Firsts

Cora left the nursery as Nanny and the children played happily with Tom. The former chauffeur had taken to fatherhood better than expected. She knew Sybil would be proud of him. She knew she was.

"Ah Mary!" She called out as she saw her oldest child approach her. "George is on top form in the nursery. I think he's enjoying having Tom there. Another male - less outnumbered with Marigold and Sybil."

"True. This house is very female dominated." Mary smiled slightly. "Did Tom mention his new venture? With my husband?"

"No." Cora ushered her towards the sitting room. "What is it?"

"Henry and Tom have set out to buy a garage. To repair and maintain motorcars." She raised an eyebrow. "All that engine oil!"

"Good for them!" Cora smiled. "Oh come now, Mary. Your husband isn't going to race cars anymore. Doesn't mean he doesn't have an interest in them. What he and Tom don't know about cars isn't worth knowing."

"Well, yes."

"Then why?"

"In six months we will have another baby in the house. What if he wants to race again? Being around those that do? The cars?" Mary frowned. Cora shook her head.

"Do you and Edith actually talk to your husbands? I've been a married woman a very long time. I was sixteen when I met Robert. Eighteen when we married and you appears nine months later."

"Seven months Mother. I've always been good at maths."

"You were, early." Cora blushed. "Talk to him. These thirty or so years we've been together we've always talked. It is best to get the fears out in the open. Honestly, the poor man is not a mind reader." She shook her head as Mrs Hughes appeared. Mary fell silent, knowing her mother was right.

Xxxxxx

The walk to the cottage seemed to calm her, but Mrs Patmore knew that being away from the house for a while would be good. She had been desperate to see Anna and baby Joseph. She looked up to see Anna on the doorstep of the cottage with the baby in her arms.

"Anna!"

"Mrs Patmore."

"Beryl." She corrected.

"There's tea in the pot." She ushered the older woman inside as the dark haired baby stirred.

"Lovely, oh he's like John!"

"Had his father's stubborn streak too." Anna laughed. "I'm outnumbered here."

"Nonsense. Two gorgeous men in the house!"

"I know." Anna smiled at the baby. "So? Gossip. I've missed so much and I've another month before the doctor will let me work again."

"Ah." Beryl sat down.

"Go on?"

"There's a new boy. I think Thomas has taken a shine to him. Daisy is being Daisy and Lady Rose is coming home to live."

"Really?"

"Oh sit down Anna. This will take a while."

Xxxxx

A/N please review