A Mother’s Sacrifice. Kitty Neale

was lucky Glenda was coming home to him after what he’d done, and made him promise to be nicer to her. Harry felt guilty, knowing Maude was right in everything she said – but if only Glenda would do as she was told! He couldn’t stand the way other men looked at her and, even worse, he felt sure she flirted with that Billy Myers. But, like Maude had told him, he had to leave the past where it belonged and concentrate on the future. Glenda might be a lot of things he didn’t like, but at the end of the day she was the mother of his child and as such deserved respect.

      ‘No, I haven’t got glasses or a hat,’ Glenda said, looking close to tears.

      ‘Sorry, love,’ Harry said as he put his arm around Glenda’s shoulders, ‘take no notice of me. It’s just this bloody place, you know I hate it.’

      Glenda didn’t answer but Harry thought he felt her flinch when he put his arm over her. They walked along the stark corridor and turned towards the main exit just as Frank Myers walked around the corner and came face to face with them.

      ‘So you’re off then, Mrs Jenkins?’ asked Frank.

      Harry could feel Glenda’s body stiffen and his blood boiled as he looked at the skinny hospital porter who dared to have the nerve to talk to his wife.

      ‘Yes, Frank,’ Glenda answered nervously, her eyes darting around the corridor, ‘but we’ve gotta dash. We don’t wanna miss our tram.’

      Glenda put her arm through Harry’s and pulled him towards the doorway, but before they went through Harry looked over his shoulder and saw Frank staring at his wife. His fists clenched and his jaw tightened, but then they were through the door and Harry felt himself being pulled along again.

      ‘So who the hell was he?’ he asked.

      ‘Nobody, just the porter from my ward.’

      ‘A nobody who seems to know you pretty well,’ said Harry with a distinct note of sarcasm.

      ‘Harry, please, just leave it, will you. I just wanna get home to see my Johnnie.’

      Harry looked down into Glenda’s bruised but still sexy eyes. His suspicions subsided and he pulled his wife towards him and gently kissed the top of her head. ‘Blimey, we ain’t even out the door and I’m off again. You’re right, let’s get you home. Johnnie’s gonna be chuffed to bits to see you. And I’ve got a little surprise waiting for you too.’

      Maude couldn’t help but keep dashing to the front window of Harry and Glenda’s house and twitching the net curtain. She was really looking forward to Glenda coming home from hospital. ‘Don’t get me wrong,’ she had told Bob the night before, ‘I love having little Johnnie here with us, but I ain’t as young as I used to be and I don’t mind admitting that the little bleeder is wearing me out!’

      Maude glanced around and noted that Harry had bought a lovely yellow chrysanthemum in a pot, which brightened up their rather drab living room. And he had repainted the kitchen in green. Maude hadn’t thought the kitchen needed doing up, but had soon worked out that he was probably covering up Glenda’s splattered blood that had stained the walls. Oh, that boy of mine, she thought, he’ll be the death of me.

      For the umpteenth time that morning Maude looked out of the window. She was pleased to see her son and Glenda walking down the street at last. She rushed to the kitchen and put the kettle on to boil. She thought about opening the window to let out the toxic smell of the newly painted walls, but then decided against it as it was far too chilly outside.

      As the front door opened, Maude was waiting in the living room with Johnnie in her arms, ready to welcome Glenda home.

      ‘Hello, love,’ she said, beaming as Glenda walked into the room, but unable to help noticing how her lip was swollen. Her nose looked a funny shape too. ‘Get your coat off and sit yourself down. I’ve got some hot water in the kettle for a cuppa and a little bundle of joy here who’s been waiting to see his mum.’

      ‘Johnnie!’ Glenda squealed as she took her child from Maude’s arms. ‘Mummy’s missed you so much.’

      Maude watched Glenda hold her baby close to her and instinctively rock him from side to side. Bless her, she thought, she may not be the best woman in the world for my Harry but she’s a good mum. I just hope she doesn’t turn the kid soft with all that soppiness. Boys don’t need hugs, they need discipline and a good hiding from time to time. Never mind, she’ll learn. As soon as the little blighter is up and running around, she’ll realise the need for the strap!

      Glenda sat back on the lumpy brown sofa, relieved to finally have her son in her arms.

      ‘Here, love, look what I got for you,’ said Harry as he pointed to the bright yellow flowers on the old oak sideboard.

      ‘That’s nice,’ said Glenda but she didn’t care about anything at this moment except holding Johnnie.

      ‘And you know that surprise I told you about?’ Harry said excitedly. ‘Well, look behind you. Can you see, through the door? I’ve done up the kitchen for you.’

      Glenda had noticed as soon as she had walked through the living-room door and there was no mistaking the strong fumes of the paint. ‘Yes, it looks lovely. Thanks, Harry.’

      ‘You don’t sound too enthusiastic,’ Harry snarled. ‘Put the boy down and come and have a proper look.’

      Just then Maude walked back into the room with a tray of three cups of tea and a plate of sandwiches. ‘Now then, son.’ She raised her eyebrows at Harry. ‘Glenda has only just got through the door. Leave her be and let her rest. Come on, take this tray.’

      For once, Glenda was grateful for Maude’s interference. She felt quite tired after their journey back from the hospital and just wanted to spend some time with her baby.

      ‘And, Glenda, I managed to buy a bit of something from a mate so I’ve put a nice mutton stew in the oven. When you’re ready for your dinner later, all you have to do is warm it through. My stew will help build your strength back up far better than that ’orrible hospital food!’

      I doubt it, thought Glenda, but she pasted a grateful smile on her face and looked at Harry, who had wrinkled his nose in mock disgust at the thought of his mother’s stew. The meat was probably stolen from some poor farmer, butchered and then sold on. Still, she knew better than to say anything, having learned the hard way to keep her mouth shut about any extras that Maude and Harry got hold of.

      ‘Thanks, Maude,’ she said. ‘I must admit, I do feel a bit tired so I’m glad I won’t have to cook tonight.’

      ‘Well, then, it’s nearly time for the boy’s nap so why don’t you finish that cuppa and go and have a lie down with him. I’ve gotta get back to get Bob’s lunch ready. It’s Wednesday so he’ll be home early today.’

      ‘Yes, I’ll do that,’ Glenda agreed.

      ‘Thanks, Mum. We’re good here so you get yourself off home now,’ said Harry as he collected Maude’s coat from over the banister.

      This isn’t good, thought Glenda, dreading being left alone with Harry. As her body tensed, Johnnie seemed to sense her fear and squirmed in her arms. ‘It’s all right,’ she pacified him, pulling him closer to her.

      Once Harry had packed Maude off through the front door, he walked back into the living room, putting on his heavy overcoat.

      ‘Right then,’ he said with a smile, ‘you’re all settled so I’m gonna pop down the Castle for a couple of pints and then I’d best get to work. I’ve lost enough pay having the morning off, so I’ll see you later.’

      Glenda listened for the front door to close then breathed a heavy sigh of relief. Thank God, she thought as she got up, placed Johnnie in his pram and hurried into the hallway. She grabbed her bag from the hospital and frantically pulled through the clothes inside. When she had been on the ward packing her stuff to leave, she had seen a note inside her bag, which at a quick glance she could see was signed by Frank. But with Harry loitering