Chapter 36
T he seconds we all stood there staring at the pool of water seemed to go on forever.
‘That’s not what I think it is, is it?’ The colour drained from Gideon’s face.
‘Ew,’ Julia said.
Gideon’s eyes began to roll, and passing out, his head landed on Julia’s shoulder.
‘This was not on my Christmas bingo card,’ Brian said.
Finally snapping into action, I reached for my bag and fumbled for my phone. ‘I’ll ring for an ambulance.’
‘But we’re in the middle of nowhere,’ Jake said.
‘What if it can’t find us?’ He raced to the window and peering through the glass, scanned our surroundings.
‘It’s pitch black out there. We’re miles from a station.
’ He looked back at us. ‘I doubt there’s even a road.
’ Fear all over his face, he put a hand up to his head. ‘Think, Jake, think.’
Lexi whimpered.
‘Don’t worry.’ Alex stepped forward, his expression one of confident reassurance. ‘We have plenty of time before the baby comes. Labour might not kick in for twenty-four hours.’
Lexi appeared less than convinced. ‘Which suggests it could also start sooner.’
‘One step at a time,’ Alex continued. ‘For now, we just need to monitor your pains to see if there’s a pattern to them.’
Wondering what made him the font of all midwifery knowledge, I gave him a questioning look.
‘My sister had home births,’ Alex said. ‘You don’t forget these things.’
‘Did you hear that, Lexi? Alex has done this before.’ Jake moved to comfort his wife.
‘Don’t touch me.’ She glowered at her husband. ‘It’s because of you I’m in this mess.’
Hurt swept across Jake’s face.
Brian took the father-to-be’s arm. ‘Come on, son. Let’s go and find the conductor. He can radio ahead and have an ambulance waiting at the next stop.’
‘This can’t be happening,’ Lexi said, as Jake disappeared from view. ‘I can’t give birth here.’ Tears sprang in her eyes. ‘I told him we’d be better staying at home. Why didn’t he listen?’
‘Everything’s going to be fine,’ I said. ‘The train will be on the move again soon and you’ll be at the hospital before you know it.’
‘I hope you’re right,’ Martha said. Her voice almost a whisper, she seemed to instinctively put a hand on her tummy.
My heart went out to her and realising she needed to be kept busy for her own sake as much as Lexi’s, I reached for my tote bag and pulled out my knitting. ‘How are you at this?’ I asked.
Martha stared at the needles, confused. ‘I can knit and purl, if that’s what you mean?’
‘Can you cast off?’
Martha nodded.
I passed everything over. ‘Away you go then. We’ll need something to wrap the baby in when the time comes.’
Clearly appreciating the distraction, Martha settled herself down, took a deep breath and got to it.
Lexi grimaced as another pain welled in her belly.