In a quiet village in Yorkshire many years ago, a husband shouted at his wife, “A child at forty-one? Women your age are grandmothers already, Evelyn! Dont be foolish.”
He sighed, rubbing his temples. “Clearly, our opinions mean nothing to you. But have you thought this through? I dont want to be hobbling about with a walking stick at her wedding! And what if something happens to us while shes still young? You must decideeither give this up, or Ill have no choice but to leave you.”
Evelyn and her husband, Thomas, had been married for twenty years. She had wed him fresh out of university, barely more than a girl herself. All this time, she had believed him her dearest companion, her rock. Never had she imagined he would turn against her.
Recently, a bitter quarrel had erupted in their homeover the unexpected news of a late pregnancy. Thomas was adamantly against it. “Have you gone mad, Evelyn? Deciding to become a mother in your twilight years? We already have three fine sonsJames is at university, and William and Edward are finishing secondary school. Isnt that enough? What will people think? That weve lost our minds?”
But Evelyn stood firm. “Ive always dreamed of a daughter, Thomas. If God has sent this child, who are we to refuse her?”
“And if its another boy?” he snapped. “Shall we try for a fifth?”
“It will be a girl. I know it.”
Even the boys took Thomass side. When the twins, William and Edward, heard of the coming arrival, they flatly refused to share their room. The eldest, James, frowned. “Mum, arent you afraid? At your age, what if something goes wrong?”
“All will be well,” Evelyn assured him. “Im not so old yet!”
This was not the first time such strife had arisen. When Evelyn was expecting the twins, Thomas had been displeased then, too. James had been just three, money was tight, and they lived with Thomass parents, where Evelyn often quarreled with her mother-in-law. But when the doctor revealed twins, everything changed. Thomass mother gave them the deposit for a house, and he became more attentive. To Evelyns surprise, the twins were quiet babies, and she even managed rest. James, delighted to have playmates, often entertained them, giving her moments of peace.
This time, Evelyn hoped fortune would favor her again. But by the third week, troubles began. She grew ill at worka manicurist of ten years, she was accustomed to the sharp scents of polishes and oils, yet now even the sight of the bright bottles made her retch. Medicine brought no relief, and soon she had to abandon her work entirely.
Confined to bed, she could scarcely wash a dish, let alone keep house. Meals now came from the shops, much to Thomas and the boys dismay. With her earnings gone, money grew scarce. Thomas, a paramedic, worked double shifts, while James took evening classes and found work at an electronics shop by day.
Evelyn saw the disapproval in their eyes. Even her parents shook their heads. “Its too latetoo dangerous,” they said. Neighbors whispered when she passed. She had never felt so alone.
At her next examination, the ultrasound technician studied the screen in silence, murmuring numbers to the nurse. Evelyn lay perfectly still, scarcely daring to breathe. After half an hour, she could bear it no longer. “Doctoris it a boy or a girl?”
“A girl. But theres a concern.”
Evelyns heart lurched. “Whats wrong?”
“Try not to distress yourself, but I must tell you. The child has a neural tube defecta serious condition. By the twenty-third week, it should be closed. Yours remains open. She may be severely disabled.”
Tears spilled down Evelyns cheeks. “Can nothing be done? Are there treatments?”
The doctor looked away.
Stumbling from the clinic, Evelyn moved as if through a dream. The world blurred around her. She reached home but could not bring herself to step inside. Collapsing into the car, she wept until her throat ached.
At last, she dried her eyes and entered. Thomas was home, warming supper in the microwave, the evening news flickering in the background. The boys were out.
Now was the time.
“I had the scan today,” she began. “Its a girl. But theres something wronga defect in her spine.”
Thomas froze. “What did the doctor say?”
“Hehe suggested ending it. I refused. I couldnt, Thomas. Shes still ours.”
“Have you lost all sense?” Thomass face darkened. “Do you know what this means? Shell sufferif she lives at all. Tomorrow, well go back. Ill get the papers myself.”
“No. I wont go.”
“Then dont expect my support! I wont stand by and watch you torment yourselftorment her!” He stormed to the bedroom, yanked a suitcase from the wardrobe, and began stuffing clothes inside.
“Thomas!” Evelyns voice broke. “Youre leaving me? Abandoning us? Shes yours as much as mine!”
“I wont endure this folly. Think of the boyshave you ever known a child like this? My mother had a son after meborn with a heart defect. He lived six months. I still remember the agony of it. She never wanted another. Neither do I. And Ill take the boys with me.”
Snatching his coat, he strode out. Evelyn could not stop him.
Thomass mother, Margaret, was stunned to find her son on her doorstep, suitcase in hand. “Good heavenswhats happened? Have you and Evelyn quarreled?”
“Quarreled?” He laughed bitterly. “Im filing for divorce. She insists on carrying this childthis sick childand my opinion means nothing.”
“Oh, Thomas A mother and child are one. The choice must be hers.” She led him to the kitchen, pouring tea. “But tell mehad I known about little Henrys condition, would you have had me spare him?”
“Of course not,” Margaret sighed. “I prayed for a miracle. But medicine was different then. And what if the scan is wrong? Has that clinic never made mistakes?”
Thomas remembered their neighbor, Catherine, whod been told her child had a heart defectonly for the boy to be born perfectly healthy. Complaints about that doctor were common.
A seed of doubt took root. He had a friend at a private clinicperhaps a second opinion was needed.
Returning from the shops, Evelyn did not expect to find Thomas home. He met her with a steady gaze. “Pack a bag. Were going to the clinic in London.”
Silently, she obeyed.
At the private clinic, the examination was swift. The doctor studied the screen, then smiled. “All is well. Shes developing right on scheduleno abnormalities. Would you like to hear her heart?”
Evelyn and Thomas nodded. To his own surprise, Thomas wept.
Evelyn hesitated. “The other doctor said her spine”
“Closed properly. Shes perfectly healthy.” The doctor handed them the printed results.
Relief washed over Evelyn like sunlight. Thomas pulled her close, pressing a kiss to her cheek.
In the months that followed, Evelyn had further scanseach confirming their daughters health.
When little Sophie was born, the family gathered at the hospitaleven those who had once urged Evelyn to reconsider.
Margaret cradled the baby, her eyes shining. “Oh, Thomasshe has your blue eyes. Im so proud of you.”
Thomas adored his daughter from the first moment, scarcely leaving her side.
“Will you ever sit with me again?” Evelyn teased. “Or must I compete with Sophie for your attention?”
“Later,” hed say, grinning. “Weve far too much to do, havent we, poppet?”
Even the boys, who had sworn they wanted no part of a baby, took turns pushing her pram about the village.
Evelyn trusted them completely. She knew they would care for their sister as fiercely as she did.
