As the train pulled away they found themselves alone in the compartment. Lucien put his arm round Jean's shoulders and kissed her temple.

'I think we need to talk,' he murmured into her hair. 'We'll have trouble repeating last night at home unless everyone's away.'

She tipped her face to look at him, he had a faraway look in his eyes.

'Mattie's not easy to fool.' Jean observed.

'No.' Lucien sighed, 'I think, perhaps, we should at least say we're courting, if you'll let me court you.'

'I think I'd like that, even if we have already gone beyond courting.' She hoped he wasn't going to suggest marriage, at least not yet, but being his mistress would cause a scandal if it was known, the business would suffer.

'Jean?' Lucien wondered if he should 'pop the question'.

'Not yet, Lucien,' she could read his mind, 'I know you're trying to make things 'right', but if we go back to Ballarat...'

'Engaged.' He smiled, 'well it would perhaps lessen the gossip.'

'If I moved away it wouldn't lessen the gossip, if either of us died or married someone else it wouldn't lessen the gossip,' she sighed, 'there would always be someone who would decide we were still sleeping together whatever we did.'

'Thing is, Jean...' he was going to remind her they had slept together, but he was wondering now if she didn't want to repeat the night.

'Lucien...' she didn't know what she wanted to say. 'Last night was wonderful, and, yes, I would like to repeat it, but we can't get used to sleeping together. I'm going to help Christopher and Ruby, I'll be busy. It's tiring looking after a baby, there will be even more to do, from what Christopher has said Ruby is not able to cope. Things aren't being done.' She knew she was making excuses. She was going to share a room with her granddaughter then move into a flat or cottage for how long, she didn't know. Lucien would have to go back to Ballarat before her. If he came to Adelaide for a short break it would be easier for them to see each other if she had her own place She told him all this in a jumbled up kind of way, and he listened.

'Right,' he smiled, 'I understand, really'

'You do?' She looked shocked.

'I'm not completely clueless, and you're right.' He kissed her forehead, 'you see what's happening at the house, I'll book into a hotel and get at least one more shirt. Maybe you'll be able to take the baby for a walk and we could meet up then.'

'You'd do that for me?' Lucien Blake was full of surprises, 'I will have to see you, any way, you'll want your clothes back, once I've washed and ironed them.'

'Jean, couldn't I make use of the hotel facilities?' He didn't want her doing his washing as well as everybody else's.

'I'll put them in the wash, it won't make that much difference.' She looked firm, 'we'll find your hotel and I'll give you your night things and toiletries. All you need to go and get is a new shirt, new shorts and socks.'

Jean had decided that she could combine a walk with Amelia the next day and deliver Lucien's laundry at the same time; and; she didn't give a damn what her son thought!

'If you're sure.'

'I am.' she got up and pulled the blinds down, 'now, as we're courting...' She sat very close and looked at him.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

They didn't notice the passage of miles, they found something to occupy them until they heard the guard call out, 'Adelaide! Adelaide!'

Jean wiped the lipstick of Lucien's face and took out her compact to repair her makeup and tidy her hair. She stood up and smoothed her skirt down, checking all her buttons were fastened and her blouse was tucked in. Lucien retied his tie and checked the buttons of his shirt.

Satisfied they looked respectable she lifted the blinds and he took the cases from the rack.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Lucien hailed a taxi to take Jean to the base housing asking if the driver could recommend a hotel on the way. There was one, fairly un-distinguished but clean and the food was good.

'That sounds just the ticket' Lucien squeezed Jean's hand.

The taxi waited while they booked him in and Jean left him in his room, as described, clean and tidy, with his nightwear and toiletries.

'I'll wander out and pick up some fresh togs,' Lucien smiled, 'then, shall I ring you later?'

'Yes, do that.' She kissed his lips softly, 'I'll tell Christopher about Horsham, then you won't have to pretend you're at home.'

'Good idea,' He wrapped her in his arms and kissed her properly. 'Now, off you go, before we get into more trouble!'

Jean grinned and left him to ponder on the future, she knew he would, but she did rather hope he didn't use too much whisky to aid his pondering.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

She paid the taxi and walked up to the front door, the letterbox and handle needed polishing, she noticed. She sighed and knocked. While she waited for an answer she looked round the front of the house. The garden needed tidying, Christopher could have done that, she thought, he used to enjoy gardening. She had her back to the door when it was opened.

'Mum?' She wheeled round and smiled.

'Christopher, I'm sorry about the delay.' She stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek.

'Well, you're here now,' he grumbled and bent to pick up her cases.

Jean didn't know quite what to expect in the house and wasn't surprised when she found quite a bit of laundry that needed doing and general housework. But first Christopher introduced her to her granddaughter.

Jean cradled the tiny scrap, a mop of dark curls and deep blue eyes. The baby nestled into her grandmother's arms. Christopher brought some tea through to the small living room and a bottle for Amelia. Jean raised her eyebrows, she hadn't realised Ruby wasn't feeding the child herself.

Christopher noticed her surprised look, 'Ruby decided not to feed herself.' It was a statement of fact, and a decision even he was not sure about.

Jean made no comment, she just picked up the bottle and offered the bottle to Amelia. She needed coaxing from which Jean surmised she wasn't hungry.

'What routine are you using?' Child care ideas had changed since Jean had had the boys, then she had fed on demand to start with and they settled into their own routine; but then she'd fed herself, now some 'experts' said regular intervals was a better way.

'Every four hours.' Christopher had noticed Amelia was not always ready and would either not feed at all, or not take a full bottle.

'Is she gaining weight?' Jean thought the baby looked rather small, even given her birth weight she should feel heavier.

'A little.' Christopher poured tea, 'but she should be heavier, the midwife says.'

'Hm...' Jean sat back against the couch and stopped trying with Amelia, 'where is Ruby?'

'Resting.' Her son looked embarrassed at this, he knew asking his mother to come and help would be awkward, given she did not have a high opinion on his wife. but he couldn't keep coming home to a house in chaos and no dinner.

Jean sipped her tea and looked around, mentally making a list of the things she would have to do.

'What happened in Horsham?' Christopher was curious, but as she detailed the case and how she was involved his face darkened.

'So he kept you there?'

'No, I told you I couldn't leave. I couldn't have special privileges otherwise everyone else would want the same.' Jean had known this would cause an argument. 'Anyway, if I hadn't been there we would never have caught him.'

'Mum, he just used you.'

'Don't you ever say that about the doctor.' Jean replied, crossly, 'he did no such thing, it was not a plan that I might be followed. Now, Amelia is not going to take this bottle so she can go back in her pram.' She stood up and settled the baby then pulled out the twin tub and started to sort out the laundry.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Jean asked how things had got so behind, so much laundry to do and the vacuuming and dusting hadn't been done for some time.

'Ruby says the vac will wake Amelia.' Christopher told her.

'Unlikely.' Jean replied, frowning, 'she'll get used to it and anyway, the pram can go outside and she can get some fresh air. Housework doesn't stop when you have a baby. How do you think everybody else copes?

Jean involved Christopher in the housework and they managed to get most of the laundry on the line, including hers and Lucien's. Jean breathed a sigh of relief that he didn't seem to notice Lucien's clothes, but she had set him on vacuuming, and while that was going on she put a meal in the oven for later. Christopher had not offered to take her to see Ruby and she really did not have time for idle chat. Ruby should have made the effort to come down and greet their guest, she thought, she would have, not matter how rough she felt. Why didn't he marry a farm girl, he'd dated enough; a hard worker, instead of a typist, more interested in her make-up and the movies than running a home?

Amelia did wake, but it was hungry cry so Jean made up a fresh bottle and took the time to change and feed her. The baby fed well for her and settled back into her pram easily, so Jean carried on with the chores.

By dinner time she had got all the washing done and although she had to make use of the airer she managed to get it all out in the breeze. The kitchen was tidied and they had time to sit down for a well earned cuppa.

'So, I suppose you will be seeing the doctor while he's in Adelaide?' Christopher had to ask but he didn't sound too keen on the idea.

'Yes. I'm going to take Amelia for a walk tomorrow afternoon, and we'll meet up. I have to give him back his laundry, anyway.' Jean announced her plans and alerted him to the fact that, whatever else she was, she was still Lucien's housekeeper.

'Then what? How long is he staying?'

'Christopher I am here to help you, and I will, but I will also be seeing Lucien, possibly dining with him.' Jean was getting annoyed with his cross-examining her. 'It's likely he will stay for a couple of weeks, then go back to Ballarat.' She half expected her son to ask if she was sleeping with the doctor. She began to think finding her own temporary place sooner rather than later would be a good idea.

'And you?' He could see she would go back to Ballarat at some point but he had hoped to persuade her to stay indefinitely. He didn't like the hold Blake had over his mother, he didn't trust him not to hurt her and he needed her.

'I don't know.' And with that she stood up and started to wash the tea things and prepare to put the dinner out. 'Will Ruby be joining us?' she asked, gritting her teeth.

'I'll take her a tray up.' Christopher said.

'I expect her to get up tomorrow, and start being a wife and mother.' Jean snapped.

'Mum...'

'Don't 'mum' me.' Jean turned and gripped the back of a chair, 'I am here to help, not take over. Amelia is a month old now, Ruby had a tough time, granted, but she is not ill, just lazy.'

Christopher could see he was losing the battle and even he had to admit Ruby was not trying very hard.

Dinner was eaten almost in silence, Jean volunteered to collect Ruby's tray and found the girl sitting in bed reading a magazine.

'Thank you, Mother Beazley,' she muttered.

Jean stood and waited for her to ask about Amelia, or about her journey or just make conversation, really. She knew she was never going to get along particularly well with her daughter-in-law, but it wasn't about them, it was about Amelia and Christopher.

'I've made up enough bottles for Amelia for tomorrow and one for a night feed, should she need it.' She stated the facts blandly, 'I expect Christopher has told you I plan to take Amelia out for a walk tomorrow.'

'Yes, he did.' Ruby put her magazine down, 'he also said you would be meeting Dr Blake.'

'I will.' Jean turned and took the tray out, even more determined to find her own place.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Jean was on a camp bed in Amelia's room. It was uncomfortable and she slept badly, if at all. Amelia woke once in the night but settled quickly after being dealt with by her grandmother. But Jean could not get back to sleep. The walk with Amelia and Lucien was going to be a trawl round the estate agents to find somewhere to stay, or she would end up with Lucien at the hotel, just to get some sleep. He had called during the evening but she hadn't told him how it was at the house, just that it was chaos. She arranged to meet him outside the hotel after lunch.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Christopher was down for breakfast, he had to go to work, no more time off, Jean and Ruby would have to call a truce at some point.

'See you later, mum.' He kissed her cheek on his way out of the door, and stroked the baby's head as she snuggled into her grandmother's shoulder. It was all so usual, no sign of the friction from the precious day.

Jean left Ruby's breakfast on top of a pan to keep warm while she bathed and fed Amelia then put her in the pram while she set to, to get the ironing done. She did hers and Lucien's first, just so it was out of the way. Ruby came down as she was putting it aside, ready to take to Lucien.

'Morning.' Ruby muttered.

'Your breakfast is there,' Jean inclined her head, and took her laundry to her room.

Down in the kitchen Ruby looked around at the pile of ironing waiting to be done, the tidy kitchen, she'd never keep this up. She hoped her husband could persuade her to stay, permanently. Housework and laundry was not on her list of priorities. When she had married Christopher she had hoped to travel, have a bit of fun before children were added, though she wasn't bothered about having any. When she had found out she was pregnant she'd had brief thoughts about how she could get rid of it before she had even told Christopher. He'd been pleased when she finally told him and had been gentle and kind. The pregnancy had been awful, she hated the shape of her bump and feeling the baby move. When she had moaned to other mothers on the base they had asked if she was being sick, or had backache, or was overtired, and when she had said 'no' to all of those things they had said how lucky she was. The labour had been painful, she had screamed all the way through it, letting Christopher know, as he paced up and down outside the room, how much it hurt. The midwives had been, she thought, hard. They kept telling her to put her efforts into pushing the baby out, she was frightening the other mothers. It had been a long labour, granted, but Amelia had entered the world a tiny five and a half pounds, she had had no stitches and been told how lucky she was. Because Christopher had not been in the room he took all of Ruby's horror stories as the truth and had told his mother, when he rang her, that it had been a long and difficult labour but both were well.

When Ruby had had her check up after the birth again she was told how lucky she was to have such a trouble free birth and hopefully she would have no trouble if she had more children. Ruby decided there was no way she was doing that again and told Christopher the exact opposite; that it would not be a good idea for her to have any more children, and he fell for it, telling her that they would take precautions, that he would not put her in danger. Ruby knew if Jean knew the truth she'd walk out and leave her to it. Mother Beazley coped with life, but Ruby had been protected and spoiled and had no idea how hard life could be.

She washed her plate and cup and wondered what she should do. Should she start the ironing, go and have a look at her daughter in the pram or hide in the living room with a magazine? The decision was taken out of her hands when Amelia started to cry, wanting, whatever, Ruby thought. She wondered when Jean had fed her, was it time for a feed or change?

Up in the bedroom, Jean heard Amelia through the open window. She was about to go down when she thought she'd see if Ruby would do something. The direction of the noise changed so she supposed Ruby must have gone to see to her. She finished folding her things and put her suitcase under the camp bed. She was living out of it, there was nowhere for her to put her things. Amelia's cries hadn't ceased, so, heaving a sigh of resignation, she went down to see what on earth was going on. As she got to the kitchen she could hear Ruby speak,

'For pity's sake, shut up.' She urged her daughter.

Jean looked into the room, Ruby was holding the baby out in front of her, not cradling her or changing her. She went in and took the child and held her close.

'What a noise,' she murmured soft and low, kissing the curls, 'ooh, you are loud.' She wrinkled her nose, 'I get it, let's get that nappy changed shall we?' Amelia's cries were subsiding now she knew someone was going to help her. Jean scowled at Ruby, 'It's rather obvious what she needs, Ruby.' She picked a clean nappy off the pile and went to see to her granddaughter. All the time murmuring softly to her, telling her how beautiful she was, and how grandma loved her.

Ruby watched her go and went to the living room to read. Babies were not interesting or useful, they were hard work.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Jean cleaned Amelia up and held her close. The baby lay looking at her, she was comfortable and warm. Her eyes fluttered closed as Jean kissed her forehead, taking in the baby smell she thought how lovely it would be to give Lucien a child, something that they had made with love. A tear made its way unbidden down her cheek. Of course it would never happen, they had been rash the other night, but she had always been able to read her body and was sure that she was too old to have any more children.

'Pull yourself together, Jean.' She told herself, 'even if it did happen, you're not married, the scandal would ruin you both.' She adjusted her hold on Amelia and brushed away the tear. Time to go and finish the ironing, Ruby wouldn't have bothered she knew. It hadn't taken Jean long to get the lie of the land, and she was very much afraid that they wanted her to stay as a permanent nanny/housekeeper. She would have to be strong. Perhaps Lucien had the best idea, marry.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

She finished her chores, made lunch and fed Amelia. Ruby's lunch was left for her, she had not come into the kitchen when Jean had told her it was ready. Whatever Christopher thought, there was going to be no easy truce between the two women, if any at all.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

A couple of spare bottles and nappies stored in a basket under the pram along with Lucien's laundry, Jean called through she was off for her walk. No answer being forthcoming she headed off to meet the doctor.

He was sitting on a bench outside the hotel, reading a newspaper. He'd bought himself a new shirt, white, or course, he never wore anything else. She wheeled the pram up close and cleared her throat,

'Excuse me kind sir,' she smiled sweetly, 'could you tell me where I can find the most handsome doctor in town?'

Lucien looked up and grinned at her, he stood and held his arms out to her.

'Jean.' He whispered as she melted into him and felt his arms around her, strong and safe. He felt her arms go round him, inside his jacket and hold tight. He pulled back and looked at her, he hadn't been sure when he first looked at her but he realised it was no illusion, she seemed to have the cares of the world on her shoulders.

'It's not just chaos, is it love?' He asked, quietly.

'Oh, Lucien, it's...it's...' she couldn't find the words to describe what it was like.

'Go on,' he pulled her down onto the bench, 'tell me.'

With his arm across her shoulder she felt wanted, rather than needed.

'There was so much laundry, the vacuum hadn't been used in I don't know how long, the place was a mess. Ruby was in bed, 'resting', she didn't come down to dinner, Christopher took her a tray.' Jean told Lucien everything, even the conversation she had had with her son. The atmosphere when she was alone with Ruby, the way the woman dealt with her baby, all the while she got angrier and angrier. 'I can't stay there, Lucien, I can't sleep on the camp bed, Ruby may need me but she doesn't want me, if you get my meaning. There's only Amelia to keep me there.'

Lucien handed her his handkerchief, she hadn't realised she'd begun to cry, again.

'I think, sweetheart,' He kissed her temple, 'we should firstly find you somewhere else to stay, then have some tea.'

She nodded, 'I've got your laundry. All washed and pressed.'

'Lovely, thank you, but that can wait.' He stood and offered her his hand.

Holding his hand and pushing the pram made her think once more about giving him a child. He had put all her worries into a pocket, to be sorted out later, like a crumpled piece of paper. Now he was going to help her find somewhere to rent, make sure she was comfortable and safe. Resourceful as Jean Beazley was there were sometimes she needed, nay wanted, the help of a caring man.

They went into two or three agencies that were advertising rental properties and made appointments to see two cottages that had, apparently, everything Jean needed. Both would be for the following day so she had to resign herself to staying with her son and his wife for a few more days.

Appointments sorted they headed back to Lucien's hotel to restore his clothing to him and for tea. Amelia was beginning to stir and Jean knew she would need feeding very soon.

'I ought to be getting back, to see to her.' She sighed regretfully.

'I thought you had everything for her.' Lucien didn't want her to go so soon.

'I have, but...' Jean admitted.

'Then we'll have tea in my room and you can feed and change her in comfort.' He became suddenly organised and in charge.

'Your room..., Lucien!' She was surprised. 'I don't think that's appropriate, do you?'

'It's only tea Jean, and no one knows us here.' He raised one eyebrow and smiled.

'Hmm,' She grinned back.

They manoeuvred the pram into the elevator and into his room where Lucien ordered tea to be sent up. He watched her change the baby and murmur to her, she was different with the child, softer, lost in her thoughts. She sat on the bed and shifted so she was leaning against the headboard, cradling the precious bundle in her arms and offering her the bottle. Amelia suckled contentedly as her grandmother gazed tenderly at her. The bottle finished and the baby winded Jean sang a soft lullaby until she fell asleep snuggled against her breast. Jean couldn't imagine how Ruby could not want this, the memory of feeding her sons, that cherished time that could never be repeated, all came flooding back and she struggled to hold back the tears.

Lucien sat next to her and wrapped his arm round her shoulder, pulling her into him. As her head leant on his shoulder he looked at the baby. She was so small, he didn't remember Li being that small. The doctor in him took over and he touched a tiny hand. The baby wrapped her tiny fingers round his much larger digit.

'She's tiny, Jean.' He whispered, 'how heavy was she?'

'Five and a half pounds, smaller than either of mine, and they weren't big babies.' Jean put her hand over theirs, 'and yes, I am worried. They've been feeding her every four hours, rigidly, so sometimes she isn't ready.' She moved to look at him, 'you don't think it's right, do you? That she should still be so tiny.'

'Well...' He ran his thumb over the tiny fist. 'I would have expected her to be bigger.'

'I put her on the kitchen scales this morning. I know it's not the best way to weigh her...' She whispered, 'she's six pounds four ounces now.'

'Hm...' he mused, 'slow gain, especially formula fed.'

Jean got up and put the baby into the pram. He watched her, trying to work out what she wanted. He didn't know how to make it better, he so wanted to kiss away her pain but he knew that wasn't the answer. He went over and wrapped his arms around her, kissing the top of her head,

'Come and have your tea.' He breathed into her hair.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

So how will they resolve Jean's dilemma? Will she find a decent place to live and how long will she stay? This could well be a rather long story, tell me if you want me to stop. x