Free In any ordinary life (In any oridnary Book 1) by Clare Stanley Midgley Page B

never want to escape the way I feel about you and I am not going to stop until I make you my wife.
       I am in residency at the moment and my new address is on the back of the letter. I would love to see you and I know we need to talk. Just promise me you will come.
    Yours always, James,”
       Jeanie’s heart sank as all the pain and heartache could have been eradicated in one swift move. James was standing right in front of her loving her and she hadn’t noticed.
    Pulling the quilt tight around her she remembered his kiss. In fact in the months that followed she had dreamed about it. She had always felt it was out of pity only now to realise it had meant so much more.
       Folding the letter up tight she placed it into the top drawer sliding the drawer closed she realised this was her first ever love letter. It seemed ironic that James was the first of everything.
      After a couple of hours Jeanie wearily arose unable to stand the noise which had been filling the house for most of the night. Jayne had been up four times during the night and sleep wasn’t an option. The cries had rang out loud and clear down the hallway and no matter how much she had tried to block it out she was awake.
       Making her way downstairs she saw exhausted and sore Ivy nursing the baby close to tears.
    “The baby has been feeding every hour and I don’t know what to do. She won’t sleep and I can’t.” Jeanie could see the guilt she felt making the child a bottle but with each incessant scream she was brought closer to breaking point.
    ” Stop it your tired. Don’t be stupid go and get some rest. Give her to me.” Ivy wiped the tears away feeling more useless with every passing second.
    ” I don’t know if I should. I mean that just makes me useless doesn’t it,”
    “Ivy you need help stop it and go she will be fine with me.”
       Jeanie stood at the kitchen window feeding Jayne’s vivacious appetite and as the baby drank Jeanie began to sing a series of lullabies to quieten the infant for sleep.
       Rocking gently side to side she felt completely at ease and instantly felt the longing for a child of her own.
    “Sorry I just I can’t think straight.”
    “Its ok she’s settling down now get into bed.”
    “I don’t deserve this after everything I’ve…doesn’t matter.” Jeanie smiled knowing a little rest and reassurance would put her right.
      Swaddling her tight in her crib and ushering Ivy back into bed Jeanie sat for a while making sure both mother and baby where comfortable. Not saying a word she stroked Jayne’s blanket mesmerised by how small and precious she felt.
       Creeping around the door she smiled to herself at the sight of them both. Creeping carefully down the old staircase she sat on the bottom step she started to put on her boots.
    ” That was a good thing you did for your sister.”
    “Jesus mother just announce yourself before you do that you frightened me to death.” Irene handed her a hat and scarf and a wry smile.
    “I was just saying that was a good thing you did for your sister but I just wanted a quick word about James.”
    Wincing at the door step Jeanie turned to face her,” Ok…go on.”
    “Don’t take that tone. You don’t know what I’m going to say. I have had a good talk with your Aunt and sisters. I like him, he will be good for you and I appreciate what you’ve done for us. You look after us and we need to stop relying on you.
       You need to live and as a mother I have held you back and I’m sorry. We’ve decided as a family we need to do a lot more so starting from tomorrow I will be working down at the factory, I can’t do what you do, but your sister’s can learn and we are all ready.  Right then off you go, and don’t forget tonight you have got the dance at the parish rooms, you need to be there to pick all of them up so be sharpish.”
    Jeanie stood flabbergasted on the step, not only had she been forced out the door she had been given a speech