Page 103 of Christmas for the Village Midwife
‘I can make drinks. Or hold stuff. Don’t be annoyed, Dad.’
Alex held his arms out, and Billie stepped in for a hug. ‘I’m not annoyed. I wanted you to be safe, and that’s the reason I asked you to stay at Hilltop, not because I wanted to leave you out.’
‘I was safe. Victor’s really good at driving in the snow.’
‘Either way, you’re here now, so it’s a moot point, isn’t it? Come on,’ he added. ‘Shall we go and see if we can help with drinks or something? We might as well be useful.’
Zoe wasn’t annoyed either, and she tried to let Billie know with a look as they walked past, but she could have done with less of a crowd here. Or at least, she could have done with the right sort of crowd. All these people were no use to Georgia and perhaps a bit too distracting. Not only that, but Billie was very pregnant herself, and it was just another thing for Zoe to worry about. Having people to chat and make tea was all very well,but what they really needed was those paramedics with all that lovely equipment.
Georgia slapped a hand down on the wood of the balustrade and began to whimper.
‘Another one?’ Zoe asked.
Her reply was a sharp grunt, and her legs almost buckled as she gripped the wood. ‘Bloody hell!’ she wailed. ‘I don’t know how much more I can take!’
‘I know, I know…I think you’re getting close. Do you want some more water?’
‘No! I want to be done!’
‘Sorry, but there’s no hurrying. Baby will come when baby is ready. You’re almost there, and you’re doing so well.’
There was another loud knock on the doors, and this time the vicar opened them to the ambulance team. Zoe looked to see Emilia race over, filling them in on the situation. They seemed mildly surprised to see so many people in the church, and Zoe could see why – she’d have been surprised too. But then, everyone was being so sweet, and they just wanted to help, and knowing that was a reminder of why Zoe was beginning to see Thimblebury as a special place, the likes of which she didn’t believe existed anywhere else.
A few minutes later, she had all the equipment she needed. It was basic compared to what she’d have in a maternity unit but perfectly adequate for what she hoped would be a trouble-free birth. Georgia had dilated rapidly over the previous half hour and Zoe was getting her mentally prepared for the big moment.
‘Any time now,’ Zoe said to her. ‘How are you feeling?’
‘You’re seriously asking me that?’
‘Well, yes. What else am I supposed to ask?’
‘Ask me if I want to push.’
‘Do you?’
Georgia nodded. ‘But I don’t know how. I mean, when? How do I know it’s the right moment?’
‘You’ll know.’
‘Argh, that’s such a midwife thing to say! It’s all right for you – you know how this all works!’
‘Technically, but I’ve never given birth, so…that bit is where you’re about to be the expert.’
If there had been time, perhaps Zoe would have reflected on her own words. She’d never given birth, but she’d once looked forward to the prospect. But there wasn’t, and Zoe had more urgent worries.
Georgia wanted to stay on her feet, and Zoe began to guide her as the final stages of her labour began. The paramedics had erected a proper screen, and they were on hand, but now, as Georgia’s baby finally arrived, she had only Zoe and Brett close by. There was a moment of uncertain silence, punctuated only by the sound of Georgia’s efforts, and then, a second later, there was a sharp cry, and the baby was in Zoe’s arms.
Her eyes were everywhere, practised, making swift observations as she made the baby safe and warm.
‘You’ve got a boy,’ she said.
‘A boy?’ Brett repeated.
‘He’s all right?’ Georgia asked.
Zoe smiled. ‘Looks perfect to me.’
‘How much does he weigh?’ Brett asked.
