Page 142 of Tears of Gold

“That’s our secret.” I glow with pride at my husband who for the first time in his life is giving in to his dreams.

I step for the door but then stop in confusion when I hear a loud popping sound. “What was that? I turn to ask just as a gush of water lands on the floor. “Oh, oh. That’s disgusting.”

“Bloody hell. Is that your waters?”

“Unless I peed myself.”

“Did you?”

“No, I think it’s my waters.”

His eyes are bright and stare at me with wonder and intensity. “It’s happening, Faith.”

“Oh shit.”

“I’ll be there.”

“Will you hold my hand and never let go?”

“Always. You don’t even have to ask.”

Downstairs, I ring the midwife who tells me to keep walking around. The tightening’s are stronger now. Stupid mare, they were contractions. I have no hope about my parenting skills at all.

“Walk with me?” I hold my hand out and he grins, linking his fingers with mine.

We walk around the house, up and down the stairs, in and out of the garden and kitchen; all the while the tightening’s become stronger and more painful.

Miss Beesley, who can literally sense drama from three miles away, has a stopwatch in her hands. I think she believes she's a sports coach.

I breathe out and bend over, wincing as the burning cramp pulls my stomach.

“I think you are close to ten minutes apart. You’d better get to the hospital.”

I shake my head, breathing in and out, in and out, just like I was shown at the classes Eli and I went to.

In and out. In and out.

Holy fuck balls this hurts.

“I don’t think I want to do this now,” I say to no one in particular.

“I’m getting the car.” Eli strides for the hallway.

“Eli, no.” I wave my hand, so he comes back to me. “Parking will be a bitch. Let’s walk.”

For a moment he looks like he’s waiting for me to drop a punchline. “Are you kidding?”

“No, the walking will keep it moving. If I get to the hospital, then I will lie on a bed and it will all slow down. Believe me, I don’t want to be stuck like this for hours. You know what Abi told us.” Oh, Abi and Adam had taken great delight in telling all their gory birthing details, as they quaffed all my wine and I sat there with my sparking water and lemon. It was nearly the end of our friendship and if it wasn’t the fact I didn’t know anything about babies or what to do with them it probably would have been. Lucky for Abi I need her real bad at the moment.

Miss Beesley opens her mouth to say something, but I stop her. “Look, it’s a fifteen-minute walk. It’s fine. Rachel, you can walk with us, can’t you?”

The look on her face says it all. Pride and pleasure make her smile shine bright.

“I mean,” I hasten to add, “It’s not like I expect you to be looking up my fanny or anything, but if this takes a while Eli will need a break. You are family to me.”

The daft woman bursts into tears. I don’t have a chance to say anything else because another searing contraction pulls my insides out. Holy mother of God.

When it’s finished, I stand up. “Right, let’s go.”