Page 42 of Coming Home to Inishbeg Cove

Chapter 27

Sarah

When I woke the next morning, I realised that I had slept right through my alarm. As soon as I climbed into bed the night before, the emotional toll of the day had caught up on me and I had fallen into the soundest sleep.

I opened my eyes and checked the clock on my bedside locker and realised that the post office was due to open in fifteen minutes. I rolled over as fast as I could onto my side, then put my feet on the floor before attempting to stand up. It was the only way I could get out of bed lately without Greg’s help. I dressed as quickly as I could and headed downstairs to the kitchen, my hairbrush in my hand. Greg was already downstairs eating breakfast.

‘Why didn’t you wake me?’ I asked when I reached the bottom of the stairs.

‘I thought you could use the sleep,’ he said, biting into a slice of buttered toast. ‘How are you feeling?’

‘I’m fine,’ I said, reefing the hairbrush through my hair. ‘But I’m going to be late – I'm meant to open up in ten minutes.’

‘You’re not seriously thinking of going to work, are you?’

‘Of course I am! Who else will do it?’

‘Don’t worry. I’ve arranged for Maureen to cover for you to give you a chance to rest.’

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. ‘Greg, you can’t do that! You should have checked with me first.’

‘But Maureen doesn’t mind. She’s delighted to be able to help out.’

‘I know that, and I appreciate it, I really do, but I can’t expect Maureen to work there – she’s busy enough with the B&B.’

‘She doesn’t mind.’ He looked abashed. ‘I thought I was doing you a favour.’

‘But I still have to go to work, Greg. The villagers need their post office.’

‘But the doctor said you’ve to rest!’

‘Honestly, Greg, you’re overreacting. What difference will it make if I sit in the post office or sit at home? I promise you that I’ll take it easy.’

‘Well, I was thinking about that...’ He put his toast on his plate. ‘Maybe you should look into hiring someone to give you a hand. You’re going to need help to cover your maternity leave after the babies are born, anyway. At least if you hire them now, it’ll give you loads of time to get them trained up.’

‘But I can’t afford to – the post office barely pays me a wage. I’ve been putting a little bit aside each week so that I’ll have the money to pay someone to cover me for the six months of my maternity leave, but I can’t afford to extend it. I couldn’t afford to hire anyone even if I wanted to,’ I added.

‘It’s only for a few months, until the babies are out of danger. I’m sure we’ll be able to survive on my wage for a little while. My business is getting busier; I’m getting new restaurants placing orders with me every month. I know it’ll be tight, especially with two new mouths to feed, but it’ll be worth it.’

‘It’s not even just the money, Greg, I like my job, I like meeting people. I’m not due for a few months yet. I’ll go stir crazy sitting in the house all day by myself. I’m better off in work.’

‘But won’t it be worth it if it keeps the babies safe?’

‘Greg, that’s emotional blackmail! Of course I want the best outcome for our twins and I would never knowingly put them at risk, but I also think sitting working in the post office isn’t jeopardising them. I’ll do exactly what the hospital told me to do and keep track of their movements. I promise you I won’t take any chances.’

‘I’d rather you just rested now until they’re born. It’s not worth taking any risks – why can’t you see that?’

‘Well, you can’t lock me up, Greg,’ I said reaching for my bag. ‘Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to work.’