Christmas with Her Ex(48)

Kelsie blinked, calmed a little now that Winsome was in good hands, and replayed the girl’s words in her head. Well, who was she?

She glanced once into the ambulance but Winsome was being assessed by paramedics and perhaps she wasn’t needed now. She turned away. She almost said, ‘No one important,’ but before the words were out she was stopped by a familiar, if frail voice.

‘She’s with me.’ Winsome’s voice drifted from the rear of the ambulance and Kelsie had to turn and smile. It seemed Winsome Black didn’t miss anything—even when miserably unwell in the back of an ambulance.

Well, then. She’d better stay. ‘I’m Mrs Black’s companion until she’s seen by Dr Black.’ It was actually a huge relief because she would have worried all night that Connor hadn’t managed to find his grandmother and that Winsome hadn’t recovered with medical care.

‘Please tell him that Kelsie has gone with her.’ She saw the interest in the girl’s eyes and ignored it. She’d suddenly seen a solution to another problem. ‘There is a very large purple suitcase with a K. Summers nametag. Can you arrange for that to be collected, too, please? If possible, have it transferred to the Ritz. I’m booking in there later.’

The girl didn’t seem fazed by the request and Kelsie supposed that Connor would hire efficient personnel. At least she wouldn’t have to wrestle with her bag and if she lost it then it wasn’t a life-or-death matter. Possibly unlike Winsome—until she could be sure.

She’d phone the hotel from the hospital when she knew Winsome was okay.

The paramedic tapped her on the shoulder. ‘Excuse me, miss. Would you please reassure Mrs Black that you’re coming with us? She won’t let us shut the doors. You can travel with the driver.’

Kelsie’s distraction evaporated. The most important person here was Winsome. ‘Of course.’ When she peered in past the folded doors her new friend’s eyes were huge with fear and she leant in and clasped her hand. ‘I’m here. I’ll be in the front and I’ll find Connor.’

‘Tell them to take me to St Douglas’s Private Hospital.’

Kelsie looked at the men. ‘Can you do that?’ It wouldn’t work like that in Australia.

The paramedic nodded. ‘The main hospitals are very busy and it would be quicker than through their emergency department anyway.’





CHAPTER THIRTEEN



AT THE SAME time, to Connor’s relief, Connie Wilson woke up in strong labour and as far as her pregnancy went, the waiting was almost over. Thanks to all the stop-start contractions her labour progressed rapidly through first stage, and if he didn’t get to meet the train he couldn’t complain because he would meet the new baby Wilson and be there for her parents.

The room was quiet, peaceful, and Connor stood, apparently relaxed, at the end of the bed, waiting. It was always the same and the tension never left him until the baby was safe in its mother’s arms but neither his patients nor staff ever guessed that.

‘I love you,’ Connor heard Harry Wilson whisper to his wife, raw emotion thick in his voice, and for one fractured second Connor felt a sudden surge of loss so great he actually flinched. Why didn’t he have the chance to share this moment with the woman he had always loved?

But he pulled his thoughts back to the moment. He’d tried and failed and unless he did something soon, she’d be gone from his life once again.

When he glanced back at Harry the man’s eyes were suspiciously bright as they darted nervously to Connor and then back at his wife. But Connie was elsewhere, concentrating in her own world, as she strained to ease her baby down the birth canal.

There was a little while to go but the end was drawing closer and then everyone could relax.

A senior midwife appeared around the curtain and crossed to whisper in Connor’s ear. ‘You have a phone call at the desk.’

If it had been anyone less unflappable he would have glared a refusal but the midwife in charge was no fool. So what could be this important? ‘Can you tell them I’ll ring back?’

‘It’s about your grandmother. Apparently she’s been admitted downstairs with chest pain.’

He closed his eyes. Looked back at Harry and Connie. Estimated the amount of time he had before the birth. There was no sign of the baby yet, Connie had just started pushing, but would it upset them if he left, even for a few minutes? The last thing he wanted was to stress Connie. But what if his gran was critically ill?

His grandmother had always been there for him and it was his responsibility to ensure she had the best care. It was his responsibility that everyone had the best care.