Page 85 of A Christmas Wish for the Village Midwife

‘At the church?’

Victor nodded. ‘It was an eventful one, last year, as I recall. Perhaps you might need a year off this time.’

A grin spread across Zoe’s face. ‘It was,’ she said, recalling that last year they’d been at the carol service, little knowing that a few hours from then they’d be trapped in the church, cut off by a blizzard with her delivering a baby. ‘As long as we don’t get snowed in again, we might manage to come down and sing along for an hour or so. If not, we’ll maybe go tomorrow morning instead. Will you and Corrine be going?’

‘I expect so. We go most years.’ He held up the presents. ‘Thanks for these. We’ll perhaps see you later then?’

‘See you,’ Alex called over as Zoe showed Victor out.

Once the door was shut, she turned back to the table and looked expectantly at Billie. ‘Well?’

Billie glanced up. ‘What?’

‘Are you going to open it?’

‘No because it’s probably a present and it’s not Christmas Day.’

‘But you always open one on Christmas Eve.’

‘One off Dad, yes.’

‘How do you know this isn’t from your dad?’

Billie showed Zoe the address label, and with a jolt she understood. The parcel had come from Spain. Luis’s parents. No wonder Billie didn’t want to draw attention to it with her dad there.

‘Could you move it for me?’ Billie asked Zoe. ‘Until I’ve had breakfast.’

‘Want me to put it in your room?’

Billie nodded gratefully, and Zoe did as she was asked.

Upstairs, Billie’s bed was still unmade, as was Louisa’s cot. There was a half-finished cup of tea on the floor, stone cold, and Zoe wondered if Billie had been down during the night to make it. Her wardrobe was open, some of her clothes spilled out, and some organised in piles on the floor, as if she’d been considering getting rid of some and was making her choices. The room painted a picture of someone who wasn’t like Billie usually was. The Billie Zoe knew was controlled and ordered. There was something frantic about the picture here. How long had she been like this? Zoe didn’t make a habit of going into her room – Billie cleaned up for herself, and there was no need, unless she was helping with Louisa. But even last night as she’d put Louisa to bed for Billie, the room hadn’t been like this. It had been relatively organised, aside from a little extra Christmas clutter, in the way she was used to.

Zoe put the box on the floor next to the bed and picked up the mug to take back to the kitchen. She found Alex and Billie both at the table, talking as if there had been no earth-shattering admission the night before, while Louisa, in her high chair, gurgled and smeared porridge over her face as she tried to feed herself. Zoe put the mug in the sink and went to take the spoon from Billie’s daughter, but Billie shook her head.

‘She’s got to do it herself.’

‘You’re right.’ Zoe sat down, feeling chastised. ‘Sorry, I was just trying to help because I thought you were busy.’

‘It’s all right. I know sometimes it’s easier to do it for her, but she likes to do it herself.’

‘So…’ Alex sipped at his second cup of tea that morning. ‘What’s the plan for today? I’ve got some things to prep for tomorrow’s lunch, but that shouldn’t take more than a couple of hours. Other than that, I’ve got nothing on. We could go for a walk… even take a drive into one of the bigger towns. Maybe take Louisa to see Santa⁠—’

‘Yeah,’ Billie said, ‘because she loved Santa the last time she met him.’

‘Oh, right…’ Alex’s gaze dropped to his mug. ‘I forgot about the boat trip… There’s a reindeer farm somewhere near Bowness,’ he said, trying to brighten again. ‘Victor told me about it.’

‘We could go,’ Billie said, with the enthusiasm of someone who’d just been offered the chance to clean the bathroom. Then she looked at the window. ‘Do you think it might snow? I don’t want us to get stuck somewhere.’

‘It won’t be much if it does.’

‘Still… remember what happened last year.’

‘How could we forget?’ Zoe said with a faint smile. ‘But your dad’s right – I didn’t see much snow in the forecast, if at all. I’d love to go to a reindeer farm.’

Billie pushed her plate away. Most of her breakfast was still on it, and Alex frowned as he noticed, though he didn’t say anything. ‘I’d better get dressed then. What time do you want to go?’

‘There’s no rush,’ Alex said, glancing at Zoe. ‘Is there?’