Chapter 26 - "The Calm before the Storm..."

March 1921

Clara's PoV

'Your a heavily pregnant woman and your insisting on coming down to ye farm for the afternoon? Are you insane?' John scoffed at me as if it was a stupid idea.

It probably was, but I wasn't sitting around all day again.

'Shut up chin boy and show me the pigs' I mumbled, taking hold of his hand as he gently helped me over the gate and down towards the farm.

If my father even knew that I went down to the farm he would definitely kill John for being so irresponsible.

The last few months had been very hectic and I was finally finding the time to be able to breathe.

The France house was quite a mess when we moved in and need sprucing up a bit, so we have had a few of the rooms decorated.

Then we needed to hire some staff - I hired the bare minimum - quite literally. I don't see why I need loads of staff to do things that I can do.

If it was down to me I wouldn't even have a maid anymore - but I really didn't want to loose Amy or make her loose her job - and Lilly insisted that it would be a good idea to keep her especially seeing as I'm having a baby.

Then came be public.

Everyone was interested in me and John because we were such big news. John moving into the family was a disgrace to certain people and genuine certainly weren't happy about it.

John had, had a very hard time adjusting at first and came home from town several days just wanting to quit, wanting to just leave.

Of course those in question had been dealt with by myself, and I was determined not to give up on us and on us in public.

Everything of course changes when you have a baby though. Everything changes into more calm when you have a baby because everybody loves babies.

'So when will we start the search for your daughter? I'm not going to give up on this'

'Clara please. Focus on the child that your actually bearing and we can come back to the one that must be 6 or 7 years old later. I don't know if she is still alive'

'Have you heard from your parents? Your brother?'

'I've bought enough shame on your family without bringing them into it. They would only want money Clara - money I'm not giving to them'

'But--'

'No buts. It's not often I put my foot down but on this I am okay?' He begged with pleading eyes, and stepped forward to me.

I watched as he placed his hand on the bump and felt the baby move again. He loved to do this. It's like he was making up for being a terrible Father the last time round.

'Come on. The pigs. Let's go and see the pigs' he smiled, taking my hand once again and leading me towards the farm.

- - -

After the farm, we decided to take a trip into the town, which is always a problem for John because he can't speak French - but he is leaning.

Most people here speak English anyway, but there is still a language barrier and it's still difficult for John to keep up with.

'Lady Clara. Good afternoon. How can I help you on this fine Afternoon?' Mrs Locket said.

'Were just on a wander' I smiled assuringly as we strolled through the park and stopped at the arm memorial which was a huge memorial in France. 'Do you have any relatives on here?'

'Probably. Everyone went to fight except my Brother. So yeah probably. Even my Dad did his bit' he smiled wrapping his arms around my waist and we headed into the local pub.

'This really isn't the place for Lady's, Lady Clara' Paul smirked.

'Of course it isn't. Give me my usual please' I chuckled.

France is known for it cuisine which was part of the reason why I was excited to move here.

We come down to this pub at least once a week so that we can enjoy a lunch out together whilst John isn't working.

'What are you having John?' I asked as the new waiter in the pub stepped away. Paul couldn't look any more apologetic.

'My usual as well I guess' John stuttered knowing that a scene was about to be created and I'd rather it not be.

Paul headed off and started yelling at the new waiter behind the scenes, and then he returned with our drinks.

I was handed my cup of tea, whilst John's beer didn't quite make it to the table, instead it was spilled all over his head and lap rather cruelly.

'Are you okay?' I scoffed.

'It's just a bit of liquid. I'll -- I'll be fine if I could just have some paper towels or a cloth or something?' John muttered looking up, to which he threw a dirty rag towel at him.

'Use this bastard'

'Excuse me?' I snapped standing up. 'We have been using this pub for almost 5 months and you think that you can just insult my husband?'

'Clara calm down. It's not worth the stress' John begged me, still covered in beer and starting to go sticky from the mess.

'Oh it is John. Don't you see?' I scoffed feeling a small twinge in my stomach.

'I'll deal with this scum bag my Lady' Paul said, dragging him out and throwing him out on the street. Bags and all.

I wouldn't have quite gone that far but like John says I'm too much of a nice person. Either way I won't have my Husband being insulted.

I just looked down to the table to see John's face in his hands. 'Come on John. Let's just go' I said in a mumble.

'Yeah. Going is for the best' he nodded, standing up, but the words that had been used had suddenly kicked into my brain a little.

I know that it was just any reason to throw insults - but it's amazing how people can dig up information - even in this age.

'John? Were you born a bastard?'

'What? No. Of course not. That's one thing that I can say I'm not - thank goodness.' He muttered as I stopped again.

'You know John? Maybe we should call for the car? I just don't feel all that up for walking right now' I said as he looked over and helped me towards the bench.

'What's wrong?'

'I'm just feeling a little tired. I promise' I assured him, as he disappeared to call the car.