Read Online Peppercorn Street by Anna Jacobs - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Anna Jacobs
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had a plain board outside that said in red letters on white, ‘All are welcome in God’s house’.
Would she and Millie be welcome? Would anyone even notice their presence?
She wasn’t sure about doing this, but the thought of spending the whole day on her own decided her. She desperately needed to be among people. If going to church didn’t work out, she’d only lose an hour or so. But you had to try everything you could till you made a new lifefor yourself, they’d emphasised that all the time in the discussion groups at the hostel.
She decided to get there a little early and suss the place out, see where she could sit with the buggy, ready to make a quick escape if Millie started to cry.
But as she walked through the gate and up the path, a woman minister opened the double entrance doors and smiled at her as she fastened them back.
‘I’ve not seen you here before, have I?’
‘No. We’ve … um, just moved into town.’ She gestured towards the buggy.
‘Then I’m happy to welcome you and your baby to our church.’ She looked down at Millie who was drowsy, ready for a nap. ‘We have a crèche for the morning service. Would you be happy to leave your baby in it?’
‘I didn’t realise.’
The minister leant closer, still smiling, and said in a low voice, ‘It’s probably sexist to say so, but I’ve children of my own, so I do understand from experience how hard it is for a mother to get time to worship in peace.’
Janey let out a sigh of relief. ‘That’d be great.’
‘I’m Louise, by the way.’ She turned and beckoned to someone. ‘A new customer for the crèche, Barbara.’
An older woman with a grandmotherly air beamed at Janey. ‘How lovely! Oh, what a pretty baby! What’s her name? Millie. I love that name. And you’re … Janey. Well, come and see our facilities, dear. They aren’t fancy but they’re bright and clean.’
There was a little side room, with a tiny baby lying fast asleep in a buggy, its face pink and peaceful.
‘He belongs to Marcie, who does the flowers,’ Louise said.
Barbara came closer, touching Janey on the arm, which made her realise how rarely anyone touched her now, except for Millie, of course.
‘I used to be a children’s nurse, so your baby will be quite safe with me, dear.’
‘That’s wonderful.’ Janey explained about Millie’s needs then went back into the church. Just to sit on her own was wonderful. She could feel herself relaxing and enjoyed watching others file in. There were more people attending than she’d expected, which suggested that the church was quite popular. And everyone who sat nearby smiled and nodded at her.
She really did feel welcome here. That realisation brought tears to her eyes.
When the service started she joined in the first hymn, mumbling awkwardly at first, then getting used to singing aloud again. She’d once wanted to be in the school choir, but her parents hadn’t liked the thought of her staying late at school and ‘getting up to mischief’.
At the end of the service she slipped out to get Millie and thank Barbara for looking after her daughter.
‘She was no trouble, slept most of the time. You could get a coffee before you leave, chat to a few people. I’ll still be here.’
But she didn’t feel confident enough to do that in a group of complete strangers, so smiled and said, ‘Another time, perhaps.’
Another woman came in just then and picked up the tiny baby. ‘Has he been good?’
‘As good as gold.’
‘They always are for you. Thanks, Barbara. Myhusband’s useless if Thomas starts crying, so it’s blissful to be free for an hour. I’ve changed all the flowers and I’ll be in on Tuesday to see to them.’ She smiled and nodded to Janey. ‘You’re new here, aren’t you? I hope you enjoyed the service. We’re a friendly lot, so do come back.’
Janey walked home feeling happy. Perhaps she wouldn’t be so lonely after all? Perhaps she could find a few friends here and
Would she and Millie be welcome? Would anyone even notice their presence?
She wasn’t sure about doing this, but the thought of spending the whole day on her own decided her. She desperately needed to be among people. If going to church didn’t work out, she’d only lose an hour or so. But you had to try everything you could till you made a new lifefor yourself, they’d emphasised that all the time in the discussion groups at the hostel.
She decided to get there a little early and suss the place out, see where she could sit with the buggy, ready to make a quick escape if Millie started to cry.
But as she walked through the gate and up the path, a woman minister opened the double entrance doors and smiled at her as she fastened them back.
‘I’ve not seen you here before, have I?’
‘No. We’ve … um, just moved into town.’ She gestured towards the buggy.
‘Then I’m happy to welcome you and your baby to our church.’ She looked down at Millie who was drowsy, ready for a nap. ‘We have a crèche for the morning service. Would you be happy to leave your baby in it?’
‘I didn’t realise.’
The minister leant closer, still smiling, and said in a low voice, ‘It’s probably sexist to say so, but I’ve children of my own, so I do understand from experience how hard it is for a mother to get time to worship in peace.’
Janey let out a sigh of relief. ‘That’d be great.’
‘I’m Louise, by the way.’ She turned and beckoned to someone. ‘A new customer for the crèche, Barbara.’
An older woman with a grandmotherly air beamed at Janey. ‘How lovely! Oh, what a pretty baby! What’s her name? Millie. I love that name. And you’re … Janey. Well, come and see our facilities, dear. They aren’t fancy but they’re bright and clean.’
There was a little side room, with a tiny baby lying fast asleep in a buggy, its face pink and peaceful.
‘He belongs to Marcie, who does the flowers,’ Louise said.
Barbara came closer, touching Janey on the arm, which made her realise how rarely anyone touched her now, except for Millie, of course.
‘I used to be a children’s nurse, so your baby will be quite safe with me, dear.’
‘That’s wonderful.’ Janey explained about Millie’s needs then went back into the church. Just to sit on her own was wonderful. She could feel herself relaxing and enjoyed watching others file in. There were more people attending than she’d expected, which suggested that the church was quite popular. And everyone who sat nearby smiled and nodded at her.
She really did feel welcome here. That realisation brought tears to her eyes.
When the service started she joined in the first hymn, mumbling awkwardly at first, then getting used to singing aloud again. She’d once wanted to be in the school choir, but her parents hadn’t liked the thought of her staying late at school and ‘getting up to mischief’.
At the end of the service she slipped out to get Millie and thank Barbara for looking after her daughter.
‘She was no trouble, slept most of the time. You could get a coffee before you leave, chat to a few people. I’ll still be here.’
But she didn’t feel confident enough to do that in a group of complete strangers, so smiled and said, ‘Another time, perhaps.’
Another woman came in just then and picked up the tiny baby. ‘Has he been good?’
‘As good as gold.’
‘They always are for you. Thanks, Barbara. Myhusband’s useless if Thomas starts crying, so it’s blissful to be free for an hour. I’ve changed all the flowers and I’ll be in on Tuesday to see to them.’ She smiled and nodded to Janey. ‘You’re new here, aren’t you? I hope you enjoyed the service. We’re a friendly lot, so do come back.’
Janey walked home feeling happy. Perhaps she wouldn’t be so lonely after all? Perhaps she could find a few friends here and
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