Once again, uncertain and too tired to think of a suitable response, Zoe dropped the phone back into her bag and got intoher car. She’d seen memes about kids divorcing parents, but never had she been so tempted to find out whether it was indeed possible.
‘Hello, love!’
Zoe followed Billie into the kitchen of Hilltop Farm to find their neighbour and Zoe’s landlord, Victor, at the table chatting to Alex. It seemed they’d had a busy afternoon because Maisie was also still there.
‘Hello, Victor!’ Zoe said, the sight of him banishing her terrible mood in an instant. It was almost impossible to be fed up with Victor around. Coupled with that was the sight of Alex looking handsome and relaxed as he greeted her with a warm smile, dressed in an Aran jumper with a hole in the sleeve that had always been one of Zoe’s favourites.
‘Hi, Maisie,’ she added, smiling at the young woman. ‘Billie said you’d be coming over, but I didn’t realise you’d still be here when I got here.’
‘That’s my fault,’ Victor said. ‘I offered to give her a lift home, but I’ve been a bit distracted. Don’t know when to shut up, that’s my problem.’
‘How’s your day been?’ Alex asked Zoe.
‘Oh, you know…’ Zoe had things to tell him, but they would have to wait. She wasn’t about to launch into an account of her current woes with Victor and Maisie there.
‘I hope you’re hungry,’ he added.
‘Famished. What’s on the menu?’
‘Leftovers.’
‘Billie cooked for me,’ Maisie put in. ‘There was loads.’
‘Well,’ Zoe said brightly, ‘if it’s as good as yesterday then it will be delicious.’
Alex turned to Victor. ‘You know you’re welcome to stay too. There’s enough to feed half of Cumbria.’
‘I can’t say I’m not tempted…’ Victor scratched his head. ‘It smells very nice. But Corrine will have cooked.’
‘Is it pie tonight?’ Zoe asked.
Victor grinned. ‘It is. Predictable pair, aren’t we?’
‘I don’t know about that, but I do know you love pie, and she usually makes one Monday or Tuesday because I sometimes get a spare one dropped on my doorstep around this point in the week.’
Victor nodded. ‘Come to think of it, she did mention sending one over for you tomorrow.’
‘I’ll look forward to it. How is Corrine?’
‘Busy as always. In fact, very busy…’ Victor’s expression was suddenly full of mystery and mischief – that naughty-boy look that often had Zoe able to picture him as a youngster. ‘We’ve got a new addition arriving in the next couple of days.’
Billie looked as animated as Zoe had ever seen her, and Maisie almost gasped. ‘An alpaca?’ she yelped.
‘A pregnant one.’ Victor folded his arms with a smug look of expectation. And he wasn’t to be disappointed. The kitchen erupted into coos and squeals of delight.
‘How?’ Zoe asked. ‘Where has she come from? Is she a rescue?’
‘She is. She’s coming from a long way too. Scotland, as a matter of fact.’
‘Oh my God, that’s so exciting!’ Maisie looked as if she might leap up and cheer. ‘Can I come and see her?’
‘Well…’ Victor said, and then aimed a silent question at Zoe, who immediately realised he was asking for her opinion.
‘I’m sorry to be the party pooper, but you shouldn’t get too close to the animals while you’re pregnant,’ she said. ‘I mean,you can look by all means, but I wouldn’t be happy about you going and fussing them.’
‘Yeah,’ Billie said with a droll note to her voice. ‘Tell me about it. If I so much as threaten to go up to Victor’s field, your voice is in my ear:“Don’t go near the livestock…”’
‘And it’s for your own good,’ Zoe said with a grin. ‘You’ll thank me one day. Besides, you don’t have long to go before your own baby arrives. After that, go up and ogle the alpaca as often as you like.’
