Page 23 of Love ad Lib
Outside, it was still light and he sprinted around the corner of the pub to Claire’s car, his heart racing inside his chest.Fuck!He had to hold it together. A series of texts came through from Libby. He plugged the destination into his maps app, pushed the seat back to accommodate his larger frame, and set off.
He didn’t care about the speed limit or cameras. With no points on his licence, he could afford to take risks. Within half an hour he screeched to the side of the road and let a harried man, three bags, a baby’s car seat and a Moses basket into the car.
‘Hi, I’m Ritchie,’ the man said as Henry pulled away.
‘Henry.’
‘She’s not due for another month.’
Henry cleared his throat. ‘I’m sure she’ll be okay.’
Ritchie made a call. ‘Claire bear? I’m on my way. Hang in there, love. Can you pass me to Libby?’
Henry weaved in and out of traffic.
Ritchie rubbed his forehead. ‘Libby, have you called an ambulance...? Seriously...? Fuck!’ He looked at Henry. ‘They can’t get one to her for at least an hour.’
‘I can drive you to St. Bart’s. It’s only about a mile from Covent Garden.’
‘Lib, did you hear that?’ Ritchie asked. ‘I’ll ring you when we’re five minutes away and you can get her outside.’ He got off the call and hung his head.
Henry put his foot down.
Henry pulledup outside the pub, and Ritchie leapt out to help Claire into the back. Libby sat in the front with their bags and Claire’s guitar.
‘When we get there,’ said Henry over his shoulder, ‘you both just go. I’ll find somewhere to park the car and give the keys to Libby so she can bring them in for you.’
Ritchie nodded. ‘Thanks, mate.’
Claire was now on all fours in the back, moaning and swaying as her husband tried to soothe her. The traffic was heavy and Henry gripped the wheel tighter. After what seemed like forever, he pulled up outside the hospital and Ritchie and Claire got out.
‘Go!’ yelled Libby. ‘I’ll bring the Moses basket and the rest of the bags.’
A porter noticed Claire and rushed forward with a wheelchair. As the main doors shut behind them, Henry let out a held breath at the same time as Libby. They looked at each other and laughed with relief.
‘That’s not normally how one of our shows goes down,’ she said.
‘Baptism by fire?’
‘Something like that.’ She blew out her cheeks. ‘Fucking hell. I hope she's going to be okay. The baby isn’t due for another month.’ She gulped in a breath and held it, covering her face with her hands, her shoulders shaking.
He touched her shoulder. ‘I know it doesn’t help right now, but she’s in the right place. As soon as I park, you can go and be with her.’
She nodded and wiped her eyes. ‘You’re right. I’ll find a place on my phone.’
Fifteen minutes later,the car was parked and they were back at the hospital entrance.
‘You’ve got my number now,’ said Henry. ‘Will you let me know how it goes?’
Libby nodded. ‘Yes, of course.’ She took his hand, her eyes still damp. ‘Thank you, Henry. You’ve been incredible. I owe you a life debt for this one.’
He shook his head. ‘Nonsense—’
‘Yes, I do. If there is ever anything you need in the future that I can help with, anything at all. Promise you’ll ask?’
He smiled. ‘There won’t—’
‘Promise?
