24 #3
‘Agreed. Our work here means something.’
Russell nodded. ‘It does. But you make sure you keep going to those Orpheus dances and enjoy yourself.’ He sent him a sly look. ‘Was that Midwife Canavan I saw you dancing with last month?’
Alex could feel heat on his face. ‘Er – yes. I’ll get there late tonight as I’m on until seven.’
‘Ah, that’s right. Make sure you go, though. Dances and enjoyment are most definitely needed these days, and especially on a day like this.’
* * *
Maisie was in her usual spot by the wall in the clinic, and Mr Russell was back in the doctor’s chair, speaking to Maggie-Ann and her mother.
‘The X-ray was very helpful,’ he was saying. ‘Thank you for agreeing to it.’
‘Helpful how?’ Maggie-Ann’s voice trembled, and Maisie’s heart went out to her. She exchanged a quick glance with Alex, who was standing opposite, and took strength from it. They were together in this, as they were in almost everything now.
‘I’m afraid the baby hasn’t formed correctly in the womb, Maggie-Ann.’ His tone was soft, his expression filled with compassion – a far cry from Fenton’s usual manner. ‘It has no chance of surviving once it’s born.’
‘What? What?’ Maggie-Ann seemed to be struggling to understand, clearly having not expected this. Her mother, however, was already working it out.
‘So does that mean she has no need to end it? The baby won’t live anyway?’
Mr Russell nodded soberly. ‘That is correct. I’m sorry.’
‘Sorry? Sorry?’ Mrs Boyd put an arm around her daughter. ‘Don’t you be sorry, Doctor. God is sorting it out for my Maggie-Ann. That man’s evil meant he couldn’t create a proper baby with my girl.’ She turned to her daughter. ‘God is looking after you, Maggie-Ann!’
‘The baby can’t live?’ Maggie-Ann’s eyes were wide, and in them Maisie read conflicting emotions – shock, understanding, and relief, tinged with sadness. ‘The poor wee thing!’
They cried then, both of them, and Maisie provided tissues, while Mr Russell waited respectfully, giving them time.
‘So what happens now, Doctor?’ Mrs Boyd was ready, it seemed, for more information. ‘She can’t go through that at home.’
‘No,’ he agreed. ‘The excess fluid means we need to keep an eye on you until the baby comes, Maggie-Ann, so I’d like to admit you.’
‘What does that mean?’
‘It means I’d like you to stay here in the maternity hospital until the baby is born – which is likely to be soon. All that excess fluid means your womb is likely to open in the next week or so.’
‘I’d be mortified in with other girls, though.’ Maggie-Ann looked distressed. ‘What if they ask me things?’
‘Of course,’ he said soothingly. ‘Dr Lowe here will see if we can get a side room for you – a private room, not on the main ward.’ He glanced at Alex, who nodded.
‘Will we have to pay for that?’ Mrs Boyd asked, her brow furrowed. ‘For we couldn’t afford—’
‘No, no.’ Mr Russell made haste to reassure her. ‘It will all be covered as emergency care.’
They agreed to the plan, and Alex went off to A Ward to sort out a side room, while Dr Russell headed back to delivery suite where he was based today.
That left Maisie looking after Maggie-Ann and her mother once again.
She made them more tea, answered Mrs Boyd’s questions about what clothes and other items she should pack for her daughter, and explained about everything from the food to the visiting times.
Both women cried at various points, and Maisie comforted them, reassuring them that it was perfectly normal to feel both sad and relieved by the situation.
Maggie-Ann looked much struck by this. ‘I never realised before that you could feel two things at once.’
Maisie sent her a reassuring smile. ‘I frequently feel five or six things at once! Honestly, now you know that such a thing is possible, you’ll probably be noticing all sorts of feelings alongside the main one.’
Alex arrived then, confirming that he had secured a side room, and together they all made their way up to A Ward, where Sister Campbell was there to greet them.
Once inside the pleasant little room, Maisie and Mrs Boyd assisted Maggie-Ann to dress in a hospital gown and get into bed.
Alex then arrived to check her pulse, temperature, and blood pressure, confirming that everything was in the normal range, and recommended rest, saying he’d call back later to check on her.
‘Rest is exactly what you need, my girl!’ declared Mrs Boyd, before turning to Alex. ‘Thanks so much, Doctor.’
‘Ah, no worries,’ he returned, heading for the door. ‘Sure that’s what we’re here for.’
Mrs Boyd left immediately afterwards, saying she’d be back with a bag of stuff for her daughter, and then Maisie was alone again with Maggie-Ann.
‘How are you feeling now?’ she asked gently.
Maggie-Ann gave a rueful smile. ‘Tired, to be honest. I feel like I haven’t slept properly in weeks. Months, even!’
‘Then I’ll leave you to it! I should get back to the clinic anyway. But the A Ward midwives are brilliant. They’ll look after you.’
‘Maisie.’ Her look was intent. ‘Thank you. For everything.’
Maisie bent to kiss her on the cheek. ‘Just you rest, love. Everything else can wait.’
‘Aye.’ The girl’s eyes were heavy. Maisie went out quietly, her heart sore. Maggie-Ann was little more than a child; she had done nothing to deserve what was happening to her. But at least she would get good care, here in the Royal Maternity Hospital.