Page 77 of A Festive Surprise

Chapter Twenty-Six

Holly

Holly’s plans to evade Christmas were often crazy but this had to be the craziest ever. Working on Christmas Eve was just the beginning. Talking in person to Robyn was unnecessary but it would pass the time more enjoyably than being alone. As soon as she pulled up at the beautiful cottage in Carsaig, she spotted the first flaw. Robyn wasn’t likely to want to spend Christmas Eve talking shop. She had a husband and would want to spend the time with him doing whatever couples normally did on Christmas Eve.

So her visit would have to be shorter than planned. After, she’d drive around the island, stop wherever, and maybe take photos. But not return until well after dark. This she would repeat for the next two days and she’d leave on the twenty-seventh, by that time people’s Christmases would be over and she could find a hotel to crash in for a day or two while she sorted where to live next.

Robyn welcomed her and they sat in her living room on the grey sofas, sipping hot chocolates. The room was a cross between the Ikea catalogue and a Nordic retreat. Holly huddled into the corner of the sofa where a big furry blanket covered the arm. Like snuggling on the rug in front of the fire with Farid. Oh, to be there now, with his arms around her and his voice whispering to her. Best Christmas gift ever. But love like his was for life and not just Christmas. She couldn’t guarantee her restless feet would stick around long enough not to break him again in another few months, weeks or even days. She’d made her bed.

Beside Robyn, curled up on the sofa, was a cute little dog. Robyn stroked her as she checked the information on her tablet.

‘So, if we have a section here where clients can click directly to the files.’ Robyn stopped talking and rubbed her lower tummy.

‘Are you ok?’

Robyn had done that on another occasion, but this time her face was twisted. ‘I might need to go to the hospital.’

‘Why?’ Holly leaned forward.

‘We haven’t told anyone but I’m pregnant.’

‘And is something wrong?’

‘I had an ectopic pregnancy three years ago. I had to have one of my tubes removed. It’s never been guaranteed that I could have kids and now… Oh, god. It might be happening again. This was how it started before.’

‘Oh, god.’ Holly stood up. ‘Where’s Carl?’

‘He’s driven up to Ardnish; he had something to do. I suspect it’s a surprise Christmas present he’s been hiding there from me.’

‘Come on then, I’ll take you to the hospital. You can call him on the way and he can meet us there.’

‘Ok, thank you. I hope it isn’t another ectopic. If it is, then that’s it. I won’t ever have kids.’

‘Let’s get it checked. It might be ok.’ Her heartbeat stuttered. ‘I’ve never been pregnant, but my sister has two kids and she had lots of twinges and pains with both of them. So, let’s keep hoping.’ She kept talking as they made their way to the car, more to keep herself calm than Robyn. Her gut told her this wouldn’t end well. Poor Robyn. The little dog followed and Holly lifted her. ‘Do you want me to put her in the house?’

‘Can she come?’

‘Sure.’ Holly placed her on Robyn’s knee and Robyn held her like a hot water bottle on her lap. The road from Carsaig was narrow and twisty. Holly had a prickle of panic at every bend, not in case of meeting other cars but that any sudden movement would hurt Robyn. It was like driving with a glass of water on the bonnet and trying not to spill it.

Robyn got out her phone but the reception wasn’t good enough to make a call. ‘I should have called before we left.’

‘We might get 4G further up.’ The island loomed around, so much bigger than she’d thought. Mountains towered alongside them as they wound through the glen. Beautiful waterfalls cascaded down the rocky hillsides and low clouds gathered above them.

Craignure, the village where the ferry docked, was also home to the hospital. So far to go in a hurry. Robyn attempted a call again and finally got a connection as they motored through the tiny seaside village of Lochdon.

‘We’re only five minutes away,’ said Robyn. ‘I’ve been trying to get a signal the whole way.’

Carl’s voice rattled faintly. What was he saying? Robyn ended the call and gripped her phone. ‘He’s at his mum’s house. Ten minutes and he’ll be here.’

‘Ok, that’s good.’ Holly’s brain functions were now limited to getting Robyn into the hospital. The car park was busy, and Holly groaned as she circled it. ‘Please, let there be a space.’

‘There’s an overflow car park.’

‘Let’s hope there’s room in there.’ Surely she wasn’t going to be stuck with a pregnant woman on Christmas Eve with no room in the car park. Lots of free spaces presented themselves in the overflow and Holly slammed into the first one. ‘Right, let’s get you in. If I wind down the windows, we can leave your dog here.’

‘Florrie’s her name.’

‘Sweet. I fancy a dog but my lifestyle doesn’t suit it.’

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