Page 80 of The Village Midwife
‘Ah yes, I phoned the shop and Magnus said you had it. Thank you!’
Corrine looked over his shoulder and rolled her eyes. ‘Like you need any more magazines about tractors! You’ll never buy any of them, so I don’t know why you sit drooling over them for hours on end.’
‘They’re not just about tractors,’ Victor said with a note of offence in his voice. ‘There’s all sorts of farm machinery in here. I have to keep up.’
‘Keep up with what? You certainly don’t need a combine harvester, and I doubt you need anything else in there.’ She turned to Zoe with a smile. ‘Now then, what can I get you? Tea? A slice of Bakewell tart? Or I think I have some flapjacks left from the other day…’
‘Bakewell tart sounds lovely.’ Zoe took a seat and was suddenly aware of Alex’s eyes on her. As soon as she met his gaze, he tore his away and to something black on the table. Taking a closer look, Zoe let out an exclamation of surprise. She hadn’t expected them to be in quite such good condition. ‘Are these the beads? Wow! They’re lovely! How are they even still in one piece?’
‘They’re beautiful, aren’t they?’ Victor beamed. ‘Like they were made yesterday.’
‘Probably were,’ Corrine called in a dry tone from the kettle.
‘They’re definitely old,’ Alex said. ‘We don’t know how old until we get them examined properly.’
‘When will you do that?’ Zoe asked.
‘Victor’s going to take them tomorrow.’
‘You’re not going?’
Alex shook his head. ‘They’re Victor’s find. Besides, I’ve got to take Billie shopping.’
‘What are you going to buy?’
‘A cot, actually.’ He paused, as if uncertain whether to ask his next question, and as soon as he did, he seemed to wonder if it had been the wrong call. ‘You could come with us. If you’re not busy. If anyone knows about what cot to buy, it would be you, right?’
‘I’d love to say yes, but I’ve got to work, sorry.’
‘After work? The shop will be open late.’
‘I doubt Billie will want me there?—’
‘I bet she will. I won’t have a clue – I’m just the wallet. I think she’d appreciate your advice.’
Zoe smiled. While she was warmed by his insistence, she didn’t think that would be the case at all. She didn’t think Billie would want her there. ‘The shop will give her great advice. They’ll know all about the products they sell, more than I would.’
‘I’dappreciate your advice,’ he said. ‘Billie looks to me for help, and I do my best, but my best isn’t always that useful. Sometimes it’s downright useless.’
‘Why don’t you ask Billie what she wants?’ Zoe said. ‘If she wants my help, of course I’ll come, but she might be happier if it’s just you and her. But let me know and I’ll make time if she does want me.’
‘There you go…’ Corrine put a plate down in front of Zoe. On it was a large slab of golden-crusted, almond-topped cake, with a generous seam of jam running through it. And then a jug of cream.
‘Wow!’ Zoe picked up the plate and marvelled at the cake on it. ‘You’ve outdone yourself – this looks amazing!’
‘It is,’ Alex said. ‘I’ve already had some.’
‘You can have another slice if you like,’ Corrine said. ‘There’s plenty.’
‘I would, but I don’t think I’d ever want to eat again they’re so big.’
‘I can make it a smaller one.’
Alex smiled. ‘Go on then. Just a small one. Nobody tell Billie because she says I eat too much as it is!’
Corrine laughed. ‘Strapping lad like you? I don’t know how you could eat too much!’
The sun had slipped below the horizon, but as yet, there were no stars in the sky, only the moon, low and huge peeking from behind the distant hills, and a bank of ochre cloud spanning their length as Zoe and Alex left the kitchen of Daffodil farmhouse.
