Chapter 12 #4
He was jittery, softly spoken, probably no older than eighteen, and probably hoping something wouldn’t be happening that he couldn’t handle.
Zoe wondered if Santa had sent him over – which was a surreal notion in itself when she thought about it for a second – and her hunch seemed to be confirmed as she noticed that the big man, although engaged in conversation with another family, kept on glancing over as if trying to work out what was going on.
‘We have a little situation. This lady is pregnant and her waters have broken. You might want to get someone to clear it up, just so we don’t have anyone slipping on it.’
‘Sorry,’ Kat said, but Zoe only took her hand and squeezed it.
‘You’ve got nothing to be sorry about. I was only trying to be practical.
It’s something that comes with the job, and I forget to switch it off sometimes.
What I meant,’ she continued, looking up at the elf, ‘is that from your perspective, it might be a health and safety hazard. My stepdaughter has gone to speak to the captain about the situation, so hopefully we’ll have something sorted shortly. ’
‘What should we do?’ the elf asked uncertainly.
‘There’s no reason you can’t carry on talking to the children. I’ve got things covered here for the moment.’
‘Right…’ The elf looked as if he didn’t know whether that was enough or not.
He swayed on the balls of his feet, as if trying to decide whether to walk away or not, and then finally went back to Santa, pulling him aside for a brief word.
Santa nodded, and then seemed far happier to carry on than the elf had done.
Zoe was glad to see they’d avoided all-out panic – that was the last thing Kat needed.
Billie came back a couple of minutes later.
‘The crew say they’ll take us back and then take the boat out again when we’ve disembarked,’ she said breathlessly.
‘That’s brilliant.’ Zoe turned to Kat. ‘All right with you?’ Even as Kat nodded, Zoe noticed the boat changing course. The vista that they’d been leaving behind them was now moving to the fore. ‘Thanks, Billie,’ she said.
Billie gave a tentative smile.
‘Are you all right?’ she asked Kat.
‘I am with your lovely… sorry, you said she was your stepdaughter?’ she added to Zoe.
‘Not quite, but the easiest way to describe us,’ Zoe said. ‘This is Billie, my partner’s daughter. We’re not married, so not quite a stepfamily, but I like to think we’re as good as.’
‘Me too,’ Billie said. ‘Zoe’s brilliant – she’ll look after you. She was my midwife. That’s how she met my dad.’
Kat raised an eyebrow, and Zoe blushed.
‘That sounds dodgier than I’d like,’ she said, laughing.
‘Actually, I was thinking what a legend you are,’ Kat said. ‘That’s one way to meet a man.’
‘It’s not something I make a habit of… honestly!’
‘I’m glad to hear it.’
‘It wasn’t like that though, was it?’ Billie said to Zoe.
‘It certainly wasn’t my intention to fall madly in love,’ Zoe conceded, and Billie stared at her, as if the idea of Zoe being in love with her father was something that had never occurred to her.
It ought to have done, but perhaps Zoe had never quite stated it to her with such unhesitating openness before.
‘That’s so sweet,’ Kat said and then winced again, causing all thoughts of Alex to fly from Zoe’s mind.
‘A contraction?’ she asked sharply.
Kat shook her head. ‘I’m fine; it was just a twinge.
I’d better text my husband to let him know what’s going on.
’ She smoothed a hand over her son’s head – he’d been watching the exchange in wide-eyed, wondering silence.
‘Are you all right, kiddo?’ He nodded, though, in truth, he probably had no clue whether he ought to be all right or not.
‘It looks as if your little brother is on his way,’ she added.
And at this, Mikey gave a hesitant smile. ‘He’s coming today?’
‘Maybe. Maybe tomorrow, but soon.’
Mikey punched the air. ‘Yes!’
‘You’re looking forward to meeting him then?’ Zoe asked.
Mikey nodded, shyer now. ‘I’m going to show him how to do everything when he’s older.’
‘That’s good. That’s what big brothers are for, right?’
There was the faintest bump, and then the boat came to a halt. One of the crew members came through to the cabin and looked around for a moment.
Zoe stood up. ‘We’re here.’
‘Right…’
The young man led them out to the deck.
Patrick was there, watching as the boat was made fast. He shot a bemused but wry grin at Zoe. ‘I might have known you’d be trouble. Friends of Lavender’s usually are.’
‘I try not to be,’ Zoe said with a grin. ‘But trouble seems to follow me around. No offence to you, of course, Kat,’ she added.
Kat smiled. ‘None taken, though I seem to have the same problem.’
After being helped off the boat, Kat took her son’s hand and began to walk slowly towards the car park.
Zoe shouted her back. ‘No way, you’re not driving!’ She turned to Billie. ‘Will you be all right doing the rest of the trip without me? I really need to go with Kat to make sure she’s OK.’
‘What’s the point of me staying here?’ Billie asked. ‘Louisa already met Santa and she hated it anyway. I might as well come with you.’
‘But—’
‘Please,’ Billie said. ‘I can’t get home without you anyway.’
Zoe hesitated and then let out a sigh. ‘Right. Hang on.’
Leaving her to get off the boat, Zoe dashed after Kat.
‘Is it all right to go in my car? Insurance and all that. It might be a squash, but Billie will be able to come with us because we’ll have Louisa’s car seat.
Do you have one in your car for Mikey?’ Kat nodded as she got out her keys.
‘Let me go and get it… Which is your car?’
Kat gave Zoe the model and colour, but in the end, all she had to do was to click the key fob and the car in question unlocked with a loud clunk to give itself away.
She grabbed the seat and then locked it again before leading everyone to her own car.
Much as she’d wanted to leave Billie out of this, perhaps it would be useful to have her there.
Billie would be able to keep Mikey occupied and an eye on Kat for any sudden changes while Zoe drove.
And if the worst happened and Zoe had to stop on the road and get ready for a hasty birth, Billie’s presence would be even more invaluable.