The Baby Issue

by Jennifer Taylor

  She carried on sponging the little boy and was rewarded when he started to come round a few minutes later. Ben turned to the child’s mother and smiled reassuringly at her.

  ‘He’s back with us again. I know it’s been a shock for you but try not to let him see that you’re upset. We want to keep him as calm as possible to give him time to recover.’

  ‘He will be all right, won’t he?’ the girl asked shakily, digging a crumpled tissue out of her pocket and scrubbing her eyes with it.

  Anna took the bowl of water to the sink and emptied it away then plucked a handful of clean tissues from the box on the counter and gave them to her. She hadn’t realised how young the mother was until that moment because she’d been too busy dealing with the child to pay much attention to her. Now she couldn’t help sighing when she realised that the girl was little more than a child herself.

  ‘He should be fine. He’s had what we call a febrile convulsion, which isn’t nearly as scary as it sounds.’ Ben drew the girl forward then gently picked up the little boy and placed him in her arms. ‘All it means is that the bit of his brain that usually lowers the temperature when it gets too high didn’t work properly. I believe you said that he had earache last night?’

  He carried on when she nodded. ‘He probably has an ear infection and that’s what caused his temperature to rise. I’ll check him over once he’s recovered properly but I don’t want you to worry too much. A lot of small children have febrile convulsions but they usually grow out of them.’

  ‘Does that mean it could happen again?’ the girl asked worriedly, hugging the whimpering child to her.

  ‘It’s possible, but you can do a lot to prevent it happening again by taking some simple precautions like giving him paracetamol at the first signs of fever and sponging him down,’ he explained calmly.

  ‘I wish I’d known that,’ she said miserably. ‘If I’d realised I could give him paracetamol I would have done so.’

  ‘You must make sure that it’s one formulated for young children,’ he warned her. ‘And that you don’t exceed the dosage. However, there are a number of very good products you can buy over the counter.’

  ‘Do they cost a lot?’ The girl shrugged but Anna could see the flush that had risen to her cheeks. ‘I’m on my own, you see, and some of these things cost a lot of money…’

  She tailed off, not that she needed to say anything else. Anna turned away because she was afraid of what might be written on her face at that moment. She ran water into the sink and washed the bowl, barely listening as Ben explained that he would include a child-safe analgesic on the prescription so that Sam’s mother wouldn’t need to buy it.

  ‘Anna.’

  She jumped when Ben touched her arm, feeling the colour rushing to her face when she saw the concern in his eyes.

  ‘Are you all right?’ he asked softly.

  ‘Fine. I was just trying to catch my breath,’ she explained hurriedly.

  ‘No wonder. It’s been a real baptism of fire and you’re not even officially on duty yet,’ he agreed, but she could tell that he hadn’t fully believed her explanation.

  Fortunately, little Sam started crying in earnest at that point so he had no time to question her further. Anna realised that she had to be more careful in future and make sure that she separated her personal feelings from her professional responsibilities. She couldn’t afford to let one affect the other if she hoped to get through the coming months.

  Ben quickly examined the little boy and, as suspected, it turned out that Sam had an ear infection. Anna stayed with them because she didn’t think it was right to leave even though the crisis was over. The little boy was obviously very distressed and his mother, who had told them that her name was Lucy Wilkins, didn’t look much better.

  Ben drew Anna aside while the young mother tried to console the screaming toddler. ‘I know this is a huge imposition, but would you mind if I left Sam and Lucy with you while I finish seeing the rest of my patients? I want to make sure that he’s all right before she takes him home.’

  ‘Of course I don’t mind,’ Anna assured him. She glanced at the sobbing child and sighed. ‘He’s really upset, poor little mite.’

  ‘He must be in a lot of pain because the infection is quite severe, especially in his left ear. I’ve got some sample sachets of analgesic in my room so maybe you could get some of that down him.’

  He grimaced as the little boy started screaming louder than ever. ‘You might have more luck than his mum. I get the impression that she’s been having a rough time with him of late, not that it’s any surprise. It isn’t easy, bringing up a child on your own.’

  ‘It isn’t,’ Anna agreed hollowly. She summoned a smile when Ben looked at her, afraid that he would tell that the comment had touched a nerve. ‘If you let me have that analgesic, I’ll see if Sam will take it from me.’

  ‘Thanks, Anna. I really appreciate this.’

  Ben hurried back to his room and came back a few minutes later with a sachet of the analgesic, but he didn’t stop. Anna knew that he must be anxious to get back to his other patients so she merely took it from him then set about finding a plastic measuring spoon in one of the drawers. Little Sam was sobbing his heart out by that time, his face bright red with temper and pain, and Lucy had tears in her eyes as well.

  ‘I don’t know what to do when he gets like this,’ she admitted helplessly. ‘Sometimes he screams so hard that he makes himself sick and I don’t know how to stop him.’

  ‘It isn’t easy, dealing with a toddler,’ Anna consoled her. ‘A lot of parents have trouble coping.’

  ‘It must be easier if there are two of you, though,’ Lucy said, struggling to hold onto Sam as he arched his back in an attempt to free himself. ‘I keep worrying in case I’m doing everything wrong. It would be lovely to have someone to share all the problems,’ she added wistfully.

  Anna bit back a sigh because she understood exactly how the girl felt. ‘I’m sure that it must be difficult at times but you’re doing a great job. Sam is obviously loved and that’s the most important thing. Now, do you think it would help if I took him for a moment? If we can calm him down we can give him some of this analgesic.’

  Lucy gratefully relinquished the screaming toddler into her care. Anna took firm hold of the squirming little body and stood up. ‘Now, Sam, I know that you don’t feel well but you’ll feel a lot better if you stop crying.’

  The child stared at her with huge, tear-soaked eyes, obviously shocked at being parted so summarily from his mother. Anna smiled reassuringly at him. ‘Shall we see what we can find to play with? I don’t know if there are any toys in these cupboards but we can have a look.’

  She set him down on the floor and started opening the cupboards. ‘Oh, look what I’ve found!’

  She hauled out a big plastic tub of building blocks and tipped them onto the carpet. Sam immediately crouched down, his tears momentarily forgotten as he picked up two of the blocks and tried to fit them together.

  ‘Like this. See?’ Anna showed him how to slot the blocks together, smiling when he immediately copied her. She glanced over her shoulder as he picked up two more. ‘He’s very bright, isn’t he? I only needed to show him once and he knew what to do.’

  Lucy smiled. ‘He does seem to be quick on the uptake,’ she agreed proudly. ‘I bought a big box of toys from the charity shop in town and it was amazing how quickly he learned how to use them. And he just loves it when I read to him. He knows some of the stories off by heart now.’

  ‘Story?’ Sam said hopefully, looking up.

  Anna laughed as she ruffled his blond curls. ‘Later, poppet. I’m sure Mummy will read to you when you get home.’

  He gave her a beaming smile then went back to his building work. He seemed quite content so she decided that it might be a good moment to see if he would take the analgesic. She snipped the top off the sachet then measured out the recommended dosage and crouched beside him.

  ‘Are you going to b
e a good boy and take this for me, Sam?’ she asked, offering him the spoon.

  He stared at the bright pink liquid for a moment then obediently opened his mouth. Anna smiled as he swallowed the whole spoonful without a murmur.

  ‘That’s a good boy. Well done!’ she exclaimed, giving him a hug.

  ‘I hope he takes it from me as easily,’ Lucy said worriedly. ‘And Dr Cole said that he’s going to need ear drops as well. I don’t know if I’ll be able to make him sit still long enough to get them in his ears.’

  ‘Do it while you’re reading to him,’ Anna advised her. ‘I used to work with children and I always found that it was best to choose a quiet moment if you wanted to give them any medication. But if he does get upset, don’t make a big issue out of it. Just wait until he calms down then have another go.’

  ‘I’ll do that.’ Lucy sighed. ‘I wish there was someone to ask about things like that. I do my best but there are all sorts of things that crop up and I’m not sure how to deal with them.’

  ‘Don’t you have any family?’ Anna asked, handing a bright green block to the little boy.

  ‘No. I was brought up in care. There’s just Sam and me, but we muddle through as best we can.’

  ‘Well, you seem to be doing a fine job to me. Sam is a lovely little boy.’ Anna smiled at the girl but she couldn’t deny that her heart had started aching when she’d heard that. It had struck a bit too close to home. It was a relief when Ben appeared and informed them that he had finished seeing all his patients now.

  He checked Sam over one more time, crouching down on the floor beside the child rather than making him get up. Anna couldn’t help noticing how good he was with the little boy and how Sam responded immediately to his firm but patient approach. Ben Cole would make a wonderful father, she found herself thinking wistfully, then realised how dangerous a thought that was.

  ‘I’m happy that what happened was simply the result of his ear infection,’ Ben explained after he had finished. ‘I’m going to give you a prescription for antibiotics to fight the infection and drops to soothe the inflammation in his ears. But I want you to promise me that you’ll call the surgery immediately if you are at all concerned about Sam.’

  ‘I’ll do that, Doctor,’ Lucy agreed, getting up. ‘You don’t think that he’ll have another of those convulsions, do you?’

  ‘I’m ninety-nine per cent certain that he won’t as long as you keep his temperature down. But, as I said, if you’re at all worried, don’t hesitate to phone us.’

  ‘I shall. Thank you.’ The girl turned to Anna. ‘And I’ll try doing as you said and putting the drops in Sam’s ears while he’s sitting quietly.’

  ‘It usually works,’ Anna assured her. ‘But don’t worry if you have to give it a couple of goes. The more agitated you get, the more Sam will play you up.’

  Sam was reluctant to leave his exciting new toys at first but he was finally persuaded that he could play with them another day. Anna followed as Ben saw them out. The waiting room was empty and Eileen had started switching off the lights now that everyone had left. The receptionist sighed ruefully when she saw Anna.

  ‘Talk about being thrown in at the deep end! I bet you’re sorry that you took this job.’

  Anna laughed. ‘Oh, it will take more than that to put me off. I’m far tougher than I look.’

  ‘You’ll need to be, working here,’ Eileen retorted, winking at her. She pretended not to have noticed that Ben had come back into the room. ‘It’s not just the general public who lead you a merry dance, I’m afraid. Some members of the staff here would try the patience of a saint at times.’

  ‘I wonder why my ears are burning? You weren’t alluding to me, by any chance, were you, Eileen?’ he asked wryly.

  ‘Now, why should you think that?’ the receptionist retorted. ‘It wouldn’t have anything to do with the fact that you told three people to make appointments for Monday morning when I’d already warned you that your list was full?’

  ‘Sorry.’ Ben tried to look contrite but his eyes were full of laughter when he turned to Anna. ‘Eileen is a real termagant when it comes to her appointment system. It’s a big mistake to fall foul of her, believe me. You end up having to make your own coffee for the next week!’

  ‘I’m only trying to safeguard your interests, Dr Cole,’ the receptionist said with a sniff, although Anna could tell that she wasn’t really offended. It was obvious that Ben had a good relationship with the older woman.

  ‘I know you are. And I am grateful. Honestly.’ Ben gave Eileen a warm smile. ‘We wouldn’t be able to run this place half as efficiently without you here to keep order, Eileen.’

  ‘Well, I don’t know about that,’ she said. However, it was obvious that she was pleased by the compliment. They exchanged a few more pleasantries then Eileen fetched her coat and left.

  Ben sighed as the door closed. ‘That’s it, then. End of another busy morning. Thanks again for all your help, Anna. I really appreciate it.’

  ‘It was nothing,’ she assured him. She glanced at her watch as he went behind the desk to turn off the rest of the lights. ‘Anyway, I’d better get a move on. I want to get to the shops before they close,’ she explained when he turned to look at her. ‘I need to stock up on groceries.’

  ‘You didn’t bring any with you?’

  ‘I never gave it a thought, to be honest. I had too many other things on my mind.’ Her face clouded as she thought about what had happened that morning. She still felt sick when she recalled what had been said…

  ‘Are you OK?’

  She jumped, feeling the colour rush to her cheeks when she saw the concern in Ben’s eyes. She had a sudden urge to pour out the whole miserable story before it struck her what a mistake that would be.

  She couldn’t afford to tell anyone the truth just yet. Although Ben Cole had come across as both kind and sympathetic, there was no knowing how he might react. Did she really want to run the risk of losing this job?

  ‘I’m fine. Just a bit worn out after all the rushing around,’ she replied evasively.

  ‘No wonder. As Eileen said, you were rather pushed in at the deep end.’

  He smiled at her and Anna felt a flurry ripple through her when she saw the appreciation in his eyes. It was obvious that Ben found her attractive, and whilst part of her rejoiced in the fact another part knew that it would be a mistake to encourage him.

  ‘How about if I gave you a lift into town?’ he continued. ‘You can get your shopping then I’ll drive you back here so that you don’t need to lug a lot of heavy bags. In fact, we could have some lunch first—’

  ‘No!’ She saw his start of surprise but she had to make her position clear once and for all. ‘There’s no easy way to say this, Dr Cole, so I may as well be blunt. I prefer to keep my private life and my professional one strictly separate.’

  She shrugged, feeling a shiver working its way down her spine when she saw how he was looking at her now. There was no warmth in his gaze any longer, just a remoteness that made her heart ache in the strangest way. ‘Whilst I intend to give one hundred per cent commitment during surgery hours, I’m not interested in fostering any kind of relationship with colleagues outside those times. Have I made myself clear?’

  ‘As crystal, Miss Clemence. I apologise if I was overstepping the mark.’

  His tone crackled with ice, leaving her in little doubt that he wouldn’t make the same mistake again. He switched off the last remaining lights then strode around the desk, pausing when he realised that she was still standing there. Anna had to steel herself when she caught the full force of his icy stare.

  ‘Was there something else, Miss Clemence? If not, I’d like to set the alarm and lock up.’

  ‘I don’t appear to have a key to the back door of the flat,’ she explained woodenly. ‘I’ll need it to get in and out over the weekend.’

  ‘I’ll see if it’s in Adam’s desk,’ he told her curtly. He swung round, leaving Anna to follow. She was miserably
aware that he was annoyed with her. Not that she blamed him, of course. She’d been rude as she’d laid down the ground rules. Her only excuse was that she’d had no choice.

  ‘Here it is.’ He offered her the key then looked steadily at her. ‘Is that all now?’

  ‘Yes.’ She cleared her throat but it was an effort to force the words past the lump in it when she saw the chill in his eyes. ‘Thank you.’

  He inclined his head, although he didn’t say anything as he strode past her. Anna watched him go into the office then turned and quickly made her way to the stairs. She was halfway up them when she heard the alarm beeping, followed a few seconds later by the sound of the front door closing. And it seemed to her that she had never felt more alone than she did at that moment.

  Ben had offered her the hand of friendship and she had rejected it. Maybe she’d had no choice but it hurt to know that he wouldn’t offer it to her again. It struck her all of a sudden that she would have liked to have had him for a friend, to have been able to turn to him when times became really tough.

  She sighed sadly.

  Would Ben Cole still want to be her friend when he found out what she had taken such care to keep secret? He would probably thank his lucky stars that he hadn’t got involved!

  Her hand went to the gentle swell of her stomach concealed beneath her loose fitting T-shirt and her eyes were suddenly sad.

  How many men would be interested in befriending a woman who was having someone else’s baby?

  CHAPTER TWO

  ‘I WONDER if you could do me a favour?’

  Anna was in the treatment room when Ben Cole tapped on the door. It was Friday morning and surgery was coming to an end. It had been a busy morning as usual, but she had thoroughly enjoyed her first week in Winton. Any qualms she’d had about her ability to do the job had soon disappeared. The work might be rather different to what she was used to but the basic procedures were the same, and she really liked the people she was working with.