The Midwife's One-Night Fling: The Midwife's One-Night Fling / Baby Miracle in the ER

He was out of scrubs and in a suit, although minus a tie, and beside him Freya felt rather drab.

She looked far from drab, though. In fact, Richard thought as she walked towards him, she was wearing the same dress she had been on the day they had met.

And that was concerning, because usually he couldn’t recall what any woman had worn the previous night, let alone in previous weeks. He’d even joked to a friend that he’d be hell at reporting a missing person because he’d be unable to tell the police what the missing person was wearing.

He didn’t really notice such things, other than thinking, Oh, she looks nice.

With Freya though he’d be able to describe in detail to any police officer that the dress was grey linen, and it was a touch looser than it had been on the day they had met.

Yes, Officer, she had on black pumps and no stockings, just pale slender legs. And her hair was worn down. It didn’t actually sit on her shoulders since it’s too curly for that, it just holds its wild shape there. And she has green eyes, Officer, and soft full lips.

Anything else? the officer would ask.

Well, she’s been a bit lonely since she arrived here, he would say. I didn’t give it too much thought at the time...

But he was giving it some serious thought now.

Not that he showed his concern. Richard, thanks to his job, was incredibly good at that.

‘Right,’ he said as they headed out onto the street. ‘The film is on at ten, so if we skip all the trailers we’ll have time to go and get something decent to eat. I am sick of eating on the run.’

‘That sounds brilliant.’

‘Are you on in the morning?’ he asked.

Freya nodded.

‘And me.’

And then Freya was delivered another thinly veiled warning as Stella dashed past them to a car in which presumably her husband had come to meet her. ‘Enjoy the film, Freya!’

‘I will,’ Freya called back.

‘Has she been telling tales about me?’ Richard asked as they walked out onto the street.

‘No!’

The street was busy enough that it could have been a Saturday during the day back home, and she was glad it was dark enough that he’d hopefully missed her blush as she lied.

‘Of course she has,’ Richard said. ‘And they’re all true.’

‘Then it’s a good job we’re just heading out to see a film,’ Freya said.

‘Indeed.’

But first they would eat...

‘Is Italian okay?’ he checked, and she nodded as he led them to a very lovely casual-looking restaurant, tucked away from the main street.

Freya only realised just how hungry she was as the gorgeous scents inside hit her, and they were guided to a table looking out onto the street.

‘Can I get you some drinks to start?’ the waiter offered.

‘Freya?’ Richard asked.

‘Just water.’

‘And me,’ Richard said. ‘Sparkling?’

‘Lovely,’ Freya agreed.

The menu was delectable, and she decided on a creamy carbonara, while Richard settled for osso bucco.

‘So,’ he said when their order was in, ‘how are you finding it at the Primary?’

‘It’s fine,’ Freya said, and she saw his eyes narrow. ‘Well, it’s a bit overwhelming. I expected it to be busy, of course, but I didn’t realise it would be quite so full-on.’

‘What was it like where you worked before?’

‘I was in a birthing centre attached to a hospital. We saw the mothers for all their antenatal care, then right up to the postnatal check.’

‘How many deliveries at the centre?’ Richard asked.

‘About a hundred a year. So it’s been a big change for me to come somewhere that averages more than that in a week. Still, I wanted the experience.’

‘You could have got that more locally,’ Richard said, tearing open a bread roll. ‘The Women’s Hospital in Edinburgh surely delivers a similar amount?’

‘Yes,’ Freya agreed. ‘I did a stint there during my training. But I wanted something completely different, and it was sort of now or never.’

‘Are your parents back home?’

‘And my brothers.’ Freya nodded.

‘Do you all get on?’ he asked, because despite himself he wanted to know more. Surely there must be more of a reason she had left—not just in her work, but her home, friends and family too?

‘Oh, yes. I’ve got my own place, but I see plenty of them. The older brother, though they’re both younger than me, has got two children. I delivered the younger one.’

‘I can’t imagine having a sister-in-law, let alone being that close to her.’

‘Don’t you have siblings?’ Freya asked.

‘No, there’s just me.’

‘And are you from London?’

‘Kent.’

‘Do you get back there much?’