Past Imperfect Page 9

  ‘Quick!’ Kate shouted. ‘Phone for a doctor; Jeremy’s collapsed.’

  Emily knew the drill almost as well as Kate and immediately turned on her heel and ran down the stairs.

  The first time this had happened, Kate had been panic-stricken at the thought of her husband losing his life. She now knew it was the hole in his heart that caused these lapses where his blood pressure would drop dramatically and make him faint. She also understood now that it was paramount to call for a doctor in case he had suffered something more than a drop in blood pressure.

  Even though she was trying to act calmly and rationally, Kate’s hands were trembling as she rolled her husband over into the recovery position, making sure that she rolled him onto his right side. She ran through to the bathroom and returned with a wet towel and began dabbing his forehead. She could feel how cold he had become and noticed his lips had turned blue. She reached over his prone body and kissed him gently on the cheek, whispering to him and urging him to hold on.

  Emily reappeared and knelt down beside Kate, who glanced up at her with pain in her eyes. ‘Go to the twins, please, Emily. I’ll look after him. Take them down to the kitchen and give them breakfast.’

  Emily got to her feet. ‘You sure you will be all right?’ she asked.

  Kate nodded. ‘Yes, so long as I’m here with him.’

  When the doctor arrived, Kennett was sitting up, leaning back against the bedroom wall. His shirt was open and his chest was exposed. Kate had been massaging it, which made him look a little more distressed because of the redness where she had been rubbing. The doctor knew exactly what had happened and was able to deal with him fairly quickly. He gave him an injection and helped him to his feet. Then together he and Kate helped him over to the bed where he was ordered to spend at least half a day resting as the drug took effect. Once he was sure that Kennett was out of danger, he turned his attention to Kate and asked how she was.

  ‘I’m fine now.’ She kept her eyes on her husband. ‘So long as he’s OK, I am too.’

  The doctor took her hand and suggested they leave her husband to get some rest. The truth was that he wanted to get Kate out of the room so he could talk to her about her husband’s condition.

  ‘He is in need of surgery,’ he told Kate once they were standing in the hallway. ‘The hole in the heart has to be repaired, and if it doesn’t happen soon he may not live beyond the end of the year.’

  Tears welled up in her eyes and she tried to choke them back. ‘He is not a very strong man,’ she said with a faltering voice. ‘He may not survive a major operation like that.’

  The doctor knew as well as Kate that open heart surgery was still in its infancy and fraught with risk. ‘He really doesn’t have a choice, I’m afraid.’ He looked down at the swelling in her tummy. ‘If you were to have a difficult birth, it could prove too much for him.’ He glanced towards the room where Kennett was resting. ‘He had a bad time when Margaret died: it nearly killed him.’

  Kate slumped against the wall. The doctor put his hands out to her for support. She waved him away. ‘I’ll be fine.’ Her chest rose and fell rapidly as she took in the enormity of what she had been told. And how could she decide what needed to be done? Whatever choice they made, her husband’s life would be in danger.

  She straightened up and thanked the doctor. ‘I’ll talk to Jeremy. He’ll be the one who decides.’

  The doctor nodded. ‘Of course, but you need to be the one who will really make the decision. You must make it for him.’ He put his hand on her shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. ‘Let me know by the end of the week, Katherine, and I will arrange an appointment with a specialist.’

  Kate thanked him and took him down to the front door where she waved him goodbye. Suddenly the two boys were at her skirt and tugging away for attention.

  ‘Mummy, what’s wrong with Daddy?’

  She took a deep breath and put on a brave smile. ‘Oh, nothing, my little princes, he’s just tired. I’m sure he’ll be down soon.’

  Then she turned the pair of them round and headed back into the house.

  The days shortened and passed into weeks. Kennett had one relapse during that time and eventually was told he would be admitted to hospital in the New Year. No firm date had been fixed, but it was close to Kate’s expected confinement. Arrangements were put in place and contingency plans set if the two events collided. It was a case of three lives being at risk: Kate’s, the baby’s and Kennett’s. Kate was supremely confident that the birth would be uncomplicated and therefore there was no need for her husband to worry. But deep in her heart she hoped and prayed that the date for Kennett’s operation would be before she gave birth. They had also contacted Maud and asked if she would come to Clanford Hall in time for the birth so that the twins could be looked after, and also asked if she would stay until there was some semblance of normality back in the household.

  On top of the growing problems for Kennett to worry about was the overall running of the estate, its finances and the planned destruction of much valuable land to make way for the proposed trunk road to London. Government surveyors had already put in an appearance at the estate and conducted preliminary surveys. Nothing had been set in concrete, Kennett was assured by these men, but he knew that the decision would not be too far off. The most he could hope for was that the compulsory purchase of his land would be sufficient to pay off most of the estate’s debts.

  When the date of Kennett’s operation arrived by post at Clanford Hall, the snow was thick on the ground and Kate’s tummy was as big as she could ever imagine it could be. He had been given two weeks’ notice to make himself available at St Mary’s Hospital in Portsmouth.

  The days that passed were filled with apprehension. Each one wanted the other to get through their ordeal first. Although Kennett wouldn’t admit it to Kate, he wanted desperately to see his child before his operation in case he died while he was under the knife. Kate had sent word to Maud explaining the situation, and Maud had agreed to come immediately.

  The appointed day came and Kate drove her husband to Portsmouth in the Morgan, leaving Paul and Michael with Maud. They laughed as Kate struggled to get her bump beneath the steering wheel. There was very little spoken between them after the first attempts at light-hearted conversation dried up, and each was left with their own thoughts. Kate fretted in silence as she negotiated the winter traffic over Portsdown Hill. The view was usually breathtaking, but low clouds and rain obscured much of the city. Kate thought back to the times they had visited the hill and parked at the top. She wished that could have been where they were going now instead of heading towards the hospital and a time of uncertainty.

  Kate remained with her husband until late afternoon. Before leaving she made sure he was comfortable and had what he needed. ‘I’ll come back tomorrow afternoon,’ she told him.

  ‘Phone first, Kate. You never know.’

  A flash of desperation crossed her face. ‘Nonsense, Jeremy, you’ll be all right.’

  He looked at her a little tearfully. ‘Will you bring the boys in?’ he asked.

  She took his hand and gave it a squeeze. ‘Of course, but they will only be allowed in for five minutes.’ At that moment, Kate felt a pain lance through her stomach. She winced and tried fearfully to hide it from Kennett.

  ‘What is it?’ He sat forward and took hold of Kate’s arm.

  She laughed it off and told him it was wind. ‘It’s always happening. Don’t forget: there isn’t much room in there for the baby; things tend to get squeezed out a bit.’

  He relaxed and lay back on the pillow.

  ‘I’ll go, then,’ Kate said, knowing that she couldn’t stay much longer without revealing just how much pain she was suffering. She leaned forward and kissed him. ‘God bless.’

  Kennett watched her go and cursed his weakness. Then the tears dropped from his eyes and ran down his cheeks. He lifted a hand and wiped them away as Kate disappeared from the ward.

  When she was out
side in the corridor, Kate slumped against the wall for support. There was no one else there to see her slide down the smooth tiles, clutching her stomach. But within a few minutes the pain subsided and Kate was able to stand upright. She began walking purposefully towards the hospital exit, hoping against hope that she wouldn’t be hit with another spasm. Luck was with her and she made it out into the car park and the Morgan. She struggled to get into the car and eventually managed to get comfortable. Then she gunned the motor into life, pulled away from the hospital and into the murky evening light.

  It was dark as Kate drove through the gates of Clanford Hall. A few lights shone from behind the house windows, and rain spattered the ground, throwing up small diamonds of reflected light. Kate felt a lot happier to know she had made it back without any dramas, but on the way home she had felt several more stabbing pains which did little to lift her mood.

  Kennett went under the knife the following day as Kate went into labour. Maud had arranged for a midwife to call. Once she had put the phone down, Maud offered up a prayer to God that there would be no problems with the delivery and then set about worrying over both Kate and her husband. Waiting for the midwife didn’t help either, but at midnight the woman turned up. By this time Kate was a wreck: her water had broken, her bed was a complete mess and her face was wracked with pain. And even though she was going through the pain of childbirth, she kept asking after her husband.

  At 4.30 that morning, Kate had a baby girl. By five o’clock the pain was forgotten and she was cradling baby Victoria in her arms, a beaming smile on her face. By 5.30 she was fast asleep and Victoria was snug in her tiny crib. A tired and weary midwife was shown out of the front door by an equally tired Maud, who had given thanks to God for the safe delivery. Now she had worries about Kennett, Kate, the twins and their new half-sister Victoria, but before she could think about that, she knew she had to phone the hospital for news of Kate’s husband.

  There was a card beside the hall phone with the hospital number, which Maud dialled. It was some time before she was able to talk to the senior night nurse who was in charge of the post-op ward. The nurse was reluctant to say too much because Maud was not family, but did tell her that Mr Kennett was in recovery in intensive care. When the nurse heard Maud’s sharp intake of breath, she hurried to inform her that this was normal procedure for heart patients after such a serious operation. There was nothing more she could tell her but suggested that Mrs Kennett call in during the morning. Maud thanked her and put the phone down. Then she went upstairs to the room that Kate used to sleep in – the one beside the twins’ room – and lay on the bed. Within a few minutes she was sound asleep.

  The kitchen was the first place to come alive in the morning. Martha and Emily had started work and it wasn’t long before cooking smells began drifting out into the dining room. The radio was tuned into the light programme on BBC and both the women were soon singing along to the music. Neither of them was aware of the unfolding drama that had taken place during the night, and put the lack of movement and noise from upstairs as a sign that things in the Clanford household were normal. They knew that their employer was in hospital, but were not aware that he had already had his operation. And although they knew Kate’s time was imminent, they didn’t know Kate had been delivered of a baby girl until they heard the shrill cry of a hungry baby coming from upstairs.

  Both women immediately stopped what they were doing and raced each other to the foot of the stairs in an effort to be the first one up to Kate’s room. Martha knocked on the bedroom door and waited impatiently until they heard Kate’s voice calling them in. They almost fell over each other getting to the bed where Kate was sitting up feeding the new addition to the family.

  Kate kept Victoria sucking on her breast as Maud and Emily watched in fascination, smiling and complimenting Kate on such a lovely-looking girl. They allowed themselves a few minutes of adoration before remembering they had left food cooking downstairs in the kitchen. Suddenly the room was quieter and Kate knew she had a few more moments with Victoria before Paul and Michael were brought in.

  The two boys came a little later than Kate expected. Although when she saw Maud’s tired looks, she guessed that things were a little behind at the moment. Both the boys wanted to hold the baby, and Kate promised them they would get their chance when the baby was being bathed. She said she would call them up so they could watch.

  Kate had one other thing on her mind, and that was her husband. Maud had told her about the phone call and the nurse’s suggestion that she should call in at the hospital. The nurse was unaware of Kate’s condition, and Kate knew that the midwife, when she came in for her first visit, would not entertain the idea that Kate had in mind. She knew it was usual for new mothers to convalesce for a few days before being allowed to take too much on. But Kate was determined that she would take Victoria in to the hospital so her father could see her and know that he had something really wonderful to live for. And she was determined to do it that day.

  Kate had asked Arthur to drive her to Portsmouth. They didn’t take the Morgan because Kate feared it might be too draughty for Victoria. Arthur was reluctant because he knew that Kate should stay in bed 24 hours after giving birth. But Kate had used emotional blackmail on him and he had conceded defeat.

  Not so much the midwife: she had been adamant that Kate was endangering the baby and herself by such a foolish action. But Kate was having none of it; she was determined that her husband would see his daughter. She didn’t want to use the fateful phrase ‘in case he doesn’t recover’ but it was in her thoughts all the time.

  She walked into the hospital with Victoria in her arms and Arthur by her side, and asked to be shown to the ward where her husband was recovering. The nurse at reception was not too helpful but Kate’s insistence proved immutable and she was asked to wait for the hospital registrar. The nurse said it would be his decision. When the registrar arrived he agreed to let Kate see her husband for five minutes. ‘No more. Do you understand?’

  Kate’s eyes were already brimming with tears as the doctor led her into the intensive care ward. Arthur had to remain outside. Kate walked up to Kennett’s bed and stood quietly for a moment. He was sleeping, so it seemed, and there was an array of tubes coming out of him. She turned to the doctor and offered him the baby. Once her arms were free, she stooped over her husband and whispered in his ear, kissing him gently on the cheek.

  Kennett turned his head and opened his eyes. Recognition dawned on him and he smiled weakly. Kate whispered again.

  ‘I’ve brought somebody very special in to see you,’ she said. Then she turned and took Victoria from the doctor. ‘Your beautiful baby daughter.’

  She lowered the baby onto his hands, being careful not to allow the lightweight infant to touch the upper part of his chest.

  Kennett tipped his head forward and lifted the baby carefully in his hands. His eyes moistened and he brought the baby to his lips and kissed her gently. Then he looked at Kate.

  ‘Thank you, my darling. I love you.’

  Kate took the baby from him as he let his head drop onto the pillow and closed his eyes.

  Kate smiled up at the doctor and walked away, turning at the last moment before leaving the ward. She look towards her husband and whispered softly. ‘I love you, Jeremy. Please come home.’

  SEVEN

  Emma, 2010

  Emma stared dejectedly at the letter in her hand. It was to tell her that her husband was contesting her application for a divorce decree nisi, and that she would have to apply for a case management hearing before a judge. The letter had dropped onto her doormat earlier. When she heard the letterbox clatter, Emma’s heart gave a little leap for joy because she was convinced she would hear from Max, but now she was facing her worst nightmare.

  When Emma had first applied for a divorce, her husband told her he would not contest it. This gave her reason and hope, and from that day she considered her marriage as finished and her divorce as final. The matt
er of legal procedure and her husband’s obduracy hadn’t entered her head. Even Laura, her astute sister, spoke from the same mantra and talked of Ian as Emma’s ex. Now she was faced with a battle that she knew her husband would prolong as much as he could, simply to torment her further.

  Emma knew she had little choice but to travel to the prison in Winchester and appeal to her husband to drop his opposition to the divorce. She laughed at her own naïveté: there was no way he would agree, such was his attitude when it came to considering her first.

  She dropped the letter onto a coffee table and scooped up the rest of the mail. There was nothing of interest so she took it all into the kitchen and threw it into the bin.

  Despite the bad start to the day, Emma knew she had to heed her sister’s advice and take more control of her life. This meant she should forget the disappointing news for now and concentrate on those things she had promised herself, like a new mobile phone and a credit card. She knew that she would eventually get a divorce from her husband: it was simply a question of when.

  Suddenly she thought of Max and it dawned on her that if her husband got to hear of her new friendship with Max, he would use that as a slur on her character and manipulate the divorce proceedings in his favour. What Emma didn’t seem to understand was that no judge in the land would declare her as the guilty party; her husband was in prison for inflicting violence on her. But Emma’s compliant nature was often her undoing in difficult relationships, and she would always worry over small details rather than looking at the bigger picture.

  An hour later, Emma was at the local shopping mall having spent time in the shower trying to wash away her anxiety. Changing her mobile phone was easy because her sister had told her where to go and what to ask for. She found the young salesman very helpful and full of knowledge as he pointed out the wonderful features of the smartphone she was buying. Emma didn’t understand a word he was saying, but did manage to learn how to dial a number. In this case it was her sister’s. Her first attempt ended in disaster, but fairly soon she was sitting on a convenient bench talking to Laura.