THEO’S EXAMINATION AND the ultrasound determined that Liz’s abruption had grown larger.
‘I’m going to induce labour, Liz. It’s time to get this little fellow out.’
‘All right,’ she said, looking terrified and hanging onto her husband’s hand so tightly his fingertips were turning white. ‘Is the baby doing well?’
‘We’re monitoring him carefully,’ Nya told her. ‘Don’t worry.’
After Theo had administered the oxytocin, he took Nya aside.
‘Have Hazel call and get Roman on his way here. I want to make sure that if there are any complications after delivery, Liz and her son will be on the way to St Isolde’s for treatment as soon as possible.’
Nya nodded, and slipped from the room to do as told. The chances of haemorrhage and clotting issues after an abruption were high, and although the baby was near term, he might still have issues with his lungs.
Liz’s labour started in earnest not too long after, and in quick time her son was born. Just then Nya heard the distinctive wump-wump-wump of the helicopter’s rotors, as Roman brought the aircraft in for a landing in the field behind the hospital.
Baby McDermott gave a weak wail as Nya placed him briefly on his mother’s chest, and both parents cried with relief at seeing him.
Then she had to break up the tender scene, taking the infant for a quick check of his Apgar score, glad that Theo had arranged for transport.
‘Seven on the Apgar,’ she told Theo quietly. ‘With a one on the A, G, and R.’
He nodded tersely. ‘I’m going with them to Falmouth. Let’s get them ready for transport.’
After a flurry of activity, soon Roman was wheeling mother and baby to the helicopter, Theo walking alongside the gurney, holding Liz’s hand.
As the helicopter rose into the afternoon sky, Lorna sighed.
‘Think they’ll be all right, Nya?’
Putting an arm around the younger woman’s shoulders, Nya gave her a brief hug.
‘There are no guarantees, but I think so. Beside the fact that St Isolde’s is a first-class hospital, Dr Turner is one of the best obstetric consultants around.’
Making their way back into the hospital, they parted company—Lorna going off to salvage what she could of her long-abandoned lunch, and Nya to go and collect Hope.
‘Oh, do let me keep her here with me.’ Hazel, always so motherly, was clearly enjoying the task of babysitter. ‘I haven’t had a baby to cuddle for ages. Besides, you’re still on shift, aren’t you?’
Nya laughed, and waggled her fingers in a give it here motion.
‘I don’t often pull rank, but what’s the use of being Head of Midwifery if I can’t occasionally skive off to take care of my foster baby? If anyone needs me, I’ll be in my office. And if there’s another emergency, I’ll bring her back to you.’
With an exaggerated sigh, Hazel handed Hope over, and Nya set off for her office, going via the staff room to collect the container of salad she’d thrown together that morning.
Hope was awake, but not fussing. Nya checked her nappy anyway, and settled her in her carrycot before tucking into her lunch.
Thank goodness today was Saturday, and senior midwife Sophie was on call for Sunday, while Nya took the next two days off. That meant Nya had time to take care of Hope and still get some of her usual chores done. She’d been meaning to tell Theo she’d keep Hope tomorrow and the next day, so he didn’t need to worry, but, somehow, she hadn’t got around to it.
And she knew why.
Until she could figure out what these feelings and reactions she was having whenever he was around were, she was determined to minimise contact. Yet, wouldn’t that mean telling him not to worry about taking care of the baby for the next two days, so there was no need to see him? Instead of doing that this morning, when she’d thought of it, she’d blithely gone on with her day. After all, she could easily have texted him after she’d dropped Hope off...
Tearing her thoughts away from that particular conundrum, she pulled out her phone and brought up the app she used to make her to-do lists.
The last one she’d made a couple of days ago still had a number of chores on it, and she quickly picked out the ones she deemed most important. Laundry. Finishing the ruana she was knitting for her mother, and the last of the lap blankets she was planning to donate to the care home in Penzance. Putting up the last of the decorations in the cottage and finding time to deal with her super-secret project.
Then there were new items to add.
A layette set for Hope.
Maybe a gift for Theo?
Leaning back in her chair, she gave that some thought.
Since she’d never given him a Christmas gift before, except for once when she drew his name for the work Secret Santa, wouldn’t doing so now seem strange?
Yet, at the same time, they were friends of long standing, and co-fosterers now too. Wouldn’t not giving him a gift seem even stranger?
Should she invite him to spend Christmas and Kwanzaa with her, Mum and Hope? She had no idea what his plans were, or if he’d even be interested in coming to her cottage on the day. Maybe he was thinking of having Hope to himself, unless TJ and Gillian were coming down to spend the holidays with him?
She’d have to ask him, and that was all there was to it, since that was the only way to find out. Adding asking him his plans to her list didn’t solve the question of the gift though, and Nya didn’t like not having her ducks in a row.
‘Don’t be daft, Nya,’ she scolded herself, rubbing her temple. ‘Ask him about his plans, then decide about the gift.’
But there was no way to avoid the knowledge that she hoped he’d want to spend the day with her. With them, she corrected, even as she grimaced and admitted she’d got it right the first time.
She wanted to spend time with him, even as she dreaded it too. Whatever was happening with her, she knew it was one-sided and, if she were smart, she’d never let Theo figure out how her feelings towards him were morphing.
It was probably just a temporary thing—an anomaly brought on by the time of the year, and the shared experience of caring for Hope.
Besides, there was no telling whether Hope would still be with them at Christmas time, she reminded herself firmly. The social worker had intimated that unless they found the baby’s parents, she probably would be, but Nya knew she had to brace herself for whatever came.
In the past, the first part of December had always been an off time for her. Jim’s birthday, coupled with the Christmas festivities rushing towards her, had often made her feel off-kilter. It had taken a number of years after his death for her to genuinely enjoy the holiday season again. He’d loved it so. Insisting on dressing as Santa Claus and handing out gifts at the base party, even though it took pounds of stuffing to achieve the proper dimensions. Buying his mum and dad the very best gifts he could afford, and watching with such joy when they opened them.
Showering her with presents too, even when she scolded him for spending so much of his money. He’d just laugh, and pick her up to spin her around until she was dizzy, threatening not to stop until she admitted she liked them. Making her laugh so hard, as she clung to his neck, that tears rolled down her cheeks.
Such a zest for life.
Mum’s words came back to her, lingered in her mind, as she closed the app, and picked back up her fork.
Loving Jim had taught her to enjoy whatever came her way.
Losing him had taught her nothing lasted for ever, and it was wise not to get too invested in anyone.
All things, especially good things, came to an end.
And, for once, she was glad to have her phone ring in the midst of her lunch, since it put paid to her muddled, somewhat maudlin thoughts.
‘Hello. Nya Ademi,’ she said briskly into the phone.
‘Hi, it’s Caroline Harker. I was just calling to see how things were going with baby Hope, and to tell you I’ve made an appointment with the paediatrician on staff with us to have a look at her next Tuesday. Will you be able to take her to Penzance then?’
‘Of course. Just tell me the time, and either I or Dr Turner will make sure she’s there.’
By the time she’d got off the phone, having taken all the details, and despite what she’d said to Hazel, it was time to get back to work.
Luckily the afternoon wasn’t particularly busy, but what with Nya supervising Lorna and seeing patients, Hope spent more time with Hazel than Nya would have liked. All the comings and goings around the reception area made it a less than optimal environment for such a young baby, even though Hazel made sure to keep everyone at bay.
Except herself, of course.
‘She’s such a little darling, isn’t she?’ she cooed, as she once more reluctantly handed Hope over to Nya at the end of the day. ‘Such a good baby too.’
‘She is,’ Nya agreed as she strapped Hope into the car seat in preparation for the trip home. Unfortunately, the base was still in Theo’s car, and the keys were presumably in his pocket. Luckily, Nya’s cottage wasn’t too far, and she’d decided to walk home rather than risk driving with the untethered carrier. ‘She really only cries when she’s hungry or needs a fresh nappy. Otherwise, she’s just as happy as can be.’
‘My youngest seemed to never stop crying,’ Hazel said with a laugh. ‘Came out wailing like a banshee and didn’t stop until she turned twenty or so.’
‘I’ll make sure to tell her you said that the next time I see her,’ Nya replied, trying to make it sound like a threat, even though she couldn’t help giggling. ‘I’m sure she’d enjoy hearing it.’
‘Oh, she’d give me an earful, for sure. Off with you, before you get me into trouble.’
Although still early it was dark outside, but the streetlights were on, and although it had drizzled earlier and a light mist hung in the air, the walk home wasn’t unpleasant. Most of the cottages visible from the street were festooned with lights, and here and there a Christmas tree twinkled behind the windows. Nya took a deep breath of crisp air, grateful that the day was coming to a close, and she had two days of loving up on Hope to look forward to without interruption.
Drat it. She still hadn’t texted Theo about that.
Shrugging to herself, she decided to do it after she’d got home, and settled Hope for the night.
As though on cue, as soon as she got to her door, Hope stirred, and let out an exploratory cry, which Nya now recognised as the preamble to her I’m hungry...feed me now wail.
‘Just a few minutes,’ she said, giggling as she got the door open. ‘Your timing is impeccable.’
This was, she thought a while later, her new favourite time of day. Hope was fed and bathed, exuding that sweet, heart-melting baby scent as Nya held her on her shoulder and rocked her to sleep. She couldn’t remember a more peaceful time, or one that made her feel as though she were exactly where she was supposed to be. So much so that it took a great deal of determination to finally get up and take Hope to her cot, and put her down to sleep.
Wandering back out into the living room, Nya stood still for a moment, contemplating whether to bother eating or not. Really, she didn’t feel like cooking, and crackers and cheese didn’t appeal. As though in objection to the thought, her stomach rumbled.
‘Crackers and cheese it is, then,’ she said aloud, heading for the kitchen.
Then headlights swung across the glass pane at the front of the house, and she paused. The sound of the car’s engine shutting off had her walking to peep out through the window, in time to see Theo getting out of the vehicle.
Even as her heart did that ridiculous thing it had taken to doing whenever she saw him, Nya was trying to reason with herself, and get her breathing under control.
He must have just stopped by to bring the car-seat base. That was all.
She stepped back from the window, giving herself just a few seconds before opening the door.
Theo indeed had the base for the car seat in one hand, and in the other was a paper sack.
‘Sorry for leaving you without use of the seat,’ he said, with one of those heart-melting smiles. Holding up the sack, he continued, ‘I brought dinner, as a peace offering.’
‘Not necessary,’ she replied, stepping back so he could come in. ‘But gratefully received. I was just about to have crackers and cheese, not wanting to bother cooking.’
‘Not the most nutritious way to end the day, but I completely understand. I’ve had a few nights like that myself.’
Funny how her perfectly adequate home, with its open living and dining room combination, suddenly seemed to shrink when Theo entered. He took up all the space, and apparently more than his fair share of the air, since Nya still had to fight to catch a deep breath.
‘I’ll get cutlery,’ she said, for the sake of something to say. ‘Sit down.’
Setting the bag down on the dining table, he started taking out containers, and Nya’s stomach rumbled again at the heavenly scents suddenly filling the air.
‘I wasn’t sure what you’d like, but I stopped at the Ethiopian place in Penzance, since I know their food is always good.’
Nya felt a giggle rising in her throat, and bit it back.
‘You must have been talking to my mum. She loves that restaurant.’
She was coming back out of the kitchen as she spoke, and saw his head tilt slightly, before he replied, ‘You know, I think it was Iona who told me about it, months ago.’
‘I’m not surprised. She’d eat there every night if she could. How are Liz and her son?’
Theo was unwrapping a foil packet, those lovely hands deftly opening it without tearing either the covering or the injera within.
‘She’s stable and should make a full recovery. We needed to cauterise and give her blood, and little Nicolas will be in the NICU at least until tomorrow, to make sure his lungs are functioning properly.’
‘Yum,’ she said, as he opened a container and the familiar scent made her mouth water. ‘Doro wat. My favourite.’
Theo smiled, and she had to look away.
‘Many kinds of wat,’ he said. ‘Since I wanted to make sure there was something you’d be happy to eat.’
They used the plates, but the cutlery remained pristine as they both ate in Ethiopian style—tearing off pieces of injera and using the bits to scoop up mouthfuls of the various stews.
Conversation was restricted to requests to pass each other dishes, as they both ate hungrily. When they were finished, Nya got up to put away the leftovers, while Theo asked to look in on Hope.
‘Of course. Last door at the end of the hall.’
And she turned towards the kitchen, not wanting him to see how the thought of having him in her bedroom made her face feel as though it were on fire.
All she could hope was that by the time she went to bed, there’d be no trace of Theo’s distinctive scent lingering there, to bedevil her dreams!