‘Well, I’m going to get going. I have work in the morning.’
‘And Jay and I are interviewing tomorrow. Let me walk you out anyway.’
Liz gasped as she stood up and Emma turned around, concerned.
‘Are you okay?’
‘Yes, the baby must be a bit cramped.’
‘Are you sure? I can stay over if you don’t want to be on your own.’
Liz laughed. ‘Don’t be daft. I’m getting used to aches and pains.’ But as she reached the door, she almost doubled over in pain.
‘Right, that’s it. I’m not going anywhere,’ Emma said.
Liz’s face was pure white as she clutched her stomach. Then all of a sudden water gushed onto her feet.
‘Oh, shit, I think my waters have broken. But it’s too early — I’m only twenty-eight weeks.’
‘Everything’s going to be fine.’ Emma tried to keep her voice as calm as possible even though she was panicking on the inside. ‘I’ll call an ambulance.’
‘No, let me speak to the maternity ward first.’
Emma nodded, picked up Liz’s phone from the coffee table and handed it to her. She waited, listening to the one-sided conversation. After a few moments Liz put the phone down. ‘They want me to go straight in. They’re sending an ambulance, but said we should phone them back if things progress before it arrives.’
‘Really? They think it might happen that fast?’
‘It’s unlikely,’ Liz said, but she didn’t look convinced.
The thought of possibly having to deliver a premature baby on her own made Emma panic even more, but she did her best not to let Liz see she was completely freaked out.
‘First things first, let’s get you into some dry clothes.’
Liz snapped out of her daze. ‘Yes, you’re right. Can you call Alex?’
‘Of course. Are you okay getting changed or do you need me to help?’
‘No, I can manage.’ Liz bent over as pain gripped her again. ‘It may take some time, though.’
‘Just do your best and, if you need any help, give me a shout.’
‘Just get Alex.’
‘Will do.’
While Liz was in the bedroom, Emma grabbed her phone and dialled Alex’s number, but it went straight to voicemail.
She put it down and shouted down the hall, ‘You okay in there?’
‘Yes, I’m fine.’ Liz sounded anything but fine. ‘Did you get through?’
‘Not yet, but I’ll keep trying.’
In between trying to phone Alex, Emma mopped up the mess on the carpet, hoping to save it from being completely ruined.
Liz emerged from her bedroom, her face ashen.
‘Oh, Em, this isn’t right. I’m so scared.’
