‘They do say you can’t choose your family,’ Zoe said. ‘And time and time again, that seems to be true. I’ve just got to like Chantal, finally, and then she has to go and bringhimhere.’
‘I’m glad it’s not just me,’ Alex said. Despite Lennon taking his dog away, it was telling that Alex kept Grizzle on his lead now.
‘Let’s not worry about it,’ Zoe decided, brightening her tone. ‘We’ve got way more important things than him to use our mental energy on.’
20
Along with many other problems, Zoe had tussled over what to do about Fern for a few days. She’d tried to phone, and had managed to speak to Fern herself, but wasn’t entirely convinced by the conversation they’d had. Fern had told her all was well and she now didn’t need to see her after all. Arwen was apparently a brilliant midwife, and Fern was excited to have the baby.
So when Zoe arrived at work on the following Monday morning to find Fern waiting outside for her, though she was surprised, she realised quickly she should have been expecting it.
‘Hello!’ she said brightly as she slipped her car keys into her bag. ‘What brings you into the village?’
‘I was hoping to catch you before you started work.’
Zoe glanced up and down the lane. ‘Do you want to come inside for a minute?’
‘Yes, please. I won’t be long.’
‘You can be as long as you need; I’m not due to see anyone until ten.’
Zoe led her inside, past the reception where Lavender looked up and raised her eyebrows in a silent question. ‘Fern and I will be having a quick chat in my room,’ Zoe told her. ‘No need for you to do anything – it’s not an official appointment.’
Lavender said nothing. She simply gave an idle shrug and went back to the computer she was logging into.
In her treatment room, Zoe offered Fern a seat and then closed the door. ‘How are you doing?’
‘I’m all right,’ Fern said carefully.
‘Everyone at the commune is well? I imagine there’s a lot to do all the time.’
‘Yes, but we all pitch in.’
Zoe sat down and waited. She wasn’t going to push Fern; she was going to let her speak in her own time.
‘You know you said I could ask you about anything, even though Arwen is looking after me?’ she said after a long, fraught pause.
‘I did. You wanted to ask me about something now?’
Fern nodded. ‘It’s just…well, I know Arwen has looked after some pregnant women before…’
Zoe tried not to frown. From what she recalled, Arwen was hardly what she’d call qualified.
‘And she’s really good and she’s nice,’ Fern continued. ‘But could I come to see you sometimes? Just to check because…’ Fern’s shoulders slumped.
‘You don’t even need to ask. It’s normal to be nervous about pregnancy and to want the advice of someone who is…How can I put it? I don’t mean to insult Arwen – I’m sure she’s capable, but she’s not trained.’
‘I’m still happy for her to look after me. It’s just sometimes I’d like to ask you about what she’s said.’
‘OK,’ Zoe said slowly. ‘How do you plan to do that? It’s hard for me to get hold of you when you’re at the commune. Are you intending to come here and see me?’
‘I don’t want to go on the books or anything. Can’t you just talk to me sometimes, like now?’
‘I suppose I could, but it’s difficult. Professionally, I mean. I’d love nothing more than that, but suppose we did it like that, under the radar, and something went wrong. Well, you could sue me. I’m sure you wouldn’t, but you could, and it would be your word against mine, and there’s no legal protection for you or for me. But if I’m seeing you as a registered patient, then we have all sorts of safeguards for both of us. I’m not trying to make it difficult for you, but that’s how it is.’
‘You won’t see me then?’
‘I really want to, Fern, but you ought to think hard about how we’re going to do this. Will Arwen really be that upset if you tell her you’d like to be under the care of a qualified midwife?’
