Page 108 of Christmas for the Village Midwife
‘I’m sure it won’t, but I will need to come and get the church ready.’
‘Of course. I’ll make sure we’re awake and everything is tidy for you.’
‘Oh dear, that’s not what I meant?—’
‘I know, but we will. At least we’ll do our best. Thank you so much for everything you’ve done today.’
‘I have to say it’s been one of my more eventful Christmas Eves.’
‘I’m sure it has.’
‘Well…’ He held up a weary hand. ‘I’ll bid you goodnight. I hope you have everything you need, but if not call me.’
‘Thanks,’ Brett said. He turned to Zoe as the vicar left them. ‘You should go and get some sleep if we’ve got to get up early.’
‘What about you? Do you want me to switch with you in a few hours?’
He looked down at his baby. ‘I’ve got the rest of my life to sleep; tonight is all about this little one. I’ll happily sit and watch him until the sun rises.’
32
Zoe woke at the sound of Georgia’s baby crying. With a yawn, she clambered from the nest of bedding she and Alex had been sleeping in and padded over to see if she was needed. Georgia was fumbling beneath the top she’d been wearing since the carol service, now crumpled and sweat stained.
‘Does he want more milk?’ she asked Zoe. ‘He’s had loads.’
‘Little and often the first twenty-four hours,’ she said. ‘You’re all right latching on now?’
‘I think so…’
The little boy wriggled around, trying to get purchase, and eventually his lips found their target, and he began to suck.
Georgia smiled. ‘It’s amazing, when you think about it. I can’t believe my body is feeding his.’
‘It’s been doing that for the past nine months.’
‘I know, but I didn’t see it. I’m just making milk, right here. Like I’m a cow. I never thought I’d be able to do it.’
Zoe laughed softly. ‘Something like that.’ She glanced around. ‘Where’s Brett?’
‘Gone to find the kettle to make me a drink.’
‘He’s all right then? Not too shell-shocked by all this?’
‘It’s early days, but I think he wants to change. Or maybe not change; maybe just go back to the way he was before.’
‘Is that what you want? I mean, is that good?’
‘Yes. It’d be good. We were happy. We’d be even happier now because we’d have this little one too.’
‘This little one…I think that might end up being his name at this rate.’
‘I think it might. How long do I have to decide?’
‘I think, if memory serves me, you have forty-two days before you have to register his birth.’
‘I’d better get my skates on then.’
‘I think you’ll manage…unless you’re really struggling for a name. Hopefully it won’t take you six weeks to come up with one, or it might have to be This Little One. Or Sod Off, which seemed to be in the running a few hours ago.’
