Page 88 of The Stranger in Room Six
Clarissa didn’t even attempt to hide the disgust in her voice.
‘But I don’t feel right staying here,’ pleaded Mabel. ‘Olive was a midwife and it all went wrong when she delivered their younger sister. She says the doctor will come to me when it’s my time but supposing he doesn’t?’
‘Now listen to me,’ said her aunt sharply, as if she wasstanding in front of her in real life, waggling her finger. ‘Girls like you who get into trouble have no choice. You will stay where you are and save us all from shame.’
‘Antonio will marry me when he receives my message.’
‘You mean the note you left with Cook?’ There was a snorting sound. ‘I caught her red-handed and took it away.’
‘But Antonio won’t know what’s happened!’ Mabel cried.
‘He certainly won’t. In fact, I have had words with the camp commander, explaining that one of his men had become too familiar with a girl in the village. Of course, he was shocked. Your lover has been moved to a different camp. He won’t bother us any longer.’
‘Where has he gone?’
‘I have no idea and I do not care. It’s for your own good. The fewer people who know, the better.’
‘But what will happen when the baby’s born?’
‘We’ll sort that out when the time comes. Now, I’ve got a bridge afternoon to organize. Goodbye.’
57
Now
‘That’s so sad,’ says Belinda. Her eyes are moist. She reaches out and takes Mabel’s hand. The kindness makes Mabel cry even more.
‘My son,’ she weeps. ‘I want my son.’
‘Tell me as much as you can about him. Maybe it will help.’
Mabel blows her nose. ‘Perhaps you’re right. Can you reach the top of the wardrobe? There’s a shoebox up there and I want to show you what’s inside.’
Belinda pulls a chair over and reaches up for the box. The cardboard is worn as if weathered away over the years. Inside is a piece of cream lace.
‘My son has the other half,’ says Mabel. ‘At least, I hope he does. I like to think it ties us together.’
‘Where is he now?’ asks Belinda gently.
‘Oh my dear,’ sobs Mabel. ‘If only I knew.’
58
1943
It was summer, but the weather wasn’t warm and the Cornish cottage was cold at night. Even so, Mabel often woke sweating from her dreams. Sometimes she was running into her mother’s arms or playing with her little sister. At other times, she opened the front door of the Old Rectory to find Papa coming up the drive in his uniform. Often, she was in Antonio’s arms. Or holding a baby.
‘Pregnancy gives you strange dreams,’ said Beryl when Mabel confided as much over breakfast.
Olive made no comment. Mabel couldn’t quite make her out. Sometimes she gave firm pieces of advice, such as bedrest, and at other times she appeared to ignore the fact that Mabel was growing larger week by week.
‘Lady Clarissa has sent us money for your food and keep,’ said Beryl. ‘Of course, we would be happy to do it for free. However, I won’t deny that it helps. She sounds very kind.’
Mabel simply nodded, not trusting herself to say any more.
I feel as though I have been transplanted into another world, Mabel had written in her last letter to Antonio.The sisters are very caring but I can tell they are anxious. Of course, everyone is. We simply don’t know when this war is going to end. I can only pray that it will be soon and that our child will be born into a safer world. To give myself courage, I hum our special song, ‘Bella Ciao’.
Then she sent the letter to the Italian prisoner-of-war camp with the wordsPlease forwardon the envelope.
