Read Online A Maxwell Mourned by Gwen Kirkwood - Free Book Online Page B

her thankfully. ‘I never knew you got through so much work in a day, all by yourself. What it is to be young.’
    ‘But what’s wrong with Meg?’ Rachel asked anxiously. ‘It’s usually such a struggle to get her to sit down in a chair.’
    ‘She collapsed in the bakehouse, barely an hour after you’d gone. Doctor Gill made her promise to stay in bed until he returns. He told her she would damage her baby – and her own health, if she did not follow his advice.’
    ‘I should never have left her,’ Rachel said. ‘I guessed she was not as well as she pretended.’
    ‘No good blaming yourself, Rachel,’ Peter told her, coming into the kitchen and overhearing, ‘She wouldn’t have listened to anyone except the doctor. But I am thankful to see you back and Meg is asking to see you and hear all your news.’
    ‘I’ll take her a drink of tea, but I see there is much to do.’
    ‘Willie has bought the cows. He and Sam Dewar walked them over to Windlebrae. I’m sorry lass, but we couldn’t manage everything.’
    Rachel nodded. ‘They would have had to go anyway. Meg will be busy enough when the baby is born.
    Concern for Meg grew as the days passed. Even lying in bed her feet and fingers were puffy and swollen. Her face seemed rounder, but it was not a healthy roundness. Rachel thought it looked bloated.
    ‘I think the baby will be due in six or seven weeks,’ Doctor Gill confirmed.
    ‘How shall we get Meg to rest for so long!’ she wondered aloud.
    ‘It is vital.’ His tone was urgent. He lowered his voice. ‘It could mean the difference between life and death.’
    ‘Oh no!’ Rachel’s face paled. ‘Peter could not bear that again.’
    ‘I’m sorry. I did not mean to worry you unduly Miss O’Bri … Sorry, it’s Mrs Maxwell now, is it not? The minister told me Conan’s father had returned. I’m so pleased. A boy needs his father. When do you plan to join him?’
    ‘As soon as – as Meg is well again. I pray to God she will be well.’ she added vehemently.
    ‘I shall add my prayers to yours,’ Doctor Gill said sincerely. ‘We must do our best for her. Make her some beef tea and clear chicken soup – keep up her strength without straining her system.’
    Even the children seemed subdued. Rachel had taken over the bakery but she was having difficulty fitting everything into the days. It seemed she had no sooner gone to sleep than it was time to get up again.
    ‘I’m thinking of asking the nursemaid to start work immediately, Rachel?’ Peter said, after hearing her speak sharply to Conan. ‘You look exhausted.’ She stared at him blankly. ‘She could sleep in the girls’ room,’ he added quickly. ‘She’s used to sharing. I don’t want you to think I am criticising …’
    ‘If only you could get another pair of hands! Any hands. Not to mention a pair of eyes to watch the twins and Conan.’ Rachel could almost have wept with relief. She was so tired and so tense with anxiety. ‘Is she willing to come so soon?’
    ‘Yes. Her name is Flora and she is 14.’
    Flora arrived two days later. She was bright-faced and cheerful and completely unruffled by the busy household.
    ‘It’s no worse than home,’ she told Rachel laughingly. ‘We are all used to work. Work or starve, my Ma says – and sometimes we have to do both when things are bad.’
    ‘Does your father keep cows?’ Rachel asked.
    ‘No – only one for the house and a few hens and a pig. The farm’s on top of a hill – bleak in summer, snowed up in winter,’ she said philosophically. ‘Even the sheep struggle to survive. Dad talks about giving up – but what else could he do? There’s no work round here. He’d hate living in Glasgow when he’s country born and bred.’
    Flora’s help made a big difference. Even Meg seemed more relaxed, though still lamenting the fact that she was to stay in bed for another five weeks.
    Nature interfered with this plan and six nights later Peter knocked urgently on