Page 31 of The Village Midwife
‘I never said I didn’t want you to come.’ And there it was – the moment had come and gone. This wasn’t the time to tell him that they had to stop getting together like this. Ritchie clearly needed her, and how could she refuse him? If not for what they had now, she owed him for what they’d once had.
‘Have you eaten yet?’
‘No.’
‘I’ve got some moussaka to heat up. It’s not much, but I can make it stretch. I mean, we’d have to put some bread with it, and it’s only cheap bread, but… well, do you want to stay a while? What there is you’re welcome to share.’
‘You’re sure it’s no bother?’
‘Not a bit,’ she said, even though there was a little voice in her head telling her she would regret it.
10
Ritchie stayed for two hours. Their meal had been pleasant enough – Zoe had listened to him go through his options at work and given cautious opinions. While not wanting to get too involved, she wanted to show her support.
He’d dropped hints about Alex too. He kept asking how well she knew him, when he’d moved to the area, what his plans were, who was living at Hilltop with him. She couldn’t see why he was so fixated on a man who’d barely spoken two words to him. Or perhaps she could, but she didn’t want to acknowledge it because it would mean facing the fact that Ritchie was struggling to let go, despite the impending finality of their divorce. More than once, she came close to airing her worries, reasoning that if she didn’t say something, their amicable relationship might be soured. And yet, she couldn’t bring herself to raise the subject. Next time, she told herself, if there was a next time. Perhaps he’d go home and reflect on what she’d said when he’d first arrived and he’d work it out for himself and she wouldn’t need to.
She’d seen him off, cleaned her kitchen, showered and then climbed into bed, her mind a whirr of activity, despite herexhaustion. And so, even though she was tired, it had taken over an hour for her to finally sleep.
Most of what had been on her mind popped back up the minute she woke the following morning, and it was still there when she arrived at work. If there had been more time to kill before her first appointment, she might have been tempted to seek Ottilie’s opinion, but as they were both busy with full schedules, she decided it would wait. And then, as the morning went by, she decided the situation would resolve itself without having to burden anyone else.
The morning was uneventful. Everyone she saw was fine and healthy and progressing as they ought to be. The last appointment was a home visit, not too far out of the village, to see Sally, who’d given birth to a little girl the week before but while visiting relatives out of the area, and so it was the first time Zoe had managed to call on her since then.
‘Can I get you a cup of tea?’ Sally asked as she let Zoe in.
‘Oh, no, thanks. I’m going to be having my lunch as soon as I’ve seen you. How have you been? Did you enjoy your time in…Surrey, wasn’t it?’
‘Yes, I was visiting my parents. I mean, it was a bit eventful…’
She raised her eyebrows, and Zoe laughed. ‘Yes, I dare say giving birth could be considered eventful. I bet your parents were thrilled to have you close by, though.’
‘My mum was – it meant she could be at the hospital with me. They’ve been brilliant, actually. Between you and me, I’d been getting a bit nervous as the birth approached, but Mum and Dad were so good and such a huge help, we’ve all completely forgotten by now that they were dead against the sperm donor business in the beginning.’
‘I would imagine one look at baby would fix that,’ Zoe said as Sally showed her into the sitting room, where a Moses basket sat on a stand.
Sally went to it and lifted her baby out. ‘Here she is. Primrose Honeysuckle.’
‘Awww…’ Zoe drew closer. ‘Hello there, Primrose! Aren’t you the most beautiful little thing?’
‘I think so,’ Sally said. ‘But of course, I would.’
‘They’re all beautiful to me,’ Zoe said. ‘All perfect. So, any worries? For Primrose or yourself?’
‘Not that I can think of. I’m amazed at how relaxed I feel with her already. Mum kept telling me how hard it would be on my own, but I don’t feel it yet. I suppose I might do when I go back to work, but I’m not even going to think about that until I have to.’
‘You’re taking the full year maternity leave?’
‘I’m going to play it by ear. I did think six months – the pressure of being sole wage earner and all that – but I might enjoy my time with Primrose too much for that. I’m sure I’ll find a way, whatever I decide to do. Mum and Dad will be desperate to help, of course. They’re already smitten.’
‘I’ll bet they are.’ Zoe smiled as she got out her scales. She was heartened to see that Sally seemed to have everything under control. She’d prove to be a calm and capable parent, she had no doubts there, and it sounded as if she had a good support network, even if they were a few hours down the motorway. ‘Right then,’ she added, holding her arms out for the baby, ‘shall we see what’s what?’
Zoe made it back from Sally’s house as the surgery was closing for lunch. They were having Thai massaman curry and rice made by Fliss, which everyone agreed was a delicious surprise because she’d told them the day before it was going to be sausage casserole. And then the afternoon clinic was in full swing, and before she knew it, Zoe was calling in the final appointment.
‘Hello, Tegan.’ Zoe gestured a seat. ‘How are you doing?’
‘I’m not too good. I know I’m not due to see you yet, but…’ Tegan dropped into the chair.
Zoe would have known things weren’t good, even if Tegan hadn’t just said so. ‘I’m here whenever you need me – that’s my job. You don’t have to apologise.’
