No Going Back by Casey Kelleher (black male authors TXT) 📗

it’s like a false labour. It’s very common in the third trimester, but it’s usually just a false alarm.’ Placing a hospital gown on the bed, the nurse paused and took a deep breath.

‘You wouldn’t think it was April, would you? They’ve got the heating on full whack; it’s almost tropical. Are you hot too?’

Imelda shrugged, not really feeling the temperature either way.

‘Mind you, I have been running around like a headless chicken. Lots of new babies earlier; we’ve been run off our feet. Right, you pop yourself into this gown. I’m just going to slip my cardi off,’ the midwife said, turning her back to Imelda and slipping off her cardigan, before placing it on the back of the door. ‘Have you had a show, yet?’

‘A show?’

‘Oh, you’d know if you’d had it. It’s when a plug of mucus from the cervix comes away.’ The midwife frowned then. ‘Did they not tell you about it in your NTC classes? They should be teaching you all of this, so you know what signs to look for.’ The midwife was about to continue the lecture on the classes not focusing on all the important things when it came to labour, only to stop mid-sentence as an alarm screeched loudly from a room further down the corridor.

‘I’m going to have to check that. It’s one of my ladies and we’re a bit short-staffed,’ the midwife said apologetically. ‘You get yourself comfortable and I’ll be back in a few minutes.’

Imelda nodded obediently, waiting until the nurse had left the room before she finally relaxed back on the bed. Relieved that the alarm had gone off and that the midwife had left her. Before she slipped back off the bed and pushed her feet back into her shoes and took her opportunity to leave.

28

Waking up from a deep sleep, Shelby Cooke stared over at the crib that sat just beneath the window of the hospital suite, unable to help herself as she smiled. Riley hadn’t arrived under the best of circumstances given the horrific attack she’d endured. They were the talk of London now, their story was all over the news, and the fact that her attacker had yet to be caught made her feel physically sick. Especially knowing what she did now: that the man who’d attacked her had more than likely killed someone before her. And her baby. She had been lucky, and thankfully, her son seemed none the wiser to the ordeal they’d both suffered. It certainly wasn’t the best start in life for him, but he was here and safe and that was all that mattered to her now. And a part of Shelby still couldn’t believe that he was finally here.

Reaching for her phone on the bedside table, she flinched at the time, surprised that it was almost five o’clock and Riley had not woken her with the sound of his hungry cries. She’d last fed him at midnight and she finally felt as if she was getting somewhere. Riley was starting to have an appetite and was feeding so much better. She reassured herself that the fact that he was still blissfully sleeping meant he was clearly just as content as she was. Like mother like son. It also meant that they’d both hopefully be allowed home today, and she couldn’t wait.

She’d spent months decorating Riley’s nursery and shopping for only the best nursery furniture and bedding. It looked beautiful, and Shelby couldn’t wait to get him home to see it. Though part of her dreaded going back to that estate, at least while her attacker was still on the loose. Still, she’d have Ashley to look after her. Because Shelby had every faith now that things would change for good. Now that Riley was here, their son would be the one to ensure that they were a proper family. Ashley wouldn’t need to go out so much. He could stay at home, with them. At least, Shelby thought, she could live in hope.

Tapping her feet impatiently beneath the covers, she resisted the urge to jump from her bed and scoop Riley up from his crib. She’d only been awake a few minutes and already she was longing to feel his soft skin against hers and smell that familiar soothing new-baby scent of his. Riley was like a drug to her. Only she knew that she should let him sleep for as long as possible. She’d have all day to spoil him with love and cuddles. For now, she was just going to enjoy a few moments of peace and quiet before Ashley and her parents turned up later and started fussing around her and the baby.

Switching the small overhead reading light on, Shelby sat up in the bed, grinning once more as the midwife from yesterday spotted the light while passing and popped her head through the gap in the door to check that Shelby was doing okay.

‘You all right, Shelby, darling?’ The midwife smiled. ‘How did you sleep?’

‘I was out for the count.’ Shelby smiled, feeling surprisingly refreshed after just a few hours’ sleep. She’d been dreading having to spend the night here alone, because she hated hospitals. Confined to this small room, it felt almost claustrophobic. And not only that, but she hated being away from Ashley even more. She thought of him then, at home, snoring loudly as he slept. Completely undisturbed by this new little being that had entered their lives. Men always had it easier than women.

‘I’m not surprised. You’re probably exhausted. You’ve been through a lot. Get your rest while you can,’ the midwife said sympathetically, knowing the ordeal that Shelby had gone through that had brought on her labour. The woman was doing remarkably well considering.

‘How did Riley do during the night?’

‘He was an angel,’ Shelby said proudly. ‘I last fed him at around midnight and he latched on properly this time and managed to have a decent feed. He must have been nice and full up as he’s