Page 106 of The Village Midwife
‘Sounds like it.’
‘I don’t. He’s unreasonable and quick to jump to conclusions – why would I want to date someone like that? In fact, I’ve had it with men in general. You’ll never guess who turned up at the quincentenary.’
‘Ritchie.’
‘You saw him?’
‘I saw him leave. What did he want?’
‘To make my life a misery. You know, pretending to be mister sensitive super-supportive, no strings attached, and no I don’t want anything in return because I care about you and that’s why. Except there were strings attached and he did want something in return. Don’t worry, he didn’t get it. He had a bloody good go, though.’
‘You should have come to find me.’
‘You were all busy. Anyway, weirdly I was rescued by Billie and her dog. That thing’s as soft as anything, but he must look scary, because Ritchie scarpered when he started to growl.’
‘But you’re all right now? You know you can come and stay at mine if you need to.’
‘I’d rather be here. No offence, but I want to be on my own.’
‘Fair enough, but you know where I am if you change your mind.’
‘Thanks, Ottilie. You’re a star.’
‘You missed all the drama today.’
‘So you said: people getting upset about Alex’s camping pods.’
‘That, and Fliss announced her retirement and the pensioners nearly rioted. The way Flo reacted, you’d think the end of days was coming – and she doesn’t even like Fliss! Then Victor lost it with someone – actually shouted! I’ve never seen him angry before. It was impressive.’
‘What was Victor angry about?’
‘Mostly people getting on Alex’s case. It was Flo who drove the final nail in. I mean, it would be, wouldn’t it? She was already having kittens about Fliss leaving, and then she had a rant about the village being ruined. I mean, when I say it was Flo, it wasn’t only her. Her and Mrs Icke formed a pincer movement and tried to take Alex down together, but Victor wasn’t having any of it.You should have seen Flo’s face when he blew up. I had to deal with the fallout, of course, but it was worth it. I only wish I’d had my phone handy to capture it on video for you.’
Zoe smiled. No matter what else was happening, Ottilie could always make her feel better. She hadn’t appreciated how much her life had lacked a good supply of Ottilie until she’d been reunited with her in Thimblebury.
‘Was it OK in the end?’
‘I think so. Everyone got the message not to mess with Victor in any case. From what people said after, it sounds like he must have been a bit of a livewire in his youth. He’s such a gentle soul now, I can’t imagine it, but if this afternoon was anything to go by, I can definitely believe it.’
‘I suppose everyone has a limit.’ Zoe reached to swish the water in the bath.
‘Even Victor,’ Ottilie agreed.
‘What was Corrine doing when all this was going on?’
‘Looking at him with pure lust in her eyes,’ Ottilie said, and Zoe burst out laughing. She didn’t stop for a full thirty seconds.
‘Thanks, Ottilie, I needed that! I feel better already for talking to you, you know.’
‘That was my aim. Glad I could help.’
‘Listen, not that I don’t appreciate your cheerleading, but I’m going to have my bath now.’
‘Got it. I’ll leave you to it. See you on Monday.’
Zoe was wrapped in her towelling robe and ready to settle down with a book before bed when she noticed there was an unread message on her phone.
I can’t get a job and I can’t afford to buy you out now, so you’ll have to sell the house after all.
