Minding Frankie - Maeve Binchy [121]
“But it will take forever to get an ambulance,” Muttie objected.
“We’re going in my car. Get in there right now,” Declan said firmly.
Lizzie wanted to go with them, but Declan persuaded her to wait for Fiona. He took her back inside the house and whispered that as the hospital might need to keep Muttie in overnight, the best thing was for her to go and pack a small bag for him. Fiona would bring Lizzie up to the hospital in a taxi when she was ready, and not to worry, he would make sure that Muttie was in safe hands. He knew that having something useful to do would calm her.
By now, Fiona had arrived and they quickly realized that they had to find somewhere for Johnny and Frankie to spend the evening and do it fast or there would be total confusion. Noel was having the first date of his life; his parents were away. Lisa had gone out with Moira—which at least would keep the social worker out of their hair; Emily would be the one to call on. Leaving Fiona to make the arrangements, Declan sped off with Muttie beside him, looking pale and frightened.
Emily had insisted that Dr. Hat serve the meal himself. After all, he had made it.
Michael proved to be a quiet, thoughtful man. He asked her gentle questions about her past life. It was as if he were checking her out for his old friend Hat. She hoped that she was giving a good account of herself. Hat was such a good and pleasant companion, she would hate to lose his friendship.
She was surprised when her phone rang in the pocket of her jacket as they were at the dining table. She wasn’t expecting any calls.
“Emily, big crisis. Can you do baby patrol?” Fiona sounded frightened.
Emily didn’t hesitate. “Certainly. I’m on my way!” She quickly excused herself and hastened down the road.
Outside the Carrolls’ house all was confusion. Lizzie was there crying and clutching a small suitcase; Fiona was hovering between the Scarlets’ front door and her own. Hooves was barking madly. Dimples was answering from the Carrolls’ back garden. Declan had taken Muttie to hospital. The taxi was on its way for Fiona and Lizzie.
“I’m going up to the hospital with Lizzie to be with her while we wait for news of him,” Fiona said as soon as Emily arrived.
“Can I move baby patrol up to Dr. Hat’s house? I’m sort of in the middle of a meal there.”
“Of course, Emily. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt.…”
“No, it’s fine, don’t worry. Two old bachelors and myself. This will lower the age level greatly. Good luck—and let us know …”
“Right,” Fiona said, as the taxi pulled up outside the house. She grabbed Lizzie and the suitcase and bundled her into the back of the car. “Emily, you are amazing. Key under the usual flowerpot.”
“Go now,” Emily ordered. She ran to the Carrolls’ house and picked Johnny up out of his crib in the front room and fastened him into his buggy.
“We’re going for a visit to Uncle Hat and Auntie Emily,” she said. She pushed the baby buggy out the door, locked it behind her and then put the key carefully under the flowerpot.
Dr. Hat and Michael were suitably impressed with little Johnny. The boy, exhausted from the journey, fell asleep on Dr. Hat’s sofa and was covered with a blanket. The meal continued seamlessly.
Hat admitted, when he produced dessert, that he had not made the meringues himself but had bought them in a local confectionery shop.
“I think he’d have gotten away with saying he made them himself, don’t you, Michael?” said Emily.
Michael was flushed with wine and good humor. “I’d have believed anything Hat were to tell me tonight.” He beamed at them. “Never saw such a change in a person. If that’s what retirement did for you, Hat, then lead on, I say. And I do admire the way you all look after these children. It was never like that in our day—people were stressed and fussed and never believed that anyone else could look after a child for more than two minutes.”
“Ah, they have it down to a fine art,” Dr. Hat said proudly. “Whenever Johnny and Frankie need a minder, they’re all here on tap.”
“Frankie?” Michael asked.
“She’s my cousin Noel’s daughter.