Page 9 of Mistletoe Kisses at Cwtch Cove

‘And he’s back when?’

‘Christmas Eve.’

‘OK. But… should you go sooner. Do you have someone to be with you?’ Sarah looked up from the screen and Ellen took hold of Lucy’s hand.

‘I do. Right here.’

Lucy gulped. Ellen had already told her she wanted her at the birth, but Lucy had envisaged herself getting towels and hot water and doing the things they did in movies, while Billy held Ellen’s hand and mopped her brow. She hadn’t pictured herself being the one Ellen clung to while she screamed or the only one responsible for Ellen’s fate. It was terrifying and she sent a silent message to her niece to stay firmly put until Billy was home.

‘Don’t look so worried, Lucy.’ Sarah winked at Lucy. ‘You won’t be on your own. I’ll be there too.’

Lucy forced a smile but her stomach clenched with anxiety, and she wished not for the first time that their mum was still alive. She’d been such a reassuring presence in their lives and losing her had left a huge hole. Their dad was lovely, but he wasn’t as calming an influence as their mum. She was struck by the realisation that if she was missing their mum then it would be a million times worse for Ellen in her condition. She made a silent vow to be as strong for Ellen as their mum would have been and to be everything Ellen needed her to be.

‘Everything will be just fine.’ She handed Ellen her coat. ‘I promise.’

The gratitude in Ellen’s eyes was enough to banish her fears and to warm her right through. Where there was love, there was always a way.

CHAPTER6

‘Let me carry that.’ Lucy reached for the bag Ellen had carried out of the village grocery shop.

‘I’m fine. I can carry a bag of chocolate chips and flour, Lucy.’ Ellen laughed but Lucy shook her head.

‘Hand it over.’

‘Fine.’ Ellen rolled her eyes as she gave Lucy the bag.

‘That’s better. Can’t have you carrying things in your condition.’

‘I’m pregnant not ill.’

‘I know but I read something about hormones making your ligaments looser during pregnancy… so you can squeeze out the baby more easily… but it unfortunately means that it’s easier to pull a muscle.’

‘Yes but that’s if I do anything too strenuous or carry a very heavy bag. I don’t think a bag of flour and some chocolate chips is going to put my back out.’

‘Better to be safe than sorry.’

‘OK. OK. You win. I promise I won’t lift a finger until after the baby’s born.’

‘That’s what I want to hear.’

They paused in front of the village green where two council workers were draping lights around the large Christmas tree at the centre, while others wound them around lampposts and hung them between street signs.

‘The lights are being turned on tomorrow,’ Ellen said.

‘How exciting! We’re coming, right?’

‘Absolutely.’ Ellen sighed. ‘I wish Billy was going to be here for it too.’

‘You can always video call him while we’re here then he can watch it with you.’

‘That’s a brilliant idea if he’s not busy. He’s been out and about quite a bit taking photographs at every opportunity.’

Lucy knew that it must be hard for Ellen not being with her partner when he was in such a beautiful location. ‘Well, maybe next time you can go with him. You can either take baby with you or I’ll babysit.’

Ellen smiled. ‘That sounds good. Or… if we take the baby, you could come too and while Billy is off taking photos, we could go on a trip to see the Northern Lights. Remember how Mum always wanted to see them but she nev…’ Ellen’s smile dropped and Lucy reached out and placed her free hand on her shoulder.

‘I know. She should have gone but she was always worrying about money and whether or not we’d need her, so she didn’t go far. It’s such a shame and I wish she’d done what she wanted to do and seen all the things she wanted to see. But she did say that she loved her life and that she had no regrets.’

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