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Back The Cottage
Chapters (82)
  1. Cover
  2. Dedication
  3. ONE
  4. TWO
  5. THREE
  6. FOUR
  7. FIVE
  8. SIX
  9. SEVEN
  10. EIGHT
  11. NINE
  12. TEN
  13. ELEVEN
  14. TWELVE
  15. THIRTEEN
  16. FOURTEEN
  17. FIFTEEN
  18. SIXTEEN
  19. SEVENTEEN
  20. EIGHTEEN
  21. NINETEEN
  22. TWENTY
  23. TWENTY-ONE
  24. TWENTY-TWO
  25. TWENTY-THREE
  26. TWENTY-FOUR
  27. TWENTY-FIVE
  28. TWENTY-SIX
  29. TWENTY-SEVEN
  30. TWENTY-EIGHT
  31. TWENTY-NINE
  32. THIRTY
  33. THIRTY-ONE
  34. THIRTY-TWO
  35. THIRTY-THREE
  36. THIRTY-FOUR
  37. THIRTY-FIVE
  38. THIRTY-SIX
  39. THIRTY-SEVEN
  40. THIRTY-EIGHT
  41. THIRTY-NINE
  42. FORTY
  43. FORTY-ONE
  44. FORTY-TWO
  45. FORTY-THREE
  46. FORTY-FOUR
  47. FORTY-FIVE
  48. FORTY-SIX
  49. FORTY-SEVEN
  50. FORTY-EIGHT
  51. FORTY-NINE
  52. FIFTY
  53. FIFTY-ONE
  54. FIFTY-TWO
  55. FIFTY-THREE
  56. FIFTY-FOUR
  57. FIFTY-FIVE
  58. FIFTY-SIX
  59. FIFTY-SEVEN
  60. FIFTY-EIGHT
  61. FIFTY-NINE
  62. SIXTY
  63. SIXTY-ONE
  64. SIXTY-TWO
  65. SIXTY-THREE
  66. SIXTY-FOUR
  67. SIXTY-FIVE
  68. SIXTY-SIX
  69. SIXTY-SEVEN
  70. SIXTY-EIGHT
  71. SIXTY-NINE
  72. SEVENTY
  73. SEVENTY-ONE
  74. SEVENTY-TWO
  75. SEVENTY-THREE
  76. SEVENTY-FOUR
  77. Suggested topics for reading-group discussion
  78. Keep Reading …
  79. Lisa Stone also writes under the name of Cathy Glass.Don’t miss her latest book …
  80. About the Author
  81. Books by Lisa Stone
  82. About the Publisher

‘You have a son, congratulations,’ he said. ‘Your baby’s heart and lungs are fine. He’s a little on the small side but will probably make it up. You’re eating well and taking plenty of fluids?’

‘Yes,’ Jan said.

‘He appears to have a slight irregularity in the formation of his feet. But it’s nothing to worry about and can be fixed with an operation once he’s born.’

‘An irregularity? Is it serious?’ Chris asked.

‘It doesn’t appear to be. You’ve heard of a club foot? It’s similar to that.’

‘What caused it?’ Jan asked.

‘We don’t really know, but it is correctable. We’ll keep an eye on it and scan again in four weeks.’

‘Should we be worried?’ Jan asked.

‘No. It’s minor.’ He smiled and touched her arm reassuringly. ‘I’ll leave you with the nurse now.’

With another smile, he left the room.

‘Better to be safe than sorry,’ the nurse said brightly. ‘How many photos would you like?’

‘Three, please,’ Jan said, while Chris said nothing and looked deep in thought.

SIXTY-SEVEN

The following morning, Chris stopped by Lillian’s store on his way to work. He didn’t want to buy anything, but he needed to talk to her. He waited as she finished serving a customer and then stepped forward.

‘Lovely to see you,’ she said. ‘Everything OK? Jan was in here yesterday. How did the scan go?’

‘It’s a boy,’ Chris said proudly. ‘I’ve brought a scan photo to show you.’ He took the photo from his pocket and handed it to her.

‘Wonderful. Congratulations,’ Lillian said, genuinely pleased.

‘Thank you.’

‘What’s the matter? You seem worried?’

‘Does he look all right to you?’ Chris asked. ‘I mean, I know the image isn’t wonderful, but does he look like a baby should at eighteen weeks? I didn’t go with Camile for her scan, so I’ve got no idea.’

‘Yes, of course. Why shouldn’t he?’

‘The doctor said he isn’t as big as he should be so they’re going to scan again in four weeks.’

‘It happens,’ Lillian said stoically. ‘When I was expecting my youngest I was told the same. He was eight pounds when he was born. They catch up.’

‘That’s what the doctor said, but they also think he may need an operation on his feet. It seems there’s an irregularity in the formation of his feet.’

Lillian peered more closely at the photo. ‘Well, I suppose they know what they’re talking about, but I can’t see much wrong.’ She looked up.

‘Like a club foot,’ Chris added.

‘Well, that’s not serious, is it?’

‘I don’t think so.’