Page 99 of The Village Midwife
‘Lead the way then.’
His hand brushed hers as they began to walk, and though there was something comforting in the contact, she moved out of range. It was a bit too comforting in her present state of mind.
Fallen leaves were mulched into the pathways that led to the riverbank, and the air smelled like the beginning of winter, where the promise of freezing rain and heavy snows were still only that, a promise, but one that would be delivered. Crowscawed in the trees above and circled distant fields, and the sun was already past its zenith.
‘Is that a new dress?’ he asked.
‘You’ve seen me in this tons of times before.’
‘Have I? Well, it looks good. Cute. I always thought that cute was a word that suited you. I mean, it still is, obviously.’
‘Thanks.’
‘You’re meant to tell me I look good now.’
‘You do,’ she replied vacantly.
‘You didn’t even look.’
‘Ritchie…can we not do this right now?’
‘Oh, yeah… sorry.’
‘You don’t have to be sorry, but I can’t.’
‘Of course…I’ll shut up.’
‘I didn’t mean that…’ Zoe let out a sigh. ‘You don’t have to shut up.’
‘I’m annoying you.’
‘You’re not annoying me. I don’t have a lot of patience to spare today. I don’t want to tell you about it; I only need you to know that’s how it is. And I do appreciate you being here, but I can’t cope with your…’
She paused. She’d offended enough people today, and she didn’t really want to add Ritchie to the list, even though his presence was already causing her problems.
‘I get it,’ he said. ‘Not another word.’
‘I didn’t mean that. Tell me what’s going on with you? What about your job hunt? Found anything yet?’
He soon forgot he was meant to be comforting Zoe and launched into a well-worn rant about the state of the job market and how little his worth was recognised in any quarter. She didn’t mind. She wasn’t really listening, but the sound of his voice was so familiar it took her back to a place and time whereshe’d been so certain of everything and everyone, she’d barely ever questioned her life.
The sound of running water reached them before they saw the river, shielded by a wall of trees and a high bank, but eventually, through branches pockmarked by the dense remains of old bird nests and the last leaves of the year, they saw it.
The old bench that Zoe had known would be there was covered in soggy leaves and had moss growing in the corners. Ritchie did his best to clear it, but she still perched on the edge to prevent her dress being ruined. He took a seat next to her, leaning forward as she was. Aware of his knee resting against hers, Zoe gazed at the river as it swept past and took a cleansing breath.
‘Better?’ he asked.
‘Yes.’
‘It’s nice here.’
‘I don’t come down here that often, to be honest. I never seem to have the time. I ought to try and make time.’
‘So you want to tell me what’s got you so upset?’
‘It’s nothing?—’
‘Zo, I thought we were friends. It’s me, Ritchie.YourRitchie; I’ll always be that, no matter what. I’m here for you.’
