Page 12 of The Village Midwife
‘Yeah, but I did say I only wanted to run it once a week, so…’
Still laughing, Ottilie uncovered the dish, and they both dug their spoons into it.
‘That’s amazing!’ Zoe said, letting the flavours of coffee and cream flood her mouth. ‘So good!’
‘I thought I could keep the leftovers for lunch at the surgery on Monday. I told you we do the communal lunch thing, didn’t I? It’s my turn to take pudding on Monday.’
Zoe grinned as she dug for another spoonful. ‘Bold of you to assume there’ll be leftovers!’
Having seen Ottilie off later than either of them had planned after laughing and talking like they’d never left their student days, Zoe was tired but happier than she had been when she’d first taken possession of the cottage. Still, she went round the house more than once to check the doors were all locked before going to shower and change into her pyjamas, and the silence outside her windows was so absolute and profound comparedto what she’d been used to living in Manchester that she almost shot through the bedroom ceiling when her phone began to ring. She’d plugged it in to charge at her bedside but retrieved it with some trepidation when she saw the caller ID.
‘Hey… anything the matter?’
‘I can’t just call to see if you’re OK?’
Ritchie’s voice was all at once jarring, yet comforting and familiar.
‘Of course, it’s …well, I hadn’t expected it.’
‘It’s late, I know. Sorry about that. I can ring off if you don’t?—’
‘Don’t do that. It’s not late, but it’s been a long day.’
‘I hear you moved into your new house today.’
‘Who told you?’
‘I saw your brother. He told me.’
‘Ah.’
‘Don’t shout at him – I asked. I know you’ve moved away now, but that doesn’t mean I can’t ask how you are, does it?’
‘I wasn’t going to shout at him – it doesn’t matter who knows. Yes, I’m all moved in. More or less. I’ve got some boxes to come, but I’m here.’
‘It’s nice? It’s the Lake District, right?’
‘Yes. It’s lovely. Seems lovely, but it will take time to get used to it. I start my new job on Monday. That’s going to take some getting used to too.’
‘You didn’t have to leave Manchester, you know. How will you cope?’
‘I’m not sure whether to be thankful for your concern or annoyed that you don’t think I can cope.’
‘You know what I mean.’
‘I know, sorry…like I said, long day. There’s plenty of support around here. I’m sure I’ll be fine.’
‘You don’t know anyone.’
‘Not properly, not yet, but I will. Ottilie made it work.’
‘Ott— oh yeah,her.’
Zoe’s forehead creased at the change in his tone. ‘What does that mean?’
‘If not for her, you’d still be in Manchester.’
‘What if I was? It doesn’t make any difference to you.’
