What Maisie Did Next

by Katy Lilley

  Two days before Christmas. If the weathermen were correct, they might well have a snowy one.

  A few children were playing on the newly installed swings. One was Kevin Herron who took one look at Maisie and bolted off up the road. What had he done to think she was about to call him out? She smiled to herself. If it were important no doubt she’d find out before too long.

  Krystal Soole and Mr Messenger were by the seesaw. Both waved and Maisie headed that way.

  Mr Messenger nodded in the direction Kevin had disappeared. ‘What’s he done then?’

  ‘No idea,’ Maisie said. ‘I will or won’t find out. How’s Krystal?’ she asked in a low voice.

  ‘Stopping with us for the weekend. Her mam’s up home and insisting she’s clearing his stuff out. Going to have a bonfire I reckon. His lordship’s stopping over at his work. Our Faye’s alright really, Miss,’ he said awkwardly. ‘But feels life should revolve around her. We spoiled her as a kid. We had her late in life, well after we thought we had no hope. Take this business with the vicar not being in when she wanted him. Rubbish, as me and her mum told her. He’s dedicated and runs surgeries. Doesn’t have to, but he does. He needs time to breathe, and we told her that straight out. How would she like to work all day every day and know if she took time off someone would complain to her boss? Didn’t go down well, I tell you, but reckon it’ll have made her think a bit. She’ll come round sooner rather than later. You just hang in there, he’s a good un.’

  Maisie smiled. ‘I know he is, but am I?’

  Mr Messenger blinked. ‘Eh? Bless you, Miss, you’re one of the best.’ He patted her arm as Krystal got off the seesaw and wandered towards them. ‘Off you go and have a nice day. Me and Krystal are going over the water to get fish and chips and take them home to eat with her gran. Saturday night is fish ‘n’ chips, pop, and a game of Ludo.’

  ‘And I’m going to try and win,’ Krystal said. ‘Gran’s a shark, Grandad says. But she doesn’t eat me so I’m not sure.’

  ‘A good player though, never gets on a snake,’ Her grandad said. ‘Don’t know how she does it.’

  ‘Magic,’ Maisie said.

  Krystal nodded so fast her hair bow flew off. Maisie picked it up and handed it back before Barns could pounce and mangle it.

  ‘Yep, but I’m gonna beat her one day.’

  ‘Good for you. Let me know next time I see you how you get on.’ Maisie sketched a wave and walked away.

  Out of the corner of her eye she saw Cam standing at the vicarage gate. To wave or not? He solved the problem by waving himself.

  She just had to follow his lead. She waved, as he turned and went back into his garden.

  It was another step. She fed the ducks and wandered home in a better frame of mind than she’d had for ages.

  Just in time to cope with the next problem that cropped up. Where was the sticky tape? Half an hour later, she gave up in defeat and headed to Mrs Cherry’s shop to buy the last roll.

  ‘Been a run on it,’ Mrs C said with a twinkle. ‘Though I’ll always have a few put by for my favourite customers if need be, so don’t fret if you run out. You got enough paper? It’s two for one today.’ She winked. ‘To my favourite customers.’ The shop doorbell gave a tiny rendition of Frosty the Snowman as it opened and closed.

  ‘Ah Vicar, what have you run out of?’

  ‘Wine gums, and gift tags,’ Cam said as he walked up to the counter. ‘Hi, Maisie, you running out of stuff as well? Thought you’d be all organised.’

  Not the best greeting but better than nothing. ‘I reckon Barns has chewed my sticky tape and hidden a roll of paper. Luckily, we have Mrs C to the rescue.’

  ‘There now, that’s my job.’ She put a box of gift tags and another of paper out on the counter. ‘I’m shutting at six today so best make sure there’s nothing else. I’m off to the carol concert in church.’

  Can picked out two packs of tags and a bag of wine gums and handed his money over. He took his change back with a smile and a nod of thanks. ‘Mrs C, you’re a lifesaver. See you there.’

  ‘Wouldn’t miss it for the world,’ she said to Maisie once he’d gone. ‘Nor midnight service tomorrow. Are you going?’

  ‘I doubt bump and I would be able to stay awake that long. I’ll go and keep Bry company for a while, then have my usual early night.’

  ‘Shame that. I reckon the vicar would love for you to be there.’

  Maisie smiled non committally. She wasn’t so sure.

  She was getting ready to head to Bryony’s when the phone rang.

  ‘Oh good, I’ve caught you. Could you bear to stop the night?’ It was Bryony and she sounded in a right tizzy. ‘Dario and Lottie have been called to their uncle up north. Wetherby way, I think. He’s the one they both love and he’s had a stroke. They’re driving up as soon as possible. Gibb’s going with them so he and Dario can share the driving. I’m stopping here, but I’d really prefer not to be by myself. And…’ She gave a big sigh and her voice quavered. So unlike Bryony. ‘And, tomorrow’s Christmas eve and I’m not sure they’ll be back for Christmas day. In face I really doubt they will. So, can you come prepared to stop? Do you mind? Me and Theo will be ever so grateful. I’ve got cake, a lovely gooey lemon drizzle as well as Christmas cake. I’ll even cook us a meat pie for dinner tonight. From that well-known food store and its gluten free but Dario says you can’t really tell the difference. All lies of course, but hey ho. Oh, and Dario’s left us a lasagne.’

  Maisie didn’t hesitate. ‘Give me time to finish wrapping my pressies and pack. With you ASAP.’

  Bryony took one look at her and burst into tears. ‘I am so, so glad you are here. Dario was that relieved when I told him. Uncle George is like a second dad to him and Lottie. He didn’t want to leave me, but of course he had to go. I pushed him out of the door with a flask of coffee and three mini pork pies. Then there’s poor Lottie, as far on as you and got that long bloody journey. I don’t envy her.’

  Maisie shuddered. ‘Nor me. Can I come in and then we can shut the door? It’s bloody cold hovering on the doorstep.’

  Bryony started. ‘What? Ah, shit, oh yes sorry. Anything else to bring in?’

  ‘Lots, but it doesn’t need doing now. It’s all in the boot and not going anywhere. We can do it later. Or rather I can, and you can be forewoman.’

  ‘Right, but we won’t leave it too long. It’s forecast snow. Thank goodness they’ve gone in Gibbs 4x4 and left Dario’s in case… well anyway.’ Bryony shrugged. ‘Okay for now?’

  ‘Perfectly. You go heat some soup or something.’

  ‘Meat pie and mash like I promised. With beans.’

  ‘Well, heat them.’ Maisie glanced outside looked at the sky and made her decision. ‘Change of plan, I’m getting the rest in now. Will you take Barns in so he doesn’t trip me up? The faster I get it done the sooner I can get warm.’

  ‘Okay, yes well...’ Bryony backed into the kitchen clutching Barns. ‘Rather you than me, I’ll mull us some non-alcoholic wine.’

  Maisie took a deep breath and headed outside. She could have sworn the temperature had dropped another ten degrees. The moon had a frosty halo and to the west, clouds were gathering in the dark sky. She shivered as she began to unload the rest of the parcels in the car.

  Bryony put her head around the house door. ‘Food in, non-wine mulled and I’ll put the kettle on for later,’ she shouted.

  Maisie held her thumb up. ‘Why not, but I’m not sure it suits you.’

  ‘Ha, ha, ha. Witty.’

  Maisie chuckled and began to balance boxes and take them inside. She’d just finished and got everything out of the car and into the house when the first flakes fell. Good timing.

  ‘You know?’ Maisie said an hour later as they sat on matching settees, the dogs snoozing on the hearthrug and Theo making contented sucking noises as she nursed, ‘I sort of wish we were going to the carol service. Some of the kids from school are in the choir, and we always went when we were younge
r.’

  ‘Well, why don’t we?’ Bryony asked. ‘The snow has stopped. The dogs are happy together. If Barns is with Mop, he’s an angel. Theo will most likely sleep in her buggy, she likes a bit of noise, which will smother her snores. We can do a loo stop before we go, and we’ve got the 4x4 so won’t get stuck. Or are you scared to meet Cam?’

  Was she?

  ‘Nope, well not really. Anyway, he’ll be busy, and we can creep in and out.’

  Bryony shook her head. ‘Oh no, no creeping. We go blatantly with our heads held high or not at all. Your call and you have around ten minutes to decide. It starts in half an hour.’

  Maisie considered for all of five seconds. ‘Let’s go. Bags I the loo first.’

  ‘We do have more than one you know,’ Bryony called after her as she dashed, or waddled as fast as she could towards the toilet.

  ‘Yeah but I want the nearest one.’

  Ten minutes later she wondered if she was daft. ‘What the hell am I doing?’ she asked Bryony as they bundled a sleepy but not protesting Theo into her car seat and headed towards village. ‘Why did you let me?’

  ‘You’re holding your head up, honey bun. And about to sing your heart out.’

  ‘Yeah, yeah.’

  ‘Look at it this way,’ Bryony said earnestly once they found an empty pew near the back of the almost full church, sat down and settled Theo to sleep once more—not in her buggy but on Maisie’s shoulder. ‘You’re showing the flag and letting everyone know that Miss MacLean, pregnant, single, head teacher of the parish, is happy, unrepentant and celebrating Christmas. Now get to your feet, Rik the Vic is on his way.’

  Which, of course, was no answer.

  Maisie feasted her eyes on him, lowered them when she judged he got close enough to see her—if he even glanced her way—and concentrated on not hyperventilating.

  Oh, the stress. Next to her Bryony wriggled and moaned. Maisie shot her a sharp glance. ‘What’s up?’ she asked in a low voice.

  ‘Pews are damned hard.’

  ‘Now she mentions it. We should have brought cushions.’ They were damned hard.

  Nevertheless, numb bums notwithstanding, the service was enjoyable. Maisie sang her heart out, wiped her eyes as the choir sang Silent Night and one of the elders of the church spoke of his ancestor singing it in the trenches. Laughed with Mrs Cherry as she adjusted her bobble hat, and muttered when it slipped over her eyes, and she couldn’t see the reading she was giving. Her ‘oh my Lord, sorry Lord’ was audible. As was her heartfelt ‘dratted hat’.

  By the time the last prayer was uttered, and the blessing given, Maisie was happy she’d decided to attend.

  ‘Aw, that was lovely,’ Bryony said as they made their slow way down the aisle, a sleeping Theo now strapped to Maisie, as Bryony admitted she ached. ‘I’m so glad you said let’s come. Er… are you okay?’

  Maisie nodded. ‘Yeah. I’m glad we came as well.’

  They reached Cam, who blinked and smiled at them both. ‘Well, this is a nice surprise. No Dario?’

  Bryony’s face clouded, and Maisie took hold of her hand and squeezed it,

  ‘He’s had to go north, his uncle is ill,’ Bryony said with a catch in her voice. ‘Maisie is helping me hold the fort. And yes, dinner is still on, on Christmas Day. It’s prepped and ready. And you never know Dario might be home. But if he isn’t, we need you to carve the turkey.’ She sniffed. ‘Sorry, watering can today. Bleeping pregnancy hormones.’

  Cam hugged her. ‘Don’t worry, which is a stupid thing to say, of course you will. But please not about me or the turkey. I’ll bring my chef’s hat.’ His smile encompassed both Bryony and Maisie. ‘Thank you both for coming tonight. I’ll pray for Dario and his uncle. You take care.’ He glanced from one to the other. ‘Both of you.’ There was no time to say anymore, the queue to shake the vicar’s hand was growing. Cam nodded and turned to the couple behind Maisie and Bryony.

  Christmas Eve passed slowly. Dario rang Bryony and the news was cautiously good. His uncle was no better but no worse. He and Lottie were hoping to travel home the following morning, all being well. ‘In time for a late dinner,’ Bryony said as they toasted themselves by the fire.

  ‘We’ll eat late and save the presents until then,’ Maisie said cheerfully. ‘Not a problem.’

  ‘I need to wrap Cam’s present,’ Bryony said fretfully. ‘I got him a scarf and some red wine. I had no idea what to get, but decided we’d do a mini present swap when he was around. Oh shit, I forgot to tell you.’ She sounded ready to burst into tears. ‘Is it too late? It is isn’t it? Do you want to give him the wine? Or is that not enough?’

  ‘Stop worrying now. It’s all covered, I’ve got him a book he talked about, some jazzy socks after he said he loved wearing bright footwear and some wine gums,’ Maisie said firmly. Carols from Kings was on the TV, and Theo was fast asleep and doing her rooting noises via the intercom. ‘Boring and safe. I was going to drop them in at the vicarage if need be. You and I can do a mini swap when we get up, have our glass of non-alcoholic wine and some chocolate at an hour we shouldn’t, and then have a nap to make sure we stay awake later.’ She yawned. ‘I don’t think I’ll be awake at midnight to say Merry Christmas though.’

  ‘Nor me. I feel…’ Bryony tilted her head to one side. ‘A bit shaky. I think I’ll head up.’ She struggled to her feet. ‘Thank goodness I’ve only a month to go. I’m dying to cut my own toenails again.’

  Maisie grinned. ‘At least you’re several months nearer to that than me and you have Dario to help. I have to go to the chiropodist. See you in the morning.’

  They hugged and made their way upstairs.

  It was strange not to have Barns in her bedroom, Maisie mused as she put on her voluminous nightie. At Cliff Cottage he was happy to sleep with Mop on a sheepskin rug in front of the Aga. She got into bed, turned on her side, put a pillow under her bump and turned the light off. Within seconds she was asleep.

  To be roughly woken what seemed like only a few minutes later by Bryony shaking her.

  ‘Waaa?’ Maisie opened her eyes and blinked at the sight of Bryony leaning on one arm and panting heavily. Barns, who had accompanied her, jumped on the bed and missed her bump by inches. Mop followed and put his front paws down on the duvet then to lean in and try to lick Maisie’s face. She pushed him away. ‘What’s up?’

  ‘My waters have broken and I’m having contractions,’ Bryony gasped and bent over. ‘Lots of them. I think we need to get to hospital and soon. And it’s snowing again. What do we do? What about the dogs?’

  Maisie shot out of bed. ‘Stop panicking for a start.’ She tried to remember what she’d been told by her midwife. ‘Have you timed your contractions?’

  ‘Too often, can’t find watch. Ahh…. Theo, I want Dario. God, Maisie I’m sorry…’

  ‘You get dressed. Who shall I ring?’ Maisie had a feeling she’d need more than just her to get Bryony to hospital, although if needs be… ‘Maddie?’

  ‘She’s at her mums.’

  ‘Shit. Cam, it’ll have to be Cam. Maisie, bloody well get dressed.’

  ‘Theo?’

  ‘I’ll sort her after. Go and get dressed.’

  Maisie turned her back on her friend, fumbled for her phone and pressed speed dial for Cam ‘Please be there,’ she chanted. ‘Pretty please be there.’ He answered on the second ring.

  ‘Maisie? What?’ His voice was brisk. She glanced at the clock. Nowhere near time for midnight service. Damn and blast.

  ‘Bry in labour,’ Maisie gasped as she tried to put her knickers on one handed and ended up with both legs through the same hole. She kicked them off again. ‘Dario not back, we’ve got Theo, no one else around to take her. Snowing need help, got to get her to hospital, twins, contractions oh shit she’s keening. I better not drive. Can you help? And we have the dogs.’

  ‘Get her ready and the door open. I’ll arrange for midnight service to be covered and then I’ll ring Mrs C. Don’t forget to rin
g them and let them know she’s on her way.’

  Damn she’d forgotten that.

  He rang off before she had a chance to thank him.

  ‘If you do this when your baby is born, I might just never be sane again,’ Cam said as he handed Maisie a cup of water and sat next to her in the waiting room, Theo snoring in her car seat next to them. ‘What’s happening now?’

  Your baby. That summed everything up. Hers, not maybe ours. Maisie shut her mind to the hurt. ‘They’re examining her, then all being well, I can go back in until they decide what’s happening. Mind you I’ve a feeling these babies aren’t going to wait forever. She’s determined not to have a caesarean if she doesn’t have to.’

  Cam looked at his watch. ‘It’s been five hours. Do we know where Dario’s got to?’

  Maisie shook her head. ‘All I know is he’s on his way. The roads are awful, but at least it’s stopped snowing.’ A thought struck her. ‘What time is early service? Don’t you need to go? I’ll cope.’

  ‘What? With being a birth partner and babysitter? Don’t be daft. It’s a good five hours before service, and if need be, I’d find someone to take it for me. Or take Theo with me. After all what better day to have a baby in my arms in church?’

  Theo snorted and farted. Cam wrinkled his nose. ‘Maybe not in this state.’

  In spite of her worries, Maisie laughed. ‘Maybe not. I’ll change her.’

  Four hours later, she popped out of Bryony’s room to give an up to date report to Cam. He was walking up and down, cuddling Theo and singing Away in a Manger very softly. The sight brought tears to her eyes. If only he could be like that with her baby.

  Well, they do say miracles do happen. Sadly, I’m not sure they do.

  Cam looked up and grinned a little shamefaced. ‘I’ve fed her, burped her, changed her and she has no intention of going back to sleep. Rang Mrs C who has the dogs and will hold onto them for however long is necessary. How’s it going?’