‘I just can’t switch off.’ Rita lay back on the white pillow. Her voice cracked slightly. ‘I am being fully checked over in a minute.’ She pointed to the mobile scanner to her side. ‘So, we will know what’s going on in here.’ She rubbed her tummy.
‘I pray everything is OK.’ Jago kissed her forehead, then pushed a stray hair from her eyes.
‘Do they have any idea how it might have started?’ Rita reached for his hand.
Jago shook his head. ‘Not yet.’
‘I’ve drummed into Zenya and Teo about turning everything off, every plug, every appliance. We do have the candles in the vintage holders in there but only light them for special gatherings. I can’t think what could have gone wrong.’
He rubbed his chin, frowning. ‘Well… they’re sending a fire inspector tomorrow. No obvious cause, like I said, but they do need to rule out foul play. You know, just to make it legitimate for the insurance.’
Rita nodded, a little distracted by the thought. ‘I suppose that makes sense… though I hate the idea of someone poking around, making a fuss over it all.’
‘Better safe than sorry,’ Jago said, squeezing her hand and acknowledging the doctor who had just walked in and was going through Rita’s notes.
‘It is such a relief everyone is OK.’ Rita laid her head back.
Jago looked pained. ‘I’m worried about Hilda, though. She wasn’t brought into here and I don’t know why.’
‘Oh no, poor Hilda, I didn’t know.’
‘Yes, I found her staggering out of the burning café.’
Rita welled up.
‘Did she have any burns, do you know?’ the doctor interjected.
‘She could well have done.’ Jago nodded. His mouth then turned down when he added without thought, ‘She seemed so frail when I lifted her.’
‘She might have been taken straight to Trevellen General, then – they have a burns and critical care unit there.’
‘Thank you and oh no, bless her. I must call her.’
Jago nodded. ‘Yes, but first we need to check how this little baby of ours is.’
The gynaecologist glanced between them, a little smile tugging at her lips. ‘All is fine here. Your wif…’ The doctor checked herself. ‘Mumis very lucky,’ she said softly. ‘I’ve had an extra special look around and thebabiesare both healthy and just where they should be.’
Rita let herself exhale fully for the first time in what felt like hours. Relief, love and exhaustion rolled into one perfect, overwhelming wave. She burst into tears.
Jago’s eyes widened. ‘Two?’
‘Yes.’ Rita nodded furiously, tears carving rivulets down her ashen cheeks. ‘And if Zenya is right, two boys.’
‘Double trouble, double trouble,’ Jago laughed.
‘Exactly!’ Rita blew her nose with a tissue the doctor handed her.
‘I think it’s the best news.’ Jago couldn’t stop himself grinning.
Rita’s eyes widened. ‘A perfect family of seven with Amélie included.’ She paused. ‘Jesus, we will have five kids between us.’
‘Er… yes.’ Jago hesitated. ‘With Amélie, er… of course. I… I just can’t believe we’re having twins,’ he repeated.
Rita managed a smile. ‘Believe it, sunshine, because it’s certainly happening.’
‘When are you due?’
‘November the seventh but as I am older and it is two of them I will have a C-section before full term. We haven’t got as far as a date yet.’
