No Place to Hide by Lewis Susan

Author:Lewis, Susan [Lewis, Susan]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Random House UK, Cornerstone
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Chippingly Vale, UK

IT WAS A Wednesday afternoon at the beginning of November when Justine’s waters broke, announcing the imminent arrival of Tallulah Catherine May.

‘Ugh! Gross!’ Abby squeaked, quickly stepping away from the gush.

They were in the deli, with Cheryl and a handful of regulars.

‘I’m not due for another week,’ Justine complained as Cheryl rushed to her side, abandoning a woman with a slice of cherry tart and no cup of tea. ‘Matt’s in London.’

‘He’ll be here in time,’ Cheryl assured her. ‘Abby, do something useful like call an ambulance.’

‘Already done,’ Janet Beasley informed them, bustling over in her matronly way. She used to run a care home near Colchester before retiring to the West Country, which didn’t exactly qualify her to deliver a baby if the need arose, but she was always a comforting presence.

‘I’m fine, honestly,’ Justine assured her. ‘I don’t think …’ She gasped as a sharp pain shot through her.

‘Just take a seat,’ Mrs Beasley instructed. ‘No need to get into a fuss about anything.’

‘Should I shut the shop?’ Cheryl wondered aloud.

‘Who are you calling?’ Justine asked Abby.

Eyes bright with excitement, Abby cried, ‘Dad. Who else? Oh God, it’s his voicemail, what shall I say? I know – Dad, it’s me, not sure I can cope without you, but going to try. She’s all right for the moment, but think you should get here. Oh my God, it’s totally amazing! I can’t believe it’s happening at last. I’m totally buzzing. Love you … Oh yes, baby’s on its way.’

Laughing as Abby treated her to a goggle-eyed look, Justine loved her for the support she’d given over the last few months, and held her bump as she said, ‘Does this mean you’ll come to the hospital with me?’

‘Are you kidding?’ Abby retorted, apparently shocked her mother might think she wouldn’t. ‘I’m not letting you go on your own, but no way am I watching, right? I mean, there are some parts of my education that can definitely wait.’ She looked at Cheryl. ‘Chantal ought to be here,’ she decided, opening up her phone again. ‘She’s the one who wants to be a doctor.’

‘I don’t think there’s much she can do for the moment,’ Janet Beasley pointed out kindly. ‘Are you OK, dear?’ she asked as Justine winced. ‘Bit further along than we thought, mm?’

‘Oh no, please no, not in the middle of the deli,’ Abby protested. ‘Anyone could walk in …’

‘Shut up,’ Justine laughed, knowing she was teasing.

‘Someone should put up the closed sign,’ Abby declared.

‘I think I should drive you,’ Cheryl insisted, going to lock the till.

‘I can run things here,’ Abby offered.

‘I thought you were coming with me,’ Justine reminded her.

‘Oh yes. Definitely coming with you,’ and throwing her arms around her mother, she said, ‘This is like totally the most amazing thing ever. I might actually be the first one to see her.’

‘I thought you weren’t going to watch.’

‘No, deffo not doing that. Why hasn’t Dad rung back yet?’

‘He’s in a meeting.’ Justine’s eyes closed as a vicious spasm clenched her in its claws.

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