They were heading for London. Joe's brother was competing in the Olympics and he had got them tickets.
It
would be hell in London. there would be loads of people but Mary and Joe were very
fond of Jimmy, Joe's brother and wanted to see him compete. He was in
the Archery and his competition was being held at the Lords cricket
ground venue on the outskirts of London.
But
with Mary being pregnant they had not had time to get things sorted
properly. They had got the best tickets - thanks to Jimmy and his
influence being an athlete. That was all arranged ages ago and now
they were beginning to wonder if it had been wise making the long
journey as they little car was stuck in the heavy traffic on
the M1.
It was summer and the sun was shining and they were sure that they
would be able to find somewhere to stay.
And
the competition was tomorrow.
The
journey went on and on and the Mary was becoming more and more
uncomfortable.
It
was early evening when they pulled into the area of St John's Wood
where Lords is situated and wondered what they would do for the
night. They saw a hotel.
The
friendly receptionist said “Sorry no room!”
There
was a b and b but the lady there said “Sorry we booked out months
ago - don't you know the Olympics are on!”
They
called into a roadside pub to be told “Sorry we don't do
accommodation”
Joe
pleaded with the girl behind the bar pointing to Mary's bump and
saying she had not long to go. He laid it on thick, telling the young
woman about how uncomfortable Mary had found the long journey.
He
explained that they had visited many hotels and b and bs but all said
the same. Because of the Olympics they were full.
This
barmaid had a sister who was expecting and she could recognise the
state Mary was in. She had an idea.
“Why
not go and ask my Aunty Peggy. She sometimes takes in lodgers. Here’s
the address. Tell her Judy sent you.”
So
they trailed to to the next street and went to the modern semi
detached house.
The
door was opened by an elderly lady with grey hair and thick glasses.
This
was aunty Peggy.
But
her reply was predictable. “No. Sorry! All my rooms are full of
games-makers. They are working odd shifts keeping everything going so
they are in and out all day and night but a lovely bunch they are
too. I have no spare beds at all. No spare room I'm afraid.”
She
glared through her thick specs at the huge bump as Mary stood
pathetically at the door. the eyes behind the thick lenses softened
as she looked at Mary's tired eyes.
“Just
for tonight is it?” she asked.
She
paused for a long moment as she weighed up a possibility in her mind.
“There
is a sun lounger in the conservatory - you can kip there as its just
for tonight. I'm only doing this considering the state you are in.”
She looked at Joe and added “There are a few cushions on the floor
for you.”
Mary
settled down on the nice sunbed. The conservatory was not big but it
was clean and there were blinds so it was not like being in a
greenhouse.
Joe
went out and returned twenty minutes later with two portions of fish
and chips and some lemonade and they had a makeshift supper.
Mary
was tired and as soon as she had finished her chips she was ready to
sleep. Joe curled up as best he could on the cushions on the tiled
floor and tried to relax thinking about the events of the day and his
excitement for tomorrow.
Mary
wasn't asleep long when she woke Joe. It was now dark but the summer
sky was still glowing from the city streetlights.
“Oh...
Joe its started.” she exclaimed. “Joe its started!”
Joe
jumped up quickly and held Mary’s hand. It was clammy.
He
knew he had to do something.
He
grabbed his iphone. There wasn't an app for do it yourself midwifery!
He
phoned his brother.
No
reply.
The
phone was switched off. He mused it was probably a rule in the
athletes camp to switch off all phones on the night before their
event.
He
decided to call an ambulance. But where were they. He remembered the
scrap of paper that had written down Auntie Peggy's address.
He
dialed 999.
Ambulance. The telephonist explained she was sorry but there will be a delay as there has been an incident at the
Olympic village.
I
won't describe the next bit because it was noisy and a bit messy but
things happened very quickly and soon a new young pair of lungs were
filling the conservatory with a loud cry.
The
ambulance arrived eventually and they did a quick check and cleaned
Mary up then left them to it.
And
the following day they went to Lords, with a baby wrapped in
swaddling bands and tucked close into Mary's chest and watched Jimmy
compete and get into the final but not win a medal. And in honour of
his uncle they called the baby Jamie.
Image"Laying Around" courtesy of Timeless Photography / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
