Page 62 of Escape for Christmas
‘Yes. Yes, Anna mentioned it. They were sent one by the midwives because she was planning a home birth. It’s in their car.’
Sophie was pleased to see him look slightly less concerned. ‘That’s good too and if she was planning a home birth, they must be expecting everything to be straightforward. Wait here a sec. At least I can be with her to reassure her, but hopefully the baby will hang on for the professionals.’
Relief flooded through Sophie and she realised she was shaking. ‘Thanks. I don’t know what I was going to do if you’d said no.’
‘I would never have done that,’ he said and put his arm around her. ‘We’ll manage somehow. And, Sophie, breathe …’
She nodded.
Tegan hurried downstairs then, pulling her fluffy robe tightly around her, aghast at the sight of Sophie dripping melted snow over the hall tiles. ‘What’s happened?’
‘There’s a medical emergency at the guest house next door,’ Brody explained. ‘I’m going to lend a hand.’
Tegan gasped. ‘But, but you’re only avet. What can you possibly do?’
‘One of my guests has gone into premature labour,’ Sophie explained.
Tegan’s eyebrows shot up. ‘Wow! Haven’t you called an ambulance?’
‘Of course,’ Sophie replied, unable to disguise her irritation at Brody’s fiancée’s patronising tone. ‘But even a helicopter may not get here in time. I didn’t know who else to call.’
Tegan clutched his elbow. ‘Be careful, Brody. Don’t get sued!’
‘Thank you, Tegan,’ Brody growled. ‘I will be careful and I may only be a vet, but I’m going to do my best to help.’
Not long after, Sophie ushered Brody through the front door of Sunnyside into an unnerving scene. Although the low-level lights gave enough illumination to make out a path down the stairs and into the hall, their shadows cast eerie patterns on the walls.
‘Anna’s in my flat,’ she said. ‘And the lights aren’t on in there at all. We’re relying on torches and mobile phones, plus a couple of lanterns in there.’
The guests appeared in the doorway from the lounge. Nico, Una, Hugo, Suzanne and – amazingly – Amber were all waiting for news. There was no sign of Agatha. Sophie hoped she hadn’t fallen over in the dark and added to the casualty list. ‘Pete brought the children into the lounge with us,’ Una told Sophie. ‘He thought they’d be happier in here.’
Ignoring everyone, Sophie ushered Brody through to her flat. Anna let out a wail. Pete was waiting in the sitting room.
‘Thank God!’ he said with a huge sigh of relief. ‘Is this the doctor?’
‘Not quite,’ Sophie replied. ‘He’s the local vet.’
Agatha emerged from the bedroom. ‘Avet?’
‘I’m here to help,’ Brody retorted sharply. ‘So if we could just see the mother, there’s no time to waste.’
Agatha nodded. ‘I’m sorry. Thanks for coming and, between us, we should manage. I’m Agatha, and I’m a nurse. Retired nurse actually, but I have assisted at many births. I’m afraid I’ve also had several cocktails, though frankly I’m sobering up rapidly now. I’ve been helping to look after Anna, keep her calm and do her breathing exercises. I’ve timed the contractions. They’re three minutes apart.’
‘That doesn’t sound very far apart …’ Sophie murmured.
‘It isn’t,’ said Agatha. ‘You look quite pale, my dear.’
‘I’m – er – don’t worry about me.
‘Thanks, Agatha,’ Brody cut in firmly. ‘With both of us, I’m sure we can help deliver a baby. If we have to,’ he added hastily. ‘Which I’m sure we won’t.’
Pete let out a groan.
Suddenly Amber popped her head around the door of Sophie’s sitting room. ‘Hello,’ she said. ‘Can I help?’
Sophie nodded. ‘Yes, please! Would you mind finding as many torches or sources of light as you can. There are more battery tea lights in the store cupboard in the kitchen. Can you please bring them here?’
‘No problem.’
