Page 22 of A Christmas Wish for the Village Midwife

‘Even so, why can’t the surgery pay out of the kitty? We don’t get Christmas bonuses, and I think we ought to get something. After all, we’ve worked hard this year. Fliss used to do it every year.’

‘Couldn’t you have a word with Simon? He’d be a better bet.’

‘I did, but he said he wouldn’t approve anything without Emilia, and I thought, if we all say we want a work’s do at the meeting, she can hardly say no, can she?’

Zoe wasn’t so convinced. She’d known Emilia for a long time, and she had no trouble believing that she would say no if she meant it, regardless of any pressure the staff might try to put her under.

‘So when I say we all want to go,’ Lavender continued, ‘you’ll back me up, right? Shabana says she will.’

‘I don’t know…’

‘Oh, come on. You’re not scared of her, surely? If anything, you’d be the one person who could persuade her if you really wanted to!’

‘It’s because I know her so well that I’m not convinced she’d agree, no matter how many of us said we wanted it.’

‘Fliss did it. Fliss used to pay for it out of her own pocket.’

‘Then there’s your first hurdle because I doubt Emilia cares enough to do that.’

‘We have a surgery kitty for sundries, and there’s loads in it. We can use that.’

‘Isn’t that for other things, like when we get snacks for meetings and stuff? If we use it to go out, where will the money come from for the other things?’

‘Don’t you want to go out for a Christmas do?’

‘Of course I’d love to, but can’t we just organise it and pay ourselves?’

Lavender pouted. ‘Whatever.’

As she let the door close, Zoe heaved a sigh. ‘OK, Lav… I’ll back you up,’ she called. But whether Lavender heard her or not, she didn’t know because their sometimes truculent receptionist didn’t come back in to confirm either way.

‘Hello, Rachel. How’s it going? You’re thirty-four weeks now? I think last time we spoke you hadn’t quite decided on your birth plan, but have you had any more thoughts since then?’

Aside from her run-in with Lavender, which she’d later rectified with a trip to reception to smooth things over, the calm day Zoe had hoped for had treated her well so far, and she was in good spirits as her last appointment of the morning followed her into the consultation room and took a seat.

‘I think so,’ she said flatly.

Zoe paused, the next sentence dying on her lips as she took a closer look. She had the feeling that her calm day was about to be upended.

‘What’s wrong?’

‘I don’t know. I’ve been feeling… weird for the last couple of days. My other half said to phone you, but I thought, as I was coming to see you anyway…’ She shrugged. ‘I’m sure it’s nothing, and I don’t want to make a fuss.’

‘Nobody would ever think it was a fuss.’ Zoe frowned. ‘When you say weird…’ she continued, spreading a paper sheet out on the examining table, ‘what do you mean, exactly?’

‘Knackered. I know I’m really pregnant, but I can barely keep my eyes open for most of the day. And I have this weird heaviness… down below. I can’t describe it, but it’s like… not pain exactly but uncomfortable. Could it be Braxton Hicks?’

‘It could be,’ Zoe said. ‘Anything else? Have you seen any blood or any concerning discharge?’

‘I’m not sure. I felt as if there was something, but it was so faint…’

Zoe took her blood pressure and then listened to the baby’s heartbeat. After double-checking everything, she let out a long breath.

‘I’m not super happy, to be honest. It’s tempting to say wait and watch, but I’d rather err on the side of caution. Is there any way you can get to the maternity unit?’

‘When?’ Rachel sat up on the examination couch.

‘As soon as you can. Today would make me happiest. I’ll phone ahead and tell the team there to expect you. I’d rather you have a full examination at the hospital where they have the equipment, and I’d rather they kept an eye on you. I won’t beat around the bush, Rachel; I’m concerned about preterm labour.’ Rachel’s eyes widened, but Zoe gave her a reassuring smile. ‘If that’s the case, you’ll be in the right place at the hospital. They’ll do what needs to be done.’