‘You always say that,’ Billie replied, frowning, but a smile fought to break free behind it.
‘Probably,’ Alex said. ‘But as you keep reminding me, I’m old now, so it’s no wonder I’m repeating myself.’
Billie put three plates out, rolling her eyes. ‘Honestly, there’s no hope for you.’ She glanced at Zoe. ‘Thanks for taking him on – you need a medal.’
12
‘Do you think she’s all right?’
Zoe held the back of her hand against Louisa’s skin before carefully scanning her torso for any worrying signs. After a few seconds, she took off her romper.
‘Let her cool down if she needs it. I can’t see any rashes, and her temperature is a little up but not so much it’s an immediate red flag to me. We’ll keep a close eye on her. Give her a little water when she’ll take it. She’s a bit mardy, but she doesn’t seem distressed.’
‘Yeah, she’s been like that all day. Not screaming the place down but sort of complaining. Like crying when I put her down and stuff. I felt like she was hotter than normal.’ Billie shrugged. ‘But you’re always hot, so maybe it’s the house and I haven’t noticed. Should I ask Dad about it?’
Zoe went to rinse her hands at the kitchen sink. ‘You could, but I don’t believe that’s what’s troubling Louisa. She’s probably picked up a sniffle from somewhere.’
‘Where?’
‘Could be anywhere – babies don’t have much of an immune system at first. If she’s grumbling but not in obvious distress, then I’m inclined to say she’s keeping it at bay, whatever it is.’
‘Griz will have to stay in then,’ Billie decided with an emphatic nod in the direction of their dog, who was watching them from his basket as if he was able to follow the conversation. ‘I was going to take him out for a walk – Dad’s busy. But I’m not taking Louisa out if she’s got a cold.’
‘I can take Griz.’
Billie looked doubtful. ‘He’ll pull you flat on your face.’
‘He won’t – he’s used to me by now, so I’ll be able to keep him under control.’
‘But if he sees something, he’s off?—’
‘Honestly, we’ll be fine. And even if he did run off, he always comes back, doesn’t he?’
Billie chewed on her lip, glancing between Louisa, Grizzle and Zoe a couple of times before seeming to come to a decision. ‘I suppose so. Are you sure you’ll be OK? I could phone Dad.’
‘Like you said, he’s got a lot on, and how hopeless would we look if we couldn’t manage to walk the dog between us? You keep an eye on Louisa. I’ll only be an hour or so. If anything develops and you’re worried, call me and I’ll come straight back.’
‘I suppose so. I did want to help him as much as I could…it’s not like I’m doing much else at the moment.’
Zoe stared at her. ‘Is that how you see it? You’re raising a child!’
‘But he’s so busy, and I’m in the house all the time with Louisa.’
‘Nobody thinks looking after Louisa is not doing much. Your dad is busy, yes, but he wouldn’t dream of asking you to do more than you already are. And if he did, I’d slap him.’
Billie gave a reluctant smile. ‘I bet you would.’
‘I won’t be a minute…’
Zoe rushed upstairs to change. Five minutes later, she was back in the kitchen, where she found Billie walking the room with a red-cheeked Louisa.
‘How are we doing here?’ she asked. ‘Any change?’
Billie shook her head. ‘She’s the same. Is that good?’
‘As long as she’s not worse, that’s good.’ Zoe strode across the room and reached for Grizzle’s lead from the peg where it was kept. As soon as she did, he leaped out of his basket and began racing in circles around her. ‘Yes, yes…’ She laughed as she tried to get him to sit long enough to clip his lead onto his collar. ‘The longer you mess around, the longer it will take us to get out…’
‘He’s so dumb,’ Billie said with a withering look at her dog, who, despite her words, was almost her favourite creature in the world.
