Page 35 of Be More Capybara

Within seconds, he heard a siren. Why now?! Blue lights were flashing in the rearview mirror.

He pulled over. A policeman got out of the other car, walked over to the driver’s side and tapped on the window. Nigel wound it down.

‘You’re not Mrs Farnham.’

So the copper recognised the car. ‘I’m her son.’

‘You’re not her son either. He’s got brown hair.’

Interesting how his relatives were well known to local law enforcement. But he’d worry about why later.

‘I’m Mark’s brother, Nigel. I’ve been in the States.’

The policeman didn’t look convinced. ‘And is driving at 89 miles an hour permissible in the USA, Mr Farnham?’

‘I’m taking my sister-in-law to hospital. She’s pregnant and bleeding.’

The policeman peered into the car. Lucy groaned at just the right moment. His demeanour changed. ‘Barnstaple A&E?’

‘Yes.’

‘Follow me.’

He ran back to his vehicle. Within seconds, they were back on the road, Nigel following the police car with its blue lights flashing.

‘Sorry I’ve been so long. Parking is almost impossible,’ Nigel said as he sat down next to Lucy in the maternity unit waiting area. ‘How are you?’

‘They’ve promised me I’m next.’

‘But they should’ve seen you as soon as I brought you in. I’m going to complain.’

Lucy put her hand on his arm. ‘No, don’t. The bleeding feels like it’s easing off and you can see they’re busy.’

Nigel relaxed back in the chair. ‘Sorry. I’m worried about you, that’s all. Mark will never forgive me if I don’t stand up for you. Has he phoned back yet?’

She shook her head.

‘Lucy Thomson,’ a midwife said.

‘That’s me.’

‘Come this way.’

‘Would you come with me?’

‘If you’re sure?’

‘Probably best if you stay in the waiting room for a few minutes, Dad. I’ll call you when I’ve done an initial check.’

Lucy didn’t correct her. Neither did Nigel. If he had to fight her corner at some point, they might take more notice if they thought he was the baby’s father.

He may as well try phoning Mark while he was waiting. No reply. Still out of range then. How about Helen? She could pass the message on, and he hadn’t spoken to her for 24 hours. He called her number.

Disappointingly, her phone rang out too. There was a dull ache in his chest. He was missing her. You’ve only been back here for ten days and you’re behaving like a lovesick teenager.

He forced his mind to focus on the current situation. When Mark was back in signal range, he was going to wonder what the hell was going on with loads of missed calls from Lucy and now Nigel. He’d compose a text. It needed to convey urgency without terrifying him.

Give me a call when you can. I’ve taken Lucy to Barnstaple Hospital. She and the baby are going to be fine but we just wanted to be sure. A midwife’s with her now.