The Baby Issue

by Jennifer Taylor

  ‘That’s right.’

  He must have heard the tremulous note in her voice because he smiled reassuringly. ‘There isn’t a problem, Anna. Really. Now all we need to do is make sure that you have proper antenatal care. Obviously, you’ll need to attend the hospital so let Eileen know when you’re due to go so she can juggle your appointments around. I can see you in between visits—unless you’d prefer to register with another practice, of course. Maybe that would be best. You might feel a bit awkward consulting a colleague.’

  ‘I’m not sure,’ she murmured because she was having difficulty keeping up with what was happening.

  ‘You don’t have to decide right this very minute. Let me know when you’ve made up your mind and I’ll make all the arrangements. Right, that’s all sorted, then. Time to get ready for the morning rush.’

  Adam stood up, effectively bringing the meeting to an end. Anna repeated her thanks then left the room, still feeling rather giddy about the way he had taken the news. It had gone so much better than she had dared hope that it would.

  ‘Good morning.’

  She swung round when she heard Ben’s voice, seeing the concern that immediately darkened his eyes as he took stock of her expression. ‘Hey, are you all right?’ he said quickly.

  ‘Fine.’ She took a deep breath then smiled at him. ‘Couldn’t be better, in fact. I just told Adam about the baby and he was wonderful about it!’

  ‘I told you not to worry, didn’t I?’ Ben said, his dark brows arching.

  ‘I know you did but—’

  ‘But nothing!’ He started to say something else but Eileen popped her head round the office door just then to tell him that there was a phone call for him and that she was putting it through to his room.

  He sighed. ‘No rest for the wicked, eh? I’ll catch up with you later, Anna.’

  ‘Yes. And, Ben, thank you.’ She shrugged when he glanced back. ‘I appreciate you giving me that pep talk on Saturday. I wouldn’t have found the nerve to tell Adam otherwise.’

  ‘What are friends for?’ he replied easily, then disappeared into his room.

  Anna took a deep breath. What indeed?

  CHAPTER FOUR

  IT WAS another busy morning. Anna worked her way through her list of patients, only breaking off to snatch a quick cup of coffee that Eileen had brought in to her. There was such a wide variety of people to see that she found the work fascinating. She’d been specialising in renal care for the past four years so it was interesting to deal with cases that involved other areas of medicine. Harold Newcombe, a man in his early sixties, was one such case.

  Anna finished testing the urine sample that Harold had brought in that day. He had non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus which could be treated through a combination of careful diet and weight reduction. However, Anna wasn’t happy with the results of the urine test because they showed a marked increase in the level of glucose. She decided that she needed to have a word with Ben and quickly excused herself.

  As luck would have it, Ben had just shown a patient out. Anna frowned as she watched Lucy Wilkins and little Sam leaving the surgery. ‘Sam isn’t ill again, is he?’ she asked in concern.

  ‘No, he’s fine. Unfortunately, Lucy is terrified that he’s going to suffer a repeat of that last incident.’ Ben sighed. ‘It’s the third time she’s brought him in to see me in the past week.’

  ‘Oh, what a shame! The poor girl must be worried sick,’ Anna said sympathetically.

  ‘I know. I’m trying to get it across to her that the chances of Sam having another convulsion are very slim so long as she follows our advice.’ He grimaced. ‘If she had someone around to help her then I don’t imagine she would be so uptight, but the poor kid’s on her own.’

  ‘It must be hard for her,’ she said soberly, and heard him groan.

  ‘Me and my big mouth. Sorry.’

  ‘Don’t be silly.’ She realised that it might be best to change the subject so she quickly explained what she had needed to see him about. ‘Mr Newcombe’s glucose levels seem to be rather high so I thought you should take a look at him. Have you got time to fit him in now?’

  Ben frowned as he checked his watch. ‘Can you give me ten minutes? I’ve got a cancellation at eleven so I could see him then.’

  ‘Fine. I was wondering if I should do a blood test as well, just to check.’

  ‘That would be great, Anna. Thanks. Ten minutes and I’ll be all yours. OK?’

  She smiled, hoping that he couldn’t see inside her mind at that moment. Why did the thought of Ben being ‘all hers’ seem so appealing?

  She shrugged the thought aside as he went back into his room and she returned to her patient. Harold Newcombe looked up expectantly when she opened the door.

  ‘Nothing wrong, is there, Nurse?’

  ‘Your glucose level seems to be rather on the high side,’ she explained, fetching the blood monitoring machine. ‘Dr Cole is going to have a word with you as soon as he’s free. In the meantime, I’m going to do a blood test as well.’

  Harold sighed. ‘I’ve only got myself to blame if my sugar’s up. I’ve not been sticking to my diet as I should, I’m afraid. Doris and I went on a cruise and the food was so wonderful that I ate far more than I should have done.’

  Anna laughed. ‘I expect it’s hard not to! I’ve heard how wonderful the food is on board some of those cruise ships.’ She put the small machine on the desk. ‘Was it a special occasion?’

  ‘Our fortieth wedding anniversary. That’s why we decided to push out the boat.’ Harold beamed at her, enjoying his own joke.

  Anna groaned. ‘Oh, what a dreadful pun! I must remember that one. Now, all I want to do is prick your finger so that I can get a drop of blood to test. The machine does the rest.’

  Harold nodded. ‘I know. I used to sell these contraptions once upon a time. I was a sales rep for a medical firm,’ he explained when she looked quizzically at him. ‘I must have sold hundreds of these devices over the years. I never thought I’d be needing to use one of them, though.’

  ‘Just view it as a test run, to see how well they work,’ she advised, smiling at him. ‘Although I’m sure that people who need to use them on a daily basis really appreciate how easy they are. One little drop of blood and—hey, presto—you have all the information you need.’

  She quickly pricked Harold’s finger then smeared the drop of blood across a chemically coated strip and inserted it into the machine. Within seconds she had an accurate reading of the amount of glucose in his blood.

  She glanced round when Ben tapped on the door and came into the room. ‘Perfect timing. I’ve just done Mr Newcombe’s blood test.’

  She showed him the reading and wasn’t surprised when he frowned. ‘Mr Newcombe has just come back from a cruise,’ she explained. ‘Evidently, the food was excellent.’

  ‘Which means that your diet went overboard?’ Ben commented with a twinkle in his eyes.

  Anna raised her eyes. ‘Not another one who loves puns!’

  Harold laughed. ‘All men are just kids at heart, even when you get to my age, and I could give Dr Cole a good few years! Anyway, Doctor, I know I’ve been a bit daft, but how bad is it?’

  ‘The reading is certainly higher than it should have been. How have you been feeling? Have you been drinking more and wanting to pass water more frequently?’

  ‘Yes, but I have to confess that it started before Doris and I went away,’ Harold admitted.

  Ben frowned. ‘I see. It could be that regulating the amount and frequency of your carbohydrate intake is no longer enough and that we need to take other measures to control your diabetes.’

  ‘Do you mean injections?’ Harold asked worriedly.

  ‘No. In cases of non-insulin-dependent diabetes, the pancreas is still producing insulin but in insufficient quantities. Sometimes careful diet is all that’s needed to control it, but quite often a patient needs hypoglycaemic tablets to stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin.�
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  ‘Oh, I see.’ Harold sounded relieved. ‘And you think these tablets will do the trick?’

  ‘So long as you stick to your diet they will. However, they won’t help if you over-indulge too often,’ Ben warned him.

  ‘I’m not planning on making a habit of it, not at those prices! It cost an arm and a leg, going on that cruise. It’s going to be a good few years before Doris and I go on another.’

  Ben laughed. ‘Then there shouldn’t be any problem. I’ll write you out a prescription and we’ll see how you get on.’

  Harold stood up as Ben opened the door. ‘Sounds good to me. Thanks. And thank you, love. It’s been nice chatting to you. Nothing like a few minutes with a beautiful young woman to make you feel in tip-top condition, despite what all these tests might prove to the contrary!’

  Anna smiled. ‘I’m pleased to hear it. Anyway, I expect I’ll see you again, Mr Newcombe.’

  ‘You can be sure of it!’ Harold winked at her before he left the room.

  ‘Looks like you’ve made a conquest there, Nurse Clemence,’ Ben observed drily. ‘Careful, now. We don’t want to start a rush once word gets round about you working here.’

  Anna knew that he was teasing and laughed. ‘And I don’t think!’ She sobered abruptly as a thought struck her. Ben frowned.

  ‘What is it?’ he prompted, letting the door close so no one could overhear their conversation. ‘Anna?’

  ‘I was just thinking that there won’t be a problem in a few months’ time.’ She smiled gamely, knowing it was foolish to get upset about something so stupid. ‘I can’t imagine that Mr Newcombe or any other patient will be rushing to be treated by me once I’m as big as a house!’

  ‘That’s nonsense,’ Ben said firmly. ‘You’ll be even more beautiful in a few months’ time, Anna.’

  He didn’t say anything else before he left the room. Anna felt a little ripple run down her spine as she thought about what he had said. Had he meant it? He had sounded sincere enough but maybe he had been simply trying to cheer her up? It was what any friend would have done in the circumstances, and she’d be silly to go reading too much into it. However, it was impossible to put it out of her mind. The idea that Ben thought she was beautiful wasn’t easily dismissed, oddly enough.

  The day came to an end at last and Anna went up to the flat after evening surgery had finished. She changed out of her uniform and made herself something to eat then wondered how best to fill in the evening. This was the time of the day she hated most because she always felt so lonely. It was fine while she was busy working but once she had closed the door to the flat the silence seemed oppressive.

  She turned on the television and watched the news. There was a game show on afterwards but she didn’t feel like watching it so she switched off the television. She was just wondering if she should find something to read when she heard a noise coming from below. It sounded very much as though there was someone moving around in the surgery but she knew for a fact that everyone had left.

  Anna opened the door and crept to the top of the stairs. She was just debating whether she should go down and investigate when a man walked along the hall and she gasped as she realised it was Ben.

  ‘You scared the wits out of me,’ she exclaimed as he glanced up. ‘I thought we had burglars!’

  ‘Sorry. I should have knocked and told you I was here,’ he apologised. ‘I didn’t want to disturb you, to be honest. I thought you were probably worn out after the busy day we had.’

  ‘I can’t seem to settle,’ she admitted. ‘I had been planning on doing nothing more taxing than sitting in front of the television but there’s nothing on that I want to watch. Anyway, what have you come back for?’

  ‘I forgot my wallet.’ Ben held up a black leather wallet then frowned. ‘How would you fancy coming for a drink if you’ve nothing better to do? That’s where I was heading when I realised that I had no cash on me.’

  ‘Oh, I don’t know…’

  ‘Come on, Anna. It will do you good to get out for a bit and I’d be really glad of the company.’

  It was hard to resist the pleading note in his voice so she didn’t try. ‘Why not? It will definitely beat sitting here, staring at the same four walls.’

  ‘Great!’ Ben sounded so delighted that any doubts she’d had disappeared. It was obvious that he hadn’t asked her simply out of politeness, she decided, then wondered why she felt so pleased by the idea.

  ‘I’ll lock up here and meet you outside,’ he continued. ‘I didn’t bring my car because I was going to the pub. I hope you don’t mind walking. It isn’t far.’

  ‘Of course not,’ she assured him, brushing aside the unsettling thought. She hurried back inside the flat, wondering if she had time to change. She sighed when it struck her that she didn’t have much else to wear. Most of her clothes were getting tight now and the beige drawstring-waist trousers and loose-fitting cream cotton top she had on were the most comfortable things in her wardrobe.

  In the end, she contented herself with applying a fresh coat of lipstick and running a brush through her hair. She’d unpinned it when she’d changed out of her uniform and the silky black waves fell softly around her face as she left the flat and hurried round to the front of the building where Ben was waiting for her. She couldn’t help noticing the appreciative look he gave her.

  ‘You look very nice tonight, Anna,’ he said warmly. ‘I love your hair loose like that.’

  ‘Thank you,’ she replied, thinking that she could easily have returned the compliment. Ben had changed out of his work clothes into slim-fitting jeans and a black V-neck sweatshirt, and she couldn’t help thinking how well they suited him. She had a sudden mental picture of how he had looked in the wet running shorts and vest, and quickly drove it from her mind. Thoughts like that were best left strictly alone!

  He kept up an undemanding conversation as they walked to the pub. Anna sensed that he was trying to put her at ease and appreciated his thoughtfulness. By the time they entered the pub she was ready to enjoy the unexpected outing.

  ‘What will you have to drink?’ he asked.

  ‘Nothing alcoholic because of the baby,’ she told him quickly, wondering what to choose.

  ‘How about orange juice?’ he suggested. ‘They do fresh orange juice here and it’s delicious.’

  ‘That sounds lovely,’ she replied immediately.

  ‘Orange juice it is, then.’ He glanced around the room then pointed to a table by the window. ‘Why don’t you grab a seat over there while I fetch the drinks? I won’t be long.’

  Anna went and sat down, smiling when Ben came back a few minutes later with their drinks. ‘That was quick. Thanks.’ She took a sip of the orange juice. ‘It really is delicious!’

  ‘I thought you’d enjoy it,’ he said easily, pulling out a stool and sitting down. ‘I come here sometimes for lunch and it’s what I usually have to drink then.’

  ‘So you come here quite a lot, do you?’ she asked curiously.

  ‘Mainly at lunchtime because it’s handy for the surgery. I don’t go out all that often at night.’

  ‘You and me both!’ She laughed ruefully. ‘Although I’m sure you could be out every night of the week if you chose to.’

  ‘I suppose so.’ He shrugged when she looked curiously at him. ‘I’m not really a party animal. I much prefer a quiet night in, to be honest.’

  ‘Really?’

  He must have heard the scepticism in her voice because he grinned. ‘Yes, really! I did enough socialising while I was at med school to last me a lifetime.’

  ‘Thank heavens for that! I was beginning to think there was something wrong with you. I know the reputation you doctors have for enjoying yourselves,’ she teased.

  ‘Probably well founded in a lot of cases.’

  ‘But not in your case?’

  He shrugged. ‘As I say, I did my share of partying when I was younger. I simply outgrew that stage.’

  ‘I see.’ Anna had a fee
ling that there was a lot that he wasn’t telling her. However, she decided that it would be more tactful not to question him further. If Ben had wanted her to know more about his life then he would have told her, she reasoned.

  ‘So how do you spend your free time if you don’t go in for wild parties?’ she asked instead.

  ‘I don’t seem to have had all that much free time recently,’ he replied noncommittally.

  Anna frowned. ‘But you must do something. I know that you go running so is that your main form of relaxation?’

  ‘I suppose so. How about you? What sort of hobbies do you enjoy, Anna?’

  He neatly steered the conversation away from himself but Anna had to admit that she was intrigued about why he seemed so loath to talk about himself. ‘Oh, reading, cinema, going to the theatre, nothing too taxing. I’m certainly not into sport!’

  He laughed at that. ‘I can’t say that I actually enjoy it. It’s a necessary evil, shall we say. I spend so much of my life sitting in a chair that I feel I should make the effort to get some exercise.’

  ‘You seemed fairly dedicated to me,’ she countered. ‘Not many people would have gone running in that rain.’

  ‘That was by accident rather than design, I assure you. I had planned on being safely back home before the rain started. Unfortunately, that storm caught me by surprise.’

  ‘You and me both,’ she admitted ruefully. ‘I couldn’t believe it when the heavens opened like that.’

  ‘Maybe it was a good thing that it happened.’ He shrugged when she looked at him blankly. ‘I don’t imagine we would be sitting here now, sharing a friendly drink, if it hadn’t.’

  She grimaced. ‘No, I expect you’re right.’

  ‘They say that every cloud has a silver lining,’ he said with a completely straight face.

  ‘Not again!’ she groaned. ‘You and Harold Newcombe should form your own society.’

  ‘Punners Anonymous,’ he suggested with his tongue very firmly in his cheek.