by Katie Fforde
‘I don’t suppose you’ve time for a coffee?’ said Emily. ‘I’ve just had a very boring time filling in forms and I need a treat.’
‘Lovely!’ said Susanna. ‘Any opportunity to talk to an adult and I’m there! And I really want to catch up with you. Shall we go in here?’ She indicated a café popular with young mothers because it had plenty of room for pushchairs and would give toddlers a small cup of foamy milk for nothing if the parents were going to be there for a while.
‘Brilliant idea. I might have a giant meringue. I’m owed it, the day I’ve had.’
‘Then if you don’t mind taking Madam …’ Susanna unclipped the baby from her pushchair and put her into Emily’s arms.
‘This is a bit of role reversal,’ said Emily, looking at the pale pink, crumpled little face. ‘I’m usually handing little bundles over to exhausted mums, not the other way round. And she’s a bit old for me. If a baby isn’t red and screaming and covered with vernix, I don’t know what to do with them.’ As she spoke, the little bundle smiled and Emily melted. ‘But oh, isn’t she gorgeous?’
‘Absolutely, almost all the time,’ her mother agreed, folding up the pushchair with a neat kick and flick. ‘Let’s go upstairs. I can’t usually, without a responsible adult.’
Emily laughed, holding Clorinda tightly to her as she followed Susanna up the stairs. ‘I’m not sure that’s what your husband would call me.’
‘Possibly not. He panicked rather, I’m afraid. It comes from having an old-school obstetrician for a father.’
‘I realised afterwards that I’d fallen out with the wrong dad! I didn’t know about his father until too late.’
‘No need to worry, actually.’ She paused. ‘Are you having some of that meringue?’
‘Actually, I’m full of cake. You go ahead though.’
‘I’ll just get Clorinda settled first. And I’ve got some gossip.’
‘Well?’ said Emily when she felt she could. ‘Tell all.’
Susanna, who now had her baby apparently stuffed up her floral top, glanced down at her feeding infant. ‘Family scandal! Apparently he had an affair with a nurse that went on for years. It’s all come out.’
‘Oh no! His poor wife.’
Susanna acknowledged this with a shake of her head. ‘Yes. Utterly ghastly for her, of course, but she’s taking it very well. Actually …’ She leant in. ‘I think it’s changed the power structure of their marriage. He was always in the right, knew best, bossed her about rather, but now she’s much more assertive.’
‘Well, that’s something. Of course it is – was – certainly easy for men in powerful positions to have affairs. Even if they weren’t being abusive in any way. Many women are attracted to powerful men.’
Susanna nodded. ‘I know. But there’s been good spin-off for me, too. My husband’s been much less dominant and bossy since it’s all happened. I think he realises his father’s not a god and his selfish behaviour could have broken up his marriage. So he’s being really nice. He’ll have to go away again soon.’
‘You must miss him?’ Emily found her thoughts whizzing to Alasdair and Kate and brought them back under control. She was getting sentimental. It was probably due to Susanna and the baby being so gorgeous.
‘Yes I will,’ she agreed. ‘I’m determined to do something constructive while he’s away.’
‘Do you have time, with Clorinda to look after?’
‘Oh yes,’ Susannah said confidently. ‘I’ve discovered just how much I can do one-handed.’
Emily laughed. ‘So breastfeeding is going well, then?’
‘It’s going pretty much non-stop, so yes! It’s going fine.’
‘So, what are you going to do?’
‘I want to set up some talks for mothers – during the day so they can bring their babies – something to stop the brain-mush.’
This sounded a good idea. ‘OK. So how will you make it work?’
‘We’ll get a supportive grandmother to keep an eye on the babies who aren’t with their mums in one part of the building, and the talk will go on in the other. But there’ll be free movement between them both so no one has to worry about their baby.’
‘Hmm. You’ll have to get speakers who are up for this sort of thing.’
‘I know,’ said Susanna. ‘That’s why I thought of you.’
Emily laughed. ‘Well, I’m not quite sure when I’m going to be back in town, but when I am, I’ll get in touch. I think it’s a great idea.’
She walked back to Sally’s thoughtfully. A few weeks away and things had changed so much in her home town, but as far as she could tell, all of it for the best. Which was great, really. So why wasn’t she more excited about it?
Chapter Ten
EMILY’S POSITIVE FEELINGS about what was going on in her home town diminished somewhat when she realised she had to go out to dinner with Derek Gardner that night.
‘It’s only one evening,’ she said to Sally as she checked her appearance. ‘I suppose I can spare that.’
‘Mm. And that dress does look nice on you,’ said her friend. ‘I might have to give it to you.’
‘Oh! Really? Doesn’t it look good on you?’ Emily was pleased with how well the dress suited her.
‘Not as good as it does on you,’ said Sally. ‘On me it clings in the wrong places.’
‘In clings a bit on me, too.’
‘Yes, but in a good way. And you should never trust a thin cook.’
Emily made a face at her and looked at her watch. ‘We’d better go, I suppose. Are you sure you don’t mind giving me a lift? I could easily walk, or take a taxi.’
‘Take a taxi back. And I don’t mind driving you. I’ve a little lull at the moment. You know how it is with mothers – they all seem to have their babies at the same time. And Pete is here for the kids.’
‘Let’s go.’
Derek Gardner did look good in a suit, Emily had to admit. Although the restaurant didn’t really warrant such dressing, he might have known that dark, formal lines improved him hugely. He got up as Emily approached the table.
‘Ms Bailey – or may I call you Emily?’ he said, kissing her cheek. ‘This is so kind of you. I owe you such a big apology I wasn’t sure I’d be able to get you to even hear it.’
Emily didn’t really want to spend the evening hearing him grovel but supposed she’d better let him get it all off his chest. ‘Of course call me Emily and of course I’ll listen.’ She sat down opposite him.
‘Well, let’s get you a drink first. They do marvellous cocktails here. Or champagne? Anything else?’
‘Let’s have a look at the cocktail menu,’ she said, picking it up. She knew the sensible thing to have would be a glass of wine of some kind, or even a soft drink, but somehow she felt she deserved something more frivolous – and stronger. ‘I’ll have a whisky sour,’ she said.
As she regarded Derek, really quite handsome in his suit, she thought about the last time she’d had whisky. She’d been with a man who was more likely to wear a kilt than a suit, and at the time had been wearing jeans and a cashmere sweater that had little bits of wood stuck to it, from when he’d made up the fire.
‘What does that taste like?’ asked Derek, having ordered it and a sparkling water for himself.
‘Sort of like a hot toddy,’ said Emily. ‘Only cold. Whisky, lemon and sugar. It’s delicious.’
‘I’m not drinking at the moment,’ said Derek. ‘I think it had got a bit out of hand. I thought I’d give it a rest for a bit.’ He smiled, a bit sheepish. ‘I think it’s made me nicer.’
At that moment their drinks arrived and, after an awkward toast, Emily took a sip. ‘You know what? I think it works the other way with me. I think I’m nicer after I’ve had a bit of alcohol.’
Derek laughed. ‘In which case, I’ll get my apology over, in case you change your mind and it turns you into Medusa.’
Emily smiled encouragingly. This was going to be embarrassing, no matter what, and she wanted
it out of the way. Then she could eat her dinner, chat politely, and then get a taxi and get back.
‘I was completely out of order when I barged into that delivery, just because I was asked by the father. The thing is, William Redbridge – you know? The father’s father? – was a sort of mentor of mine when I was training. Mind you, I gather now that he isn’t quite the role model I thought he was.’
Emily nodded. ‘We all make mistakes.’
Derek nodded. ‘I’m not planning on making any more of them. I was always so prejudiced against natural births I never properly researched them. I have now. I’m ashamed I never made the time to do so before.’
This was genuinely impressive. ‘Good for you.’
He nodded. ‘I would never recommend home births in very remote areas, miles from medical help if it’s needed, but round here, I see no reason why it shouldn’t be offered as an option all the time.’ He smiled, a little sheepishly. ‘I guess you could say I’ve had a Damascene moment.’
Although delighted that Derek had turned around his ideas, Emily couldn’t help being a little argumentative. ‘Of course, not all mothers want a home birth. They want the calm, supportive environment of our wonderful maternity unit. Which I gather has inherited a lot of money.’
Derek nodded. ‘It has. Enough to ensure its future. Mothers will come from miles around to give birth there, when it’s had it’s total refurb and a bit more equipment installed.’
‘Mothers already came from miles around to give birth there. It’s not all about the equipment.’ Emily took a sip of her drink, hoping it would stop her being so spiky.
‘I know,’ said Derek, leaning forward. ‘It’s because of the amazing team.’
Not even in her present mood could Emily think of anything to argue about in this statement. ‘Well, thank you.’
‘But the team is going to get bigger and we need a team leader.’ He looked at her meaningfully.
‘You mean? Do you mean …? Derek, what exactly do you mean?’
‘On behalf of the hospital board, I’m asking you to head up the team. Of course there will have to be a process: you’d have to apply, but if you did you’d get it. And we all want you.’
Emily’s head swam a little and she knew it wasn’t the cocktail. ‘Can you run all that by me again?’
He obliged. Then he added, ‘This is a wonderful job opportunity for you, Emily. And it would be wonderful for the unit, too. You could have all the equipment you needed, and more staff, too.’
‘But what about Sally? We’re a team, equals – and there are others who’d be just as good …’
‘Currently you’re the only one without family commitments. You’re a little bit younger and a little bit better qualified. It’s you we want. Our first choice.’
Emily knew she should be absolutely delighted. A promotion, heading up the team at a wonderful refurbished maternity unit. No more scrambling to get one of the few birthing pools; there’d be enough for all of them. Extra staff; maybe somewhere nice to have classes. It was probably just the shock. She’d be thrilled when she got her head round it a bit.
‘I have commitments – I couldn’t start for a while. I need a bit of time.’
‘Of course, but I will need to know. If you turn this down – and I really hope you don’t – we’ll have to advertise soon.’
‘So, how long can I have?’
‘The end of September at the absolute latest. Oh, and Emily …’
‘Yes?’
‘Please keep this to yourself. At the moment it’s all highly confidential.’
‘Oh, OK.’ Emily had been thinking it would all be all right if she could talk it through with Sally, make sure she wouldn’t mind her friend suddenly becoming her boss. But now that wasn’t possible. She was on her own with this.
‘Now, I think we should eat. What do you fancy? The salmon is very good here.’
She ordered the salmon. Her head was so full of this job offer, she really couldn’t concentrate on anything else.
A few days later, Rebecca was waiting for her at the airport.
‘Becca!’ said Emily, hugging her. ‘Really! I could have got the bus. You shouldn’t be driving long distances.’
‘It’s not that far and I’m not taking you back to the puffer.’
‘Oh! What happened?’ As Rebecca looked mischievous and happy Emily realised it wasn’t a disaster, whatever it was.
‘Maisie and her cronies are having a wee celebration and they want you there. They’ve made a special banner to celebrate Maisie’s kirk’s hundredth birthday.’
‘I thought you looked smart in your Jojo Maman Bébé outfit! But how kind of them to want me there. And what brilliant timing. I could so easily have missed it.’
‘Actually they planned to have it when you could come. It’s all quite last-minute. We won’t be there in time for the dedication in the kirk, but just right for the bun-fight afterwards.’
‘And that’s all right with the stand-in cook – Jess, was it? She doesn’t mind staying on a bit longer?
‘Oh yes. She’s perfectly happy cooking for another day.’
‘That’s so flattering! But why? Why me?’
‘It’s me as well. We gave them the idea of getting together and they finally sewed up the banner they’d been making but somehow never finished. Anyway, it’ll be a good spread,’ Rebecca finished.
‘There speaks a pregnant woman.’
‘We thought it would be good to swing you straight back into Highland life.’
Emily couldn’t help wondering if she’d ever been part of Highland life. Since her short time at home her time in the Highlands had seemed like a dream. A lovely and even faintly erotic one, but a dream nevertheless.
The dream-like feeling wasn’t diminished as the scenery became more and more rural and beautiful. And while she looked out of the window she allowed herself to think about Alasdair. He was bound to be at Maisie’s party, surely?
‘So,’ said Rebecca. ‘How did you get on, down south?’
‘Oh! Very well, actually. I confirmed that my tenants really are nice people who are looking after my house brilliantly and the fire was just a horrible accident, that my neighbours just got frightened and anxious about it all, but the best news is about the unit. It’s inherited enough money to make its future secure.’
‘And? There’s an “and”, isn’t there?’
Emily nodded. ‘Yes. I’ve been offered an amazing job. I can’t talk to anyone about it down there, but it should be OK to talk to you.’ She went on to relate the details.
‘Goodness me, Emily!’
‘I know. I should be thrilled but somehow I just feel daunted.’
Rebecca shot her a quick look. ‘So why did this Derek offer you the job? You must be up to it. Unless he had an ulterior motive.’
‘Like what?’
‘He fancies you.’
Emily found herself blushing. Now she thought about it, there had been signs that he found her attractive during their dinner together. She’d been too distracted at the time to really notice. ‘Well, I don’t fancy him. Chemistry: it’s either there or it isn’t.’
‘So what about Alasdair? Is there chemistry between you?’
Although Emily had told Rebecca about what had gone on after seeing the Northern Lights she realised there was a bit more to her question than her casual enquiry implied. ‘Well, yes, I can’t deny it, but nothing can ever come of it, so don’t go getting ideas.’
Hearing her own words Emily realised how true they were and it made her a bit sad. Still, she reasoned with herself, there was nothing wrong with a little crush, even if it would come to nothing.
‘I’m not really dressed for a do,’ said Emily, changing the subject. ‘I’d have worn a dress if I’d known.’
‘I’ve brought you a dress,’ said Rebecca. ‘You can change in the Ladies.’
Although a quick scan of the car park showed no sign of Alasdair’s car, Emily remained hopeful that he m
ight be there. So far he’d only ever seen her in jeans or pyjamas and while it was only a crush that couldn’t go anywhere, she did want him to see her looking a bit more dressed up. ‘I borrowed one of Sally’s dresses while I was home and it went down a storm. She made me keep it. It’s scrunched up at the bottom of my rucksack otherwise I’d drag it out.’
‘This one is on the back seat, sort of ironed, given that I’m hopeless at it. I thought about bringing some linen trousers – rather like the ones you have on – but I’m a bit taller so I thought a dress was safer. It’s quite short on me so should be knee-length and kirk-appropriate on you. Off you go!’
Rebecca pointed to a door that obviously led to a toilet block added on to the much older building of the hall that was next to the church. ‘You’re lucky. You can get into the Ladies without being seen by anybody. You change and I’ll meet you out here. We’ll go in together.’
‘Ooh, you have scrubbed up well!’ said Rebecca. ‘Make-up and everything!’
‘I thought I might as well. I won’t be wearing it for the next month or so.’
Rebecca laughed. ‘Let’s go in. They’re waiting.’
‘Just before we do, will Alasdair be coming?’
Rebecca shook her head. ‘No, I don’t think so. No reason why he should really.’ She sent her friend a querying glance. ‘That wasn’t why you put on make-up, was it? In the hope that you’d see him?’
Emily blushed. ‘No! He’s not the sort of man who’d be impressed by make-up.’ This last part was true, but Emily knew men often didn’t realise you were wearing make-up. They just thought you looked a bit better than usual.
They were greeted like celebrities. ‘You’re the young woman who finished Maisie’s pullover for her,’ said the woman who was watching out for their appearance. She was in her mid-sixties, Emily guessed, and had merry eyes, a tanned skin and short, curly grey hair. She was wearing a multi-hued scarf that looked hand-dyed. ‘I’m Isla. We’ve all heard about how she couldn’t finish it and were so pleased for her.’
‘I was happy to be able to do it – not only for Maisie’s sake but because I hadn’t done Fair Isle before and wasn’t sure I could. Quite tricky, isn’t it?’ Emily allowed a cup of tea to be put into her hand.