Chummy and Peter took to missionary life style quite well. Eight weeks in and she felt at home with the others. They were so grateful for everything; from making friendships, creating work relations and bonds that would never be broken. Chummy rode her bike into the main village to start her day: she was among her kind, people who were also there from other nations helping this poor country out. Sierra Leone was in every way so different from Poplar in the East End. She marvels how women wore their kids, how they dressed from the colourful silks, and fabrics that they used to cover their heads to keep the hot sun beating down on them. She would serve the labouring women just like in Poplar, how she would give them all her attention and when it was a young mother's time; the village would support her by bringing gifts, food, and having a huge celebration. Each day was unique and full of life. Never a dull moment was seen in Sierra Leone. Women were tall as she was, or even taller. Women nursed other babies if mothers weren't able too. Formula was a luxury that women had if they had running water, they are grateful for the water spout that the villagers will take turns at and pumping for their consumption.
As the night falls, Peter meets up with his wife she was closing down the community centre bidding her co-workers a good night. She hasn't felt well these days, but not poorly, just different. Then she rubs her hands on her stomach. He catches this out of the corner of his eye. He takes her in his arms holding her softly, as he always has since they first made love. Chummy broke the silence and spoke softly in his ear. "It's sooner than the rest."
He knew her so well that he didn't need to crack the cryptic wording. Most women, here and in Poplar rarely knew right away that they were pregnant She's told him of patients that would assume they felt just a bit poorly and were shocked to know they were expecting a baby. He pulls back to study her face, and he saw a small smile escape "As early as 6 weeks and as late as ten." She knew it, felt it for a few weeks now, and missing her last cycle really was the indicator in her pregnancy. He takes her bike and walks with her down the dirt road towards their lodgings. This was temporary, and he knew from the letters from home that the block they lived in was condemned and now demolished. When they return that's when he'll worry about a home, but for now this was their home, and he would take her to bed.
The wonderful thing about being pregnant was how she was treated by the other women. They were so kind, and most gave her gifts of silks, baskets, food and other small trinkets. The best gift they gave her was friendship. She was their nurse, but friendships last a lifetime. As her their time came to an end in Africa, many sad tears were had, and many more to come. The kids ran after their bus waving good bye until the bus was out of sight. Peter knew she wanted to return home. He could have stayed on.