A Walk in Wildflower Park

by Bella Osborne

  Connor’s lips tweaked. ‘Yeah. It’s perfect.’

  Sophie waddled round to Karl’s desk, straightening her panelled maternity top over her ever-expanding bump. ‘What the hell are you wearing?’ asked Karl. ‘You look like badly laid lino.’

  ‘Fuzz off.’

  ‘You can’t say that.’ He pretended to be offended.

  ‘I can. It’s my last day and I really want to go home, put my feet up and forget about you for six whole months.’

  ‘Fair enough. Let’s do your leaving presentation and embarrassing speeches at four o’clock. I’ll finish our one to one early and you can have a pee just before.’

  ‘You’re too kind.’ Sophie pulled a face and frisbeed his mouse mat across the office. She sat down and noted the impact on the chair’s suspension. ‘I’m fed up being this big.’ She flapped her giant smock top. ‘Do you know what the next size up to this is?’

  ‘Sleeps four to six people?’ he said, his expression deadpan.

  She took a swipe at him. ‘There isn’t a size up after this. This is the biggest they do.’ Her lip went wobbly.

  ‘What’s up?’ asked Anna, joining them.

  ‘Hormone levels it would appear,’ said Karl, tipping his head in Sophie’s direction. She gave him a whack.

  ‘Ooh, happy last day,’ said Anna, giving Sophie a hug. ‘Is there cake?’ She scanned the tops of the nearby filing cabinets.

  ‘Of course,’ said Sophie. ‘Cake is the answer to everything.’

  ‘Including the question why is my arse this huge?’ said Karl.

  ‘Give over. I’m pregnant and anyway my bum hasn’t grown much this time. Has it?’ Sophie twisted round to try to have a look for herself. Anna was shaking her head in support.

  Karl pretended to answer his desk phone. ‘Hello. Yes,’ said Karl, putting his hand over the mouthpiece. ‘It’s the Royal Mail. They’d like to allocate your arse its own postcode.’

  Anna left the two of them whacking each other with ring binders.

  ‘Anna. Wait up,’ called Hudson as she was heading out of the building at the end of a long day. She almost stamped her feet in protest. She was tired and thanks to the unresolved New York situation she wasn’t sleeping well.

  ‘What?’ she said, wrapping her scarf tighter around herself in anticipation of the November cold outside.

  ‘Wow. Someone is grumpy.’

  ‘Yeah. I’m the last dwarf left because I murdered the others for pissing me off.’

  Hudson laughed. ‘You’re funny,’ he said, emphasising it with a point of his finger. ‘I can’t get any time in your diary to talk about New York. Can you free something up?’

  ‘No, because I’m not going. Even if I have to break my own leg. I’m not going.’ Anna was resolute. She pulled on her woolly hat.

  ‘Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. Your hat suits you, by the way.’ His head was on one side as he spoke.

  ‘Thank you,’ she said reluctantly.

  ‘I want to talk to you about the meeting schedule for the New York trip. Regardless of who is going we need to know who we’re seeing, when and what key info we need from each of them.’

  It was a reasonable request. ‘I’ve got some ideas. I’ll find you an hour. You’re right. You need to have a clear purpose for each meeting otherwise I’ll never make head or tail of what you send back.’

  ‘I could video conference you in; it’ll be just like you’re in the room. Obviously, I’d rather you were actually there but, hey.’

  ‘Thanks.’ She wanted to be there too but it simply wasn’t possible.

  ‘Apart from anything else you’ll be missing out on all the really cool stuff New York has to offer.’

  Anna’s eyes shot skywards and she turned on her heel. She could feel her resolve crumbling and she needed to get away. ‘I’ve got to go. It’s fireworks in the park tonight.’

  ‘Come on, Anna. It’ll be fun. I promise you,’ he called after her and she waved a hand dismissively. ‘See your doctor. They can give you something.’ Great, now strangers were gawping at her.

  Anna strode out the doors without a backwards glance. She wanted to put all her problems into a rocket, light the touch paper, stand well back and watch them get blasted into space.

  The odd firework had popped as the light had faded and Maurice had opened one eye at the interruption but otherwise seemed unfazed by it all. Excited banging on the door, however, had him sitting up looking almost alert.

  ‘It’s only Arlo,’ said Anna, giving him a ruffle behind his ears. She pulled on her coat and headed out. Arlo was hurtling about as if he’d eaten all his Halloween sweets in one go whilst Petal was standing with her arms forced out at a forty-five-degree angle thanks to the numerous layers of clothing she was wearing topped off with Minnie Mouse ear muffs. She gave a toothy smile at her brother’s antics.

  ‘Ready to face the madness?’ asked Sophie, waving a flashlight.

  ‘Definitely. I love fireworks night.’ Anna pulled a bobble hat from her pocket and made a silly face for Petal’s benefit as she put it on. It was a crisp but clear night outside.

  Sophie handed her Petal’s baby reins. ‘Here. The lesser of two evils,’ she said, with a knowing smile.

  ‘Err, okay. Where’s Dave?’

  ‘Stuck in the office, as usual.’ Her shoulders sagged as she said it.

  ‘You have to admit he has been better since you …’ Anna lowered her voice so the children wouldn’t hear ‘… went home.’

  ‘He has.’ Sophie gave a resigned pout. ‘But it’s like training a puppy, it’ll take a while.’

  They headed off into the park with Sophie shouting instructions at the children not to run off as Arlo disappeared from sight.

  Hot dogs seemed to calm Arlo down slightly and as Sophie waddled her way towards the nearest bench everyone on it vacated for her. ‘My arse isn’t that big,’ she said grumpily. This was true although her stomach was now of gargantuan proportions. She wasn’t overdue so nobody was really bothered from a medical perspective but she looked like any more growth and she’d no longer be able to defy the laws of physics and would topple over. They ate in relative silence apart from Sophie complaining about persistent heartburn.

  They chatted for a bit and watched Arlo throw a light stick in the air repeatedly until it landed on his sister and the game was ended. Eventually the conversation turned to Connor.

  ‘Are you a couple?’ asked Sophie, watching Arlo doing a frog impression to make his sister laugh.

  ‘I don’t know.’

  Sophie narrowed her eyes. ‘You don’t actually know or you can’t decide?’

  ‘The latter. There is absolutely no reason why we shouldn’t give it a go but …’

  ‘And the “but” says it all. My old nan used to say if it’s not a definite yes then it must be a no. Unless you’re going to string him along until something better comes along?’

  ‘No, that’s not fair. Maybe you’re right. Maybe I should end it.’ She didn’t like to admit to herself that a part of her was hedging her bets. And she feared drifting into another average relationship with someone who was perfectly nice but never going to set her heart alight.

  They were interrupted by a shaky announcement through a sound system and people began counting down from ten.

  ‘Anna?’ The voice came from behind them and Anna twisted to peer into the darkness, missing the first flurry of fireworks as they leaped from the pontoons anchored in the middle of the pond.

  ‘Hudson?’ He stepped forward and as a bright firework burst above them he was lit up, giving him an ethereal glow.

  ‘What are you doing here?’ She was also wondering how he’d got into the park.

  ‘I wanted to talk to you.’

  ‘If it’s about New York, now is not the time.’

  ‘It’s not about New York – I just need to talk to you.’

  Another firework burst overhead and Petal squealed with delight and started to bob up and down excite
dly as more fireworks tore through the sky and erupted into transient stars.

  Anna brushed her hair off her face and looked at Hudson expectantly. He nervously rubbed his chin before taking her hand and trying to lead her away but at the same time Sophie grabbed at Anna’s other hand halting her. Hudson started to say something but it was drowned out by both another explosion and Sophie’s screams. Anna thought she was overreacting to the display somewhat but the tight squeeze of her hand and Sophie’s distressed expression told her instantly what was wrong.

  ‘The baby?’ asked Anna, reluctantly pulling her hand free from Hudson’s.

  Sophie nodded as her face contorted with the pain. ‘It’s coming. And it’s coming quick!’

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Anna watched Sophie hugging her bump as she panted fast. This was it – she was going into labour in Wildflower Park in the middle of a fireworks display. It was dark and cold and the last place you’d want to give birth.

  ‘Right!’ said Anna and Hudson together, both appearing to want to take charge of the situation. Anna raised an eyebrow. ‘I’ll call Dave. You call an ambulance,’ instructed Anna. Hudson didn’t argue and got straight on his phone.

  ‘Dave. The baby’s on its way. Where the hell are you?’

  ‘Crap. I’m stuck in traffic about three miles from home. It’s total gridlock. Tell her to hold on,’ said Dave.

  ‘You can tell her,’ she said, holding the phone to Sophie’s ear for him to repeat his request.

  ‘Hold on? You f—’ Thankfully everything Sophie said was drowned out by the stream of fireworks whizzing into the sky.

  ‘Ambulance is on its way,’ said Hudson. ‘They’ll come to the main entrance. I’m guessing they’ll take her on a stretcher.’ The operator was still on the phone.

  ‘I don’t want to go on a stretcher,’ wailed Sophie. Anna felt for the ambulance crew; she was a whole lot of person to carry across the park.

  Hudson must have been having the same thoughts. He whispered to Anna. ‘Can they manage her all the way from here?’

  ‘I heard that, you know!’ said Sophie and she started to groan loudly.

  Anna swivelled round. ‘There aren’t many other options.’ She surveyed the vast crowd around them as the fireworks continued to crash and bloom above.

  Hudson was speaking to the emergency services operator and his expression was grim. He whispered to Anna, ‘Ambulance is stuck in traffic. Gridlock. About three—’

  ‘Miles away,’ finished Anna. ‘Bugger. Dave’s stuck in the same traffic jam.’ Sophie let out a strangled cry. ‘We have to move her,’ Anna said, turning to Hudson. ‘Either to the main entrance or inside. She can’t stay here.’ Anna pointed to Sophie’s house. ‘That’s her house.’

  Hudson thrust his phone at Anna. ‘I’ve got an idea.’ He squeezed his way through the immediate crowd and was swallowed by the darkness.

  Anna rubbed Sophie’s back whilst listening to updates from the ambulance service and oohing and ahhing at the fireworks with Petal. It was multitasking at its most extreme.

  She wished Hudson hadn’t left her. Every time Sophie winced she felt frightened and helpless. The fireworks display came to an impressive crescendo and the crowd in the park erupted into applause, including the children. With the fireworks over it was dark again and a wind whipped around them. Anna feared for the baby’s safety if it arrived now.

  After a few minutes she heard Hudson’s voice over the crowd. The people started to disperse and Hudson emerged pushing a very old wheelbarrow. Sophie looked up. ‘Bloody hell. You have to be joking.’

  ‘You need to get to hospital,’ said Hudson and he pointed at the wheelbarrow. ‘Cinders, your carriage awaits.’

  ‘I am not going all the way in that thing.’

  ‘No, but we might be able to get you closer to the ambulance.’

  Sophie’s face registered alarm. ‘I don’t think there’s time. It’s coming.’

  Hudson rushed to her with the wheelbarrow, which was full of potato sacks. ‘Come on,’ he said, like it was the most normal thing to hop in a wheelbarrow. Sophie gave him a murderous glare but with a lot of help from him and Anna she clambered on board.

  ‘If this bollarding thing breaks.’

  ‘All stops to Birmingham hospital,’ said Hudson, and he set off across the park at an impressive pace.

  ‘My go next,’ shouted Arlo, clapping his hands.

  Anna relayed the plan to the operator and they confirmed the ambulance was making progress and should be at the main gates in a few minutes. ‘Perfect timing,’ said Anna, herding the children after Hudson.

  ‘Arghhhhhhhhh!’ screamed Sophie.

  ‘Arghhhhhhhhh!’ hollered Hudson hitting a pothole and almost wrenching the barrow from his fingers. ‘Don’t you dare give birth in the wheelbarrow. I can’t push two of you.’

  ‘You’re about as funny as haemorrhoids,’ said Sophie, clamping her teeth together and making a strangled screech.

  They could hear the approaching siren and it spurred them all on. The gates came into sight and blue lights flooded the entrance.

  The paramedics quickly took over and within minutes Sophie was safely in the back of the ambulance. Anna went to get in with Petal in her arms and the paramedic stopped her. ‘Sorry, love, no children allowed in the ambulance.’

  ‘But they’re her children,’ protested Anna.

  ‘Doesn’t matter. Sorry.’

  Anna watched Hudson who had Arlo by the hand and was showing him round the ambulance. ‘Hudson, you’ll have to go with her.’

  ‘Me?’ His eyebrows shot up in alarm. ‘I’ll take the kids and you go.’ He held up Arlo’s hand.

  Anna was torn. She tried to pass Petal to Hudson but she started to cry and clung to Anna. Anna’s expression conveyed exactly what needed to happen.

  ‘Okay,’ said Hudson, and he climbed in the back while the paramedics did final checks and started to close the doors.

  Anna heard heavy breathing behind her. ‘Wait! I’m here, I’m … here …’ wheezed Dave, dashing towards the ambulance.

  ‘Plugging hell, Dave, talk about last minute,’ said Sophie, pulling the oxygen mask off her face but the look of relief was evident.

  Dave motioned for Hudson to get out but he was already undoing his seatbelt. ‘Good luck, buddy,’ said Hudson, vacating the spot next to Sophie. She gave a weak wave as the doors shut. The siren whooped into life and the ambulance pulled away. Arlo was shouting and clapping excitedly and Petal was copying.

  The siren ebbed away and they were left standing together in the dark. Hudson rubbed sweat from his forehead. ‘I had better return this,’ he said, motioning towards the wheelbarrow.

  Anna frowned. ‘How the hell did you get a wheelbarrow over the wall?’

  Hudson gave a mysterious smile. ‘Buy me a beer and I’ll tell you.’

  ‘I have coffee or hot chocolate.’

  ‘Hot chocolate!’ shouted Arlo. ‘Can I have marshmallows in mine, Anna?’

  ‘What do we say?’ asked Anna.

  ‘Now!’ shouted Arlo. Anna gave him a hard stare. ‘Please,’ said Arlo reluctantly.

  She took him by the hand. ‘Come on, let’s get you both in the warm.’ And they followed Hudson and the wheelbarrow across the park.

  Back in the warmth of Sophie’s kitchen, Anna made hot chocolate and sat Petal in her high chair with a sippy cup of warm milk. She sat down at the table near to Petal ready to retrieve her cup when she dropped it. Hudson took off his jacket and joined her.

  ‘You were a bit of a hero back there,’ she said, glancing at him over her steaming mug.

  ‘All part of the service, ma’am.’ He sounded more American than ever.

  ‘I’ve got to ask. Why were you even here tonight?’ Anna couldn’t phrase it any better.

  Hudson coughed. ‘I feel bad about the whole New York thing. I thought I’d try and straighten things out between us. You said you’d be at the fireworks. It wasn’t hard to fi
nd you.’

  ‘Must have been fairly hard to get in though. It was strictly ticket only and it was sold out.’ The committee members had been on every entrance turning people away. Anna peered at him closely.

  ‘Ah. You got me. I jumped the railings.’

  ‘Jumped!’ Anna was startled.

  ‘No, no. I mean I climbed up and kinda fell down the other side.’ He broke eye contact and sipped his hot chocolate.

  They were quiet for a bit – the only noise the vigorous sucking from Petal and her sippy cup.

  ‘How’s Maurice?’ asked Hudson.

  ‘He’s loving having his own door. He’s not happy about his balls going through the washing machine though.’

  Hudson’s eyebrows raised quickly. ‘I wouldn’t be happy either.’

  Anna gave him a sideways look. ‘They’re toy sponge balls. He chases them and they got caught up with a pile of washing.’

  Hudson took a deep breath and Anna watched him. ‘There was something I wa—’

  Anna’s phone sprang into life and she grabbed it up, surprised to see it was Liam calling. What did he want? She held a finger up to Hudson.

  ‘Hello?’

  ‘Hi, Anna. How are you?’

  ‘I’m fine thanks.’ She could do without the small talk. ‘What’s up?’

  ‘Does there need to be something up for me to call you?’

  Hudson waved at her and indicated he was going to go; Anna shook her head. ‘Liam, I’m kind of busy …’

  ‘Anna, we really need to have a proper chat.’

  ‘About what?’

  ‘Us, Anna. We made a mistake. I made a mistake. I know I’ve said it before but I don’t think you realise how serious I am. I want you back.’ She couldn’t ignore the sorrow in his voice.

  ‘Look—’

  ‘Anna!’ shouted Arlo and Anna was out of the kitchen in a flash and into the living room.

  ‘Sorry, Liam. I’ve gotta go.’

  Anna’s eyes frantically swept around the room but Arlo was sitting on the sofa with the TV on and everything looked fine. ‘What’s the matter?’

  ‘Can you put the Zombies on. Pleeeeease.’ He grinned at her.

  ‘Nope. Kids’ TV or bed. Your choice.’