Chapter 1 – Here
John the barman climbed the creaking stairs ahead of me with my case in his hand, and it was all I could do to keep my eyes focused on the treads as I followed and not turn to face the stares behind me.
But I didn't have to look. I knew what the patrons of The Crab and Lobster were thinking as shown by shocked expressions when I came into the pub. I saw amazement, shock, hands held to mouths, and the beginning of dancing eyes, and snickers as well. I could only smile at them, say hello, down some water, then follow John with a lame excuse of being tired. I could also swear I heard the thump of a body hitting the floor as I went upstairs.
John took me down the hall to room number three and unlocked the door. "This one alright?" he asked.
I stood in the doorway and looked about. The room was small but cozy. Not much larger than my bedsit in London, the one that I was renting for only seven more days. This room held a reasonable size bed, a wardrobe, with a mirror on the wall over a dressing table and a stool. Two lamps, one by the bed, the other next to a fuzzy green overstuffed chair would light the place when the sunlight from the medium size window failed. The walls were covered by a striped green wallpaper and the doorframes, like the door, were ancient oak.
"Yes, John. This will do fine. Just fine." I tried to make it sound like I meant it.
He put my case on a folding stand by the wall. "Need anything? I mean…" he waved his hands in an apparent embarrassed muddle. "Food… or drink, you know."
I went to the bed and sat down. My bottom didn't compress it much and the springs didn't creak. "This is fine." I ran my hand over the white crocheted coverlet. "Nice stitching," I began. "Your mum made this?"
John ducked his head. "Yeah, she did. Most of the rooms…" his eyes strayed to my watermelon belly then looked away. "Bathroom is down the way." He pulled open a door to show a tiny sink and toilet in the room. "This one has fixtures, here though."
"Great!" I tried to smile but it was hard. "Awfully handy," I added.
He backed up four steps and bumped into the door frame. "Then, you'll take it." He dug a toe into the floor and looked away. "I can let you have for a special rate, Louisa. Even with the en suite loo. How long you planning on stayin' then?"
"Good question, John. But I'm sure the cost will be…" I thought of my small bank account, and applied a word I'd learned from Martin Ellingham, "acceptable."
"Moving back then Louisa? Here to Portwenn?"
I stood up and walked to the wardrobe and opened it. Five wire hangers and a dead moth occupied it. Turning to the left a vista of Portwenn harbor filled the window. Green ocean, a fishing boat under repair, and the dark cliff beyond that with gray and white cottages above it met my eyes. One cottage in particular grabbed my eye and I felt a tear run down my cheek.
I bit my lip. "Yes, John. I think so." I wiped my cheek and turned to face him, feeling the baby move as I did so.
He smiled. "Really great to have you back… I mean really great to see you… and all." His words puttered to a halt and his smile fell.
"Thank you, John. I'm glad to be here." I smiled at him as he handed me the key. Then he closed the door as he backed out.
I stayed motionless until I heard his footsteps retreat down the hall, and they got faster as he shot down the stairs. I crept to the door and opened it a crack and I heard the hum of conversation increase in the pub downstairs and I knew who they were talking about.
The door clicked closed as I leaned on it and I blew out the breath I'd been holding since I got back to the village. God, Louisa, this is a proper cock-up! If you wanted a slightly less dramatic entrance you should have hired a brass band!
The bed was calling to my aching back, so I kicked off my shoes and lay down, and propped my head and back up with the three pillows provided. I twisted and turned, getting my dress and sweater back into order from the change in position. I will never see a pregnant woman and not feel a pang of understanding ever again! I knew from the feeling of pressure I'd have to use the adjacent loo quite soon. That will be handy.
Accompanied by little kicks and thumps inside me, I felt a headache begin behind my eyes, in time to my pulse. Another sigh came out and I chewed my lip.
"I'll take care of it, Martin." I mimicked myself. "God Louisa, you can be such an ass!" My eyelids snapped shut and a few tears leaked out. "And who the hell was that woman?"
The baby kicked and I put both hands to my belly. "We're home, little one. We're here!" I half shouted. "We're here!"
The baby slowed in response to my voice, or touch, or just the compression of his little cell as I lay there.