More on KentOnline
Pub boss Richard Pye deserves to pour himself a double after delivering his own baby - for the second time.
Richard stepped in when wife Amy’s waters suddenly broke early in the morning and brought little Annabelle Elizabeth into the world minutes before paramedics and the midwife arrived.
Then, while mum and daughter were checked over, Richard dutifully went down stairs to carry out his daily shift at the Queen Charlotte in Rochester High Street.
Manager Richard, 34, is a dab hand when it comes to maternity matters.
He said: “It’s the second time for me. I just happen to be in the right place at the right time.”
Three years ago, he helped out when his ex-partner went in labour with their daughter, Esme.
It’s Amy’s third child and little Annabelle made a speedy arrival in just 10 minutes on Friday, July 26 weighing exactly 6lbs.
Amy, 37, who is also mum to Kiera, 11, and Oliver, five, said Annabelle was not due until Sunday, August 11 and her appearance caught her by surprise.
Richard recalled the drama when Amy woke him up at about 5.20am to say she thought the baby was on her way.
He said: “I was getting ready in the bathroom to take her to Medway hospital when Kiera rushed in and said ‘mummy’s having the baby’.
Richard dialled 999 for an ambulance but, as he was speaking to the switchboard operator, spotted the baby’s head.
Suddenly, it all came back to Richard and he delivered the baby, cleaned her up and popped her in mum’s arms for a cuddle.
That evening Amy joined him in the bar and the family were the toast of regulars.
Richard said: “It was a long day and after a few pints I went to bed exhausted.”
Amy joked: “You wouldn’t believe it was me who had just given birth.”
The couple took over the pub, which is being refurbished both inside and out, in May.