Odd Socks by Ilsa Evans Page A

shouldn’t have left it overnight, that’s for sure. You’ll have set it by now.’
    â€˜Yep,’ agrees his offsider.
    â€˜Well, I tried to get an appointment yesterday but I couldn’t!’
    â€˜Amniotic fluid, mate.’ Matt ignores me and turns to his partner. ‘Ever had amniotic fluid before?’
    â€˜Not personally.’
    â€˜Me neither. Bloody hell.’
    â€˜Yep.’
    â€˜What about coffee or tea?’ I ask politely, because sometimes a friendly gesture can have a positive influence on the willingness of people to work miracles.
    â€˜Coffee! Tea!’ Matt stares at the stain with fresh horror. ‘You didn’t mention them!’
    â€˜Not there! I mean do you want a cup of tea!’
    â€˜Thank god! Tea’s a real bitch,’ says Matt with relief.
    â€˜So would you like some?’ I ask patiently.
    â€˜Yeah, great!’ says the first guy enthusiastically. ‘White and two for me and black with none for Matt.’
    â€˜I’m on a diet,’ confides Matt morosely. ‘Bugger it.’
    â€˜Yep, ’is missus won’t let ’im ’ave nothing decent.’
    â€˜Bloody hell.’
    â€˜Yep.’
    I leave them leaning on the machinery discussing diets and amniotic fluid, and go to the kitchen to put the kettle on. While it’s heating up, I open the window slightly to try to coax some fresh air into the unit. It’s pretty cold out there, but it’s pretty stale in here. Then I straighten Tutankhamen on the fridge and study today’s list to see if I’ve forgotten anything.

    TUESDAY
Phone calls
  –  
Cam, Fergus, Dennis?
Morning
  –  
Shopping: baby present, new d/gown
  –  
Get some videos
Afternoon
  –  
Visit Stephen & say thanks with
chocolates
  –  
Relax/watch videos
  –  
Do my tax return
Evening
  –  
Visit Bronte
  –  
Start reading Gone with the Wind
    It promises to be a much more relaxing day than yesterday so I give the list a nod of satisfaction before reaching out to turn the kettle off. The phone rings just as I’m pouring hot water over the teabags so I tuck one side of my hair behind an ear and answer it.
    â€˜Hello?’
    â€˜Terry, my love!’ Fergus’s lilting voice comes through crackly with static from his mobile. ‘And what was happening to you last night?’
    â€˜Oh, I’m so sorry! But, guess what? Bronte had her baby!’
    â€˜You’re kidding me! A lass or a lad?’
    â€˜A lass. They’ve called her Sherry.’
    â€˜Well, isn’t that bloody great!’ Fergus says cheerfully. ‘And they’re both after doing fine?’
    â€˜Sure.’ I think quickly and decide to postpone filling Fergus in on the exact whereabouts of the birth. He’ll want to know all the ins and outs, literally, and I just don’t have time at the moment. ‘And it all went well and she’s in the Angliss for a couple of days. I’ve taken the week off work.’
    â€˜Well, I’ll have to be getting in there to see her. Perhaps tonight – are you?’
    â€˜Um, I don’t really know,’ I say slowly. ‘I haven’t decided.’
    â€˜Great!’ Fergus’s voice starts to break up slightly. ‘I’ll be picking you up then and we’ll be going in together.’
    â€˜Oh. Okay.’
    â€˜It’s a date then! I’ll be seeing you directly after work.’
    â€˜Terrific. See you then.’ I hang up the phone and stare for a few moments at the steam wafting up from the two mugsbefore me. I realise I don’t feel terribly enthusiastic about visiting Bronte with Fergus in tow, probably because I wanted Sherry all to myself. I shrug mentally. I can always go in this morning as well – I am the mother of the mother, after all.
    Matt and his offsider appear in the kitchen doorway and look