Page 47 of The Village Midwife
‘There’s going to be little films to tell stories of Thimblebury through the ages.’ His chest puffed out ever so slightly. ‘I’ve been asked to make one about coming to live here from Iceland. I can’t believe people are interested, but they must be.’
‘I can imagine you being good at that.’
‘Oh, I don’t know about that,’ Magnus said, clearly flattered anyway. ‘Did you enjoy your chocolate, by the way?’
‘My… oh, yes, thanks.’
‘He’s been asking us what so many people like, and he’s spent so much money. A sure sign he’s up to something, correct?’
‘I couldn’t possibly say,’ Zoe replied and then began to walk away, the sounds of Magnus chuckling to himself fading with every step. She’d been warned that Flo was the village gossip, but she was beginning to see that Magnus would give Flo a run for her money. Now that she thought of it, so would Lavender. And to an extent, Ottilie’s friend Stacey too. Thimblebury, on the whole, seemed to thrive on gossip. Zoe had never lived in such a tight-knit community before, so perhaps it was the same wherever you went.
As she retraced her steps to the surgery, her stomach began to growl. She was hungry, and that was good. She’d had no appetite at all so far that day. She took it as a sign that she was feeling better. After work, she’d drive back out to Tegan’s house. The hospital had sent discharge notes, so Zoe knew Tegan had been sent home and that, aside from the obvious, there were no immediate concerns.
Which reminded her that she still had to reply to Ritchie. Not because she was desperate to, but because he’d keep messaging until she did. Or worse, he’d turn up at her house again. She’d get back to work, see if there was any lunch left and then do it before she started the afternoon clinic. She only wished she didn’t have to. Why couldn’t he leave her alone and move on?
14
‘I was too old to do it again anyway.’
Tegan hadn’t asked Zoe in, and so they stood at the front door, Tegan hugging herself tightly against the cold. Zoe had said she didn’t want to keep her, and that she only wanted to know if she was all right, and it seemed Tegan had taken her at her word.
‘Even if you thought that, you’re allowed to grieve.’
‘I know, but I’m sure in a few months I’ll see it as a blessing in disguise. Dennis didn’t really want the baby either. I mean, he was coming round to the idea, and so was I, but we were both worried about starting all over again, and then there was the question of whether the baby would even be all right. I mean, everyone said I was old and there were more risks…’
Zoe recognised a brave face when she saw one. What Tegan was telling her might have been true at first, but it had been clear from what little interaction she’d had with the couple that they had grown to want and look forward to their baby, no matter what Tegan was saying now. ‘I want you to know that?—’
‘There’s no point. I don’t need to see you again, and I don’t need any counselling. I’ve already been offered that. I’m fine; I just want to move on and forget this all happened.’
Zoe wanted to tell her that she understood because she’d been through it, and what a mistake she thought it would be to refuse help because she’d refused it and found out the hard way. She wanted to tell her that it would take time to get better and that she needed people around her, but she couldn’t tell her any of that. Tegan didn’t want to hear it, and it would be inappropriate for Zoe to talk about her personal experiences, even if she did. And in the end, no matter how over it Zoe felt she was, remembering the time she lost her own baby still hurt.
‘You have a follow-up at the hospital?’ she asked quietly.
‘Yes, it’s all taken care of. Thanks for coming anyway.’
Tegan nodded shortly, but she barely made eye contact with Zoe as she went inside and pushed the door closed.
Zoe hesitated on the step for a moment and then made her way back to her car. She’d done as much as she could, and though it hardly made her feel better, there was nothing to keep her here any longer.
It was probably more about company than anything else, but as soon as she got back from Tegan’s house, Zoe washed the dish that had housed Corrine’s chicken pie and walked across the fields with her torch to take it back.
‘You didn’t have to come over with that so quickly!’ Corrine said, ushering her in.
‘If I don’t bring it over when I think of it, I’ll forget.’
‘I’ve got plenty of dishes; I wouldn’t have missed it.’ Corrine took it from her with a broad smile. It was so warm, so welcoming and free of judgement, it was exactly what Zoe needed right now. She almost burst into tears at the kindness in it. Corrine, she was beginning to see, had a warm smile and generouswords and deeds for everyone. Zoe couldn’t imagineher being angry or unkind about anything or anyone. ‘You’ll stay for an hour?’
‘I wouldn’t want to be in the way.’
‘You wouldn’t be. We’re expecting company anyway, so as long as you don’t mind another set of feet under the table…’ She pulled out a chair. ‘Sit yourself down, my love. What can I get you to drink?’
‘I don’t mind – whatever you’re making is fine. Who’s coming over? Anyone I know?’
‘Alex is coming to see Victor. Theywerearrowheads, you know, the bits he found. Victor’s like a little boy – can’t wait to go out onto the fields at Hilltop with him to see if they can find more.’
‘It sounds as if they’re becoming good friends.’ Zoe glanced around the kitchen. ‘Victor’s out?’
‘Only in the sheds, cleaning some equipment.’
