‘Her?’ My eyes widened and I jumped on Sasha’s casual slip of the tongue.
‘Yeah,’ she nodded, ‘a little girl.’
‘Oh Sasha, how lovely,’ I said, surprised at how emotional I felt. ‘You’re going to be a brilliant mum.’ No wonder Max had been so keen to help her out. I felt bad now that I’d ever doubted them both in the first place. ‘Look you know where I am. I mean it. If you need any help at all then just give me a call.’
‘Thanks, Ellie. I appreciate that.’
Sasha got up to see me out when she suddenly clutched hold of her stomach, and looked at me, a confused expression on her face.
‘Are you all right?’
‘I’m not sure. Just a twinge, probably.’
Only she had another twinge shortly afterwards and then another one and I could tell by the way she held her body, looking down at her bump with a worried expression on her face, that she thought something untoward was going on.
‘Perhaps it’s those practice contractions you get,’ I said, trying to sound as though I knew what I was talking about. I remembered something vaguely about them when Josie was pregnant.
‘Oh god, if this is just a practice then I’m not sure I want to be around when the real thing kicks in.’ Sasha ran her hands through her long hair and started blowing, puffing her cheeks out, which I took to be a very bad sign. ‘Perhaps I should just… Aargh…’ She didn’t finish her sentence but instead let out a groan that told us both that this wasn’t any practice scenario.
Even more surprising was Digby who howled in response, something he'd never done before, so I knew for sure something here was amiss.
‘Isn’t a bit early?’ I said, desperately trying to ignore what was happening.
‘Yes, but you try telling this baby that. Look, I think you’re going to have to ring someone, Ellie.’
‘Okay,’ I said, as we both shuffled back into the house, me panicking that Sasha might give birth in the here and now. What if I fainted again? I’d be no use whatsoever to Sasha then. Taking some deep breaths, as that was one bit of advice for these circumstances that I could remember, I paced up and down, before saying, ‘I’ll call Max.’
‘No, not Max!’ Sasha was leaning over the back of the sofa, her face screwed up in discomfort. ‘Over there next to the phone is the number of the maternity wing. Phone them. They’ll tell us what we should do.’ She groaned again and I winced, feeling a referred pain all over my body.
‘Yes of course.’
Sasha took over from me, pacing up and down, or rather waddling up and down, taking deep breaths while I made the necessary phone call.
‘We need to time your contractions,’ I told her after I'd come off the phone, grabbing the pad and pen from the coffee table, as though they might help me take control of the situation. I was feeling hot and sweaty, and totally overcome by the situation, but I couldn't show that to Sasha. Every time she winced, I felt a pain deep down inside. Every time she groaned, I groaned too. Every time she cursed she was never going to have sex again, I pledged the same too. Trust me to choose this afternoon to come and visit. If only I’d come earlier in the week. ‘Should I call a friend or your family?’ I suggested, trying to remember what Max had told me about her family set-up.
‘No, it’s fine. There’s no one,’ she said, shaking her head. Okay, this was going to be fine, the maternity nurse hadn’t seemed too concerned. There was absolutely nothing to panic about here. Not yet. ‘Although…’ she paused, looking down between her legs. ‘I think you may need to phone the hospital again. My waters have just broken.’
‘Oh no!’ I blurted out, trying hard not to pull a disgusted face, and failing. Even Digby turned on his heel and disappeared into the kitchen out of the way. With my phone wedged in the crook of my neck, I followed behind Sasha with a towel that I'd grabbed from the bathroom, mopping up after her. The hospital advised us to get there as soon as we could so I phoned Max straight afterwards -there was no way I was doing this on my own - and was so very relieved to hear his voice when he picked up straight away.
‘Max! I’m with Sasha and she’s having a baby…’
‘Oh, Ellie, we’ve been through all of this. I thought I…’
‘No, no, you don’t understand. She’s having the baby now. Right this minute. I’m at the cottage and I need to get her to the hospital, but I’ve got Digby here with me. Could you come over and take him back to the pub please.’
‘I’m on my way,’ he said, sounding so much like a proper all-round superhero that I half expected him to fly in through the window in his cape and knickers, although that was probably just wishful thinking on my part. Thankfully he was only up the road and turned up in his Jeep in a time no respecting superhero would be ashamed of, and the relief I felt at his arrival was immense. I so wanted to run into his arms, for him to hold me, to tell me everything would be okay, but I knew now wasn’t the time or place. At least the responsibility of Sasha and her baby could be shared now between me and Max.
‘Look, get Sasha into the jeep and I’ll drive you straight to the hospital, drop you off and then I can take Digby back with me. Unless you want me to go with Sasha?’
‘I don’t mind.’
We both turned to look at Sasha who was slowly waddling her way out to the jeep.
She paused for breath, supporting her back with her hands. ‘Oh, Ellie, would you mind coming with me? Max, you’re great and everything, but you wouldn’t be my first choice of birthing partner.’
Crikey! Birthing partner? Me?
‘Well, that’s bloody charming,’ he said laughing, looking mightily relieved at being let off the hook. ‘I’ve got my wellies and rubber gloves in the back especially.’
‘Er no, thank you. But Ellie, I wasn’t thinking, if you need to get back to the pub. I perfectly understand. I’d planned on doing this on my own, so it’s not a problem.’
‘No, it’s absolutely fine,’ I said, trying to quash the panic I felt. ‘I’ll be with you, if that’s what you want.’
Sasha nodded gratefully as she climbed carefully into the Jeep and again I was reminded of her vulnerability at a time when she needed all the love and support around her she could get. I tried to imagine how I might feel about to give birth for the first time; excited, but scared and apprehensive too. And for Sasha it would be especially poignant knowing she couldn’t even have the man she loved bear witness to the birth of their baby, to help her through this experience. I knew I was a poor substitute, but there was no way I would let Sasha do this all alone.
‘Do you want me to let Peter know?’ Max asked, as he steered the Jeep down the lane.
‘Um… I don’t know. I suppose he should know really, shouldn’t he?’ An uncertainty clouded Sasha’s reply.
‘Leave it with me.’ Just being in Max’s presence brought a calmness and a sense of control to the situation. From the back seat of the car, I glanced up, our eyes meeting in the rear-view mirror and the look of reassurance he gave me warmed my insides. For once he drove slowly and carefully. Usually he went at breakneck speed, throwing the Jeep around the bends in the lane like he was a rally driver while I hung onto the edges of the seat for grim death, but this time he was clearly mindful of Sasha and her special cargo.
At the hospital he pulled up outside the maternity suite and rushed round to open the door for Sasha.
‘Let me know as soon as there’s any news,’ he said, squeezing my hand. ‘Good luck, Sasha!’ he called, and then whispering in my ear, 'Good luck, Ellie.’
*
It was four a half exhausting, emotional and completely overwrought, hours later – and that was just for me, lord only knows how it was for Sasha – that I was able to ring Max, barely able to get the words out.
‘The baby’s here, a beautiful little girl, 6lb 3oz, and her name is Ruby Emily.’ Whereupon I promptly burst into tears.
‘Well done,’ Max said, his voice brimming with warm humour, as though I’d single-handedly delivered t
he baby on my own or given birth myself. ‘Are they both okay?’
‘Oh yes, they’re absolutely fine. The baby has a full head of hair and she’s just adorable. I’ve left Sasha feeding her. Peter’s just arrived too, so I’m going to leave them alone together. They reckon she’ll be out in the morning.’
Tears engulfed me again. In fairness, being a birth partner to Sasha hadn’t been on my to-do list for today. Obviously delivering cakes to newcomers to the village held risks I could never have dreamt of. Still I wouldn’t have changed the experience for the world. I had nothing but admiration for Sasha who’d been strong, determined and inspirational, whereas I’d been a wobbly mess, and I felt honoured to have been there for such a life-changing and life-affirming event. Even if I’d been about as much use to her as a chocolate teapot.
‘It was just wonderful, Max,’ I said, trying my hardest not to sob into his ear.
‘Stay there, I’ll come and fetch you,’ he said, coming to my rescue for the second time in one day.
Twenty-Six
The day of Stella’s christening dawned and I spent the morning wrapping the gifts for Stella that Katy and I had chosen on our shopping trip. Afterwards I soaked in a long warm bath, exfoliated and scrubbed everything in sight, put a deep conditioning oil in my hair and while that was working its magic, I kicked back and luxuriated in the bubbles, enjoying a rare moment of calm. Usually, I would be in and out of the shower in a jiffy, so the opportunity to spend some decent time pampering myself was a proper treat. Mind you, today I totally deserved the full princess treatment, it wasn’t every day I became a godparent.
I was just drying myself off and changing into my underwear when I heard my name called from downstairs.
‘Ellie? Are you there?’
‘Come on up, Katy,’ I said, wondering why she was here. If I was remembering correctly then she wasn’t due in for her shift until later this afternoon. I really hoped she wasn’t about to let me down, because with the christening party taking place in the barn I knew we would be in for a really busy shift.
‘Oh hiya,’ she said, taking in my half-naked body, and not batting an eyelid. ‘Sorry, shall I come back some other time?’
‘No, you’re fine. What is it?’ I unwrapped the towel from my head and brushed through my hair.
‘Can I come and stay with you?’ she asked.
‘What? Oh no, please don’t tell me you’ve fallen out with Max again?’ The siblings had been getting on brilliantly of late, and with Max agreeing to Katy staying, to attend college here, for what might potentially be a couple of years, I dreaded to think they might have taken a backwards step.
‘Yes! I can’t believe it. He’s only gone and invited Mum and Alan over. They’re coming to stay next week.’
‘Oh right. Well that’s a good thing, isn’t it?’
‘Eugh no!’ Katy shuddered and wrapped her arms around her chest. ‘It will be really odd. I just don’t know if I want to see Mum yet. Speaking to her on the phone is one thing, but this… How will it make me feel? Looking at her and knowing that she’s been lying to me for all these years. It makes me feel ill just thinking about it.’
I put down my mascara wand and twisted around to face her. Today she was wearing cut-off blue jeans and a pink T-shirt. Her hair had grown longer since she’d first arrived, softening her angular features, and her skin had been kissed by the sun, giving her usual pasty complexion a flattering warm glow.
‘I can understand how you feel, honestly, but you’re going to have to see your mum again at some point and maybe this is the best way. On neutral territory, so to speak.’
I stood up and went across to the window, opening it up to let in some air. It promised to be another warm and sultry day.
‘I don’t know why he had to go and invite them over in the first place.’
‘Well, she’s his mum too. Look just approach it with an open mind. Your mum’s going to want to heal the rift between you. And Alan too, I reckon, now that a bit of time has passed. Just see how it goes. You’re bound to have a few awkward moments, but I bet once you get chatting again, everything will seem much more normal. Plus, it will give you the chance to ask her any questions you might have.’
‘I’m dreading it.’
‘Oh Katy, I bet you are, but at least there’ll be lots going on in the village over the next couple of weeks so you’ll all be able to get out of the house and do things together.’
‘Terrific!’ The sarcasm dripped off her tongue. ‘Really, if all gets too much, can I come here please? Do you know, I’d probably be much happier living somewhere like this.’ She plonked herself down on my bed and grabbed a cushion to her chest, looking perfectly at home. ‘The manor is great and everything, huge and luxurious and all mod cons, but it doesn’t feel like home.’
I smiled, knowing exactly what Katy meant. ‘Hey, just think how lucky you are. Most people would give their eye teeth to live in a house like that.’
‘I know,’ she said, screwing up her mouth. ‘But… it’s just a bit sad up there. And lonely. I feel a bit cut off. All I think it needs is a woman’s touch.’ A smile lifted the corner of her lips. ‘You know what, you should move in up there.’
I faltered for a moment, wondering if Max had mentioned anything to her, but seeing the mischievous glint in her eye, I suspected she was just being her usual provocative self.
‘Thank you,’ I said, ‘but I have a perfectly good home here. Anyway,’ I continued, pulling my dress off from the hanger on the front of the wardrobe, ‘I need to get ready. Will you help?’
It was a simple off-white dress with a pretty floral print that flowed out from the waist to a wide swingy skirt. It was another one of my purchases from my recent shopping trip with Katy. Again, not something I would ordinarily have chosen, but Katy had picked it up and urged me to try it on, and as soon as I slipped it on, I’d known it would be the perfect outfit for today. Light and summery and comfortable. Or so I thought. Now, well I wasn’t sure if I’d made a mistake in choosing it. It was much more fitted than I remembered.
‘Can you help with the zip?’ I asked Katy, as I wriggled into the tight-fitting bodice.
‘Here we go,’ she said, pulling the two opposing sides of fabric together, physically manhandling me inside the dress. ‘Perfect,’ she proclaimed, with a smile, but I wasn’t sure. I looked at my reflection in the mirror, turning this way and that, and wondered if it wasn’t too fussy, too clingy or just not me.
‘Maybe I should wear one of my old favourites,’ I mused.
‘Absolutely not. You look stunning. You have to wear it.’ Not wanting to go against Katy’s advice, I reluctantly agreed. What was the matter with me? I was so used to wearing jeans and tops all the time, that a dress and heels, brought out a crisis of confidence. I examined myself again in the mirror. It would do! I would do. Heck, it would more than do!
A moment later, Katy asked, ‘Can I have a hug?’ She held out her arms to me, and I was taken aback by her childlike innocence and obvious need for affection.
‘There’s always time for a hug. Come here,’ I said, pulling her into my chest.
‘I just want to say a big thanks, Ellie.’
‘What for?’
‘For being here. For being lovely to me. For being my friend. I wouldn’t have got through these last few weeks without you.’
‘Aw, Katy, you’re like the little sister I never had. You know I’m always here for you. Just promise me you’ll give it a really good try with your mum and Alan. It will be much better if you can find a way to make it work.’
‘Yeah, I suppose you’re right.’
With Katy seemingly in a better mood, she volunteered to walk Digby for me before the start of her shift. Downstairs, I did my customary sweep around the bar, checking everything was in order, before going out into the garden. I’d spent the previous evening decorating the barn and now pink and white gingham check bunting hung across the rafters, pink and silver helium balloons bobbed
on the chairs and the long buffet table was covered in sparkling confetti, the plates, cutlery and glasses all in place for today’s event. Betty had delivered the two-tiered sponge cake this morning, iced in pink and white, with pink booties on the top layer and Stella’s name spelled out in fondant cubes on the silver foil platter. There was some room inside the barn for seating, but I suspected everyone would want to venture outside to make the most of the good weather. I took a step backwards, admiring my handiwork.
‘Oh there you are, Ellie. I’ve been looking for you.’ Eric came up alongside me, his gaze taking in my dress and high heels. ‘Don’t you scrub up well. You look absolutely lovely. My granddaughter doesn’t know how lucky she is to have such a special woman as you for her godmother. Anyway, you need to come with me. I have a little surprise for you.’
‘Really?’ Excitement fluttered in my chest. ‘What is it?’
‘Well, that would be telling. You’ll find out soon enough. Come on,’ he said, taking me by the hand and leading me into the snug bar of the pub.
‘Hello Ellie darling!’
I took a step backwards, not daring to believe what I was seeing.
‘Mum? Dad?’ I think I may have squealed, as my feet danced excitedly on the floor. ‘Oh my god! I don’t believe it. What are you doing here?’
‘Well, you didn’t really think we’d miss the christening, did you? It’s been so hard keeping the secret, but we wanted to make it a surprise for you.’
‘Oh my gosh! Only the best surprise ever!’ I said, laughing. I ran across to them, tears filling my eyes, as I wrapped my arms around them in a hug. I kept having to look at them to make sure it was really them. ‘I can’t tell you how happy this makes me, but look what you’ve done to my make-up,’ I said, wiping away smudges of mascara from my cheeks.
Dad laughed and hugged me again. ‘You still look beautiful, even with panda eyes.’ He wiped away a tear from my cheek. ‘Go and get yourself sorted, love, and then we ought to get on our way. There’ll be plenty of time later for catching up on all the news.’
Summer at the Dog & Duck Page 23