Page 24 of Christmas for the Village Midwife (The Village Midwife #2)

‘It’s lovely ,’ the WI woman said. ‘Very sweet.’

‘Traditional but well executed,’ the other said.

The chef abandoned his pretend distraction and rejoined them, reaching to take a section of the garden wall. ‘May I?’ he asked Billie.

She nodded, and he bit into it.

‘Delicious,’ he said, and Billie’s face transformed.

‘Really?’ she asked, beaming.

‘Very nice. Caramel, if I’m not mistaken?’

‘Yes.’

The other judges followed his lead, and they both agreed with him.

‘Congratulations!’ the WI lady said. ‘That’s the best bit of gingerbread I’ve had in a while.’

Billie smiled but then shot a look that was half apology, half embarrassment at Corrine, who simply returned it with a reassuring wink.

‘Didn’t I say you had natural talent?’ she said in a low voice as the judges made notes.

Billie was glowing. Zoe only wished Alex could be here to see it, but she couldn’t wait to report everything to him later. Even better, there was a chance Billie might actually win this. It was obvious the judges had been impressed by her efforts.

There were only a few more people to see, and then there was a pub-style quiz where anyone could take part with a prize of dinner at a pub outside the village, followed by a raffle where various bits and pieces of Christmas fare could be won, and then refreshments, and after that the judges were ready to announce their winner.

‘In third place…’

The hush in the room was heavy and crackling with anticipation. Everyone said they had no care for the result or how well they did, but Zoe would bet a lot of those people were either lying to themselves or to the other contestants.

‘In third place is Corrine!’

There was a frisson of shock, a polite round of applause and then new excitement as the implications of this bombshell hit everyone else at the same time.

Corrine smiled graciously around before sitting down, and Zoe could have sworn she looked pleased about her loss.

She’d won this thing for years, after all, and everyone had expected her to do it again.

‘And in second place…’

There was another pause, the room almost feverish this time.

‘Billie… Fitzgerald ? The handwriting’s a bit wonky, but I think that’s right…’

Billie let out a squeal of shock, and Corrine leaped from her chair to hug her as everyone clapped.

‘Did they say my name?’

‘They did!’ Zoe said, hugging her after Corrine let go.

‘Are you sure?’ Billie asked.

Corrine laughed. ‘Yes! They did!’

And then the applause died down and the smiling faces were turned expectantly on the judges again, and then Magnus let out a yelp as they named him the winner.

Geoff grabbed him and kissed him with such passion Stacey yelled, ‘Get a room!’ and then everyone started to laugh, clapping even harder this time, and Magnus, weeping as if he’d won an Oscar, went to get his prize, which was a hefty wooden spoon, decorated with a gingham bow and the year and details of the contest burned into it.

Holding it aloft, he beamed around the room.

‘Well, there’s a turn-up for the books!’ Zoe heard someone nearby say, and when she glanced at Corrine, she could see that her neighbour wasn’t a bit bothered by the fact she hadn’t won the prize that everyone assumed was hers for the taking.

Something had changed between Corrine arriving and now.

In fact, Zoe had to conclude that Corrine, for reasons of her own, hadn’t wanted to win.

Even if it were true, she’d never admit as much because Zoe also realised that it would take the shine off Billie’s success, and Corrine would never do that.

‘It’s only a silly competition,’ Billie said as they packed up, although her face was still pink with pleasure. ‘It’s nice to come second, but you don’t need to phone Dad about it.’

‘He’ll be dead proud!’ Zoe said, nudging her with affection. ‘He’ll want to know.’

‘We can tell him later when he’s back.’

‘We can, but surely you can’t sit on that news until then? I thought you were happy.’

‘I am, but it’s not like I won the lottery, is it?’

‘What you’ve got to remember,’ Corrine put in as she folded the tablecloth, ‘is that this is your first go. You’ll only get better at it from here. Next year I bet you’ll win.’

‘I don’t think so. That cathedral Magnus made was really good.’

‘True, but a lot depends on the day, so you never can tell.’

‘How are you feeling about it?’ Zoe asked Corrine. ‘I mean, not the result you were hoping for?’

‘You can’t win every year, can you? That’d be silly. I’m happy for Magnus – he’s been desperate for years to get that prize, and he is a very good cook. It’s about time he was recognised for his skills.’

‘I bet it’s made his year,’ Zoe said.

‘I’m sure.’ Corrine smiled at Billie. ‘Well done, my love. What will you do with your gingerbread house now it’s all over?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Most of us send it to the church. They’ll either raffle them off for charity or give it out at the Christmas lunch for homeless folks.’

‘They don’t have homeless people here, do they? I’ve never seen anyone.’

‘No, the lunch is at…now where is it?’ Corrine paused and then shrugged. ‘Victor will know. It’s sad that they suffer such misfortune, but there you are. It’s not fair, but the world isn’t always fair.’

‘In that case, I should send mine as well,’ Billie said.

‘Have you taken a photo of it?’ Zoe asked.

‘No.’

‘I would if I were you.’

Billie paused and then shrugged. ‘I could. Later, at home. Unless I have to take it to the church now.’

‘I’m sure we can bring it down for you when you’re done,’ Zoe said. She looked at Corrine. ‘That’ll be all right, won’t it?’

‘I expect so. They won’t be collected for a few days yet.’ Corrine looked up at an approaching figure. ‘Hello, Magnus. Congratulations.’

‘Happy?’ Zoe asked. ‘You certainly look it.’

‘I’m on cloud nine!’ Magnus said.

‘I bet!’

‘I still can’t believe my luck!’

‘Not luck,’ Geoff said, coming to join him. ‘The best man won because he made a beautiful thing.’

‘That he did,’ Corrine said.

Magnus turned to Billie and held out his hand. ‘Congratulations to you too.’

‘Second place on her first go,’ Corrine said. ‘Not bad, eh? Watch out for that crown next year.’

‘I will,’ Magnus said. ‘But I will not give it up easily now.’

‘I might not have time next year anyway,’ Billie said.

Zoe turned to her. ‘Why not?’

Billie looked as if there was something she wanted to say. But then she shrugged as she clearly thought better of it.

‘Whatever you’ve got on, we’ll help you make time,’ Corrine said. ‘If you want to join in again, that is.’

‘I don’t know,’ Billie said.

‘There’s no rush,’ Magnus said. ‘You’ve got all year to decide if you want to do it again. Geoff and I are having a little get-together at the house, to celebrate my win. We’d love it if you could all come.’

‘When’s that?’ Corrine asked.

‘In about ten minutes,’ Geoff said, laughing. ‘If there’s one thing Magnus knows how to do, it’s spontaneity.’

Billie looked at Zoe, and Zoe understood immediately it was a silent plea for an excuse not to go.

‘I bet you’re tired,’ Zoe said to her. ‘It’s a long day, even longer when you’re carrying an extra person around.’

‘Oh, of course,’ Geoff said. ‘We completely understand if you can’t come.

It is a bit last minute, after all, but we wanted to ask so you didn’t think we didn’t want you there.

’ He looked at Zoe and seemed to know instinctively not to ask Corrine because she would more than likely say no.

She and Victor were great friends to the village, but they liked one another’s company and their kitchen at Daffodil Farm too much to venture out often in the evenings.

They rarely went to parties – though it wasn’t unheard of – and just like Billie, Zoe suspected the day had taken quite a bit out of Corrine, who – in her own words – was no spring chicken.

‘I’d love to pop in,’ Zoe said because she knew that Ottilie, Stacey, Heath and Simon would likely be there, and she was keen for their company.

Besides, Alex wasn’t home yet, and she got the impression Billie might like a few hours of peace with Grizzle, and so there was nothing but her own empty cottage to stop her from going to an impromptu party.

She was a bit worn out herself right now, but she knew she’d perk up once she had a couple of drinks inside her and the music was playing.

Ottilie was getting her coat on as she and Flo joined them.

‘Are you coming to this party?’ Zoe asked her.

‘I’ll stop by for an hour – just going to see Flo home first and then I’ll walk over with Stacey. I take it you’re coming.’

‘I thought I might.’

‘You’re going home first?’

‘Billie wants to get back, so?—’

‘Victor and I will make sure Billie gets home,’ Corrine said. ‘It’s a pain for you to go all the way up there to come all the way down again, and it’s going dark already.’

‘Thanks,’ Zoe said. She turned to Billie. ‘You don’t mind?’

‘Course not.’

‘You’ll let your dad know I’ll message him later?’

‘I mean, you could just message him yourself now and tell him that.’

Corrine laughed. ‘That’s told you, Zoe.’

‘What?’ Billie looked confused, and then everyone laughed.

‘Come on…Victor will be champing at the bit to get home, snooker starts on the telly in half an hour.’

‘Right,’ Ottilie said, urging Flo to follow. ‘I’ll be with you all shortly.’

Corrine took a moment to say a few more goodbyes, and then she left with Billie.

Zoe emerged into the cold afternoon with Magnus and Geoff.

Their soirees were legendary in the village and, so Zoe had heard, were responsible for half a dozen couples getting together and perhaps two pregnancies – at least, there were only two where the couple wasn’t too embarrassed to admit it.

If there was going to be any drama, chances were it would be at one of their dos.

She had to wonder what might happen this time.

As long as it didn’t involve her, though, that was just fine.