Page 114 of The Village Midwife
‘And I made coconut sponge,’ Corrine said, getting out another package. ‘This is yours.’
‘Thank you – that smells amazing! Do you want to come in?’
‘I’ll dash up there and then dash home, if it’s all the same to you. We’ve got the vet coming.’
‘Oh… everything’s all right?’
‘Alice is a bit under the weather. I don’t think it’s anything serious, but Victor might need my help. You could come over to Hilltop with me, if you like.’
Zoe shook her head. Much as she might like to, she still didn’t really know where she stood with them. Alex had spoken warmly about how good she was, how they didn’t deserve her, how he wanted to go back to them being good neighbours, but that was all in the heat of the moment. There was still a huge shadow hanging over their friendship – and she was resignedto the fact that friendship was all they could ever have now – and that was Billie’s adoption plan. Alex had said he didn’t blame Zoe for it now, but she wasn’t convinced of that. As the pregnancy progressed and the day drew closer, would his attitude harden again, looking for someone to blame, a way to vent his frustration? She didn’t want that person to be her.
‘I’m a bit tired. I’ll go up over the weekend. Thanks again for the goodies.’
‘You’re more than welcome, my love.’
Once Zoe had seen her off, she took her food into the kitchen. While the oven warmed to reheat her casserole, she went through the emails on her phone. There was one from a financial adviser she’d reached out to, detailing some ways she might be able to sort her affairs, and she pored over that for a while, doing some sums of her own as she went through it. It was encouraging that things might not be as complicated as she’d feared. If Ritchie wanted to do this, then perhaps the best thing now was get on with it and cut ties after all. Having him in her life was causing more problems than it fixed, and was she really better off for it?
Are you busy this evening?
Zoe was loading the dishwasher when the text came through.
Not especially. Everything all right?
All fine, yes. A bit out of the blue, I know, but do you mind if I come over for an hour?
Of course not!
Wondering what Alex might want, and with her tummy doing odd little flips, she went to freshen up and change into something nicer. It might have occurred to her to wonder why she felt the need to do that, but it didn’t, and when he arrived on her doorstep with a large bouquet, she was glad she’d made the effort.
‘More flowers, I’m afraid,’ he said. ‘Sorry, a bit unimaginative.’
‘They’re lovely,’ Zoe said. ‘Thank you. What are they for?’
‘For being there when we needed you,’ he said. ‘And if you feel the urge to toss them onto the floor behind your front door, I won’t watch.’
Zoe paused and then laughed, flushing as she did. ‘Oh God! I forgot about…I’m sorry about that. I felt terrible, but I wasn’t sure you’d seen…I have absolutely no intention of throwing these anywhere. Do you want to come in for a minute? How’s Billie?’
‘She’s taking a nap, but she’s fine, a lot better. I’ve left Griz on guard duty. How are you?’
‘Me?’ Zoe stepped back to let him in. ‘I’m fine. Same as always. Do you want a drink of anything?’
‘I’m good, thanks. I won’t stay too long; I know it’s late.’
‘It’s not that bad. I wouldn’t be going to bed for ages yet,’ she said, and it was a lie, but only a little one to make him feel better.
‘Even so. I wasn’t sure I’d be welcome here,’ he said as she led him to the living room and offered him a seat.
‘Why not? I thought we’d sorted all that out.’
‘I know, but smoothing it over is one thing, being in your home is another. I wouldn’t have blamed you for not inviting me in. I wanted to say again how sorry I am. You must think I’m an absolute tool.’
‘That’s one way of putting it,’ Zoe said as she took a seat on the sofa.
‘So you do? That’s fair enough.’
‘I did, but only for about ten minutes. I realised you acted the way you did because you really care about Billie.’
‘I do – she’s everything to me. But I’m beginning to care almost as much about what you think of me.’ He dragged in a deep breath and seemed to steel himself. ‘Zoe…’ he continued after a pause that seemed to last a lifetime, ‘is there any way we can start over? Can you forget that I was that man and give me another chance?’
