Page 42 of A Christmas Wish for the Village Midwife

Zoe began to form a reply when a voice distracted them both.

‘Looks like it’s all over bar the shouting.’

Victor got up and went to greet the vet. ‘I appreciate you coming anyway. Won’t hurt to look them both over, and I’ll take your advice gladly.’

‘Let’s have a look then…’ The vet smiled as the newborn got to their feet. ‘That’s a good start, though.’

‘What have we got?’ Victor asked.

The vet bent down with a torch. ‘A female. I’ll make a few checks, but things look as they should be from here.’

Victor let out a low sigh. He’d been more anxious than he’d let on, and it was strange because farming was in his blood, and he’d doubtless attended dozens of births before, just like he’d said. Perhaps it was the way he’d come to take Dandelion on, as a rescue from an owner who hadn’t really understood how to take care of her, that had made him more wary. Or, like he’d said to Zoe, perhaps it was really just a case of him getting older. He was in his early eighties, and though he showed little sign of slowing up, one day he’d have to. Zoe couldn’t imagine that day, and she didn’t want to – the idea of someone else taking on Daffodil Farm was a worrying one. Victor and Corrine had been brilliant neighbours as well as good friends, and they were tolerant of most of Alex’s plans for Hilltop in a way many weren’t.

Still, she reminded herself as the vet went to look at Dandelion, that day might be a long way off, and there were more pressing, far happier things to think about right now.

Victor looked up and winked at Zoe, and, when she winked back, burst into laughter. They’d always got along well, and Victor was the kindest man Zoe had ever met. Even knowing all that, she felt like tonight their friendship had reached a whole new level.

Zoe left Victor talking to the vet and making Dandelion and her new baby comfortable. She didn’t recall ever feeling such exhilaration at playing her part in bringing a new life into the world, however small it was in the end. It was like the first birth she’d ever attended all over again, magical and overwhelming and addictive. She’d been changed from that moment all those years ago, more certain than ever that she was on the earth to help others join her. Of course, she had no intention of retraining to become a vet, but she’d loved every minute of her time helping Dandelion, and she knew she’d be buzzing for weeks to come when she recalled it. She’d reassured the two men that she was perfectly capable of walking the field back to the farmhouse to fetch Grizzle, and it was telling of Victor’s preoccupation with his new arrival that he didn’t argue, when ordinarily he would have done.

Corrine smiled broadly as she opened the door. Zoe’s face had told her all she needed to know, and, unable to stop herself, she grabbed Corrine and pulled her into a spontaneous and excited hug.

‘The baby’s here, and she’s fine!’

‘A girl?’ Corrine asked. Zoe nodded. ‘That’s a relief! We’d wondered what we’d do if she had a boy. At least we don’t have to worry about that now! Was it a difficult birth?’

‘I’ve no idea!’ Zoe said, bending to fuss Grizzle as he sniffed at her with obvious interest. ‘I don’t know how they’re normally meant to go, but I think Victor was relieved when she eventually popped out. It was amazing, and the baby is gorgeous!’

‘Thank you so much for going up to help.’

‘Oh, I barely did anything except hand them tea. What time…?’ Zoe glanced up at the clock. ‘Sugar… I should phone Alex; he’ll be worried.’

‘Oh, he did phone here to find out where you were. I told him about the baby. He was going to go up and meet you, but I said the vet probably wouldn’t want too many people up there, so he said to phone when you were back.’

‘Right…’ Zoe pulled out the phone she’d forgotten to check in the excitement of the night’s events and saw that she had text messages and a couple of missed calls. She’d been out far longer than the hour she’d promised.

Dialling Alex’s number, she could barely keep still. ‘Hi!’

‘Everything’s all right?’ he asked. ‘Corrine said Dandelion had gone into labour – has she had the baby?’

‘Yes! She’s adorable! I’ll tell you about it when I get back. I’ve just come to get Grizzle; I’ll head over now.’

‘Stay where you are. I’ll come over so we can walk back together.’

‘I’m fine,’ Zoe began, but he stopped her.

‘I’d like to,’ he said. ‘I’d enjoy the walk, and, you know… I could do with a chat…’

‘Right, of course. I forgot. You’re OK?’

‘I’m fine. Give me half an hour and I’ll be with you.’

As promised, Alex knocked at the door of Daffodil farmhouse half an hour later. Corrine let him in while Zoe drained the cup of tea she’d been nursing for the last twenty minutes.

‘Hello, Alex, love,’ Corrine said. ‘I can make you a cup if you like – there’s a fresh pot about to go on.’

‘I don’t want to keep you,’ Alex said.

‘It’s no bother at all. Unless you’re keen to get off. It’s late, after all…’