Chapter Six - Childbirth
Unable to work at the guest house, Emily was taking in washing and sewing to supplement their meagre income. Besides the bed, which was already in the flat, they had gathered the minimal scraps of furniture, mostly through charity.
They had been just sitting down to their evening meal when Emily’s waters broke. She sent the very startled Albert to fetch her mother.
When she arrived, she brought with her two neighbours who, like her, were veterans of multiple births. They warned Albert to stay well clear of proceedings, as he was only likely to make himself a nuisance.
“Do you know where Emily keeps the sheets?” her mother asked Albert.
Albert shrugged.
“Don’t worry, we’ll find them. I’ve brought old sheets of my own.”
“I got child-bed linen and calico, from
