The car pulled up and out got Mrs. Fraser, carrying a bundle of white shawl.
She handed the bundle to Mother and then hugged Shirley tightly. “Hullo, my pet, I’ve missed you. Come and see your wee sister.”
Beth lay, looking across her bedroom at a little figure, curled up asleep in the other bed. It had been a wonderful two weeks, having Shirley stay with her. They were quite used to sleeping at each others homes for one, and sometimes two, nights but this had been very special. Mrs. Fraser had been in Hospital with a baby girl, and was coming home today. It was really exciting, and Beth felt that it would be like having two sisters. She had never had anything to do with very small babies, but hoped she would be able to do some things to help Mrs. Fraser, as Mother had told her that a new baby meant a great deal of work.
After breakfast Mother, Shirley and Beth went over to the Fraser’s house and Mother set to work tidying up. Mr. Fraser had had his dinners over at Beth’s and had tried to keep things tidy, but Mother said it “needed a woman to finish it off”. The two girls tidied up Shirley’s bedroom and then picked some flowers to put on the table. Then they set the table with some of the goodies that Mother had baked. About 10.30 they were ready, so put the kettle on for making a cup of tea and sat down to wait. “Here they are”, yelled Shirley, jumping up and down with excitement.
The car pulled up and out got Mrs. Fraser, carrying a bundle of white shawl.
She handed the bundle to Mother and then hugged Shirley tightly. “Hullo, my pet, I have missed you. Come and see your wee sister”. Mrs. Fraser bent over and kissed Beth and then with an arm round each girl, drew them closer to the white shawl. Mother had drawn the folds back from the baby’s face and there she was.
“Oh, isn’t she lovely”, breathed Shirley, “So tiny. Will she take a long while to grow?”
“Yes, she will”, replied Mrs. Fraser, “but it’s lots of fun watching her grow, and do all the things babies do”.
“She is beautiful”, said Mother, “and you girls were as tiny as that once”.
Beth just gazed in amazement. She had never imagined anyone so small and couldn’t believe she’d be allowed to touch her. It was a bit disappointing.
Mother interrupted and called everyone over for a cup of tea. Mrs. Fraser was very grateful for the cooking, tidying up and caring for Mr. Fraser and Shirley. Mother laughed and said she had enjoyed doing it, and that there was a casserole all ready to go in the oven for their dinner. Shortly afterwards she and Beth said “Goodbye” and walked home. “Well Beth, what did you think of the baby?”, asked Mother.
“Oh, I suppose she is lovely”, replied Beth, “but she’s so small and a bit uninteresting really. I don’t think I’ll be able to do much to help with her.”
Mother laughed, “Yes, I could see you were a bit disappointed, but just wait a day or so. You’ll soon get used to her size and will love to nurse her.”
“Do you think so? Do you really think I’ll be allowed to nurse her?”, asked Beth.
“Of course, just you wait and see”, replied Mother.
Later Beth told Dad about the baby and he was very amused at her description, and assured her that the baby would improve every day.
Next morning Beth was delighted when Mrs. Fraser rang and asked her if she would like to see the baby bathed. That was quite fun and later, when she was all dressed and wrapped up again, Beth sat on the couch and nursed her. Mrs. Fraser told Beth that they were going to call her “Pamela”. “Do you like it?”, asked Shirley.
“Yes, I do”, replied Beth, “It’s a pretty name and she’s going to be lovely”.
“I’m glad about that, Beth, because you were a bit disappointed yesterday, weren’t you?” said Mrs. Fraser.
Beth was very embarrassed, but bravely said “Yes, but I’d never seen a new baby before and didn’t know they were so tiny or looked like this. I didn’t mean to be rude though, I’m sorry”.
“You weren’t rude Beth, and I understood. Now we’ll put her to bed, if you will carry her through for me”.
A very proud Beth laid Pamela carefully into her bed, and shortly afterwards raced home to tell Mother all about the morning and the “beautiful baby I nursed and carried in to put to bed.”