‘Not that much. She’s trying to find a housemate so she can move out.’
Zoe whipped around. ‘She wants to leave home?’
‘Her mum’s doing her head in.’
Zoe had clashed with Maisie’s mum before, so that didn’t surprise her. What surprised her was that Maisie was feeling so bold. She might have wanted to escape her mother’s influence all along – and Zoe suspected that had been the case – but she’d never shown the courage or the intent to do it before now. ‘I suppose she can’t afford to live on her own? If she needs a housemate, I mean.’
‘She asked if I fancied it.’ Billie gave a vague shrug. ‘It’ll be hard to find someone who doesn’t mind having a crying baby living with them.’
‘Ah,’ Georgia put in. ‘Unless they have a crying baby of their own? Makes sense.’
‘That’s quite useful to know,’ Zoe said, her mind a sudden whirl of possibilities. Maybe she was on the brink of a solution for Maisie and for Fern. It would take some jiggery-pokery to get things in order, but if there was one thing she prided herself on, it was her expertise in the jiggery-pokery department. With a bit of help and the right planning, she could make this work.
Victor was at the enclosure when they got there, and all his girls were gathered around him, including the new arrival, Dandelion. He turned as Zoe shouted to him and gave them a wave, his face becoming one huge smile.
‘Well!’ he said as he closed the gate and strode over. ‘This was a sight I didn’t expect to see! Two for the price of one! Look at the pair of them…’ He peered at William and Louisa in turn. ‘I’d better not get too close – hands are filthy. Shame, I’d have liked a cuddle.’
‘There’s a tap in the stable, isn’t there?’ Zoe asked.
‘Aye, but mud all over my clothes too. I can wait until next time. Have you come to see me, or are you just out and about?’
‘It started out with us just out and about,’ Zoe said. ‘But if you have a minute, I’d like to ask you about something. Actually, thinking about it, maybe it’s better if I see you and Corrine together.’
‘Well, I can’t say I’m not curious, but I suppose it will wait if you think that’s best.’
‘Which is the new one?’ Georgia asked.
‘There she is.’ Victor pointed. ‘She’s lovely, isn’t she?’
‘She is.’ Georgia went to have a closer look.
‘Is it all right to take William that close?’ Billie asked Zoe.
‘Georgia knows what she’s doing.’
Zoe turned to Victor. ‘How’s she settling in?’
‘Good as gold,’ Victor said. ‘No trouble at all from any of them.’
‘She’s the pregnant one?’ Billie asked.
‘She is,’ Victor replied.
‘She doesn’t look very pregnant.’
‘She’s a while to go yet. Remember I told you alpaca are pregnant for nigh on a year?’
Billie’s gaze went back to the enclosure, but she didn’t reply.
‘Corrine had wondered if she might see you at the house,’ he continued.
Billie looked back at him.
‘You can bring Louisa over any time, sit her in a chair while you do some baking. I seem to recall you’re good at it.’
‘I haven’t got time for it now,’ Billie said. ‘I don’t think I’m all that bothered anyway. Besides, Louisa can’t sit up yet.’
‘I don’t think Victor meant literally,’ Zoe said.
