‘Or we could do a wider circuit and visit them on the way back?’
Zoe looked Billie’s way. ‘Let’s do the alpaca first and then see how we feel.’
‘Didn’t you say I ought to stay away from livestock?’ Billie asked.
‘When you were pregnant, yes.’
‘What about now? What if Louisa catches something?’
‘You’re not going to rub her face on one of them, are you?’ Georgia asked with a light laugh.
Billie didn’t join in.
‘Just keep your distance,’ Georgia continued, unfazed. ‘We don’t have to get up close and personal. Anyway, they might noteven be out. They might be in their stable, so then we won’t see anything.’
‘I’d think they’ll be out,’ Zoe said. ‘I wouldn’t be surprised if Victor isn’t up there with them. In fact, if he is, I could do with having a quick chat about something with him.’
‘Oh?’ Georgia cocked an eyebrow. ‘Something you can share with the group?’
Zoe’s thoughts went to Fern again, hoping she was all right, wondering if she’d changed her mind about leaving the commune, and worried about all sorts of problems that she hadn’t even been able to imagine yet. ‘It’s just about one of my mums. I can’t really talk about it, but I was hoping he might be able to help. Him and Corrine actually.’
‘Which one?’ Billie asked.
‘Oh, you won’t know her.’
‘I might.’
‘All the more reason she can’t tell you.’ Georgia prodded Billie’s arm playfully.
Billie didn’t look impressed, but, once again, Georgia appeared unbothered by the reaction.
‘It’s not Maisie, is it?’ Billie asked.
‘No,’ Zoe said. ‘Why, what makes you think it might be Maisie?’
‘Nothing, I’m just asking.’
‘Have you managed to speak to her yet?’ Zoe asked. ‘You know, to fix up a day she can come and see Louisa?’
‘I’ve been busy,’ Billie replied.
Zoe recognised a dodge when she saw it.
‘And Louisa has been difficult. You’ve seen that for yourself. I don’t think it’s a good idea – it might put Maisie off.’
‘I think the time for being put off might have passed,’ Georgia said. ‘She ought to have thought about being put off before she put out.’
‘George!’ Zoe coughed, but she was trying not to laugh.
‘Someone’s got to say it,’ Georgia said, laughing herself now. ‘You know, sometimes I’m so funny I even entertain myself.’
‘So you haven’t messaged Maisie?’ Zoe asked Billie. ‘Not even a quick text or DM?’
‘She sent me a couple, but I forgot to reply.’
Billie at least had the decency to look shame-faced at this. Zoe suspected she hadn’t forgotten to reply but had simply chosen not to.
‘How’s she doing? What did she have to say?’
