Page 28 of Mistletoe Kisses at Cwtch Cove

‘Did you run?’

‘Yes.’ He laughed.

Lucy’s vision blurred and she covered her face with her hands.

‘Hey…’ He took hold of her hands and lowered them. ‘What’s wrong?’

‘It’s… you.’ She sniffed. ‘You’re so… kind.’

He closed the door then pulled her into a hug. ‘It’s OK, Lucy.’

He was cold and smelt of outdoors. She felt reassured by his embrace, knew that he was here to support them and relief flooded through her. If Jack was here, everything would be OK.

‘Shall I go and check on Ellen?’ he asked, his chin moving against Lucy’s hair.

She nodded. ‘Please. She’s in there.’ She pointed at the lounge.

Jack went through and Lucy took a moment to compose herself. She wiped her eyes and pushed her hair behind her ears. The fact that Jack had thrown his clothes on and run here in the early hours of a winter morning showed what a selfless person he was, how he was a man they could depend upon. The warm glow in her chest intensified and a voice that sounded an awful lot like her mum’s whispered,‘Go get him, Lucy. You only live once.’

‘Mum?’ Goosebumps rose on her arms, and she looked around as if she’d be able to see the woman she loved and missed so badly. But she was alone in the hallway so she went through to the lounge to join her sister and the man she knew she was developing feelings for.

* * *

Jack slid his rucksack off his back then crouched in front of the sofa. ‘How’re you doing?’

Ellen shrugged. ‘Restless and a bit uncomfortable but better than I was an hour ago.’

‘Lucy messaged me to say she was a bit concerned.’ He looked up as Lucy appeared in the doorway, looking better than she had when he’d arrived. He’d seen that relief on people’s faces before when he’d arrived in the ambulance with a colleague. Paramedics had the ability to soothe and reassure just by turning up. He hoped though, that it was more than his being a paramedic that was making Lucy feel better.

‘I’ve been having some minor contractions, but I think they might be those Braxton Hicks ones.’ Lucy pushed down the blanket that was covering her and placed her hands on her bump. ‘They seem to be easing.’

‘Any other signs of labour?’

She shook her head. ‘No mucus plug. No waters breaking. Nothing apart from feeling restless and this somewhat irregular tightening of my stomach.’

‘You OK if I take your pulse, temperature and blood pressure?’ he asked.

‘Of course.’

After he’d conducted some basic checks, he sat back on his heels. ‘So… no dreadful pain, no bleeding, no breathlessness or chest pain?’

‘Nope.’

‘It could be that you’re having practice contractions, or this could be very early labour but only time will tell. I’d recommend getting some rest because if it is labour, you’ve a busy time ahead of you, but if not, it’s a sign that your body is getting ready for the big event.’

‘Eek!’ Ellen took a deep breath and blew it out through gritted teeth. ‘That makes me nervous.’

‘It will all be fine. I would advise letting your midwife know about this evening though and she can come and check on you too.’

‘I’ll phone her once it’s light,’ Lucy said. ‘Ellen didn’t want to wake her up.’

Jack laughed. ‘That’s very considerate of you. I know it can be scary with a first baby but your body is designed to do this. Not wanting to sound like an insensitive man saying that, mind you. But I have been present at several births, and early in my training, I spent time on a maternity ward and it’s amazing how a woman’s body can adapt to get through labour.’

‘Would you like a cup of tea, Jack?’ Lucy asked.

Jack stood up. ‘I’d love one, thanks.’

‘How about some breakfast? I know it’s still early but I’d hate for you to have to go home hungry.’

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