‘Oh. I didn’t think you were that old.’
‘I’m not – that’s the problem. That’s why it’s bothering me.’
‘What can you do about it?’
‘Nothing much. I’ve had blood tests which confirmed my hormones are changing. I’m waiting to see someone for further investigations because…’
‘Because what? I mean, it’s just menopause, isn’t it? It doesn’t kill you or anything.’
‘Ah…’ Zoe was forced into another wry smile. ‘Come and talk to me in about thirty years when it’s your turn and we’ll see if you feel the same way. It doesn’t kill you, but it’s not fun.’
‘But you can get tablets or something and you’ll be fine.’
‘Yes…’ Zoe was thoughtful as she turned her attention back to the road. Billie really thought it was that simple, and perhaps, from the outside, it was.
‘You need to tell Dad – at least he’ll know why you’re so moody with him.’
‘I will. I’ve been trying to find the right moment, but there’s been a lot going on.’
‘I know. It’s been mad since the camping field opened. Before that even. I know he has to earn a living, but I liked it better when we did whatever we wanted.’
Zoe wondered if Billie knew about her dad’s financial burdens. She suspected not. After all, why would he worry his daughter about what he would consider his responsibility alone? But as Billie kept on reminding them, she wasn’t a child. If Zoe was going to come clean about her early menopause, then shouldn’t they all come clean about everything? Zoe might have thought so, but it wasn’t her place to say, and it certainly wasn’t her place to put Billie in the picture.
‘So did I. Things feel a lot more complicated now. I hope he can sort out this case. I might not like Virginia being around all the time, but I’m glad we’ve got her.’
‘She pisses me right off, but ditto. Then again, you used to piss me off and we’re all right now. I’ll get used to her eventually.’
‘I wonder how long it might take to sort,’ Zoe said, also wondering if Virginia would be in their lives long enough for Billie to get used to her and how she might feel about that.
‘Who knows?’
Zoe could see Louisa from her rear-view mirror. She was sleeping in her car seat. Already, her hair was darker and thicker than it had been at birth, and she looked less like Billie. Zoe tried to bring to mind a photo Alex had shown her of Louisa’s father, Luis. Yes, she decided, Louisa was beginning to look like him. Billie must have seen it too, and Zoe tried to imagine how that might feel. When she put her own troubles against that backdrop, she realised she was luckier than some. She resolved to hold on to that thought and to make the best of things. It would be better when she’d finally had a chance to speak to Alex and they could plan for what their future might bring. Wouldn’t it?
As she turned back to the road, Billie quiet now as she scrolled on her phone, she could only hope so.
With still no word from Alex, Zoe decided to cook for her and Billie. They could make extra, and he could have it when he got home. She’d just turned the oven on when there was a knock at the outside door. She opened up to find one of their campers on the step.
‘Sorry to bother you, but we’ve run out of gas. I don’t suppose you could bring a cannister over? We were hoping to use the stove.’
‘Right…’ Zoe gave a tight smile as she glanced towards their barn. ‘Of course…Give me a few minutes and I’ll be with you.’
‘Thanks…’
The woman began to walk back towards the camping field. Zoe’s gaze went back to the barn. She knew the cannisters were in there, but she didn’t have a clue how to get one down to their guests or how to connect it up for them. But she couldn’t leave them without because the last thing they needed was another unhappy holidaymaker.
‘Victor…’ she murmured as she went back inside to get her shoes and coat. ‘Victor will know.’
She had no idea if Victor would know, but he was the only person she could think of who might. And the fact was, Victor was often so practical and knowledgeable about all things countryside that everyone always assumed he’d know. What he didn’t know, he’d usually work out.
She snatched up her phone from the table and rang the landline at Daffodil Farm. Corrine answered.
‘I’m sorry to ask, but is Victor any good at connecting gas cylinders?’
‘To what?’ Corrine asked.
‘One of the pods needs their gas changing over. They’ve come up to ask, but Alex isn’t here, and I don’t know how to do it. I don’t suppose…’
‘Of course, love. I’ll ask him to come over.’
