Page 22 of The Village Midwife
She tried to phone, but there was no answer, and so she decided now would be a good time to pop over to the parent and baby group at the village hall to introduce herself and get to know everyone. Really, her remit finished when the babies were far younger, but she’d probably still have contact with many ofthem anyway. Not to mention the possibility that some of the mothers would be pregnant again at some point.
She arrived back at the surgery just in time for tea and biscuits, phoned again to see if she could get hold of Billie, but with no success, and then spent an hour or so getting her notes up to date before heading home.
As she left the surgery, she decided to make a detour on her way back to Kestrel Cottage. Not only did she want to drop by to make sure all was well at Hilltop, she couldn’t deny that she was mad with curiosity.
8
Zoe knocked at the front door of Hilltop Farm. There had already been changes since her last visit, the day she’d helped to move Ann out. The clutter of the front yard had been cleared away, and the soil was newly turned over. Some of the trees and shrubs still remained on the outskirts, but piled neatly in a corner of the yard were rolls of new turf and a tiny mountain of golden gravel, presumably waiting to be used to landscape the rest of the garden. The new owners of Hilltop hadn’t messed around. The windows – which had been noticeably grubby during Ann’s time – were now clean, as was the front door and step, and there were modern blinds where there had previously been greying nets and faded curtains. Tugging at the knots in her wind-tangled hair, she idly took in the changes as she waited for someone to answer. From within, she could hear barking, and then a stern voice that made it stop.
‘Hello…’
She spun back to the door. There he was: well-worn jeans teamed with a brushed shirt in a blue check, open at the neck, sleeves rolled up to expose muscled forearms. His dark hair was messy from being pushed back from his face, and there wereflecks of paint in it. He was clearly in the middle of something, and he ought to have looked scruffy, but the effect was quite the opposite.
‘Hi. I don’t know if you remember, but we met…briefly, when you were looking around a few weeks back. I’m Zoe. I live over there,’ she added, flinging an arm out in the direction of Daffodil Farm.
He showed her a smile that looked like it was draining him of his last reserves. It was nothing like the relaxed and warm one he’d given her during their first meeting. ‘I remember. You live in Kestrel Cottage.’
‘Yes,’ Zoe said, slightly taken aback that he’d recalled quite so much detail. ‘I thought, as we’re neighbours proper now, I’d come over and introduce myself. And I have another…well, I also thought I might be able to kill two birds with one stone. I understand Billie Fitzgerald lives here?’
The tired smile faded, and his expression was cautious now. ‘What do you want her for?’
‘I’m the midwife. Billie’s new midwife. I mean, she’s been referred to me.’
‘Oh, right…you make house calls? At this time of day?’
‘No, not officially. Like I said, I was planning to say hello anyway, and as Billie didn’t show for her appointment today?—’
‘She had an appointment? She didn’t say.’
‘Is she in? I only wanted to see if everything was all right.’
‘Everything is fine. I’ll tell her you called.’
‘About her next app?—’
‘She won’t miss the next one – I’ll talk to her and make sure.’
‘But could I just?—’
‘Thanks for checking on things, but if you don’t mind, I’ve got to?—’
The door closed before he’d finished his excuse. Was it an excuse? It certainly sounded like one.
She paused on the doorstep. She didn’t like it, but she wasn’t sure why. He’d been pleasant enough, but she’d been in this job long enough to know that not everything could be taken at face value. In a second, her decision was made. She rapped at the door again. There was more barking. A moment later, it opened and he reappeared.
‘Was there something…?’
‘I really would like to speak to Billie, if it’s all right with you. Could you tell her I’m here?’
‘I said she wouldn’t miss another appointment.’
‘Yes, but I really need to make contact sooner rather than later, and I’m here…it’s part of my job, you see, a tick-box thing, you know.’ She gave a cheerful shrug to make light of the little white lie. ‘I have to say I’ve seen her and all is well, otherwise it’s an outstanding thing in the protocols. So if she could come to the door, it would help me out ever so much.’
‘I’m sorry, but she’s asleep, and I’m not going to wake her for your protocols.’
‘Can I come over again tomorrow then?’
‘Couldn’t you make an appointment to see her tomorrow if you’re that desperate?’
