The Single Mother--AshenCreature
@ashencreature
Continued from here
Miss Marple glanced up from her knitting when Ella spoke. “Don’t you have any family who could help you?” she asked gently. This was the modern age—parents were not nearly as critical about such situations now as they had been when she was a girl. Many older people in her acquaintances either bemoaned the loose morals of their children and grandchildren, or were helping to raise the very same grandchildren. Yet this girl was here alone. Baring the tragedy that had befallen her lover, one would think that someone else in her family, or his, would have had enough mercy to at least step up and help the pair out. Even if she might not approve of the chain of events that led to these situations, Miss Marple knew that she would do has much for a niece or cousin in trouble.
The poor baby was still crying. Miss Marple had never had many skills when it came to small children—she was much better when the children were old enough to think and reason for themselves. Still, something needed to be done.
Setting her knitting down, she turned her fully attention toward Ella. “May I try?” she offered kindly, gesturing at the wailing infant. “You should also think about seeing Doctor Graham. He might be able to help you even more. I’m afraid I’m not much of a hand with babies. Most of my nieces and nephews were a bit older when I finally met them.”