Page 10 of Christmas for the Village Midwife
‘For the competition?’
‘Yes. Can you tell what it is?’
‘It’s the church, right?’
‘Well, that’s something. I was worried it might not be recognisable.’
‘It’s brilliant, spot on! It’s even got the little wicker gates and those gargoyle water spouts on the corners…and the graves and the war memorial…and the bit where the fence bends around that old oak. Corrine, it’s…no wonder you win every year!’
Corrine blushed and wafted away the praise. ‘I don’t wineveryyear.’
Zoe smiled. ‘That’s not what I hear,’ she said, but it was typical of Corrine to be adorably modest about her talents. ‘You ought to go onBake Off, you know. You’d win that for sure.’
Corrine laughed. ‘Heavens no! I couldn’t stand all that pressure! The presenter would say one word to me and I’d be a mess. No thank you. I’ll leave television to the people who can cope with it; I’m happy making cakes here in my kitchen for Victor.’
The back door flew open, and Victor kicked off his boots before stepping in. ‘What’s that? Is my name being taken in vain? What have I done now?’
‘Corrine was just saying how she likes to bake for you,’ Zoe replied.
‘That’s lucky’ – Victor strode over to the gingerbread creation and studied it, hands in his pockets – ‘because I like to eat them.’ He reached out, pulled up a gravestone and then popped it into his mouth.
‘Victor!’ Corrine scolded. ‘Not that one! I didn’t say you could eat my gingerbread!’
‘But it’s a rehearsal! You said?—’
‘I know, but?—’
‘Then it won’t matter if I have a nibble, will it?’
‘I was going to take photos first.’
Victor had the decency to look guilty, even though it was wrapped in a grin. ‘Sorry, love. What about I get the camera from upstairs and take some photos for you before any more graves go missing?’
‘How about you show some self-control and there wouldn’t be any more graves missing!’ Corrine called after as he left the kitchen. Folding her arms, she turned back to Zoe. ‘Honestly!’
‘You should take it as a compliment. He can’t resist your cakes.’
‘He’s like a big hairy child,’ Corrine said, scowling, though there was a reluctant smile trying to break through.
Reflecting on what she knew of Victor, Zoe was inclined to agree. He was a gruff man, no stranger to his eighties, but he had the sweet tooth of a seven-year-old, a penchant for bad jokes and slapstick comedy, got along with people a quarter of his age far better than his peers, was excited by tractors, and his favourite hobby was making a fuss of a fluffy herd of alpaca that grew bigger by the week because he possessed absolutely no willpower when it came to refusing a rescue animal, despite running out of room. The evidence was overwhelming. Perhaps not so much a big hairy child, but definitely younger at heart than most men of his age. At least, the ones Zoe knew, which, admittedly, wasn’t many.
‘I thought I might have a go at the gingerbread contest,’ Zoe said as they went to the table to sit down. ‘Any tips from the reigning champion?’
‘There’s not so much to it so long as you get your gingerbread right. If that’s good, you can build almost anything you like.’
Zoe was sure it wasn’t quite that simple, but as she wasn’t aiming to win (at least, she wasn’t expecting to) she didn’t push for more. ‘Oh, and I hate to mention it, but there’s a loose tile on the roof at Kestrel Cottage. I’m not sure if the weight of the snow has done it, but I thought I ought to say. A load of snow slid off, and there was a hole. I was worried it might cause more damage if we leave it, so…’
Corrine put a cup of tea on the table in front of her. ‘I’ll get Victor to have a look in the morning when we’ve got some daylight. Hopefully, the snow will have let up a bit by then too. Can you tell me where it is?’
‘I’ll draw a little diagram, if you like. Will it matter that I’m not in?’
‘So long as you don’t mind, it shouldn’t be a problem.’
‘I’ll tidy up tonight, just in case you need to go inside.’
Corrine gave a knowing smile. ‘Every time you say there’s a mess, it’s as neat as a pin. I’m sure it’s fine, and we’d hardly kick you out over a few dishes in the sink.’
She opened a tin and pushed it towards Zoe, who peered inside to find it full of iced fruit cake. ‘How’s Alex?’ she asked with a tone of innocence but an expression that was teasing and playful.
