make you mine and I intend to.”  As he brushed the straggles of hair away from her forehead she felt the small pulses of electric under her skin. Kissing her softly on the cheek he disappeared in the snow and through the main entrance.

Ok what the fuck just happened. What was that about?

Jeanie bit her lip not able to understand how she had been caught up in his sincerity and as her head swam with a thousand thoughts she tried to piece some of the puzzle together. Her sister had just nearly lost her baby and in the same day the doctor who had delivered the baby had just confessed he loved her.

   Sitting on the bench at the front of the hospital Jeanie watched the snow and as the soft crisp white flakes settled on the ground she followed the crystal coloured carpet around her feet.

“Dad if your watching this you really taught me well you always hear how men don’t get woman. Well guess what I don’t get men.”

As she walked along the snow covered lanes she transferred her thoughts back to the afternoon in question. James had been very supportive when her father had died and on the plus side he was a very attractive man. Jeanie toyed with whether she should or shouldn’t go. This kiss seemed different to the last. Jeanie touched her lips trying to remember the last time she felt desired or desirable.

” Pull yourself together girl. It’s a kiss nothing more and what’s the worse that could happen.” Jeanie went over and over the day that he left and her thoughts always came back to the same conclusion. What did a doctor want with a grease monkey like her?

   He was beautiful and she was not the prettiest pebble on the beach. Why? As she walked she kicked at the snow trying to provide order to her thoughts. 

   All of her previous relationships had been disaster’s why should this be any different. She was twenty nine years old single and looking after now a family of nine why did she need to complicate things more. In the back of her mind she was looking for romance a lover or now maybe a husband. She wanted children or just a life outside of her own family and not being able to comprehend the obscurity of the situation had sparked her curiosity.

The clock seemed to roll around very slowly after the mornings events and as the shift began to change at eighteen hundred Jeanie put on her coat and headed out of the building. Eric had disappeared already after being confused by Jeanie’s sudden incomprehensible mood. The debrief sessions for the evening had started to take place and leaving them in control Jeanie slipped out of the back door leaving the instructions with the floor manager.

   Finding her walk lead back towards the hospital she stood at reception contemplating her next move. She had no flowers or gifts to bring and she was covered in oil and other than thinking she was the maintenance man she looked like and smelt like a tramp mixed with a traction engine. Sneaking past the nursing station she rolled around the corner where she saw Ivy’s beaming face cradling her new child.

“I didn’t think you would be back tonight?”

“I know I have had a rather confusing day so far and this morning was the start.” Jeanie looked at the floor as she spoke.

“Come on chick you know you can tell me anything after this morning I owe you a lot more than I already did.” Jeanie hated compliments and felt embarrassed and awkward if anyone mentioned good points about her character.

  “He kissed me. He barely knows me we worked together for nine months before dad died and he was very charming and quite nice to look at but Ivy this is me. Give me an engine or a piece of machinery I know what to do but give me a man who is interested and I fall to pieces, I’m just not cut out for this!”

Ivy looked at Jeanie and laughed, “Slow this down who kissed you when? Start from the beginning because you have lost me already.”

Ivy placed the baby in the crib at the side of the bed and seeing Jeanie so confused she stroked her cheek coaxing whatever story she had to tell out of her.

“Ok I see now. You’ve always been a funny little thing. Jeanie he obviously has a thing for you. Listen to me remember what you said to me when I met George. This time I’m going to say it to you No regrets. Go and see him what’s the worse that could happen. You could even enjoy yourself.” Jeanie started to bite her nails causing Ivy to dig in a little deeper.