Page 16 of The Knucker King

“Are you alright?” the midwife asked, peering up at the naked, bony woman.

“The cold is hurting my feet. Foolish is it not? I am crying about that.” Joan gave a sad laugh, wiping away the pooling tears.

“Nothing is foolish about the way you feel, especially after all you have been through, and your husband’s treatment of you,” Avice said through gritted teeth. “Would you mind if I give you a quick wash? I have some water with me; you will feel better for it.”

Joan sadly nodded her consent. The midwife went to work, softly washing the young woman with a linen scrap and wooden bottle of healing water. Pale and withdrawn, she looked more like a ghost with each passing moment. Finally, after drying off Joan with a second piece of fabric, she helped the woman dress before helping her over to the pallet.

“I will look at you, if that is alright?” Avice asked, easing Joan back onto her bedding, her pelvis positioned on the lambskin, to catch any leaks.

“Yes,” the young woman’s voice cracked in answer. “I feel like there is too much blood. Is there too much?”

“Not too much, no,” Avice replied, rolling up her skirt.

After an inspection, despite everything, Joan was healing well. The midwife reported the information to her patient, a small squeak escaped her lips, and Avice helped her tug on her stockings.

“Thank the Lord,” she sighed.

Avice pulled out some moss that had been rinsed in healing waters. “May I put this down there?” she asked gently, eyes dropping down and back to Joan’s pale face. “It will catch the blood and help soothe your aches.”

“Yes,” Joan replied, manoeuvring her hips so Avice could stuff the moss between her legs, sighing as the softness touched her raw, aching body. “Why are you being so kind to me?”

“I do not need a reason to be kind.”

Joan blinked at that response. “But we have been so cruel to you in the past.”

I know. She kept her face passive. “Would you join me for tea?” Avice asked, pulling the warm, leather bag from her bulging satchel.

Joan’s nostrils flared. “Yes, that smells wonderful.”

The midwife poured a cup and handed it to her. The young woman rolled the wooden cup in her hands, blew on the steam and took a sip. The edges of her lips tugged upwards from the taste.

“I also find myself with an excess of bread that Mister John brought around for lunch, would you like to share the last with me?” Avice offered, unwrapping the slices and holding one out to her.

“John Fisher?” Joan’s eyebrows flew up as she took a piece of greasy bread. “Does he fancy you?” she blurted but then slapped a hand to her mouth. “I am sorry, that is not my business.”

Avice stifled a giggle. “It is quite alright. It is more like… he is a brother, and Nell is my niece.”

The midwife sipped from her own cup. The sweet tea rolled around her mouth and slid down easily. The truth was, when Avice thought all desire had been ripped from her, she did develop a soft spot for John when she first moved to Lamorna. When she, still in her later teenage years, suggested a courtship, he had turned her down. John was kind about it all, explaining he was not attracted to her in that way.

“Oh…” Joan’s shoulders dropped.

“Were you hoping for something more licentious than that?” Avice gently teased.

“Perhaps,” the young woman giggled, the merry sound quickly followed by a grimace.

Nothing escaped the midwife’s gaze. “Would you like some willow bark powder? It would help with the pain,” she offered, pulling the vial from her satchel.

Joan nodded, and Avice tipped some powder into her cup. The young woman quickly gulped it down.

“Please eat.” She nodded down at the bread in Joan’s fingers.

The young woman brought the slice to her cracked lips, and nibbled away at the crust, reminding Avice of the rabbits that she caught chewing on the vegetables in her garden.

“I came to see you today, not just for your care,” Avice began. “But because I wanted to tell you about your daughter.”

Joan’s gaze snapped up to hers. “Robert mentioned… when I asked about there being a funeral. He said that he let you take her to the Good Neighbours.”

“She is alive,” Avice replied simply.