A Twist In Time

THE LITTLE THINGS WE LOSE

Just a warning that there is mentions of miscarriage and child abandonment/orphans in this chapter.

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I woke up with the feeling that something bad was going to happen.

It was as if the world around me was preparing me for something bad with the brewing storm clouds over Small Heath. A cold shiver ran up my spine as I watched a couple of orphaned boys run across the street and into a dark alley.

Tugging my coat tighter around me, I ducked my head as a strong wind blew over the street trying to pull my hair from its braid.

"Nurse Shelby!" someone called over the roar of the wind. "Nurse Shelby! Help! We need help!"

I glanced over to the panicking lady hanging out of the window above the butchers screaming for me.

"Help Nurse Shelby!"

I could have argued and said it didn't feel right.

I could have told her it was my day off.

I could have turned my back on her.

I didn't because there were people staring at me and it would do no good for Tommy to have rumours about my ignoring people in need.

Rushing into the butchers where two panicked men were waiting, I looked at them both in confusion hoping they'd talk before I had to ask them what was happening.

"It's Nora, she's in labour," the elder man said, the fear clear in his eyes.

"It's too early," Nora's husband, Greg said, wringing his hands in anxiety.

I knew what they meant. Nora was only five months pregnant.

If she was in labour, there was no way this baby was going to make it.

Without saying anything to them, I dashed upstairs wishing I was at least on duty so I had my medical bag.

"Nurse Shelby," Nora's mother sighed in relief at my appearance. I could tell from the look in her eyes that she knew this baby wouldn't make it. I think she was just relieved that I was here to save her daughter.

"How long has she been having contractions?" I asked, stepping forward to take a look between Nora's legs.

What I wasn't expecting was Nora to kick out at me, her foot landing a rough kick to my stomach as she glared at me.

"Get back!" she shouted, her hands turning white from the grip she had on the blankets. "You won't take my baby."

She must have understood that there was no way her child was going to survive.

I bit my lip as I rubbed at my lower belly, rubbing where she kicked me. She looked absolutely devastated and there wasn't anything I could do for her.

"Have you called for a midwife?" I asked her mother, winching as a painful twinge shot through my body. Nora really got me good with that foot of hers.

"We were about to when we saw you," she muttered, her eyes flickering to NOra as she groaned out in pain.

"Get as much hot water as possible. Clean towels and blankets." I gathered my hair into a bun, twisting a ribbon around it to keep it in place. "I'm going to run downstairs and ask someone to get another midwife and Doctor Turner."

"The doctor?" Nora sounded heartbroken, her eyes shining with fear at the mention of the doctor.

"I'm going to be blunt with you Nora," I told her, rolling my sleeves up and giving her a stern look. "You're losing this baby and there's nothing we can do to prevent it. From the amount of blood you're too far into your labour to stop it. If you want children in the future then the doctor needs to be here to ensure there's no complications." I turned to her mother then, giving her a pointed look as she hovered in the doorway. "Mrs Goodman, if you want your daughter to survive I need you to get me hot water and clean towels."