Page 69 of Christmas for the Village Midwife
‘Good morning,’ she said with some caution.
‘Is it?’ Lavender replied. ‘You’d think, the way some people speak to you when you come in early to microwave some potatoes for a nice lunch, that it’s the first morning of the apocalypse.’
‘Oh,’ Zoe said, guessing that the new feud that had erupted between Lavender and Emilia had spilled out from mere disagreements about Christmas decorations to new territory. She decided it was better not to ask.
‘I brought tuna with me,’ she said instead. ‘For the jackets at lunch. And some grated cheese and beans. I think that will be enough, won’t it?’
‘You’d better go and check with Her Highness that the smell won’t be bothering her before you unpack any of it.’
‘I’ll…’ Zoe paused, wondering how to respond, but then Lavender turned to her computer screen and Zoe realised none was needed. ‘I’ll go and put it all in the fridge then. Did you enjoy the gingerbread day at the weekend?’
‘It was fine.’
‘And you had a nice Sunday?’
‘Yes, thank you,’ Lavender said stiffly without looking up. ‘You?’
‘Yes. You want a coffee?’
‘Got one, thanks.’
Zoe decided to knock to see if Ottilie was in yet and to ask if she wanted a coffee. And perhaps she’d get the low-down on just what had happened that morning.
‘Come in!’ Ottilie sounded distracted.
Zoe pushed the door open and put her head round to see her poring over a diary. ‘Want a drink?’
‘I’m good; I went to get one a minute ago. Just got in?’
‘Yes. What’s going on with…?’ Zoe hooked her thumb behind her, and it seemed Ottilie didn’t need any more elaboration than that.
‘I don’t know, but I’m keeping out of her way. Both of them in fact. I’ve never seen Lavender so riled, not since I started to work here. I think’ – she lowered her voice – ‘our new GP needs to watch her step.’
‘Seems like six of one and half a dozen of the other to me.’
‘It might be, I don’t know. All I know is the other one has got here in a foul mood. She’s making Lavender look like a picnic in the park.’
Zoe’s mind went back to what she knew of the weekend, and she wondered if there was some connection between Emilia’s bad mood and what had happened at her house. She’d been unsure at the time, but since Brett’s visit to the shop, she was certain things were not well and that Emilia was having to get involved in his problems. It was no wonder she was tetchy, though Zoe couldn’t help but reflect that she might need to get that under control if she wanted to keep her receptionist.
‘You know them,’ Ottilie said. ‘Any hints for the rest of us?’
‘Everyone keeps saying that, like we’re practically family, but apart from the last few weeks, I haven’t spoken two words to any of them since I was eleven. I don’t think that can be classified asknowingthem.’
‘You know more than we do. What’s Georgia said?’
‘About Emilia? Not a lot. It’s not really what we talk about.’
‘What do you talk about then?’
Zoe paused. She had to admit, she wasn’t sure if anything they talked about was of any consequence. They chatted about things that didn’t matter, laughed about old times, and on occasion there might be a glimpse into Georgia’s current life, but it was always somehow shrouded, like Georgia didn’t want her to see the full picture. Why was that? Was Georgia ashamed? Worried she’d be judged or pitied? It had been clear to Zoe that there was more than she was being told, and yet she hadn’t asked. She wondered if she should have done because now she felt the current situation might have been made worse by her neglect. If she’d talked to Georgia properly, found out more, could she have offered advice that might have helped?
‘This and that. Whatever people normally talk about. Nothing deep, really.’
‘I’m sorry I asked,’ Ottilie said, going back to her computer.
‘Hey, there’s no need to take it out on me! I’m not falling out with anyone!’
Ottilie looked up ruefully. ‘I know; I’m sorry. I feel as if all this bad feeling is rubbing off on me, that’s all. I was hoping you might be able to help.’
