A Summer at Sea

by Katie Fforde

  ‘Alasdair?’

  Just then, the lights came on. They were standing on or near a muddle of very messy sheets.

  Alasdair gave a rueful smile. ‘Well, that’s spoilt the mood somewhat!’

  Emily gave a reluctant laugh. ‘I’m so glad Becca and James didn’t see that. They would have thought it was too much blood and worried. Almost all couples do.’

  ‘Would it put them off, do you think?’ He seemed genuinely interested.

  ‘I would hope not. After all, by the time they get to see it they have a baby in their arms.’

  ‘If nothing goes wrong.’

  ‘Mostly, nothing does go wrong. If I do my job and the mother is fit and well.’ She paused. ‘Of course there are no guarantees.’

  ‘No,’ he agreed. ‘But things can go wrong in hospitals too.’

  This was generous of him, she felt, and she put her hand on his arm. ‘Thank you for that. I know you weren’t comfortable with this whole home-birth thing.’

  ‘Actually I thought you and Rebecca were amazing. You really worked as a team. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more satisfying birth.’

  Emily found herself overcome once more and couldn’t speak.

  Alasdair gave a half-smile. ‘Mind you,’ he went on, ‘the alternative wasn’t great! But you did make me see that home births – in ideal conditions – are a viable alternative.’

  ‘Thank you,’ she said. ‘I’m glad to have shown you a different way.’

  ‘Mostly, people are too far away from medical help for home births in this area. And we do have to think of the worst-case scenario.’

  ‘A good maternity unit can provide an experience very similar to this, though.’ She sighed, suddenly very tired.

  He glanced at her. ‘Right, you sit down and I’ll get this lot into the wash. Do you think Becca has stain-remover in her arsenal of laundry products?’

  ‘With two boys, I’m sure of it.’ She sat on the armchair watching him gather up the sheets. ‘I’m not usually around for this bit. Or at least, not much. When it’s a planned home birth a lot of the stuff is disposable. And I should write up my notes. Someone will be examining them with a very close eye in the morning.’

  ‘It is the morning. Two o’clock in the morning. You must be shattered,’ Alasdair said.

  ‘It’s two o’clock in the morning for you, too,’ she said.

  He shook his head. ‘I haven’t been working like you have, not really working.’

  She gave him a weary smile. ‘Becca did it all.’

  ‘But she couldn’t have done it without you. None of us could.’

  He was looking at her with such admiration she felt obliged to brush off the praise. ‘Well, it’s my job.’ Suddenly she yawned so hard she thought she’d never stop.

  He frowned. ‘Never mind your notes, you need to go to bed. But I’m not sure where.’

  The thought of not being able to go to bed made Emily feel tearful. Of all the problems she had anticipated and avoided in the past hours where she was to sleep was not one of them.

  ‘Isn’t there a spare room? Of some kind?’ she asked huskily.

  ‘Under construction. There’s a little barn at the end which is going to be a holiday let or guest accommodation, depending. But currently it lacks essentials like plumbing.’

  ‘I can do without the en-suite and the kitchenette but not the bed.’ She sighed. ‘So do you and Kate never stay over? I suppose you live near enough not to.’

  ‘We do stay sometimes – Christmas, times like that. Kate has a mattress in the boys’ room and I sleep on this thing.’ He gave it a kick. ‘The sofa bed.’

  ‘Well, I’ll sleep on one of the boys’ beds.’

  ‘They sleep on small bunks, not very comfortable for an adult.’ He hesitated. ‘We could go back to mine. There’s no reason to stay really.’

  She was tempted. She thought of Alasdair’s comfortable spare bed and him in it with her. ‘How would we get there?’

  ‘We’d have to walk. It’s about fifteen minutes. I’ve had too much whisky to be safe to drive.’

  ‘Then I’ll stay. A boy’s bed will be fine.’

  He shook his head. ‘No. Have the sofa bed. I’ll make it up for you. You go and have a bath and it’ll be done by the time you’re back.’

  Nothing could have sounded more tempting just then. ‘If you’re sure …’

  ‘Yes. As a family member, I’m in loco hostus or whatever.’

  Emily found her bag with the hastily grabbed clothes in it, which included pyjamas, and headed off.

  ‘Actually!’ he called. ‘Better make that a shower. Not sure there’ll be hot water for a bath.’

  A shower was only slightly less tempting than a bath. Emily raised her hand to indicate she’d heard him and trusted there’d be some sort of towel. She’d used so many for Nell’s entry into the world, there was a chance there were none left. When she’d had her shower she’d write her notes. If she could stay awake.

  A little while later, clean but some basic notes written at the kitchen table and still very sleepy, she went back into the sitting room. Alasdair had done an amazing job clearing up. She could hear the washing machine chugging away from the little utility room. A single reading lamp supplemented the firelight. She almost fell on the bed and crawled in.

  ‘Would you like some whisky now, or are you asleep already?’

  She was asleep already – or very nearly – but she didn’t want Alasdair to go away. If she had a drink he’d have one too and stay with her a bit longer. ‘I’d like that.’

  He handed her a glass and perched awkwardly on the arm of the sofa. ‘Come and sit next to me,’ she said. ‘I can’t relax with you up there.’

  He didn’t argue. He brought his drink and lay on the bed next to her, on top of the pirate duvet cover, which Emily realised must have been the only one available.

  ‘Here’s to you.’ He clinked her glass with his. ‘You’ve done brilliantly.’

  Emily smiled. ‘Rebecca did brilliantly; we all did brilliantly. Oh goodness! The ambulance isn’t going to arrive at any moment, is it? Have they got past the tree?’

  ‘I should imagine they’d realise it was all too late. And if they were still needed that somehow we’d get a message through.’

  ‘I do hope you’re right. Imagine how embarrassing it would be if they burst in here and found us in bed together.’

  He glanced at her. ‘Are we in bed together?’

  ‘We would be if you got under the duvet.’

  He kicked off his shoes and got under it.

  ‘How come this has pirates on it? Do James and Becca have a thing for Johnny Depp or something? Usually novelty bed linen is for children.’

  ‘They had a family bed when the boys were very little. They all slept under it.’

  Emily sipped her drink and snuggled further down. ‘Maybe you should get undressed. You’ll be too hot later if you don’t.’

  ‘Do you think that’s wise?’

  ‘Yup. Very wise. Old midwife lore says that she needs to be cuddled after delivering a baby.’

  It was actually brand-new midwife lore, invented by Emily just at that moment, but he seemed to believe it because he pulled his clothes off down to his boxers.

  ‘I wouldn’t want to go against midwife lore,’ he said and got in beside her.

  ‘Would you mind putting the lamp out? It’s in my eyes, rather.’ Then she wriggled close to him so she could put her head on his chest. She could hear his heart going thrum, thrum, thrum under her ear. She was aware of his arm coming round her and then she fell asleep.

  An hour or so later she was aware of being far too hot. Her winceyette pyjamas, which had been so perfect when sleeping on the puffer, were now sticking to her. She had them off almost before she realised she was not alone in the bed. She didn’t care. She pulled the duvet back over her and was about to go back to sleep when she became aware of a hand round her waist. She moved slightly towards him. Whatever t
hey’d discussed and agreed about not doing what they were about to do just seemed ridiculous now. Emily was going to follow her heart – and her body – and have this lovely man.

  Fortunately he too seemed to be happy to break his vow of celibacy. He lay next to her, gently stroking her naked body with tenderness and care. Although she could feel his desire for her easily matched hers for him.

  After a little while he said, ‘Excuse me, I’ve got to get something out of my bag.’

  She giggled deliciously. She did love this man who put condoms in his doctor’s bag, who must have thought of having sex with her when he packed to join the puffer on its last trip.

  ‘Now,’ he breathed into her neck a few minutes later, ‘where were we?’

  Emily was awoken by a banging on the front door and a short expletive from Alasdair. He leapt up and pulled on a pair of trousers before leaving the room.

  Slightly more slowly she found her pyjama bottoms and Alasdair’s jumper, which she hoped was baggy enough to conceal the fact she wasn’t wearing a bra. Then she joined Alasdair at the front door.

  Two boys, one about ten, and another a bit younger, were on the doorstep, jumping up and down with excitement. Behind them was Angus, looking like a man on the wrong end of an argument.

  ‘I’m sorry!’ said Angus. ‘I know it’s early but they were desperate to know and with no phones working, I had to let them come over.’

  ‘Of course,’ said Alasdair. ‘I’m sure it’s OK for them to go and see the baby but quietly!’

  All three adults watched the boys skid towards their parents’ bedroom.

  ‘I don’t think they know what “quietly” is,’ said Angus.

  ‘And I’m sure Rebecca will be thrilled to see them,’ said Emily. ‘As long as they don’t bounce on Nell or make too much noise.’

  ‘So,’ said Angus when the boys had gone. ‘We knew we’d hear if there was bad news, but did everything go OK last night?’

  ‘It went brilliantly,’ said Alasdair. ‘Nothing like having a midwife with you if you’re a pregnant mother caught out. Emily was a star.’

  ‘Whisht, now!’ she said. ‘I was only doing my job! I’ll go and put the kettle on – and oh God – fill out my notes a bit. I wonder if the electricity is back on generally?’

  ‘There’s none at our house,’ said Angus. ‘Nor phones. Though I think I might get a mobile signal if I drove to the top of the hill. You’re lucky to have it here.’

  ‘I will have to make a call soon,’ said Emily. ‘Or maybe you could, Alasdair? Just to tell the ambulance crew and hospital that everything is OK?’

  ‘We’d better check that everything is,’ he said, but sounding fairly sanguine.

  When she’d made tea, having added detail to her notes while the kettle boiled, she took it into the bedroom. It was a touching scene. The boys had joined their mother and baby sister in bed. James, who had obviously dressed in a hurry, was beaming down at his family. Rebecca was supervising Henry, the younger brother, as he held his sister on his lap. Archie, who Emily remembered was the eldest, even though they had hardly met since they were tiny, was giving advice about the best way to support the baby’s head.

  ‘Morning! Who wants tea?’ said Emily. Without waiting for an answer she handed a mug each to Rebecca and James.

  ‘Hi, guys,’ she said to the boys. ‘I’m Emily. I helped your mum bring Nell into the world.’

  They looked at her disapprovingly. ‘Is it your fault she’s a girl?’ asked Henry.

  ‘No, actually that’s Daddy’s fault. And maybe he’ll take you out of the room while I have a look at Mummy, then I’ll make everyone breakfast. I expect you’re starving, Becca.’

  Once the others had left, Emily examined Rebecca. ‘So, busy night?’ she asked.

  ‘Not too bad. I know it’ll get worse!’

  ‘You’re feeling OK?’

  ‘Fine. Just very tired.’

  ‘Well, you go and have a bath. We did well not to need stitches, so you’re spared the awful itch.

  Rebecca laughed, swinging her legs round and heaving herself up off the bed. ‘As if you’d know what that was like, not having had a baby yourself.’

  ‘I’ve heard all about it, don’t worry.’

  Rebecca pulled her into a hug. ‘I know it wasn’t planned and if it hadn’t been for the storm it wouldn’t have happened, but thank you for doing that for me.’

  Emily returned the hug tightly. ‘You’re the one who did it! I was just on standby to make sure it all went well. You were great.’

  ‘We were a team. And you and Alasdair look great together too.’

  Emily smiled, hoping she didn’t look as smug as she felt. One day she’d tell Rebecca what had gone on between her and Alasdair and just how a good a team they were in that department. ‘I promised your boys breakfast. I’ll send James in to mind you in the bath.’

  ‘We’ve run out of bread,’ said James. ‘At least, I’ve taken some out of the freezer but it’ll take a little while to defrost.’

  Empty cereal bowls were scattered over the table. Alasdair made space on the table next to him. ‘Here, Emily, come and eat something.’

  ‘I’m OK for the moment. If there’s plenty of milk I’ll make Scotch pancakes if you’re still hungry. And get a soda bread going if necessary. James? Becca’s going to have a bath. Can you listen out for Nell and help Becca?’

  Alasdair got up. ‘I must go back and pick up Kate. Can I bring her over later, James? She’ll be desperate to see Nell.’

  ‘Of course,’ said James.

  ‘Why are you wearing Uncle Alasdair’s jumper?’ asked Henry.

  ‘I couldn’t find my own clothes in the dark,’ said Emily, and left before either he or Archie asked any more questions.

  Alasdair followed her into the sitting room. ‘You can keep the sweater,’ he said.

  ‘No, you’ll be cold.’ She swallowed. Being with him in the room, still dark and full of memories, was both erotic and embarrassing. She was very aware of her breasts, naked under the soft wool of his jumper.

  He was aware of them too and his hands found them at the same time as he also found her mouth.

  After a few seconds she pulled away. ‘Not the time.’

  ‘No,’ he agreed huskily.

  ‘And while it was really lovely, it shouldn’t have happened.’

  ‘No.’ He gave a rueful laugh. ‘Like the baby, it was unplanned. But, I have to confess, not unthought about.’

  She laughed now. ‘Well, you were prepared.’

  ‘How do you know condoms aren’t part of a doctor’s regular equipment?’

  ‘I didn’t know, until just this second. But I’m not complaining.’

  ‘Oh, Emily …’ he breathed.

  ‘You must go. Go to Kate. I’ll probably see you both later.’

  ‘Will you stay for a while? You won’t go home immediately?’

  ‘I’ll stay as long as Rebecca needs me.’ She laughed to disguise the fact that tears had gathered suddenly in her throat. It was the thought of leaving that had done it. ‘Off you go. I promised pancakes. And I want to check my notes.’

  Chapter Fifteen

  THE BOYS WERE playing in the sitting room and Emily was wiping syrup and chocolate spread off the kitchen table when there was more knocking at the door. She was aware that she’d have to field the visitors. It was natural that everyone would want to see Rebecca and Nell but Emily didn’t want her getting too tired. She was tired enough herself and she hadn’t given birth. She opened the door prepared to be polite but firm.

  On the doorstep was a woman in full cycling kit, her helmet well down over her eyes. She was holding on to a bike and looked as if she’d travelled a long way and was hot. As she was also in her late fifties, Emily didn’t think her ‘no visitor’ rules would apply to her.

  ‘Hello,’ said the woman, before Emily could speak. ‘My name is Lizzie Miller-Hall. I’m a health visitor who does a bit of midwifery when they need me. I
also have some old people I keep an eye on. So I have a couple of jobs. I’ve cycled over from Kilvallich.’

  ‘Isn’t that quite far away? Come in! You must be exhausted and in need of tea.’

  ‘Tea. Aye, that’ll sort me. The hospital rang to see if I could get here and on my wee bike, I could. Just. And who are you, dear?’

  Emily hesitated, feeling caught out. Should she say she was a midwife? Or a friend who happened to be one? She cleared her throat. ‘I’m Emily Bailey. I’m a friend of Rebecca.’

  ‘And did you deliver the baby, dear?’

  The ‘dear’ took a little sting out of this direct question. Emily nodded. ‘It was an emergency. And I am trained.’

  ‘Och, dear! I’m not questioning you! It worries a hospital and an ambulance crew when they’re summoned but can’t get through.’ She propped her ‘wee bike’ against the side of the house with practised ease.

  Emily relaxed, warming to the thought of a cycling midwife. ‘We did get in touch with them as soon as we could, but of course, that wasn’t until earlier this morning. And of course you’d want to make sure everything is OK.’ She stepped back so she was no longer blocking the door. ‘Come in!’

  Lizzie Miller-Hall entered the house with an air of entitlement. She was obviously accustomed to going into unfamiliar houses; she was sure of her welcome and she knew what to do.

  ‘So, Emily – do you mind if I call you that? Have you looked at Mum today?’

  Emily nodded. She had never liked the habit of referring to people as Mum or Baby but as most health-care professionals did it, she ignored it. ‘She’s fine. The baby is fine too but I think they’re both asleep. If we could leave them a bit longer that would be good.’ She led the way to the kitchen. ‘Have a cup of tea, get over your journey and then we’ll see Rebecca.’

  Emily had found a tin full of fruit cake and so got this out to serve with the tea. Rebecca had obviously had a baking day ahead of time. When her guest had tea and cake in front of her she said, ‘I’ll just pop and get my notes.’

  ‘Ah! Notes! Good woman! Very useful!’

  ‘I like that you’ve put plenty of detail into these notes. It’s really helpful,’ said Lizzie (they were on first-name terms by now). ‘But it all seems to have been fairly textbook.’