The Midwife's Christmas Miracle by Jennifer Taylor Read Free Book Online

off her. It had been months since he’d been out on a date, now that he thought about it. He’d been too busy with work to worry about socialising and it was time he rectified that. There was a new nurse in A and E, who’d made it clear that she was interested in him; he would invite her out for dinner at the weekend.
    As for Lucy, well, he would get over this crush or whatever it was in time. He had to. He certainly didn’t intend to have his life disrupted all over again.

Chapter Five
    T HE day flew past. They had no sooner admitted Fiona Walker, the patient involved in the RTA, when two other mums phoned to say they were in labour. It meant they were really stretched to keep up but Lucy was glad because it gave her less time to brood about what had happened with Max. Maybe he did see her as an attractive and desirable woman, and maybe it was a boost to her confidence, but in her heart she knew it would be a mistake to get involved with him.
    She had just escaped from one disastrous relationship and she needed to concentrate on putting her life back together. Perhaps a time would come when she felt able to trust a man again but not yet. And definitely not someone like Max. No matter how good he made her feel, Max was strictly off limits.
    Lucy felt a little better after she had made her decision. By the time her shift ended, she felt much calmer about what had happened. Amanda was in the office when Lucy went to sign out; she looked up and grimaced.
    ‘What a day! I couldn’t believe it when those two mums turned up one after the other like that.’
    ‘It has been hectic,’ Lucy agreed. She filled in thetime next to her name then glanced at Amanda and frowned. ‘Aren’t you supposed to be off duty now as well?’
    ‘I wish! I’m still trying to sort out the Christmas timetable,’ Amanda explained. ‘Every time I make a start on it, something happens, but I need to get it done soon.’
    ‘Are you having problems finding people to work?’ Lucy asked sympathetically.
    ‘Yes. Normally, we use a rota system so that anyone who works nights over Christmas is off at New Year. Unfortunately, there aren’t enough staff to do that this year.’ Amanda sighed. ‘Folk aren’t going to be too pleased when they find out they’re having to work both holidays.’
    ‘I don’t mind working,’ Lucy offered. She shrugged when Amanda looked at her in surprise. ‘I wasn’t planning on doing anything so I may as well work.’
    ‘Are you sure?’ Amanda said uncertainly. ‘I thought you’d want to go home and see your family.’
    ‘No, it’s fine. Really.’ She smiled at the other woman, not wanting to explain why she preferred to remain in Dalverston. She had been dreading Christmas and the New Year, if she was honest. Her parents would expect her to go home and she couldn’t face the thought of seeing everyone again. Working over the holidays would give her the perfect excuse to avoid it. ‘You can put me down for Christmas and New Year if it helps.’
    ‘Oh, it does!’ Amanda assured her. She added Lucy’s name to the timetable then printed out a copy and held it aloft. ‘All done! Am I glad we hired you. I can’t imagine anyone else volunteering to do a double stint of nights!’
    ‘It isn’t a problem,’ Lucy said quickly, feeling a little uncomfortable when she would benefit from her offer far more than Amanda would. She picked up her bag and turned to leave. ‘I’ll be off, then. See you tomorrow.’
    ‘Rightio…Oh, before I forget, what are you doing on Saturday night?’
    Lucy paused. ‘Nothing. Why?’
    ‘A few of us have decided to go out for a pre-Christmas meal,’ Amanda explained. ‘It’s just me, Joanna, Cathy and Margaret so far, although I’m hoping a couple of the community midwives will be able to join us. We’re going to that Indian restaurant in the town centre so how do you fancy it?’
    ‘I’d love to come,’ Lucy agreed immediately. It was just what she needed, in fact,