His American Fling (21 page)

Trial attorneys in England are barristers, the ones who wear the wigs. After law school, if the student decides to become a barrister, they must apply to one of the four Inns of Court for acceptance.
The Inns each have supervisory and disciplinary functions over their members. They also provide libraries, a chapel, dining facilities and professional accommodations. Each Inn of Court is a self-contained precinct within London, where barristers traditionally train and practice, although growth in the profession caused many barristers' chambers to move outside the precincts of the Inns of Court in the late 20th century. It used to be that the student who wanted to be a barrister received all their training from a barrister. The student would often have a desk in the same room with the barrister for several years before being “called to the bar.” 

However, at the turn of the century, Britain adopted a similar method to the United States and requires that the prospective barrister go through a “Bar Vocational Course.” Afterwards, the student then spends a year of pupilage under a barrister before being granted the right to take on cases. In the United States, any attorney who passes their state bar can practice in the courtroom. In those cases, many attorneys learn by doing and by making
mistakes.

After classes were over and I had my lunch, I went to see Francis who had the room on the other side of the bathroom on my floor.  I knocked on the door and heard someone mumble.  I assumed I had been given
permission to enter, but I didn’t take any chances.   I opened the door slightly and asked, “Francis, may I come in?”

“Yes, come in, please.”

“I’ve come to see how you…oh my God, Francis!”  I went inside and found him wrapped up in a blanket lying down on his bed.  He looked horrible. His eyes had purple circles, the whites were red and I could actually hear rales as he struggled to breath. “You’ve got to get to the hospital.  Let me go get Marcus and ask him to take you.”

His eyebrows went up and his eyes widened, “I can’t go Maggie. I have too much work to do. I’ll get too far behind and end up having to repeat.”

“Francis, you’re much worse than you were this morning.
You need medical help
. I insist.”

He had a spasm of coughing which was followed by a furtive nod. I ran to find Marcus and within half an hour we were loading Francis in his car for the seven minute ride to Addenbrookes. I closed the door on the passenger side and stepped back.

Marcus looked at me. “Mags, aren’t you coming?”

I shook my head. “No, but—” I walked around to the driver’s side, “Uh…there’s a
doctor at the hospital. He’s brilliant and really knows his stuff. His name is Campbell Adair. If he’s in, you might want to get him to take a look at Francis. Tell him that you go to Downing.”

Marcus drove off and I went back into the dorm. I was tired. The last few days since I had been back from London had been rough. I had been studying and writing the papers that were due in two weeks. I felt like I was getting run down again. My chest was congested, my head ached and my muscles felt achy. The curriculum was challenging, but not difficult, at least, not yet. Still, I was starting to feel as if I needed to sleep constantly. My mind would easily overload and get fuzzy and then I’d take a nap and was good to go again.

I was asleep when Marcus knocked on my door. I looked at the clock and was shocked to see it was only 8:30 p.m.  I rubbed my face and opened the door. “Marcus?  Come on in, tell me about Francis. Where is he?”

“Still in Addenbrookes. Professor Adair was bril.  We were waiting for an hour in emergency so I asked one of the sisters if there was a doctor Adair available. She told me that he had probably gone home for the evening.  I went down to get a sweet from the vending machine and he was standing there,
his name embroidered on his lab coat, getting some coffee. I told him that I had a friend who was sick with a respiratory disease. He told me that emergency would handle him that he had been working since 6:00 a.m. and was knackered. I mentioned that he had been recommended to me by you. He stopped and looked me in the eye and asked, “Maggie sent you to find me?”  I said yes. He told me to bring Francis up to the fourth floor. I did, and an hour later Francis was tucked safely in a room on a ventilator with various drugs being pumped into his body.  Who is this Professor Adair?  He kept asking me questions about you and wasn’t very pleased when I couldn’t answer them.  Still, he showed a keen interested in Francis.”

“Really? Well that’s good for Francis.”

“He asked about your health.”

My heart skipped, “Really? What did he ask?”

“He wanted to know how you were doing, if you were well. I told him that you seemed fine.”

“Oh.  Did he say anything?”

“Just to send you his best regards.”

I nodded. “What’s wrong with Francis?”

“They were still running tests, but he told me that he needed medication and would be kept overnight for observation. I’ve got some class work to do, but I thought you’d like to know what was said.”

“Yes, thank you Marcus, I appreciate it.”

He left and I turned my light out, climbed back in bed and wondered.
What went through Campbell’s head when he heard my name? Just a few months ago, this poor man hadn’t even heard of me. Now he can’t go anywhere without me showing up in one form or another.

I fell asleep and when I woke up, I didn’t feel like I had slept at all. I went to my classes and was happy to find that Francis had returned back to the dorm. He looked a little better, but was still coughing.

“Hey dude, how are you doing?  What did they say was wrong?” I asked.

“They said it was an allergic reaction to something. Professor Adair asked me to find out if anyone else in the dorm is sick.  I don’t exactly feel like doing a survey, could you ask around?”

I was worried; Campbell was obviously concerned that whatever had made the Americans sick was back. I looked at Francis and reluctantly nodded. I was pretty sure that Campbell had a reason for giving the assignment to Francis rather than call me. But, Francis was in no condition to conduct a survey. I spent a few minutes with Francis and then went back to my room. I worked on my papers and when it was time to eat dinner I made my way over to the dining hall. Unlike breakfast or lunch, at dinner we took our seats and were served by waiters rather than go through a cafeteria line. I looked around and chose a seat near some of the students in my dorm. After getting comfortable, I began to make inquiries.

“Daniel, you know Francis has been sick, right?”

The twentyish brunette nodded, “I had heard something about that this morning.”

“I need to know if you’ve been feeling
okay. The doctors want to know if anyone else in the dorm is ill. That goes for you too John, Abigail.”

John, a bespectacled young man with curly dark blonde hair, pushed his glasses up, “I’ve had to use my inhaler lately and normally by this time of year my allergies are over.”

“Okay, Abigail?”

“No, no problems.”

“Fine.” I turned back to John, “Your room is on the second floor, two doors down from the bathroom, right?”

“Yes.”

“Anyone else you know sick up there?  Having headaches, breathing problems?”

John looked at Abigail, “I’ve heard some coughing in the bathroom, but I don’t know who it was.”

“Okay, well let me know when you hear it next time and keep your eyes open.”

*********************

Before he went to London for his course, Henry invited me out for a quick meal.  He looked so sweet in his cable knit sweater, wool trousers and Trinity scarf. He gave me a peck on the cheek as I walked through the restaurant door.

“Mags, you look knackered. You don’t look like you don’t feel the full shilling.”

“I’m just tired and have a headache. But it’s nice to see you. It makes the trip so worth it.”  I sat down and pulled out an envelope. “I have this for Campbell. It’s the information about the people in the dorm.”

Henry knitted his brow and asked, “People in the dorm?”

“Who’s sick and who’s not.”

“Oh, should I get this to him tonight?”

“No, if he needed it tonight, I would have walked across Parker’s Piece myself.”

“I’ll put it on his desk in the morning.”

We ate and talked for another hour before he escorted me back to Downing. It had only been an hour, but I had really enjoyed seeing Henry. He regaled me with hilarious stories about his youthful tormenting of Campbell and Fiona. 

When we got to my room, he turned and kissed my cheek, hugging me. “I’d shag you, but you really look like you need a good night’s sleep more than a snog.  So, I’m off to London for that conference tomorrow afternoon. I’ll ring you when I get back.”

“Thanks. Take care.”

“Ta.” We kissed and then he left.

I was exhausted. Grabbing my International Law text, I lay down on my twin bed to read it.  I was out within five minutes, waking up too late to eat breakfast in the dining hall. I had to find my inhaler, the one Campbell had prescribed during the summer. My chest was so congested I could hardly breathe. It felt as if I had walking pneumonia, which I’ve had more often than I can count.  So I dragged my butt to class and sat through an hour lecture on the Hague Convention. I went to my class on English Jurisprudence and then back to my room, falling asleep within minutes. I didn’t make it to class the next day. I got up, went to the bathroom and took a shower in the hopes it would make me feel better – it didn’t.

I was hungry, so I raided my store of
snacks, pulling out some shrimp crisps (potato chips) from Marks & Sparks. Back to bed I went, munching until the little crisp packet was empty. I fell back asleep and slept. My head ached, my lungs continued to fill up and I couldn’t get myself to wake up. Someone knocked on my door sometime during the week, but I was too weak to answer the door or yell to the visitor.  I ‘m not sure when it happened, but I do remember the door opening and several voices sounding rather urgent, swirling around me as someone took me into their arms.

Chapter 12

Catch My Breath

“Bloody Hell!”  Campbell pushed the door open and ran to Maggie’s side.  She had apparently tried to get out of bed to ring someone, because the telephone was on the floor and so was she. He didn’t need to put his head to her chest to know she was congested and having difficulty breathing, because her lips were turning a blue-gray. “Maggie, Maggie.  Come on Mags. Wake up.” Campbell turned to the small crowd that had formed. He threw his keys to Nigel, “Get my car and bring it to the entrance. It’s parked up in the parking lot.”

Within minutes they had loaded Maggie in the back seat and were racing with her to Addenbrookes. Nigel kept looking back at Maggie, lying still in the back seat. He looked over at Campbell whose eyes were narrowed in thought.

“What is it?” Nigel asked from the passenger’s seat

“It’s some kind of infestation in the dorm.   Henry said she was feeling better when he took her home from London. I have three others, not as bad as Maggie, but still showing the same symptoms. They’re all from her
building and their rooms are clustered near the bathrooms.”

Maggie’s breathing sounded like something being dragged across a washboard.  Even Campbell turned around to take a look when she started to gurgle. He thought she might be suffocating.  When he turned back to watch the road, he was happy to see the signs pointing to Emergency entrance. Campbell whipped his car into the emergency bay and ran inside, appearing a few minutes later with a gurney and orderly. They loaded Maggie on the gurney and rushed her inside. 

Campbell stayed close to Maggie as the doctors and sisters ran deftly around her in movements that seemed choreographed. He looked down at her tiny body and could see now that she had obviously lost weight since he had slept with her. Why hadn’t he noticed that? Her ribs were so prominent, her face gaunt.

Hooking her up to a monitor, he quickly noted that she had a fever of 38.5°C. Picking up her tiny hand in his, he rolled his eyes.
How did I miss this?
  There were broken blood vessels under her nails. Campbell dragged his hand through his hair before pulling the emergency doctor to the side, “She most likely has Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis.”

“Is she immunocompromised?”

“Not that I know, but she’s probably been exposed to it for over three months.”

The doctor nodded thoughtfully, “I’ll order steroids. She should have come in
sooner, her blood oxygen is 87.”

Campbell didn’t want to say that it might have been his fault that Maggie didn’t seek medical help earlier. He suspected she didn’t seek help so that she could avoid having contact with him. Keeping quiet, he stepped out of the area and went to see Nigel in the waiting room.

“She’s having a severe allergic reaction to a mold infestation somewhere in the dormitory.  She’s going to require respiratory aid and corticosteroids although she should recover. But she won’t be able to go back to that room, at least not until they find the source and do something about the mold. I’m ringing Hopkins and letting him know what’s going on.”

“Blimey, what shall we do with her?” Nigel asked.

Campbell grimaced, “It isn’t as if we’re her guardians. She is a full grown woman; let her sort herself out.”

Nigel wagged a finger at Campbell. “A seriously ill
woman, who has no one here, has little money, and who needs a place to go?  We can’t just leave her to figure it out. We’re her friends.”

Campbell knew it was no use looking to Nigel for a place to house Maggie.  He rented rooms at a boarding house owned by Downing College in Lensfield Road during term. When he wasn’t at college he stayed in his flat in London. 

Nigel gave Campbell a look of expectation.

Campbell motioned with his palms up, “
I can’t!
Gemma would make my life miserable if I let Maggie stay with me.” 

Nigel said nothing, but narrowed his eyes and pursed his lips.

Campbell shrugged and looked down, “Besides, Maggie and I aren’t on the best terms.  Maybe Henry will let her stay with him in his cottage?”

Nigel shook his head, “But his cottage is in Audley End. How is she going to get to Downing on a daily basis without a car?”

“Train, she can take the train just like everyone else.”

“Money? Remember, no money?”

Campbell shook his head and looked at the ceiling, yelling, “Bloody hell, will no one rid me of this turbulent Yank? You know Gemma will have my bollocks for this!”  He continued to shake his head. Looking up at the ceiling he acquiesced, “Fine, she can stay for a few days until we sort her out…
but that’s it! 
After that, I’ve done all I can for foreign relations with the Colonists.”

Nigel snickered. He thought that Campbell gave in just a little too easy for someone who supposedly didn’t care. There was something between them and Nigel thought that some time together in Campbell’s townhouse was the perfect place to sort it out.

Campbell went in and checked on Maggie who was sleeping. Her face was white with purple halos around her eyes. Oxygen tubes were in her nose and steroids were being fed intravenously. He went up to his office and dialed John Hopkins at Downing.

“Hopkins here.”

“Dean Hopkins?  This is Professor Adair at Addenbrookes.”

“Yes, of course. What is it Professor?”

“Maggie McGee.  She’s been hospitalized and we’re treating several other cases of a mold infestation at Downing. We need to send over a biohazard team to start investigating the dormitory and finding out where the source of the infestation is.”

“Bloody hell. Is it that serious?”

“Yes, I’m afraid it is. This can be fatal to someone who is immunocompromised or has a condition like asthma.  We need to test and treat everyone in Ms. McGee’s dormitory that is showing a reaction. I’m afraid that most of the students near Maggie will have to be placed in alternative lodgings until we can clean the dormitory rooms.”

“My God,
there are twelve students in her building alone. Trying to find lodgings for twelve students in the middle of term is going to be next to impossible. Well, we’ll just have to do it.  How is Ms. McGee?”

“She’s on a respirator and receiving medication, but she should recover. She’ll probably be released tomorrow or the next day if we get her oxygen levels up. Since she can’t go back to the dormitory, she can stay with me until you can place her in other lodgings.”

“That’s good of you to take her in like this. We certainly appreciate it.”

“I’ll come down with a team tomorrow.  In the meantime, you need to get the students relocated.”

“Is it just Miss McGee’s building?”

“Yes, as far as we know.”

They spoke for a few minutes more, deciding that someone would pack up Maggie’s things and move them to Campbell’s home. They also arranged a time to meet to start the investigation and clean up.

Campbell made several more calls over the course of the next two hours, including to the Health Ministry. Downing would soon be under the scrutiny of the City Council, NHS East of
England Strategic Health Authority and Department of Public Health. Campbell was attached to the NHS and Department of Public Health, so more than likely, he would head the investigation. He was the best Infectious Disease and Immunologist physician in East Anglia and since this was in his back garden, he’d be in charge.

He finally made his way back down to the ward where Maggie was currently sleeping.  Staring down at her, Campbell thought that he had failed her in some twisted way. Besides the fact that their failed relationship made her reluctant to seek medical help from him, he was disinclined to follow up on the strange malady that had hit the Americans so that he could avoid Maggie. Campbell admitted to himself that he should have done a cursory examination of the students in the dorm a month after moving in, but he had avoided it, knowing he’d have to be in contact with Maggie. Staring at her face, he felt a longing to go back to August when they were so happy.

Maggie slowly opened her eyes, giving Campbell a genuine smile of affection when she saw him staring down so forlornly. The guilt he felt deepened when he saw the warmth in her eyes. The smile faded when she remembered that he was her doctor, nothing more.

“Mags, you’re ill and in the hospital. We know what’s wrong and you should start feeling better soon.”

She removed the oxygen mask. Her voice was raspy, “What do I have?”
              “A mold infection and allergy related asthma. We’re doing an inspection of the dorms, since the source of the infection appears to be related to them.  Unfortunately, you can’t go back to your dorm. You’re going to come and stay with me until we can find you new lodgings.”

She shook her head, “No, that’s not a good idea. I’m not going to live with you and Gemma.”

“Gemma is not living with me.  Not yet.  I’ve spoken to Dean Hopkins and he already has his hands full trying to determine where to lodge the other students. Don’t worry, Maggie, it will only be for a few days, until we find you another place to live or clean up the source of the contamination.”

“I can’t think of that right now, I’m so
tired. Maybe Henry can take me in?”

Campbell shook his head. “No, he lives in Audley End. It would cost a lot for you to get to Cambridge on a daily basis to attend school. At least this way you just have a short walk across Parker’s Piece.” He patted her hand absent mindedly. “You get some sleep, I’ll be back to check on you.”

She nodded, too tired to argue.

Later, Campbell checked on Maggie and discovered that her oxygen levels were back in the nineties, a good sign. He studied her as she slept, unaware that he was present.  Although still somewhat congested, her face and lips pink again. After checking on the medication, he thought about leaving her a message that he had been by, but decided it wasn’t necessary.  

As he left her room, he felt his spirits start to lift. S
he’s responding, thank God. I don’t feel quite as guilty. Besides, I’m letting her stay with me. Am I doing this to ease my guilt or do I just want to be around her?  It can’t be that, I’m pleased that Gemma came back.

Arriving home, Campbell found Gemma dishing out the Chinese take-out that she had brought with her. While setting the table, she spoke at length about her run in with a car park attendant, but soon noticed that Campbell was
quieter than usual. When they took their seats, she leaned in to him.

“Alright, what is all this brooding about?”

“I have to tell you something and you’re not going to like it.”

She narrowed her eyes. “What?
              “Maggie McGee is going to come here to stay for a few days.” Campbell saw the flash of anger and disapproval but he continued, “Her dorm is infested with mold and she’s been hospitalized with a fungal infection and asthma.  She can’t go back to her dorm and they don’t have lodgings close enough for her to go to class.”

Gemma’s eyes flashed as her lips flattened in anger. “She’s not your responsibility! She’s a grown woman for God’s sake.”

“But, she’s sick because of me. She knew she would have to consult with me if she came into Addenbrookes and, given our past, she didn’t come to me when she first got ill. I owe her this.”

“No you don’t. Let Henry deal with her.  He happens to be her boyfriend.”

Campbell shook his head in frustration. “Henry lives too far from Downing for her to commute.  I consider Maggie one of my friends and I won’t abandon her. She will be staying here.” His voice was flat and final.

Gemma jumped up, throwing her napkin down on the ground,
“I forbid it!”

Campbell pulled his head back in disbelief, “You
forbid it?”

“She wants you back. This is some desperate ploy to get you back.”

Campbell started laughing. “You think Maggie purposefully inhaled mold for several months to get me back?  Poppycock.  Gemma, darling, calm down. It isn’t as if she’ll be here for years. It’s only for a few days.”

Gemma grabbed her handbag and stormed up the stairs to the entryway.  A few minutes later he heard the front door slam. Campbell sat at the dinner table with his head in his hands and feeling frustrated. He knew he shouldn’t be surprised. He had expected a rather unpleasant exchange, but he still found it
distasteful. Nonplussed, he went back to his meal, enjoying the quiet before the real storm.

The next morning, Campbell met with several agencies, including Dean Hopkins and the President of Cambridge University, at the dorm.  He watched as students filed out with their belongings, some being doubled up with other students in their rooms, but most being shuffled off to nearby bed and breakfasts that had provided the University with a reasonable
monthly rate for the displaced students.  As he waited for them to be relocated, Campbell checked with the hospital on Maggie’s status.

Dean Hopkins took Campbell aside. “We can place Miss McGee at a bed and breakfast on Cherry Hinton if that works for her.”

Campbell felt a jolt of panic. He immediately shook his head, “Oh, not necessary. She’ll stay in my guestroom. Her boyfriend is my best friend, it’s all been sorted.”