Page 50 of Christmas for the Village Midwife
‘I might not have time next year anyway,’ Billie said.
Zoe turned to her. ‘Why not?’
Billie looked as if there was something she wanted to say. But then she shrugged as she clearly thought better of it.
‘Whatever you’ve got on, we’ll help you make time,’ Corrine said. ‘If you want to join in again, that is.’
‘I don’t know,’ Billie said.
‘There’s no rush,’ Magnus said. ‘You’ve got all year to decide if you want to do it again. Geoff and I are having a little get-together at the house, to celebrate my win. We’d love it if you could all come.’
‘When’s that?’ Corrine asked.
‘In about ten minutes,’ Geoff said, laughing. ‘If there’s one thing Magnus knows how to do, it’s spontaneity.’
Billie looked at Zoe, and Zoe understood immediately it was a silent plea for an excuse not to go.
‘I bet you’re tired,’ Zoe said to her. ‘It’s a long day, even longer when you’re carrying an extra person around.’
‘Oh, of course,’ Geoff said. ‘We completely understand if you can’t come. It is a bit last minute, after all, but we wanted to ask so you didn’t think we didn’t want you there.’ He looked at Zoe and seemed to know instinctively not to ask Corrine because she would more than likely say no. She and Victor were great friends to the village, but they liked one another’s company and theirkitchen at Daffodil Farm too much to venture out often in the evenings. They rarely went to parties – though it wasn’t unheard of – and just like Billie, Zoe suspected the day had taken quite a bit out of Corrine, who – in her own words – was no spring chicken.
‘I’d love to pop in,’ Zoe said because she knew that Ottilie, Stacey, Heath and Simon would likely be there, and she was keen for their company. Besides, Alex wasn’t home yet, and she got the impression Billie might like a few hours of peace with Grizzle, and so there was nothing but her own empty cottage to stop her from going to an impromptu party. She was a bit worn out herself right now, but she knew she’d perk up once she had a couple of drinks inside her and the music was playing.
Ottilie was getting her coat on as she and Flo joined them.
‘Are you coming to this party?’ Zoe asked her.
‘I’ll stop by for an hour – just going to see Flo home first and then I’ll walk over with Stacey. I take it you’re coming.’
‘I thought I might.’
‘You’re going home first?’
‘Billie wants to get back, so?—’
‘Victor and I will make sure Billie gets home,’ Corrine said. ‘It’s a pain for you to go all the way up there to come all the way down again, and it’s going dark already.’
‘Thanks,’ Zoe said. She turned to Billie. ‘You don’t mind?’
‘Course not.’
‘You’ll let your dad know I’ll message him later?’
‘I mean, you could just message him yourself now and tell him that.’
Corrine laughed. ‘That’s told you, Zoe.’
‘What?’ Billie looked confused, and then everyone laughed.
‘Come on…Victor will be champing at the bit to get home, snooker starts on the telly in half an hour.’
‘Right,’ Ottilie said, urging Flo to follow. ‘I’ll be with you all shortly.’
Corrine took a moment to say a few more goodbyes, and then she left with Billie.
Zoe emerged into the cold afternoon with Magnus and Geoff. Their soirees were legendary in the village and, so Zoe had heard, were responsible for half a dozen couples getting together and perhaps two pregnancies – at least, there were only two where the couple wasn’t too embarrassed to admit it. If there was going to be any drama, chances were it would be at one of their dos. She had to wonder what might happen this time. As long as it didn’t involve her, though, that was just fine.
16
