Farewell To The East End

must stop all this nonsense about green apples. You are in labour, and your baby will be born within the next hour or two. I have to examine you vaginally, and I must have clean cotton sheets, cotton wool and something to act as absorbent pads, a cot to put the baby in, and hot water and soap. Now, where can I get all these things?’
    Kirsty looked dumbfounded.
    ‘You must call my father,’ she said.
    Chummy opened the door and called, ‘Hi there!’
    The big, bearded man entered, and Kirsty explained. He let out an oath and looked savagely at Chummy, as though it were her fault. But Chummy was taller than him and looked down on him with new-found confidence. The captain turned to go, but Chummy stopped him with a light touch on the arm. She said to Kirsty, ‘Would you also tell your father that this cabin is quite unsuitable for the delivery of a baby, and that I will need somewhere better.’
    Kirsty translated. The captain no longer looked savage. He looked at Chummy with respect. Then his whole expression changed, and his eyes filled with anguish. He kneeled down beside his daughter, took her huge body in his arms and rubbed his beard into the folds of her neck. He stood up with tears in his eyes and fled from the cabin.
    Two more contractions came and went. They are getting stronger and more regular, thought Chummy. I hope the crew can get something sorted out quickly, because I need to move her, and she has to be able to walk.
    The captain returned and said that the best cabin was ready. Kirsty sat up and heaved her great bulk off the bunk. With enormous difficulty she squeezed herself through the narrow doorway and along the gangways. Several men looked out of their cabins and patted her arms or shoulders. One man gave her a crucifix. They all looked anxious. The ship’s woman was not only well used, she was well thought of.
    The captain led them to a much larger cabin that was more appropriate in every way. Kirsty gave a cry when she saw it and embraced her father. He kissed her and turned to leave, but first he saluted Chummy in military fashion and bowed to her.
    When the door closed, Kirsty said, ‘This is the captain’s cabin. He’s so good to me, I tell you. What other captain would give up his cabin?’
    ‘Well, under the circumstances, and considering he might be the father of the baby, I think it’s the least he could do,’ retorted Chummy dryly.
    The captain’s desk and all other naval paraphernalia had been pushed to one side. A large folding bed had been placed in the middle of the cabin, covered with clean blankets and linen. Kirsty looked at it and said, ‘I didn’t know they had these nice things on board.’ A bowl was standing on a small table with jugs of hot water beside it, and soap and clean towels.
    Another contraction came, and Kirsty grabbed the edge of the desk and leaned over it. She was panting and sweating. When it passed, she grinned and said, ‘You must be right, nurse; this is more than green apples.’ She went over to the bed to lie down.
    ‘I still don’t know how it happened. I’m so careful. Do you think one of the boys didn’t put his rubber on, but told me he had?’
    ‘I don’t know. I haven’t any experience in your line of business,’ said Chummy truthfully, and they both laughed. A bond of female friendship and understanding was developing between them.
    Kirsty said, ‘You are nice. I’d like you to be my friend. I haven’t had any girl friends since I left school, and I miss them. It’s men, men, all the time. I never have the chance to talk to another woman. When I go ashore, which isn’t very often, I look at the other women in the streets and think, “I’d like to talk to you and see how you live.” But then it’s back to the ship and off to sea again.’
    ‘Do the lads ever talk to you?’ asked Chummy, who was beginning to sense loneliness.
    ‘Oh yes, some of them tell me all their troubles, they tell me about their wives and girl friends, and some tell me about their children. It’s nice to hear about their children – it makes me feel part of the family.’
    Secretly Chummy wondered if the compliment would be returned, but Kirsty was still speaking. ‘But I must say most of them just want to be quick and have done with it. I don’t mind, if that’s what they want, but it’s tiring, especially if I get ten or twelve who’ve only got half an hour before the next shift.’ She puffed at the memory. ‘You need some