Please Don’t Take My Baby and I Miss Mummy 2-in-1 Collection. Cathy Glass
wake or cry. ‘Well done,’ I said to Jade, and helped her slide the suit from under Courtney. As with many procedures in caring for a baby, Jade would find it became easier with practice, so that before long she would have Courtney in and out of the suit in no time, and without disturbing her if she was asleep.
‘Shall I take these baby things up to Jade’s bedroom?’ Jackie called from the hall.
‘Yes, if you like,’ I said, going to meet her. I thought Jackie would probably like to see Jade and Courtney’s bedroom. ‘I’ll show you where it is.’
I led the way upstairs and to Jade’s room. ‘It’s not very big,’ I said apologetically as we entered. ‘But Rachel said it would be fine short term.’
‘It’s nice,’ Jackie said pleasantly, placing the carrier bags on the bed. ‘You’ve got a lovely home.’
‘Thank you.’
‘It’s a lot bigger than my place. Although now Jade’s gone we’ve got a bit more space. Mikey and Danny are in her room now.’
I knew from the paperwork that Mikey and Danny were Jade’s younger brothers. While I could see the practicality in utilizing Jade’s bedroom straightaway I hoped Jackie hadn’t told Jade, for it seemed a bit insensitive to move them in so quickly, as though Jackie couldn’t wait to get rid of Jade. But Jackie continued: ‘I’ve told Jade I’m boxing up her things and I’ll store them until she has a place of her own.’ By ‘a place of her own’ I assumed Jackie meant a council flat, but this too seemed a little premature, for when Jade left me it would be to go to a mother-and-baby foster home, where she could stay for a year or more while a parenting assessment was completed. Only if Jade demonstrated adequate parenting and was allowed to keep her baby would she be eligible for social housing – as a single mother.
We returned downstairs, where Jade was on the sofa with Courtney still asleep in her arms. ‘Would either of you like a drink?’ I asked Jade and Jackie.
‘Orange, please,’ Jade said.
‘No thanks,’ Jackie said. ‘I’ll need to be off soon.’
I went into the kitchen and poured Jade’s drink, and then returned to the sitting room. Jackie and Jade hadn’t spoken in my absence and although Jackie was sitting next to Jade on the sofa looking at Courtney I sensed an atmosphere.
Presently Jackie said to me: ‘Ty phoned me. I think he might be coming over later.’
‘That’ll be nice,’ I said to Jade. ‘Was he with you during the birth? I saw him arrive as I was leaving the hospital.’
Jade shrugged. ‘I guess so. Sort of. I was out of it with that gas and air.’
‘He was in the room, some of the time,’ Jackie said. ‘Although he wasn’t much use. Just as well you can rely on your mother,’ she added, turning to Jade.
Jade didn’t reply or look at her mother and again I sensed an atmosphere. There was a small silence as Jade drank her orange juice and then Jackie stood. ‘Well, I best be off, then. The bus takes ages.’
‘I’m sorry I can’t offer you a lift,’ I said, also standing. ‘But I wouldn’t be back in time to collect Paula.’
‘No worries,’ Jackie said. ‘I’m used to the buses.’ Then to Jade: ‘See you soon. You know where I live.’
Jade frowned and looked annoyed. ‘I can’t go on the bus yet, can I?’ Which was a fair comment.
‘I could take you to see your mum in the car one afternoon,’ I suggested.
‘Or I’ll get a cab,’ Jade said.
‘We’ll sort something out,’ I said to Jackie.
Jackie said goodbye, kissed Courtney’s forehead but didn’t hug or kiss her daughter. I saw Jackie out and then returned to the sitting room, where I sat on the sofa next to Jade. Courtney gave a little yawn and my heart melted.
‘She’s certainly a lovely baby,’ I said. ‘Do you think she looks like you or Tyler?’
‘Dunno. Can’t really tell,’ Jade said.
‘No,’ I agreed, smiling. ‘People often see a family likeness in a newborn baby but it’s very difficult to tell. I couldn’t see any likeness in Adrian or Paula until they were about three months old.’ Courtney yawned again and then stretched as though she might be waking and I wondered if she was due for a feed. ‘When did you last feed her?’ I asked.
‘Just before we left the hospital,’ Jade said. ‘I’m using bottles. I’m not breastfeeding.’
‘I know.’ I glanced at the clock. ‘Courtney shouldn’t need feeding again until after I’ve returned from collecting Paula from school,’ I said. ‘But if she does, everything you need is ready in the kitchen. If you come with me I’ll show you. I’ve made up some bottles ready, and then later, when we have more time, I’ll show you how to prepare the formula.’
‘All right,’ Jade said without moving, and then suddenly burst into tears.
‘Oh, love,’ I said. ‘What’s the matter?’ I instinctively put my arm around her shoulders to comfort her.
‘It’s her!’ Jade said, nodding towards the sitting-room door her mother had gone out of.
‘Your mum?’
‘Yes. D’you know what she’s done? She’s packed away all my things and given the boys my room. I’m homeless now.’
‘You’re not homeless, love,’ I said, hugging her. ‘Try not to upset yourself. Your mother mentioned to me your brothers were sleeping in your old room. I think she was desperate for the space.’
‘I know but I haven’t got anywhere to go now,’ Jade cried. ‘I bet they’re all a lot happier without me. I always caused them problems.’
‘That’s not true,’ I said, holding her close as she cried. ‘Your mum loves you. And you have a home here with me for now.’ But of course I could appreciate how Jade felt. I’d thought Jackie had acted prematurely and insensitively in packing up Jade’s bedroom so quickly, and having just had a baby Jade would be more emotional than normal and would feel the rejection more deeply.
I comforted Jade and reassured her as best I could, while Courtney, bless her, slept on. I also told Jade that now she and her mother were living separately they would probably get along a lot better, and Jade agreed. After a while Jade wiped her eyes and blew her nose. Then, mindful that I needed to leave soon to collect Paula from school, I took Jade into the kitchen, where I showed her where the made-up bottles were in the fridge and explained how to heat one and test it was at the right temperature.
‘If Courtney needs changing while I’m out, everything you need is ready in your bedroom,’ I said. ‘But she’s fast asleep now, so hopefully she’ll wait until I come home. I’ll be as quick as I can.’
‘Thanks, Cathy,’ Jade said, and gave a small, sad smile. I felt sorry for her; she looked so lost and out of her depth. I knew she was going to need a lot of help and support during the first few weeks.
I was away from the house for only half an hour but as soon as Paula and I stepped into the hall we heard Courtney screaming upstairs, together with Jade crying. Then to my surprise Tyler suddenly appeared on the landing.
‘I’m glad you’re back!’ he cried. ‘Come and help, quick! We need your help.’
Without taking off my coat or shoes I ran upstairs and into Jade’s room.
‘She won’t stop crying,’ Tyler said anxiously. ‘Jade’s tried to feed and change her but she can’t. We don’t know what to do.’
Courtney was lying on her back on the changing mat with her little face screwed up and her mouth wide open in an almost continuous cry. Her nappy was off and Jade was