Page 51 of Things We Need to Say (Second Chance Love Stories #2)

‘Everything’s going to be fine.’ Emma tried to keep her voice as calm as possible even though she was panicking on the inside. ‘I’ll call an ambulance.’

‘No, let me speak to the maternity ward first.’

Emma nodded, picked up Liz’s phone from the coffee table and handed it to her.

She waited, listening to the one-sided conversation.

After a few moments Liz put the phone down.

‘They want me to go straight in. They’re sending an ambulance, but said we should phone them back if things progress before it arrives. ’

‘Really? They think it might happen that fast?’

‘It’s unlikely,’ Liz said, but she didn’t look convinced.

The thought of possibly having to deliver a premature baby on her own made Emma panic even more, but she did her best not to let Liz see she was completely freaked out.

‘First things first, let’s get you into some dry clothes.’

Liz snapped out of her daze. ‘Yes, you’re right. Can you call Alex?’

‘Of course. Are you okay getting changed or do you need me to help?’

‘No, I can manage.’ Liz bent over as pain gripped her again. ‘It may take some time, though.’

‘Just do your best and, if you need any help, give me a shout.’

‘Just get Alex.’

‘Will do.’

While Liz was in the bedroom, Emma grabbed her phone and dialled Alex’s number, but it went straight to voicemail.

She put it down and shouted down the hall, ‘You okay in there?’

‘Yes, I’m fine.’ Liz sounded anything but fine. ‘Did you get through?’

‘Not yet, but I’ll keep trying.’

In between trying to phone Alex, Emma mopped up the mess on the carpet, hoping to save it from being completely ruined.

Liz emerged from her bedroom, her face ashen.

‘Oh, Em, this isn’t right. I’m so scared.’

‘It’s going to be fine. The ambulance is on its way.’

‘I wish it would hurry up.’

‘It won’t be long.’ Emma prayed that what she said was true. ‘I’ll try Alex again.’

Liz edged into the living room, supporting herself on the back of the sofa, with her other hand holding her stomach.

‘Can I get you anything?’ Emma asked.

Liz nodded. ‘Water would be good. There are some bottles in the fridge.’

Emma handed a bottle to Liz, who accepted it gratefully. ‘Do you have a bag packed for the hospital?’ she asked.

Liz shook her head. ‘No, we hadn’t got round to it yet.’

‘I’ll put together some things that you might need.’

‘I’d appreciate that. Don’t forget my phone charger — it’s plugged in by the side of the bed.’

Emma nodded, grateful for something to do.

She hastily found a bag and filled it with underwear, nightclothes, leggings, T-shirts and some basic toiletries.

Finally she added Liz’s hairbrush and the charger she had asked for.

Back in the living room, Liz was doubled over in pain.

Emma went over to rub her back and, when the pain had subsided, she tried Alex again. There was still no answer.

‘I’ve packed some things for you, but what about the baby? Have you started to get some things together?’

‘No.’ Liz shook her head. ‘I felt it would be tempting fate to buy anything too soon.’

‘Well, never mind,’ Emma replied. ‘We can sort that out tomorrow.’

She bit her lip as she worried. Where was that ambulance? She went over to the window and opened the blinds. Down below she saw a flashing blue light approaching and almost sagged in relief.

‘It’s okay, Liz. The ambulance is here.’

‘Oh, thank God!’

‘I’ll wait by the door to let them in, unless you want me to wait with you?’

‘No, you let them in. The sooner they’re here the better,’ Liz said before taking another slug of water.

Emma stood by the open door, willing the lift to open. She breathed a sigh of relief when it did and a man and a woman in green paramedic uniforms stepped out.

‘She’s in here,’ Emma said. ‘Her waters have broken and she’s having contractions, but she’s only twenty-eight weeks.’ She ushered them inside the flat.

‘I’m sure it will be fine. My name’s Dave by the way, and this is my colleague, Andrea.’

‘Some babies are just in a bit of a hurry,’ Andrea said. ‘Don’t worry, we’ll take care of her.’

‘Thank you,’ Emma said, relieved.

After a quick examination Andrea said, ‘Well, Liz, it looks like your baby is keen to say hello to the world, so let’s get you to hospital.’

‘But it’s too early!’ Liz said.

‘Try not to worry. The maternity staff are very experienced with premature babies. Does the father know what’s happening?’

Liz gasped with another contraction, so Emma answered for her. ‘He’s away at the moment. I’ve tried calling him, but he’s not answering. I’ll keep trying.’

‘Okay, so do you want to come in the ambulance?’

‘Of course. Is that okay with you, Liz?’

Liz nodded. ‘I don’t want to do this on my own.’

* * *

Emma sat in a corridor in the maternity wing while Liz was assessed by the midwives. Despite her continuously trying to get in touch with Alex, his phone kept going to voicemail.

Not sure what to do next, she phoned Jay. He didn’t answer either, so she left a message asking him to call, telling him it was about Liz and urgent. She hoped he’d call back. Even if he didn’t want to speak to her, Liz needed him. Within moments her phone rang.

‘Emma, what’s the matter?’

‘It’s Liz,’ she said, relieved. ‘She’s gone into early labour. Alex is away and, despite me ringing him constantly, he’s not answering. I don’t know what to do.’

‘Okay. That must be stressful.’ He paused. ‘You said Alex is away — do you know where is he?’

‘No. Liz said he was on some corporate jolly, somewhere in the counties. Golf, I think.’

‘Do you know who he’s with?’

‘No, of course I don’t!’ Then she remembered. ‘Oh, hang on, I think Liz mentioned something about Lord Weatherton.’

‘That’s good. I have his number. I’ll try ringing him. If he’s not with Alex, he might know where he is. What hospital are you in so I can let him know?’

‘St Thomas’s.’

‘I’ll phone you straight back.’

‘Thanks.’ As Emma ended the call, the door to the room Liz was in opened, and two nurses guided a trolley out.

Emma jumped to her feet. ‘Liz?’

The worried face of her friend looked back at her. ‘They’re taking me for a Caesarean. Looks like this baby is determined to come early, on top of which, I have pre-eclampsia. Have you managed to get hold of Alex yet?’

‘No, but Jay’s on the case. Don’t worry, we’ll get him here.’

Liz nodded. ‘Thanks, Em.’

Emma watched as her friend was pushed away, and a wave of loneliness and fear washed through her. Her phone rang, making her jump.

‘Jay?’

‘Good news. Alex is with Lord W. His driver is bringing Alex back right now.’

‘Oh, that’s a relief. But ring him back and tell him to put his foot down. Liz is having a C-section and she’s got pre-eclampsia.’

‘What’s that?’

‘I’ve no idea. I haven’t had time to look it up it yet, but it sounds pretty serious.’

‘Right. I’ll let Alex know. Are you okay?’

‘Not really. But don’t worry, I’ll be fine.’ For a moment it was as though their break-up had never happened. Then it all came rushing back and she realised that Jay wasn’t part of her life anymore. She shouldn’t be leaning on him like this.

‘I’ll come and sit with you, if you like? At least until Alex gets there.’

Emma paused, but she couldn’t resist his comforting presence. ‘Would you?’

‘Of course. Liz needs us.’

‘Yes.’ A wave of disappointment hit her. He wasn’t coming for her. He was coming for Liz. It was a selfish thought because he was right. Liz did need them. But at least he was coming.

* * *

Jay grabbed his keys, phone and coat. Too impatient to wait for the lift, he ran down the stairs.

He drove on autopilot, thinking of Liz. She must be terrified, going into labour so early and having to undergo surgery without Alex by her side.

This was definitely not how she would have imagined her baby coming into the world.

Then he thought of Emma, who’d sounded distraught as she hadn’t been able to get hold of Alex.

She was sitting in the hospital alone, not knowing how she could help her friend.

Jay had been in the kitchen when he’d heard his phone ring.

He was shocked when Emma’s name had flashed up on his screen, but as he hesitated the call went to voicemail.

He heard the bleep that a message had been left, and listened to it straight away.

And he was glad he had, because Liz needed him.

There was a little voice in his head telling him that Emma needed him too, but he pushed that to one side.

He was doing this for Liz. Emma was with someone else now and the sooner he got used to the idea, the better.

* * *

The minutes ticked by increasingly slowly as Emma waited.

Hospital staff walked past her, each intent on their own destination.

No one seemed to have anything to say to her.

She’d looked up pre-eclampsia on her phone and realised how serious it was.

Liz had been complaining of her puffy ankles and backache, which were symptoms of the condition, but they were also things that could be associated with pregnancy anyway.

But having a baby so early was terrifying.

Would he or she be all right? Who knew what complications lay ahead for the poor little mite.

Emma looked up as she once more heard footsteps, but this time they belonged to someone who was much more familiar to her.

As Jay approached, she smiled and instinctively stood up, reaching out to hug him.

To her dismay he held himself stiffly away from her and she sat down abruptly, her face flaming in embarrassment.

‘Any news?’ Jay sat down next to her, but kept his distance.

‘No, nothing,’ she said quietly. ‘Any news on Alex?’

‘He’s about half an hour away.’

‘He won’t be here in time, then.’

‘No, but at least he’ll be here when she comes out of surgery.’

‘Thanks for coming. I’m sure Liz will appreciate it.’

‘Well, I couldn’t sit at home just waiting.’

‘No, I don’t suppose you could.’