Family Matters

Family Matters

Copyright © 2017 by Bridgitte Lesley

Published by Bridgitte Lesley

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review or scholarly journal.

Publishers note:

FAMILY MATTERS is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or locations is purely coincidental. The characters are a creation of the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously

First Printing: 2017

Bridgitte Lesley

P O Box 612, Uvongo, 4270, Kwa-Zulu Natal, Republic of South Africa

www.bridgittelesley.com

Table of Contents

Family Matters

Acknowledgement

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty One

Chapter Twenty Two

About Bridgitte Lesley

Connect with Bridgitte Lesley

Other Titles by Bridgitte Lesley

If you enjoyed Family Matters

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to thank my Mom without whose help this book would never have been completed.

Thank you for your patience and guidance, your use of the editor’s red pen…

CHAPTER 1

Meryl walked in to the empty house and put the baby carrier on top of the kitchen counter. Baby Neil was fast asleep. She put her elbows on the countertop and cradled her chin in her hands as she admired him. He was the most beautiful little boy she had ever seen. Neil’s striking features with his thick long eyelashes like hers and her shapely mouth and elegant nose turned heads. She smiled to herself as she looked at him. He looked just like her father. She was so glad he had the Carson family looks. Neil slept peacefully in the baby carrier as if he didn’t have a care in the world. Her lifelong belongings were packed in the van with everything she needed for herself and Neil. An abundance of nappies, baby wipes and lotions, toiletries for her and all their clothes were packed. Not a thing had been forgotten. Their lives were about to change drastically.

The agent knocked on the door and walked in to the house and Meryl looked at her.

Miss Carson, she said and walked up and took a look at Neil. Oh he is gorgeous!

Meryl chuckled and nodded and handed her the house keys. Thank you for the quick sale, Meryl said.

I think your house sold itself. I did little to sway them, the agent said. You have a lovely home.

Had. I am sure the new owners will love it here, Meryl said and lifted the baby carrier and they both walked out together.

Meryl put the baby carrier on the front seat and strapped it in so that Neil faced the seat. She climbed in to the van and looked at her house. It was time for a new challenge and time to move. The timing was right. Living on a ranch in the middle of nowhere sounded daunting compared to living in the city. Many would consider it a step backwards and a totally different way of life. But it was something Meryl needed. She was eager to make the change. Meryl had methodically planned and prepared for their long trip. The bottles of water were in the car with lots to eat.

She reversed up the driveway and made her way to the highway. The changes she had made included buying a brand new van. The men at the garage had checked the tires and everything for her in preparation of her long trip. As she drove along she smiled, singing along to the music on the radio. There were no feelings of sadness but rather jubilation that everything happened as planned. Meryl kept checking on Neil to make sure he was comfortable. They drove for hours and feeding time was close. The petrol garage loomed ahead, and she pulled over and took Neil in to her arms and fed him as she sat in the van. Meryl climbed out of the van and locked it. She walked over to the change room. She took seconds to look around and walked straight back to her van. The change room was filthy and probably harbored more germs than she cared to think existed. Meryl lay Neil on the back seat and changed him. She threw the nappy in the big drum and climbed back in to the van. Neil lay in her arms for a while before she put him back in the baby carrier. They kept on driving until the sun set and it became dark. Meryl looked for signs of a bed-and-breakfast but kept on driving. The sign loomed up ahead. Thankfully the main road was close, and she didn’t have to make any detours. She checked in to the bed-and-breakfast for the night and slept with Neil in the luxurious double bed. She was petrified of rolling over and crushing him. It was the first time she had ever slept with anyone let alone a tiny baby. She woke up for his feed and then another. They were on track and Meryl took her time and fed him before they left in the morning. Meryl did the same every day. They travelled with stops at feeding time. Their trip had already taken four days. They spent the last night in a tiny little town and slept in the local hotel. Only one more day to go before they reached their new home and final destination. Meryl was so excited she couldn’t wait. She stopped and filled her petrol tank and checked the tires and water for the last time. She didn’t want to arrive with an empty tank. Her van was immaculate. Meryl wanted to keep it that way. As the roads changed from tar to sand, she slowed her speed. When she spotted the different landmarks, she was more at ease. They had all been mentioned when she asked for directions. Even if it was a very big oak tree or a sign that waved in the wind they all helped. When she saw the sign to the ranch it brought about a feeling of excitement.

CHAPTER 2

Meryl drove through the enormous gates and pulled up to the house. She looked at the house and turned off the van. There didn’t seem to be any sign of life and she slowly opened the door. Meryl experienced a little anxiety and insecurity all rolled in to one. She hoped she was in the right place. Neil was almost ready for his next feed but still lay sleeping. She seemed to have timed it just right. Meryl looked around and climbed out of the van. She saw someone walking up to her. He took his hat off and walked up to her. Meryl Carson, I presume, he said.

Ray Harper?

Nice to meet you, Ray said. How was the trip? he asked.

Long.

He chuckled and nodded. How long have you been on the road? he asked.

Four and a half days, she said.

Hell! Are you ready to take over? he asked.

I think so. I need to unpack, she said.

Ray looked around and hand signaled to two of his hands. I’ll get someone to do that for you. Do you have stuff loaded in the pod? he asked as he looked up at the storage pod on top of the van.

Meryl looked up and nodded. Yes. I don’t think there was space in the van for anything else, she said.

The men walked over and Ray asked them to clear the van and put everything in the spare bedroom. He walked to the other side of the van and looked at Neil and frowned. You didn’t tell me you had a baby, he said.

He won’t be a problem, she said.

I don’t like the idea, he said.

She looked at the men. Not to worry, she said. Meryl walked to the door and climbed in to the van. She started the van. Well if you are not welcome, then neither am I! she said to herself and no one in particular. Meryl didn’t realize Ray had heard her muttering to herself under her breath. She didn’t hesitate but drove straight out of the gates.

Ray stood and stared as Meryl drove off through the gates. He watched as she drove a little way and pulled over to the side of the road. He couldn’t understand what was going on but realized it had to be something to do with the baby. Meryl switched the van off and took a deep breath. She lifted Neil up and smiled as she sat and fed him and climbed out of the van and changed his nappy on the back seat. Meryl had a strange sensation coursing through her body. She felt so miserable. It had been such a long trip. Neil’s body probably ached from all the travelling. She held him as she climbed back in to the van. The tears trickled down her cheeks as she held him against her chest. The more the tears flowed the more she kept wiping them away. Meryl felt so let down but she would not live somewhere and not be welcome. Neil was her priority, and she had to consider him. He came first above all else. Ray realized she had pulled over to feed and change her baby. He climbed in to his van and drove to where she had parked. He pulled up behind her van and climbed out and walked over to Meryl. She hadn’t even seen him. She was still wiping the tears away. Ray slowly opened her door and took Neil from her and held him in his arm. I’m sorry. You never mentioned a baby. I don’t really have anything you need for a baby. Not a baby bath or anything. We got our wires crossed. You are both welcome in my home. How old is he? What do you call him? Ray asked.

Six days today. His name is Neil, Meryl said.

Aren’t you supposed to rest after having a baby? he asked.

Meryl sniffed and wiped her tears away and nodded. I didn’t want to make you wait. You wanted me here by the first, she said.

And his father? he asked.

Meryl shook her head. He died.

I am sorry, he said.

She shook her head and smiled a wan little smile. I look like a fool. Those men will think I am an idiot, she said.

No they won’t. You hop in. I’ll see you there, he said.

Mister Harper—

She watched as he climbed in to the van and lay Neil down across his legs. She smiled as she started the van and followed him home. Ray was careful as he shifted Neil in to his arms and climbed out of the van. He signaled to the men, and they walked over to him. Clear the van and put everything in to the spare room please. Miss Carson is my new housekeeper, he said and made the introductions. He stood with Neil in his arm and supervised as the men took things from the van. He stared in awe as more and more things were taken from the van. The pod was emptied. Every item was piled up in her bedroom. The men walked out and smiled. Ray walked inside and Meryl followed. He walked through to her bedroom and looked at everything that had been taken from the van. He lay Neil on the bed. His body might be sore from the long trip, he said.

We spent every night in a bed. I pulled over in the evenings, she said.

Smart. So his name is Neil, and he is six days old, Ray said.

Yes.

I hate to ask personal questions but are you breastfeeding him? he asked.

Yes I am. I bought everything for him that he needs. The cot is in a box somewhere and so is his pram. Bathing him won’t be a problem in the bath. It wasn’t intentional not to tell you about Neil. It never really entered my mind to say anything. I will try to keep him quiet when you are here in the evenings, she said.

Don’t be silly. This will be his home. I will take the cot and put it together. You might like to take a rest, he said.

Thank you, she said.

Ray smiled as he found the box with the cot and walked through to the lounge. Meryl moved Neil and put a pillow on the side of the bed and lay down next to him. She closed her eyes and fell fast asleep. Ray put the box in the lounge and took all the pieces out of the box. He looked up as his manager knocked and walked in to the lounge. Oh it is a cot!

Ray grinned and nodded. My new housekeeper has a baby. What is up? Ray asked.

I wanted to see for myself. A real live baby? Peter said and got on his knees and helped to assemble the cot.

His name is Neil, and he is six days old today. They have been on the road for five days. Our agreement was that Miss Carson starts on the first. I wish I knew. I could have waited another month, Ray said.

They both stood up and tested every leg of the cot. Ray opened and closed the drawers a few times. Peter pulled down the side of the cot and smiled. This is a lovely cot, Peter said. I can remember when my boys were little. They would stand up and rattle that cot until someone took them out. Ray, Neil’s father—