Page 17 of Christmas for the Village Midwife
‘A bit.’ Billie wrapped her arms around herself, the sleeves of her bobbled cardigan pulled over her hands.
‘That’s good, isn’t it?’ Zoe offered.
‘I think so,’ Alex replied uncertainly. ‘What do you think?’ He glanced from Zoe to Billie and then back again. ‘Keep an eye on him for the next couple of hours to see how he goes? If it looks like he’s getting sicker after that, call the vet? I don’t know what to do for the best.’
‘Victor’s pretty good with animals,’ Zoe said. ‘Should we ask him to come over? He might be able to tell us straight off if there’s anything to worry about.’
‘He is, but I’d feel bad dragging him out in this weather.’
‘I’m sure he wouldn’t mind. He’s such an animal lover, I think if he knew there was a problem, he’d rather come and see.’
‘I don’t know…’ Alex sent a doubtful look to Zoe, then to Billie and back again. ‘I bet he’d come out like a shot. Perhaps it would put our minds at rest, eh, Bill?’
Billie nodded, total trust in her face that was obvious to anyone who cared to look. Since they’d become closer, Alex had often confided in Zoe that he worried Billie had too much faith in him and that he was bound to let her down eventually.
‘I’ll phone him,’ Alex said. He looked at Zoe. ‘Help yourself to a drink if you like…unless you want to call it a night and head home? I’d understand. This wasn’t what we’d planned, and?—’
‘I’m happy to stay.’ She could hardly be annoyed that their date had abruptly ended, given the circumstances. And she wanted to be on hand in case she was needed.
Taking off her coat, she turned to Billie. ‘Want to come and help? You can fill me in on how you’re doing at the same time.’
Alex shot her a grateful smile as he began to dial Victor’s number, and she went to get cups.
Zoe and Billie didn’t speak for a minute, both listening to Alex fill Victor in on the problem and the response to his offer to come straight over. And then Alex went to put his coat away, leaving them alone.
‘So,’ Zoe said in a tone deliberately full of airy cheer. ‘How’s my favourite mum-to-be doing?’
‘Oh…’ Billie’s glance went back to Grizzle in his basket, head listlessly resting on his paws. ‘I’m fine,’ she replied.
‘He’ll be all right, you know.’
Billie turned back to her. ‘He looks so sad. I’ve never seen him like that.’
‘Victor has loads of experience with sick animals.’
‘Alpaca and sheep.’
‘And dogs. Don’t forget the family has sheepdogs too. He’ll know what to do as soon as he gets here. I bet he already knows from what your dad’s told him over the phone. He’s just brilliant at all stuff to do with farms and animals.’
‘What if he says to get the vet? Dad said the weather is bad and…well, he might take too long to get here.’
‘There’s no point in worrying about worst-case scenarios. Which I know isn’t exactly what you want to hear, but it is true. I also know it’s easier said than done, but you need to try. Worrying isn’t going to do you or your baby any good.’
Billie looked as if she might want to argue but then let out a long sigh. ‘OK. I’ll try.’
‘Your dad said you’d put the Christmas decs up,’ Zoe said in a bid to lighten the tone and distract Billie from her worries. She gave the room an approving sweep. What Billie had put up was subtle and stylish and very Billie. She suspected that if Alex had been allowed to do it, the result would have been a lot more traditional and maybe even a bit cheesy – more or less what they’d both done at her house, once they’d managed to find the time, which had been difficult considering how busy she’d been. Still, Zoe loved how they’d decorated Kestrel Cottage. It was very her. Billie hadn’t seen it yet, the weather being too bad for her to walk over. Once she did, however, she’d probably hate it. ‘Did you order them online?’
‘Yeah, there wasn’t much in the shops around here. I mean, they’re fine but a bit…’
‘Old-fashioned?’ Zoe asked with a wry smile.
‘I didn’t mean that, but a bit ordinary.’
‘Traditional, yes, I know what you mean. But it’s quite a traditional area in a lot of ways, so it’s hardly surprising. Yours are a lot fancier than mine.’
Billie shrugged. ‘How long do you think it will take for Victor to get here?’
‘It depends on the weather. He’ll come as soon as he can.’
