Page 24 of The Village Midwife
Zoe grinned as she put the phone down.
No sooner had she gone back to look at the morning schedule than there was a knock on the door and Lavender opened it. ‘I’m making coffee, but I can’t tell what’s a mug and what is you.’
Zoe burst out laughing. ‘That’s one way of making your opinion of me clear.’
On finishing her morning list, Zoe checked her phone and saw a text from Ritchie. It was no surprise, though part of her wished he’d stop doing it. They’d agreed to remain on good terms as the divorce was going through, but, for her, that didn’t mean almost as many messages as he’d sent to her when they’d been happily married.
How are you settling in? I’ve been thinking about you. I’d love to come and see where you’re living. I googled the village – it looks tiny. I can’t imagine what there is to do, but I guess you’re there to work. I’m decorating here, hope you don’t mind but I thought it would be all right as you’re not coming back, and as soon as we’ve worked out the details, I’m going to be buying you out anyway. It’s mostly grey. You’d hate it, of course. x
Zoe paused, a vague frown creasing her forehead before she tapped out a reply. She had to get the wording right because Ritchie tended to read into messages what he wanted to see, regardless of whether it was there or not. At least, that was how it used to be, and she had no reason to suppose he’d changed since their split. There had been a time, in the beginning, when she would have been glad to know he was thinking of her during their time apart, but as the months went on, she wished desperately he’d find himself a new partner and move on. She didn’t want the constant reminders of what she’d lost, no matter how well intentioned they were.
All good here. I’m not quite settled in, but it’s nice and I’m sure I’ll get there. People are friendly, and the team at the surgery are lovely. If you’re worrying about me, you don’t need to. Ottilie is here too, so help is never far away. Paint whatever you like in the house. You’re right, it’ll be yours soon anyway.
That’s good. You’re not angry that I messaged? x
Of course not. There’s just nothing much to tell. I’m fine, thanks for asking.
I saw your brother in town. He says he hasn’t been over to see your new place either yet. I told him I could come over when he does, kill two birds with one stone. Not that you’d want to kill us, lol! At least I hope not! x
Zoe heaved out a sigh. She’d always be grateful that their divorce was amicable and they could be grown-ups about it, but she didn’t want to do this. After considering many replies, she decided to put her phone away. Maybe the right one would come to her later, but she didn’t have the time or energy to find it now. Instead, she wiped down the surfaces of her treatment room, her stomach grumbling as the aromas of the lunch she was missing reached her. As she tidied, she half wondered if Billie would fail to show again, but at one on the dot her phone rang.
‘I’m here,’ was all Billie said, and Zoe went out to meet her at the front door of the surgery, ushered her inside and then locked it again.
Billie was slender, and her features were taut, in the way that someone who lives with constant worry looks, but closer up she was far prettier than Zoe recalled from that brief glimpse of her in the van the day she’d passed it on the road.
‘Thanks for coming down,’ she said as she led the way to her room. ‘How are you settling in at Hilltop? I’m new around here myself, actually. It takes some getting used to – it did me, at any rate.’ Zoe closed the door to her room and gestured for Billie to take a seat.
‘It’s fine,’ Billie replied, with that same flat tone she recognised from earlier on the phone. ‘It’s as good as anywhere. For now.’
‘You don’t plan to stay long term?’
‘If you mean did I plan to be single, pregnant and living with my dad in the back of beyond at twenty-three, then let’s just say it wasn’t on my life’s bingo card.’
‘Do you want to talk about it? I mean, say no if you like, but you’re lucky – its lunchtime, the surgery is closed and I don’t have anyone waiting to come in for a while yet. We wouldn’t be disturbed.’
‘I’d rather not. Unless I have to.’
‘Of course you don’t. It might help if I know something of your circumstances, but it’s not the law or anything. You say baby’s father isn’t around? Are you still?—’
Zoe froze, her stomach dropping through the floor. The look on Billie’s face told her that things were far worse than the father simply skipping town, and she could have cheerfully slapped herself for jumping to silly conclusions. It was unlike her – she was usually so professional and diplomatic about these things. There was something about Billie that flustered her, but for the life of her she couldn’t work out what it was.
‘All you need to know,’ Billie said in a very deliberate tone, ‘is that he’s not around and he never will be. I don’t want to talk about it now.’
‘Right.’ Zoe went to her desk. ‘But you have your dad, you said. That’s good. I’m sure he’s a big support.’
‘I try not to bother him. He’s had his own problems since Mum died.’
‘Your mum died? Billie, I’m so sorry. When was this?’
‘It’ll be two years at Christmas.’
‘It must have been hard.’
‘It was. I had Luis, and he was amazing, so it wasn’t so bad for me. Until I lost…’
Billie’s shoulders sagged. The whole of her seemed to sag, as if her soul had left her body. Zoe saw in her eyes dullness where there ought to have been life and hope. It worried her. Pregnancy and motherhood was hard enough, harder still when the new mother wasn’t able to experience the reward in it.
She paused, studying her for a moment. She wondered whether Ottilie ought to come and talk to her. Something had obviously happened to the baby’s father – seemingly the Luis she’d mentioned – and whatever it was, it had been tragic enough to take him from Billie’s life forever. Ottilie knew more about that kind of loss than Zoe did. Not that Zoe hadn’t suffered her share of tragedy, but if anyone was living proof that things could and would get better, then it was Ottilie.
