Free Maggie's Child by Glynis Smy

the small grave mounds beside the empty one she had made the previous day.
    Thank you God for caring for my babies and for giving me another chance to hold my son. Amen.
    Lizzie waved to her and called out as she entered the yard.
    ‘Did you cope, gal?’
     Maggie just nodded her head to reassure her friend she was well and had coped. She added a smile.
    Knowing Jacob would have eaten several pies while he carried out his business transactions, Maggie prepared a cold meat platter, cut him a generous slice of apple pie and set it beside a pot of clotted cream. She covered it and left it upon the table.
    Satisfied he could not complain she had neglected him, she went to the hen house and spent time clearing out the boxes. Her bantam chicks ran around like little bumblebees. She loved to watch them scuttle around their mothers. There was something satisfying about watching a broody hen cosy herself down into a nest.
    The pigs’ swill trough needed scrubbing out and could not be put off any longer. Maggie had taken on the task after her marriage. She could not bear the smell and neglect. Jacob was more than happy and refused to encourage another member of staff to take on the task. His words were harsh.
    ‘It is a fitting job for the likes of you. No need to go adding to the jobs of others, you lazy mare.’
     Maggie carried a large bucket of water and a stiff yard brush out to the sty. She attacked the metal with vigour. If she gave it a good scrub it would last an extra day or two, again saving her time. Time she could spend at the Arlington house.
    ‘It went well today then?’ Lizzie made Maggie jump and nearly fell into the trough.
    Both women burst out laughing.
    ‘Lizzie. Look what you did, making me jump like that. It went well, so it happens. The babe is beautiful, he was hungry and I gained comfort from the fact that I could help him.’
    Lizzie found another broom and joined in with the scrubbing.
    ‘I think t’is a shame that Jacob has not eased off the chores a bit for you. Goodness, it was only twenty four hours ago, you lost your own child. Are you all well, you know, down below. Your belly? You look better than I thought you might. I am so glad you are not too sad by the feeding.’
    ‘I am fine my dear, dear friend. Stop worrying about me, please. I mean it, I am fine. If the baby wasn’t meant to live so be it. I have to face up to my loss. Right, if we both go now and clean the dairy room, it will leave you time for the milking. I am grateful you are helping me. Once I know my routine, I will take back the work.’
    ‘Why Jacob is so stubborn is beyond me, why he insists you do it alone I’ll never know. I asked once and am none the wiser. It just gained me a slap so I never asked again. Sometimes we are all free from our work, and you have to cope with twenty milkers.’
    The chatter continued as the two friends worked together. Maggie set a pot of food onto the worker cottage fire, and left Lizzie to the milking. She went back home to wash out clothing. She hung it out to drip overnight and dry during the day. Determined to find her routine, she worked her way through little jobs. She had a strip wash down and changed back into the dress she had worn that morning. Finally it was time for her to eat. She was tired and knew she would need nourishment and rest.
     She placed the chestnuts onto the skillet and sat it on the fire. Her own meat platter satisfied the gnawing hunger she had begun to feel inside. And a treat of roasted chestnuts finished off her meal. They were tasty. She took advantage of a half hour’s rest and savoured each one. While she peeled them, she thought about Dukes. He looked around about his mid twenties, handsome and thoughtful. He made no mention of a wife, and appeared to be a bit of a ladies’ man with his banter. Fanciful in her thoughts, she noted he was of similar nature to Stephen, although she doubted he would be so deceiving in love. He seemed a genuine, caring