Page 33 of Mistletoe Kisses at Cwtch Cove

While Sarah examined Ellen, Lucy made tea then set it on a tray and carried it through to the lounge. She set the tray on the table that she’d pushed against the wall.

‘Everything OK?’ she asked, concern filling her at how sweaty Ellen now looked as she lay propped against cushions on the sofa.

‘Everything’s fine,’ Sarah said. ‘Ellen is doing a fabulous job of this and is already at seven centimetres.’

‘What? That quickly?’ Lucy looked at the clock on the mantelpiece. ‘But it’s only late morning and Billy isn’t home yet. Have you phoned him?’

Ellen shook her head. ‘You… do it…’ She waved her phone at Lucy as she panted.

Ellen took the phone and found Billy’s number then let it ring.

No answer.

Where was he?

At the airport? On the road?

‘Come on, Billy, get home!’ She knew Ellen would be devastated if Billy didn’t make it in time.

‘Can I get in the pool now?’ Ellen asked.

‘Of course.’ Sarah helped her up and into the water. Almost immediately, Ellen sighed with relief.

‘That’s better.’

Sarah offered Ellen a cup of tea but she shook her head, so she reached for one herself and sat on the sofa. ‘Mmm. This is perfect. Thanks, Lucy.’

‘You’re very welcome.’ Lucy was pacing up and down the lounge, Ellen’s phone in her hand, trying not to cry. Billy had to get back in time, he just had to.

* * *

‘Never. Ever. Ever do this!’ Ellen shouted at Lucy. She was on her knees in the pool facing outwards with her arms over the edge so she could hold Lucy’s hands. ‘It’s… agony!’

As another contraction hit, she gripped Lucy’s hands so tight Lucy bit her lip and tasted blood. She didn’t know about Ellen being in pain, but she was enduring her fair share too. Ellen’s face was red, her hair plastered to her head and she was groaning in what Lucy could only describe as a primitive, animal way. It made the hair on the back of her neck rise and she longed for it to be over soon so Ellen wouldn’t suffer any more.

‘I need to push!’ Ellen grunted then turned her head to peer at Sarah. ‘I can’t wait.’

‘Hold on…’ Sarah, who was on her knees at the side of the pool, put her hands underneath the water while her colleague, who’d appeared an hour ago, held up a torch so she could see. ‘Yes, darling, you’re ready.’

Just then, a noise from the hallway made them all look up.

‘Billy!’ Lucy shouted. ‘In here!’

He rushed into the lounge in a cloud of fresh air and airplane stale clothing. His ginger beard was bushier than ever and his hair stood up from his head as if he’d been raking his hands through it all the way home.

‘Billy!’ Ellen smiled before grimacing again. ‘Don’t ever do this to me again, you knobhead!’

Half laughing, half crying, Billy took Lucy’s place in front of Ellen and held her hands. ‘I’m here now, my love,’ he said, showering her with kisses.

‘It’s coming. I can’t hold it back!’ Ellen let out a giant roar then there was a splash in the pool.

Sarah did something under the water then said, ‘Put out your hands, Ellen. That’s it. Take hold of your baby girl.’

Ellen looked down and then brought her baby up out of the water.

Lucy sat back on the sofa and let the tears fall.

‘We have a beautiful baby girl,’ Ellen said, leaning against Billy as she cradled their daughter.

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