The Midwife's Special Delivery

by Carol Marinelli

  ‘What a woman!’ He grinned. They were exactly the words Kathy needed to hear today. ‘I’ll go and pull up those antibiotics, then!’

  CHAPTER FIVE

  ‘I’LL go.’ Glancing up at the call bell display and seeing it was Kathy buzzing, Ally handed over the sleepy infant she had just finished feeding at the desk to the student Jake.

  ‘Thanks.’ Jake gave a grateful smile, clearly relieved not to have to see why Kathy was ringing. Since Rory’s little talk, Kathy’s door had remained firmly closed, and although Ally had been in a few times to check her drip and observations, exhausted after her tears, Kathy had slept for most of the afternoon and into the evening.

  ‘Hi, Kathy.’ Ally came into the room but, mindful that Kathy would have just woken up, she didn’t flick on the overhead light, just turned on the nightlight switch. ‘How are you feeling?’

  ‘Better,’ Kathy admitted. ‘Those painkillers really helped a lot. Toby is starting to stir—can I get his milk from the fridge?’

  ‘I’ll prepare that for you if you like,’Ally offered, half expecting a refusal but pleased when Kathy nodded. ‘Sometimes babies can be a bit tricky taking a bottle from Mum,’ Ally warned, hoping not to alarm Kathy but wanting her to be prepared. ‘They can smell the milk from their mums and have trouble getting the hang of the teat. Toby might be fine, given that it’s your milk he’ll be having, but if you want, and only if you want, we’re more than happy to feed him for you.’ Sure Kathy would immediately shake her head, Ally was pleasantly surprised when Kathy continued to listen. ‘We could give him a couple of bottles tonight if you like and let you rest properly and tomorrow, once the antibiotics have kicked in and you’ve had a good sleep, you’ll be—’

  ‘That sounds great.’ Kathy didn’t even let Ally finish—a new woman indeed after Rory’s little pep-talk! ‘Actually, I’m so anti bottlefeeding him, it would be a relief tonight if someone else could do it for me.’

  ‘We’d be happy to.’Ally smiled, gazing down at Toby who was starting to make his presence felt, sucking furiously on his fat little fist. Kathy was a lot happier now but still quite tearful, and Ally didn’t push, letting Kathy take the next step but delighted with the progress that had been made.

  ‘He looks hungry,’ Kathy observed. ‘If one of the nurses could feed him, would it be OK if I had a shower?’

  ‘The water will help a lot,’Ally agreed, wrapping the blood-pressure cuff around Kathy’s arm as she chatted. ‘And then I’ll bring you in some cabbage leaves. Your blood pressure’s normal now,’ Ally said, turning the machine towards Kathy so that she could see the reading for herself. She popped the tympanic thermometer into her patient’s ear and got an instant reading. ‘So is your temperature—it’s amazing what a good sleep can do.’

  ‘And the right drugs.’ Kathy gave a tight smile.

  ‘Would you like some dinner? I’ve saved your supper tray in the fridge.’

  ‘I’m not really hungry.’ Kathy shook her head.

  ‘Some sandwiches, then?’Ally offered.

  ‘Maybe later…’ Kathy gave a small shrug and, sensing that her patient was feeling awkward, Ally decided to broach what they were both avoiding.

  ‘How are you feeling,’ Ally said, perching herself on the bed, ‘after speaking with the doctor? Do you have any questions?’

  ‘Not really,’ Kathy answered. ‘He made things pretty clear.’ Looking up at Ally, she qualified it with a small smile. ‘I like direct, don’t worry.’

  ‘I’m not worried,’ Ally said, ‘just concerned—for you. I know I don’t have children of my own, but I do understand your desire for a natural birth.’

  ‘It wasn’t going to happen for me. I guess I just didn’t want to admit it—I wanted to blame everyone else instead of myself.’

  ‘Why does anyone need to be blamed?’ Ally asked gently. ‘I was speaking to Rory—Dr Donovan—just before he went off duty and he said that part of the reason you were feeling so awful was that you’ve been through the equivalent of two labours.’ Ally paused for a moment to let her words sink in. ‘A long and painful labour and then a big operation. He was telling me that’s one of the reasons he’s not particularly keen on VBACs—around half the women end up working twice as hard!’

  ‘I’ve never thought of it like that.’ Kathy blinked.

  ‘You’ve experienced labour, Kathy,’Ally said gently. ‘Several gritty hours of it. And then you had to go through surgery. You’re allowed to feel washed-out!’

  ‘It doesn’t give me the right to be an utter bitch, though. I’ve been awful, haven’t I?’

  ‘You’ve been a challenge.’ Ally grinned. She stood up as Toby started to cry in earnest. ‘Shall I take him down to the nursery?’

  ‘Ally?’ Rinska’s nervous face popped around the door. ‘I’m sorry to disturb you, but you have a phone call.’

  ‘Thanks, Rinska, I’m just coming.’

  ‘Rinska.’ Kathy’s voice was strained and high and even in the subdued lighting Ally could see she was blushing. ‘Could I have a word with you, please? I want to apologise.’

  Wheeling her precious cargo down towards the nursery Ally didn’t rush to take her call, assuming that it would be the nursing co-ordinator to check on the bed status or a relative with a patient enquiry. Instructing the staff to feed Toby and then to take him back to Kathy for a cuddle, Ally headed to the nurses’ station and picked up the telephone. ‘Sister Jameson speaking.’

  ‘Ally!’ Instantly recognizing Rory’s voice Ally frowned into the phone, wondering why he had specifically asked to speak to her. If it was to do with a patient, there were more senior nurses on, or surely he could have checked with Rinska. ‘What time do you finish?’

  Ally’s frown deepened further as she glanced at her watch. ‘In an hour or so. Why?’

  ‘Are you coming straight home?’ His voice was light, his words casual, but it only confused Ally further and she didn’t immediately answer. ‘I was just wondering if you were going out after you shift, or if things had got busy.’

  ‘Why?’ Ally asked again, choosing Rory’s direct approach, tired of the games that he seemed to be playing with her. ‘What does it have to do with you?’

  ‘Nothing.’ Rory didn’t sound so casual any more, his voice unusually hesitant as he carried on talking. ‘It’s just…’

  ‘Just what, Rory?’Ally snapped. ‘I was actually with a patient when I was called out to take a telephone call—only to find out that it’s you asking whether or not I’m coming straight home. What’s going on?’

  ‘It’s Sheba!’

  The high horse Ally had just leapt onto bucked her off with the two words Rory delivered and galloped off into the distance, leaving Ally reeling, trying to grab the reins.

  ‘What’s wrong with Sheba?’

  ‘Ally.’ Rory’s voice was calm. ‘She’s OK, well, when I say she’s OK she’s in her basket having a sleep, but when I got home she was crying—she’d had an accident. I’ve cleaned it up and I carried her outside, but she’s not right. I think you ought to come home when your shift’s finished, that’s all. I didn’t want to worry you—I just thought you ought to be here.’

  ‘The vet came and saw her this morning.’Ally’s voice was thick as she struggled to get the words out. ‘He gave me some painkillers. Could you give her one and I’ll get off as quickly as I can?’

  ‘I’ve already given her one,’ Rory said. ‘Come home, Ally.’

  And it wasn’t just Sheba that had her weeping as Ally replaced the receiver, but the fact Rory had carried her, had thought to give her a tablet, and that twice in their short conversation he’d referred to her house as home.

  ‘What’s wrong?’ Jess was over in a second.

  ‘Nothing,’ Ally attempted, then gave in. ‘It’s Sheba. Apparently she’s not very well. I know she’s only a dog…’

  ‘Go home,’ Jess said without hesitation, because even if it was just a dog, it was Ally crying, Ally who never called in
sick, Ally who was always the first to get to work and the last to leave. ‘The night staff are already arriving—go home.’

  Negotiating the short drive home, Ally flew up the driveway her heart in the mouth as Rory opened the door.

  ‘She’s the same,’ he said immediately, wrapping an arm around her and leading her up the path. ‘I’m sorry if I scared you, Ally. I didn’t realise that you’d already called the vet out. Maybe she’s no worse than when you left her.’

  But Sheba was. Rory’s arm stayed around Ally as she walked down the hall and into the kitchen, gripping her tighter as Sheba managed a few thumps of her tail as Ally made her way over.

  ‘She’s never had an accident. She’d be so upset.’

  ‘I’ve cleaned it all up,’ Rory said as Ally knelt down beside her best friend and stroked her tired head. ‘Like I said, I carried her outside and she had a wee. She should be OK for tonight and I’ll take her out again in the morning.’

  ‘Poor thing,’ Ally gulped, watching Sheba’s rapid breathing. ‘What should I do?’

  ‘What did the vet say?’ Rory asked, practical as ever.

  ‘He was going to come on Sunday,’ Ally choked. ‘He’s known Sheba all her life. He said we should have Saturday…’ Ally shook her head. ‘But she’s worse, I don’t think it would be fair to leave it till then.’

  ‘Neither do I,’ Rory agreed softly. ‘Ally, she’s tired, she’s old and, like you said, she’d hate the fact that she can’t even get out to the toilet.’

  ‘Should I ring him now?’ Ally asked ‘Tell him to just come and…?’ Her voice trailed off. She was unable to even think it, let alone say it, and even though she was used to making life-and-death decisions with objectivity and assertiveness, and even though Sheba was only a dog, she was hers; her friend. Sheba had been by her side each and every day during good times and bad, and staring down at those soft velvety eyes, she tried to make the right decision by her friend yet longed to keep her for a little while longer. Ally truly didn’t know what to do for the best.

  ‘Maybe let him know,’ Rory suggested, ‘but she looks pretty comfortable now. The tablet must be starting too kick in and she’s got you home. Why don’t you ask him to come tomorrow—and have tonight with Sheba?’

  ‘I’m supposed to be working tomorrow,’ Ally faltered, as Rory held out the telephone to her, not wanting to make the call.

  ‘There’s no way you’re going to be able to work tomorrow,’ Rory argued. ‘Ring and tell them now before you speak to the vet—that will give them plenty of time to get a replacement.’

  ‘And tell them what?’Ally asked. ‘That I need a sick day because of my dog?’

  ‘Yes,’ Rory said simply. ‘When was the last time you took sick leave, Ally?’

  She didn’t answer. After all, she could hardly tell him that the last time she’d called in sick had been the day he’d left for the States, so instead she rang the ward, and the sympathy and understanding in her colleague’s voice only made her choke up even more.

  ‘I’ve got the day off.’Ally sniffed, hating what she had to do now. Trembling fingers dialed a number and she left a voicemail message asking for Dale to get back to her.

  ‘He must think I’m such a wimp,’ Ally said, still on her knees, still stroking Sheba’s head. ‘I cried my eyes out when I rang him this morning and again when he came to see her.’

  ‘I’m sure he’s used to it,’ Rory said. ‘Do you want me to speak to him for you?’ And Ally surprised even herself by nodding.

  ‘Thank you.’

  ‘I’ll ask him what we should do if she gets really distressed in the night.’

  ‘Me or the dog?’ Ally managed a very feeble joke as Rory bought her over a mug of coffee and sat down on the floor beside her. ‘I already asked him that. He gave me a couple of sedatives for her and said to give her those and a couple more of the painkillers and he’d come straight out.’

  ‘He sounds nice.’

  ‘He is.’Ally sniffed again. ‘He’s actually an equine vet. He’s got that massive horse hospital on the peninsula.’

  ‘And he does house visits for dogs!’ Rory said, the surprise evident in his voice, but he quickly checked himself. ‘I didn’t mean it to come out like that.’

  ‘I know.’ Ally smiled. ‘He didn’t have the hospital when Sheba was a puppy and he kept on a few of his regular clients when he built the equine hospital. Sheba’s probably one of the last canines he’s got on his list—he’s always been great with her.’

  They both jumped when the phone rang and Ally was infinitely grateful for Rory’s earlier offer, because as soon as the vet introduced himself Ally burst into noisy tears and, not wanting to upset Sheba, had to go and lock herself in the bedroom for a few moments as Rory dealt with the practicalities. She emerged red-eyed and red-nosed to be told what had been decided.

  ‘He’s got Theatre early in the morning and he said he’d be here around eleven.’

  ‘Thanks.’

  ‘He said you were doing the right thing.’

  Ally gave a small nod.

  ‘Do you want me to carry her into your room for the night?’ Rory offered, but Ally shook her head.

  ‘It’s too far for her if she wants to get out.’

  ‘Then do you want me to drag a mattress in here? You can sleep beside her, and if she wakes up and wants to go outside, you can call me and I’ll carry her out.’

  In some ways she wished he’d tell her to pull herself together and remind her that Sheba was just a dog. His insight and kindness was almost more than she could bear.

  ‘Please.’ And later on he did just that, made up a bed for Ally on the kitchen floor. Twice in the night without a murmur of complaint, he carried the old dog out into the garden, doing everything he could to make her last few hours as comfortable and as dignified as possible.

  Doing everything he could to make things just a little bit more bearable for Ally.

  CHAPTER SIX

  ‘WHY don’t you ring your mum and ask her to come over?’

  Despite a very disturbed night, Rory looked amazingly together—freshly showered and wearing aftershave, he stood in a charcoal grey suit ready for ward rounds. Ally lay on the mattress dressed in flannel pyjamas, surrounded by a pile of crumpled tissues and with red swollen slits for eyes.

  ‘Mum won’t be any help,’ Ally sniffed. ‘She’ll be worse than me. I’ll be OK.’

  ‘If it wasn’t my first week, I’d take the day off.’

  ‘Rory, you don’t need to take time off.’ Ally managed a grateful smile. ‘I think I’m pushing things asking for a day’s leave—can you imagine if the obstetric registrar rang in sick as well over a dog!’

  ‘I guess,’ Rory sighed. ‘But she’s kind of more than just a dog, aren’t you, girl?’ He bent down to stroke a dozing Sheba and Ally swore she saw a flash of tears in his dark green eyes. ‘Ring me if you need anything.’

  ‘I won’t.’ Ally shook her head. ‘You’ve done more than enough.’

  She didn’t say goodbye and neither did Rory. She just listened as the front door closed quietly and tried to summon the strength to face this horrible day, wanting to somehow make it special for Sheba, to cook her a treat for breakfast perhaps. But all Sheba wanted to do was sleep and, exhausted, Ally did the same, waking with a jolt of horror a few hours later and realising that it was ten o’clock.

  It was one of the longest and shortest hours of her life. There was nothing really to do except stroke Sheba’s tired head and watch the clock with dry eyes. Even though it was expected, the knock on the door just before eleven had her heart racing.

  What wasn’t expected was Rory standing beside the vet and his nurse.

  ‘I asked Dale to give me a call when he left the surgery to come here.’

  ‘You didn’t have to.’Ally’s voice wobbled as she led the vet through to the kitchen, apologising as she did so for the mess.

  ‘I know,’ Rory murmured as Dale knelt down and examined the d
og. ‘I didn’t want to say anything in case I couldn’t get away.’

  ‘Do you want to be here, Ally?’ Dale asked. Words failing her, Ally gave a small nod. ‘I think we should go ahead and do this now,’ Dale said quietly. ‘She isn’t going to improve and Rory told me on the phone she’d had an accident yesterday. For a proud old thing like Sheba, that would have been upsetting.’

  ‘Rory’s carried her out since then,’ Ally said, baulking at the final hurdle. ‘And she’s been really comfortable all morning. Maybe she will pick up.’

  ‘I don’t think so,’ Dale said gently. ‘And it’s kind of nice to do it while she is comfortable, Ally. It would be awful to see the old girl getting distressed or sick.’

  ‘Do it,’ Ally sobbed, tears choking her as the nurse shaved a tiny patch of hair on Sheba’s leg and Dale filled up a syringe. She couldn’t watch what happened, just buried her head in her best friend’s old body and hugged her hard, telling her over and over what a great friend she’d been and how lucky Ally had been to have her as a pet. And it was over in a moment. A last lick of Ally’s hand as if somehow Sheba was saying thank you too, and with the gentlest of shudders, Ally felt her beautiful pet relax beneath her. She held her fiercely for a moment or two longer before letting her go.

  ‘It’s done.’ Rory helped her up as Dale and the nurse cleared up the equipment.

  ‘You did the right thing by her,’ Dale said.

  ‘She deserved it,’ Ally sniffed, curiously dry-eyed now, relieved in a way that it was over. She’d been dreading this day for months now, had felt sick sometimes just thinking about it, but seeing Sheba lying there so peaceful and relaxed Ally felt calm, too. ‘Do you want me to take her for you?’ Dale offered, and Ally agreed. She rummaged in her bag for her purse, but Dale wouldn’t hear of taking a payment for one of his oldest clients.

  ‘Please,’ Ally pushed, but he shook his head.