happy and contented with one another, fulfilled in their relationships. And, as far as Ruby was concerned, no man had ever matched up to the examples she had grown up with.
A few minutes later, as she was spooning hot baby food into a dish, the outer door opened, and Sophie walked into the kitchen. She looked tired, her features pale and drawn.
‘Sophie, there you are, at last. I’ve been so worried about you.’ Ruby abandoned the mix of puréed chicken, vegetables and rice that she had been preparing and went to greet her sister. ‘What happened to you? I expected you back here ages ago.’
Sophie looked at her anxiously for a moment or two. ‘I didn’t…’ She frowned, trying to get her thoughts together. ‘I had to go out…’
‘Yes, you did, that’s true…to the doctor’s surgery, but then you were going to come straight back here, weren’t you?’
‘Was I?’ Sophie frowned, putting a hand to her head as though she was trying to make sense of what was going on. Her dark hair straggled across her cheeks, hiding her face for a moment or two. She reached for a chair and sat down, as though fatigue had overcome her whole body. ‘I’m sorry. It’s just that I can’t seem to think properly these days. I remember there was someone at the surgery…I was worried. I wasn’t sure what to do.’
‘Someone? The doctor, perhaps?’
Sophie frowned. ‘I don’t know. I had to get out of there.’
None of this made any sense to Ruby, and Sophie wasn’t making things any easier. Giving herself time to think things through, she went to fill the kettle with water at the sink and then set it down on the stovetop to heat. ‘I was supposed to go to a meeting. Did you forget about that?’
Sophie’s expression was miserable. ‘I’m sorry. It must have slipped my mind. I didn’t mean to let you down, honestly I didn’t.’
From the doorway, Becky became animated, signalling to her mother in eager baby talk that she was there to be noticed, and Sophie turned towards her.
‘Oh, baby, you’re so beautiful.’ Sophie gave her a sweet smile, her heart-shaped features softening as she looked at her daughter. ‘I love you to bits, angel. I’m sorry I’m such a bad mother to you.’ She glanced at Ruby. ‘It’s getting late, isn’t it? I expect she wants her supper. Shall I give it to her? I see you have it all ready prepared.’
‘Are you going to be able to manage it?’ Ruby sent her sister a concerned look, worried by the general air of weariness that appeared to have descended on her. ‘Maybe if I sit her in the high chair, you could feed her?’
‘Yes, I could do that.’
Ruby went over to Becky and released her from the harness, lifting her into the high chair by the table. Judging by Sophie’s fragile state, she doubted she would be able to do that safely on her own just now. She drew a clean bib out of a kitchen drawer and handed it to her. ‘Here, you’ll need this for her. I’ll make you a cup of tea, and maybe that will help you to feel a bit better.’
‘Thanks, Ruby. You’ve been so good to me, lately.’ Sophie sent her an earnest look. ‘I don’t know how I would have coped without your help these last few weeks. I’ve really appreciated being able to stay here with you.’ Sophie stopped to cuddle her daughter and plant a kiss on her cheek before fastening the bib carefully around her neck.
Ruby checked the dish of baby food to see if the temperature was cool enough, and then she passed it to Sophie. ‘I phoned the surgery, and they told me you hadn’t kept your appointment,’ she said. ‘What happened?’
Sophie frowned. ‘I can’t remember. I think I felt sick and had to go out for some air. I’m not too sure what happened after that. I just started to walk and kept on walking.’
Ruby studied her for a moment or two. ‘You haven’t been sleeping very well, lately, have you? Perhaps you’ll feel better after you’ve had some rest. Then, when you’re up to it, we really need to take you back to the surgery so that the doctor can find out what’s wrong. You can’t go on like this.’
She had the feeling, though, that Sophie was no longer listening to her. Looking over, she saw she was gently coaxing Becky to eat the food, making soft, encouraging noises, as though she was savouring the meal herself.
Ruby sighed inwardly. How were the pair of them going to cope when she wasn’t there to watch over them? She thought briefly about taking a day or two off work, but the image of Sam Boyd crept into her mind, and she imagined those dark brows lifting as he contemplated her lax attitude. She’d been late for the meeting, and if she added time off to that lapse, he would surely have her marked down as unreliable. No, she had to face him on equal terms. It was a matter of pride.
Perhaps she could persuade the next-door neighbour to keep an eye on Sophie and Becky while she went out to work tomorrow? Claire had turned out to be a good friend who was usually glad to help in any way she could.
Either way, it was a worrying situation that had been building up for some time, and it had to be sorted out once and for all. She made up her mind that next time she would go along with her sister to the surgery. That way she could make sure that things went according to plan.
‘Do you think you might be happier going to stay with Mum and Dad for a while?’ she asked, coming to sit down at the table and beginning to pour tea. ‘I think you need someone to look after you properly until you’re feeling better.’
‘Oh, I don’t think that would work out very well,’ Sophie said, shaking her head. ‘Mum and Dad are way too busy. Mum has her job at the office, and Dad has to concentrate on pulling the business into shape. Besides, don’t you remember—they asked me if I would look after the smallholding while Gran and Grandad are away for the next few weeks. I said I would do it…only it would be so much better if you were there with me, and there’s plenty of room at the old farmhouse. I’m not sure I could handle things very well on my own, though. I don’t seem able to think too clearly these days.’
Ruby nodded. ‘I remember.’ The trouble was, Sophie was probably right in thinking she wouldn’t be able to cope, and Ruby didn’t have an easy solution to hand.
Sophie was dejected. ‘I know this place is too small for all of us. I don’t mean to be a burden.’
Ruby frowned. ‘I wasn’t suggesting that I didn’t want you here with me. That wasn’t what I meant at all. I love having you and Becky here…you must know that. It’s just that I think you’re unwell and you need more help than I can give you while I’m working. Of course I’ll come along and stay with you at the old farmhouse, but I don’t think you’re in any state to be left there on your own while I’m out at the hospital.’
Maybe she could make arrangements for someone to keep an eye on her at the smallholding. The local vet, perhaps? He was more of a friend to the family than a professional that they looked to for help on occasion. Ruby and Sophie had even been at school with him. He had his practice close by her grandparents home, and his work often brought him to the farm, where he would check up on the animals.
Sophie didn’t acknowledge any of what she was saying. She seemed depressed, her shoulders slumping as though she was weighed down by an ominous black cloud.
‘I’ll play with Becky for a while, and then I’ll take her upstairs and get her settled down for bed,’ Sophie said a few minutes later as she wiped
