Writing for Fun
December 2015
Heaven Sent - Diane Silverston
Pietre and Marika had only moved into the smaller of the 2 cottages a month ago. They were still unpacking boxes and rearranging the furniture to fit the small rooms better. They had been married just over 2 years and were lucky to find a place to rent. It was a small farm hand's cottage, one of a pair, on the edge of the fields, remote and a long way from the village and other houses. It had a garden where Pietre was hoping to grow his own vegetables once they were really settled.
They were both only children and were now on their own in this area. Both their families were a long way away in Poland. It would be some time before they would be able to save enough money to go back.
Pietre had been lucky enough to find some work on the farm and the cottage rent was low. Marika had worked in a shop when they lived in town, but now it was too far away. Also she was 7 months pregnant and soon there would be a baby to care for.
Each day as they unpacked their boxes, and put their pictures and ornaments out, their cottage became more their place and feel like home.
The farmer and his wife had been to visit them when they first arrived and offered them help, provisions and logs for the fire, but apart from them no-one had called. They knew an elderly lady lived in the adjoining cottage but had not seen her yet.
Mrs Browning, the farmer's wife, had told Marika that their neighbour Miss Marchant was away at present but would soon be back. Mrs Browning was sure they would like her. She had lived there all her life and knew the area so well.
Every morning Pietre would leave and go to work on the farm, leaving Marika alone. If it was light enough when he returned he would work on the garden, but it was late November and was dark early, wet and cold, so not much could be done. Marika found the greyness hard and felt quite lonely. She had no friends in the area. Often it was only Bert, the postman, she saw during the day. She welcomed the sight of him, especially when he brought letters from the family. Any shopping they needed meant either a half an hour walk to the village shop, or to catch the daily bus into town. Sometimes Mrs. Browning would take Marika shopping with her.
During the first week in December, Marika noticed a light on in the adjoining cottage. So Miss Marchant had returned. Marika wondered what she'd be like. Should she go and say hello? She and Pietre were discussing what they should do when there was a knock. On their doorstep stood a small elderly lady, with a smiling face, holding a poinsettia plant.
'Hello I'm Angie. I thought you might like this.' She handed him the plant. 'I've just got back from a holiday with my friend in Wales.'
'Come in, come in. My wife will be so pleased to see you. I'm Pietre. Marika, come and say hello to Angie.'
Pietre had led Angie into the small lounge. Marika came over towards Angie and was immediately caught in a huge hug.
'How lovely, you're pregnant and fairly soon will have your baby. How splendid. It's a long time since this cottage had a child in it.'
Soon all 3 were sitting and chatting. As Angie left she once again hugged Marika. 'Take care, remember I'm just next door.'
The next 2 weeks passed. Pietre was doing less on the farm and so was at home more often. Marika was feeling very tired and found it harder to do things. They often saw Angie, wave or have a chat. On the 23rd Mrs Browning had taken Angie and Marika shopping in town, so they could get provisions for Christmas. As they were returning they noticed the sky was getting darker.
'Looks like we we're going to have a storm,' Mrs Browning commented.
That night was really bad, heavy rain, thunder and lightning. Marika heard the wind and rain battering against the cottage and realised how remote it was.
The next morning Pietre went up to the farm to see what help was needed. He was away for hours. Marika felt quite nervous and worried. Suddenly she knew she had a problem, pains in her back and cramps. Was her baby coming? What could she do? She was alone. She managed to crawl to the adjoining wall and bang on it. She kept banging, praying that Angie would hear.
'I'm here my dear,' came a soft voice. 'Come on now, you'll be fine, let's get you into bed. Where's Pietre?'
'At the farm helping. I wish he was here.'
'We'll cope, you're going to have your baby very soon.'
'But I can't get to the hospital.'
'That's alright, I'm a trained mid-wife. I've delivered lots of babies over the years.'
'Have you, Angie? That's marvellous.'
Soon Marika was comfortable in bed and Angie was bustling around. She knew the baby was near and hoped Pietre would be home in time.
When he returned he found Angie in the kitchen making tea. She pointed up and Pietre rushed up the stairs to the main bedroom. There sitting up in bed was Marika holding the baby.
'She's a little angel,' said Marika.
'That's my name, Angelica actually.' The soft voice came from the doorway.
'We'll name her after you,' Pietre said as he took hold of the little bundle. 'Our little Angel. Thank you Angie for your help, what would we have done without you? Two Angels heaven sent.'
The three adults smiled at each other as they looked at the new addition.