The Baby Kicked Hard In Her Tummy
Alice Jane West lay on the lumpy mattress and tried to find a comfortable position. Her back ached from the weight of the baby inside of her. She tossed and turned and the baby kicked hard in her tummy. Despite the discomfort, she smiled and laid her hand on the mound that was the new life growing fast. As if the baby knew, she was thinking about him the kicks became stronger and right underneath her hand. It was a wonderful feeling.
Charlie Worked Hard
Alice thought that she was lucky. She had Charlie and soon they would be a family of three. Charlie had the job in the mine and it was badly paid but at least they could be together and work for a better future. Charlie worked hard but it was heavy work and dangerous. The pay was meagre for the workers but the mine owner lived in luxury. It was the way of the world and nobody thought to question it.
The One Room
In the rise of the mining industry, rows of houses quickly built and rooms rented out to the mining families. Alice and Charlie lived in the one room. It had an open fire with a mantelpiece where Alice displayed a few precious trinkets. The bed where she lay was in one corner. One window looked out on a cobbled yard. Charlie came in from outside and came over to the bed. “I’m off to work. Will you be alright or will I go and ask Mary Ann to come and sit with you for a bit?” he said, bent, and kissed her forehead.
“I’ll be fine. Don’t you worry?”
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