Free Diamonds Fall by Rebecca Gibson Page B

Patsy's forehead. A few more seconds passed before the thud of the door closing resonated through the stable. The sound jerked Billy awake. His eyes darted immediately towards the sleeping infant in concern. The baby was already awake but for once was silent, kicking out her tiny legs with small, jerky movements.
    "Morning Billy," Annabel croaked, wincing as a sharp pain shot down her neck when she tried to stretch it. She massaged the muscles, loosening the crick and thought longingly of the feather pillows back in the manor. Billy had now gathered the baby into his arms and was rocking her slowly. He glanced at Annabel and grinned, revealing all of his small, brown teeth.
    "Mornin' Anna." He looked back down at the child. "Baby happy," he stated.
    Still on his knees, Billy shuffled towards Annabel, coating his thin trousers with dust. When he reached her he shifted the baby wordlessly into her arms.
    "Billy go." He inclined his head towards the door and she understood that he must work. She cradled the baby closer to her chest. It was the first time she had ever held a baby before. The weight felt strange in her arms.
    Watching the baby's eyes roaming in their sockets, desperately trying to figure out the world around her, Annabel felt saddened that Hetty would never be able to look upon these tiny features. Never be able to smile at how perfect they were. Never be able to hear the soft breath entering and leaving the newly formed lungs, or to marvel at the complexities of every little thing about her youngest child. A single tear fled down Annabel's cheek, landing on the baby's forehead. She watched it trickle down into the soft tuft of raven hair before wiping it gently away.
    Annabel now felt a much more familiar feeling stir in her breast...anger. How could this child grow up without a mother? Death was always described in the bible as something beautiful, glorious.
    Hetty's had been anything but.
    She hoped beyond anything there was something like heaven for Hetty to escape her pain, yet in her heart of hearts she knew there wasn't. Hetty would rot in the ground, or whatever godforsaken place Tom had dumped her and become nothing more than food for the worms. There wasn't anything poetic about that.

Chapter Ten
     
     
     
    When Billy returned, he looked down at the baby suckling on the tip of Annabel's finger, just as she let out a little cry of hunger.
    "Baby happy?" he questioned, sitting down heavily.
    "Yes," Annabel replied. "Yes she is."
    "What baby name?" Billy asked, looking at Annabel quizzically. This was something Annabel hadn't even considered. It seemed absurd now, that a child should remain nameless.
    "Oh...um...Hetty didn't...let's wait for Daniel and Patsy. Then we will come up with one together."
    Billy nodded so excitedly it looked as if his head would fly off. Annabel let out a little laugh, feeling warmth radiate through her at the mere sight of him. Annabel racked her brains for a suitable name, looking down at the baby in her arms every time she thought of one, to see if it fit the small face looking back at her.
    Daniel returned around lunch time, bounding up the ladder with ease and agility. He had a jug of milk clasped in one hand.
    "Patsy's with Mama, makin' food I think."
    He strolled over to Annabel and Billy's huddle, plopping down beside them and directing his gaze to the baby.
    "Does your mother know about Hetty?" Annabel asked. "Was she ever so upset?"
    To Annabel's surprise Daniel snorted in amusement, "was she `ell. Jus' one less mouth t' feed innit?"
    Annabel took in a sharp breath. It made a hissing noise as it passed her teeth.
    "She had her emotion beat outta her years ago Anna. No need'a be shocked. It's just life here."
    There was nothing to say to such a comment so they reverted back to silence, until Patsy's wild hair appeared at the top of the ladder. She was so quiet nobody even heard her enter the stable. With her came the smell of fresh bread. Annabel's mouth began to water