‘I’d rather not say right now.’ Zoe took a seat. ‘Only because I’m not sure what I think, but I am planning to go over to see her.’
‘If they’ll let you,’ Lavender said.
‘I could make time to come with you if you feel it would help.’ Simon nodded his thanks as Shabana put a plate in front of him.
‘I’m not sure if it will, or whether it will just seem more aggressive.’
‘Hmm…’ Simon was thoughtful as he poured some water into a glass. ‘I see what you mean. It might seem as if you’re bringing reinforcements expecting trouble and put people on the back foot straight off. Well, the offer is there if you feel you need support. Equally, I’m sure you can handle it.’ Zoe was about to reply with her thanks when he added something that shook her. ‘Just please don’t forget your safety protocols. I know we can all be a bit lax about them, serving a community like Thimblebury where we rarely need to think about safety, but they exist for a reason.’
Zoe’s mouth closed again. She hadn’t even considered that her personal safety might be in doubt because she’d been so preoccupied with the puzzle of Fern’s situation.
‘Got it,’ Zoe said tersely. ‘I’ll make sure I do everything by the book from now on.’
‘How was your week off?’ Shabana asked, and Zoe looked up and blinked. With all the tense discussions about dodgy home visits, she’d almost forgotten their new nurse was there.
‘Fab,’ Zoe said, trying to brighten her own mood to lighten that of the kitchen. ‘Really good. Louisa’s beautiful. It’s been lovely getting to know her. Nice to slow down for a bit too. Things will get hectic again soon enough, so it’s good to have a breather.’
‘So she’s not keeping you awake?’ Simon asked with a dryness in his tone that made Zoe smile.
‘Well, it’s an old house with thin walls, and she is a newborn who wants to feed every hour – or so it seems. Billie does her best to get to her before she wakes anyone else, and quite honestly I do worry that she doesn’t let us help. That said, I suppose I must look like someone who’s being woken on the regular?’
‘I wouldn’t go that far?—’
‘But every time I come into your room,’ Lavender cut in, ‘you’re yawning.’
‘It won’t last,’ Zoe said. ‘Couple of months and Louisa will be sleeping through.’
‘You hope.’ Lavender sniffed as she tore a bread roll in half. ‘I heard Victor and Corrine have new people moving into Kestrel Cottage. Didn’t take them long, did it? I wonder who it could be.’
Zoe couldn’t hold back the frown that creased her forehead now. Lavender probably knew who was moving in but wanted to make Zoe say it because she thought it was amusing, or else because she was out for payback after the commune debate.
‘My dad and Chantal are moving in. They loved Thimblebury, and they were looking for somewhere a bit more…rural, I suppose, to bring up the baby.’ She gave a shrug that said she didn’t care. It wasn’t true, of course, but nobody around this table had to know that. ‘Dad knew someone who wanted a place in Manchester and was ready to move in pronto, and he knew Kestrel Cottage was available, so everything slotted into place. There was no point in waiting around.’
‘It’s good he has his place in Manchester too, in case it doesn’t work out,’ Lavender said.
‘It’ll work out,’ Zoe replied.
‘But I see what Lavender means,’ Shabana said. ‘If they decide country life isn’t for them, they have somewhere to go back to. It’s not such a scary decision when you have that; easier to make a spontaneous move.’
‘Don’t you like it here?’ Lavender asked her.
Shabana turned with a puzzled look. ‘Yes, it’s very nice, but I’m only going to be here for a few months until Ottilie comes back so it wouldn’t matter if I didn’t. Zoe’s dad has moved here for good, that’s all I meant. It’s different.’
‘When are they coming?’ Simon asked.
Zoe blew out a breath. ‘I’m not sure, but I think this week. When I spoke to Dad, he had some loose ends to tie up first, but he wants to get settled as soon as possible, you know, because the baby is coming and there’s a lot to do to get ready.’
‘It will be nice to have one of your parents close by, won’t it?’ said Shabana.
Zoe smiled. If only she knew the half of it.
19
It had rained hard all day, and Zoe had arrived at every home visit soggy, even though she’d only had to run from her car in some cases. But as she switched off her laptop and got ready to leave the surgery, the clouds finally parted and the rain stopped.
Her phone pinged the arrival of a text message as she put on her coat. It was the message from her dad she’d been expecting.
We’re in! Come and see us any time, neighbour! x
