Free All I Want For Christmas by Julie Coffin Page B

succeeded!’ Sarah grinned.
    â€˜With a bit of arm-bending.’
    â€˜Brilliant! I can manage an extra hour, but then I’m off to see the pantomime. Everybody says it’s really great’
    â€˜Pantomime?’ Lauren mused thoughtfully, her gaze travelling to where Zoe was carefully sticking patterns onto paper. And then she remembered her new year resolution. Zoe was to be treated just like the other children in the crèche.

CHAPTER SIX
    The temporary move into the lecture room successfully completed, the rest of the week continued, to the resounding noise of hammers and drills. One or two parents turned up in the wrong place, but soon learned where to go, prompted by a small son or daughter.
    Lauren kept a close eye on the building work and was pleased with the result. Even such a small extra area would make a difference to the arrangement of the room, and also give the babies a quieter place to sleep.
    At home in the evenings, she spent time drawing plans of where everything would go. The extra door into the corridor from the extension would need a security lock, like the main crèche. Baby kidnapping was a rare happening, but it did happen, and it was far easier to keep a close check on one entrance, than two. With patients, visitors and staff coming and going all day, too many people had access to the corridors of the hospital. No matter how tight the security system, there was always the danger that someone could slip through.
    Even though the crèche door had a coded security lock, it was left open for the short times when most parents were delivering and collecting their children. Any other time, they had to ring the bell and wait.
    But locking all doors had one main disadvantage. A fire. It was Lauren’s biggest fear. Security systems were all very well, until there was an emergency requiring swift evacuation. Fire drill was routine. But in a panic situation, with so many babies and children, what might happen?
    â€˜How’s the little girl? Katy, wasn’t it?’ Matthew asked when he came to collect Zoe that evening.
    â€˜I phoned her mother this afternoon, and she seems to be fine. Mind your chin, Charlotte,’ Lauren replied, as she tugged up the zip on a toddler’s anorak. ‘I feel so dreadful about it, though.’
    â€˜Well, don’t, Lauren. These things happen. Especially with a horde of infants racing around. I’m amazed it doesn’t occur more frequently.’
    â€˜But I’m responsible for each and every child, Matthew. Their mothers put their trust in me.’
    Mathew sat on his heels to tie one of Zoe’s shoelaces. ‘The same thing could happen in their own home. No mother can keep her eye on her child every moment of the day. It’s impossible. You really mustn’t take this too much to heart, Lauren. No one’s blaming you.’
    He rose to his feet and tweaked Zoe’s hood into place. ‘Will you let me take you out to dinner tomorrow?’
    The unexpectedness of his question startled her. ‘Dinner? Tomorrow?’
    â€˜New Year’s Eve, Lauren. After all your kindness to us at Christmas, it’s the very least I can do.’
    â€˜Won’t you be on duty?’
    He shook his head.
    â€˜What about Zoe?’
    The corners of his mouth tilted. ‘She won’t be on duty either.’
    Lauren smiled back at him. ‘You know what I mean.’
    â€˜Clare, my neighbour, will have her.’
    â€˜The pregnant one? Hasn’t she had the baby yet?’
    â€˜Another week, she’s been told. But she’s keeping fairly close to home at the moment. Not seeing the New Year in at some wild party.’
    â€˜Thanks, then, that would be lovely. It’s ages since I went out for a New Year’s meal.’
    The last time was with Rick, she remembered. An expensive little Italian restaurant. Secluded tables in alcoves. Candlelight and soft music. A beautiful meal. And at the end