Page 40 of A Christmas Wish for the Village Midwife

‘Dandelion…’ Zoe scrunched her nose as she tried to remember which alpaca that was. Victor knew them all like children, but it was much harder for anyone else to say which was which. Grizzle pulled at the lead, anxious to follow a smell out of the gate from where they’d just come. ‘Oh…’ she exclaimed with a sudden epiphany, ‘is that the pregnant one? Is she giving birth?’

‘She’s gone into labour,’ Corrine said, ushering Zoe inside. ‘Victor’s ever so worried because they’re supposed to give birth in the morning.’

‘Really?’ Zoe frowned. ‘I’ve never heard of that before. Why?’

‘Something to do with where they come from, helping the baby survive the night. I don’t exactly know, but it’s what Victor read.’

‘Is it all right to bring Grizzle in?’ Zoe asked. ‘He’s a bit muddy… Come to think of it, I might be muddy too. I wasn’t expecting the fields to be so waterlogged.’

‘Don’t worry, I’m sure I’ve had worse in the kitchen, and everything will clean.’

‘How long will she be in labour?’ Zoe asked.

‘I’m not sure. Victor’s never had a pregnant one before. He was a bit panicked when he phoned for the vet – he didn’t like the look of how she was, and he wasn’t confident at all. I hope the vet’s up there now. Victor will worry if he’s coping on his own, and it’s not good for him to worry; gets his blood pressure right up.’

Zoe was about to suggest that they phone him to find out if the vet had arrived, and then remembered that neither Corrine nor Victor carried a mobile. ‘I could go up and see if everything is all right? If the vet hasn’t arrived yet, it would be some moral support.’

‘I’d have gone myself, but he said not to. He said it was too dark and cold for me up there… Honestly,’ she huffed, ‘I don’t know what he takes me for. I’m a farmer’s wife – I’m made of sterner stuff than that.’ Despite her words, Corrine hadn’t followed Victor to the alpaca enclosure and didn’t seem as if she was going to any time soon. ‘Probably best to leave Grizzle here. I know he’s a sweet thing, but he might spook the girls, especially when they’re all probably sensing something going on with Dandelion. Are you sure you’ll be all right? It’s dark. I can give you a torch, or I could ask Penny to take you up in their jeep.’

‘That’s all right.’ Something else occurred to her. ‘Where’s Leon? I’d have thought he’d be up there with Victor for something like this?’

‘He’s away for work. Typical – he’d usually be the first person Victor would call on for help.’

‘I could ask Alex—’ Zoe began, recalling that Alex would have jumped at the opportunity to see the birth, though she also remembered that he was supposed to be talking to Billie right now. So Victor didn’t have the son-in-law he usually leaned on when he needed an extra pair of hands, or Alex, the neighbour he’d often ask when Leon wasn’t around. In the circumstances, Zoe was only too happy to offer her services, though she wasn’t sure how much use they’d be.

‘No, no, love. That’s good of you, but I don’t think it will make any difference. No offence, but your Alex isn’t very experienced in these matters.’

‘I’m not either.’

‘Like you said, it’s moral support he needs until the vet arrives, and you can give that as well as anyone. In fact,’ Corrine continued with a tight smile, ‘you might not know about alpacas, but you know about giving birth.’

‘God, I wouldn’t know where to start with anything other than a human baby!’

‘I’m sure the basics are similar.’

Zoe highly doubted that, but it was all academic anyway. She wouldn’t need to get involved here if the vet was going to be in attendance, but she couldn’t deny it would be exciting to see Dandelion give birth. ‘If you don’t mind Grizzle sitting with you, then I’ll go up.’

‘Of course, love. Let me find you…’ Corrine went to a drawer and started to empty it. ‘Here we are!’ She handed Zoe a chubby-barrelled torch.

‘I’ve got one on my phone.’

‘This will be better,’ Corrine insisted. ‘Could you take them a flask of tea while you’re there?’ she added, going to the worktop by the kettle. ‘Victor forgot to pick it up, and he’ll be getting thirsty.’

‘No problem.’ Zoe took the flask and tucked it beneath her arm as she bent to fuss Grizzle briefly. ‘Be good for Corrine because if you’re not, I’ll hear about it.’

‘He’s always a good boy,’ Corrine said. ‘I’ve got some dried pigs’ ears I’m sure will keep him busy.’

Zoe grimaced at the thought of dried pigs’ ears before taking the torch and heading out into the night.

7

Victor looked surprised to see her, but then, Zoe supposed he would be.

‘I called at the house,’ she explained. ‘And Corrine said Dandelion had gone into labour. Is there anything I can do to help? I’m usually all about the human babies, but I’m sure I can get water or whatever if you tell me what you need.’

‘The vet is on the way,’ Victor said, ‘though I think Dandelion might do just fine by herself.’

‘You don’t look convinced of that.’