Page 73 of A Christmas Wish for the Village Midwife

‘Me too,’ Alex said. ‘We’ve got time.’

‘Do they have alcohol in them?’ Billie asked as they followed Ottilie and Heath through to the living room.

‘Barely,’ Ottilie said. ‘But I can fix you something without if you’re still breastfeeding.’

‘Yeah, I’ll just have some juice or something, if that’s OK.’

As they all settled into seats, Billie took Louisa out of her seat. Ottilie brought Anthony over to introduce them, and as the two infants stared at one another with gummy, drooling interest, Heath went to make the drinks.

‘Oh look, they’re so cute,’ Zoe said.

‘I think they like each other already,’ Ottilie agreed. ‘We should do a proper playdate.’

Billie looked unconvinced, but she gave Ottilie a taut smile and a brief nod. ‘Maybe after Christmas.’

‘So how are you feeling about the prospect of coming back to work?’ Zoe asked Ottilie. ‘And I mean, really. It’s just us now – nobody at the surgery is here, so you can be honest. It’s too soon for you? Because you haven’t had your full year of leave yet.’

‘No, but it’s not until January, so I don’t suppose I’ve really processed it yet. I’ll miss Anthony, of course, but I think the change of routine will do me good. It’s not going to be full-time, and I’m more than happy to leave him for a couple of days a week with Stacey. She’s practically his aunt anyway, and she sees him all the time. She’ll have one or two other little ones to childmind as well, so the socialising will be good for him.’

‘Sounds like you have it figured out even if you haven’t processed it as such.’

‘Simon had a chat with me before we left the other day, and he says they’ll get someone in to support me. If not a locum nurse, perhaps a healthcare assistant, someone I could delegate some of the less demanding tasks to.’

‘That actually sounds like someone the surgery could do with anyway. I’ve always wondered why we don’t have a healthcare assistant.’

‘We always managed without one before, but you’re right. Goodness knows how they’re going to recruit, though. It would be ideal for someone who lives locally, but I don’t know there’s anyone experienced around here who would want the job. There might be someone willing to train, I suppose. But it’s not the best-paid position, and I don’t see how it would work for someone if they had to travel into the village – half their wages would be eaten up in petrol money or bus costs.’ Ottilie bounced Anthony on her knee. ‘Didn’t you say one of your mums was interested in healthcare when she goes back to work?’

‘Did I?’

‘One of the younger ones…’

‘Oh, Fern! She’s keen to become a midwife; I’m not sure this would suit her. And she’s not really had much in the way of employment experience – she lived on a commune for a couple of years… not sure what she did before that, but pretty sure it wasn’t health related. She’s got a ton of courses to do as well to get the qualifications she needs to sign up for the midwifery training.’ Zoe paused for a moment. ‘Actually… It’s a good idea, and I could ask her – doesn’t she need to train for that position too?’

‘We could talk to Simon, and he would facilitate that, I’m sure. If she was interested, that is… It might not be what she wants at all. It would be a bit of a sidestep if anything, but it might be a good grounding for her to go on to do other training.’

‘It might,’ Zoe agreed. ‘I’m not sure she’d be ready for when you went back to work, though. Benji is only four months old.’

Ottilie nodded. ‘It was just a thought.’ She glanced at Billie, who was scrolling on her phone. ‘Do you have any thoughts about whether you might want to work when Louisa is old enough? Or will you be helping out in the family business?’

Billie looked up. ‘What? Were you talking to me?’

‘I just wondered if you’d planned to work, or whether you’re going to stay home with Louisa?’

‘What’s wrong with staying home with her?’

‘Nothing. Nothing at all… People do what’s right for them. I was just curious, that’s all.’

‘I don’t know. There’s no jobs around here anyway.’ She turned to Zoe. ‘What time do we have to leave?’

Zoe blinked. ‘We’ve got half an hour at least yet. Why?’

‘Just wanted to know.’

Billie’s head went down, and she began to type on her phone. Zoe thought about asking who the message was to, but the mood Billie was in, she knew better than that.

Heath came in with a tray of drinks. ‘Here we go…’

‘Thanks!’ Zoe got up to take one for her and one for Alex from him. ‘These look delish!’