Page 69 of A Christmas Wish for the Village Midwife

Lavender pouted like a toddler. ‘She always says she doesn’t care if people eat meat around her.’

‘Yes, that’s true, but I think having meat on a spread that’s in her honour might be a tad out of order. Look on the bright side – at least she’s not vegan. You can have egg and cheese sandwiches.’

‘Yippee…’

Zoe grinned. ‘Come on… come and help me get the wine out of my car.’

‘I’m surprised you didn’t get non-alcoholic, seeing as she can’t drink either.’

‘I did,’ Zoe said and laughed at Lavender’s groan. ‘As well as a nice bottle of full-blooded Chablis for you because you’re being picked up afterwards so you can drink yourself daft.’

‘You’re such a wind-up,’ Lavender grumbled as she followed Zoe out to the car.

Emilia was just getting out of hers as they went outside.

‘Home visit?’ Zoe asked.

Emilia nodded. ‘Hopefully the last of the year. Unless I get called out on an emergency. Let’s not manifest that, shall we?’

‘Are you staying for Shabana’s leaving do?’

‘I’ll pop my head in if I can,’ Emilia said, and Zoe glanced at Lavender to catch the faintest look of disappointment. ‘I hope you’re not offended if I don’t stay for long… I’ve got some bits and pieces to catch up on.’

‘It’s not us who will be offended or not,’ Lavender said. ‘It’s Shabana’s do.’

‘I’ve already spoken to Shabana and explained, and she understands,’ Emilia said briskly. She glanced at the box of wine as Zoe opened her boot. Zoe half expected her to show some kind of disapproval, but she said nothing. Instead, she strode to the surgery and went inside.

‘I thought she might kick off then about the booze,’ Lavender said.

‘So did I.’

‘You’re always saying she’s a nice person deep down, and she just has this very practical way about her, but I find it hard to believe. You must see something nobody else does.’

‘I’ve known her for years, don’t forget. I agree, she’s not the easiest person to get along with, and she’s certainly not naturally warm, but she does care. If anything, she cares too much – that’s why she’s so serious when it comes to her patients and the way the surgery is run. You can’t fault that.’

‘If you say so,’ Lavender said, though she looked unconvinced. She pulled out one of the bottles and inspected the label. ‘You picked this?’

‘Alex helped me.’

‘Not bad. All right. I’ll allow you to marry him.’

Zoe burst out laughing. ‘Thanks. He’ll be thrilled when I let him know we’ve had your blessing!’

As they walked back to the surgery with the box of wine and some crackers Zoe had picked up from the village shop on the way through, Lavender continued, but her tone definitely had an edge of mischief to it. ‘When are you going to get married? You can’t tell me you haven’t thought about it because I’ve never seen a soppier couple than you two.’

‘We’re not that bad! Besides, next year is Ottilie’s big year – she can do the marrying. I don’t want to steal her thunder.’

‘That’s the worst excuse I’ve ever heard. So we can’t have more than one wedding in a year? Come on – I’m desperate for a few good parties!’

‘We’re about to have a party.’

‘Oh you know what I mean! A proper booze-up where someone does something unmentionable that the whole village won’t stop talking about for years to come.’

‘Sorry to disappoint you, but even if Alex and me were to get married, you wouldn’t find any of that going on at our wedding reception. I’m not sure you’ll get it at Ottilie’s either.’

‘Far too sensible, the pair of you. Imagine how cute Louisa will look as a bridesmaid. Billie too, for that matter.’

‘Don’t tell her you said she’d look cute – she wouldn’t thank you. Louisa, yes, she would look adorable. It’ll happen in its own sweet time.’ Zoe held open the door for Lavender. ‘How’s the panto going? Have you had your final rehearsal yet?’