Steady Now Doctor (13 page)

Andy had never realized that Mary had such a capacity for worrying. The examinations were being held in the teaching block. Andy wandered up to Fortescue Ward for tea and sympathy with Sister Sweet.

“God,” said Andy, “I'll be glad when these exams are over. It will at least stop Mary being sick in the mornings.”

“I doubt it,” said Sister Sweet.

“What do you mean,” said Andy. “How long do you think she will continue to be sick for?”

“Oh, about six to eight weeks,” said Sister Sweet.

“Six to eight weeks,” said Andy, puzzled, “she gets the results next week.”

“Oh, she'll walk through the exam,” said Sister Sweet, “she'll probably get the Gold Medal.”

“But why do you say she'll continue to be sick,” said Andy.

Sister Sweet smiled, “I don't know,” she said, “they did say that you were the best Obstetric SHO they'd had for years, now I'm beginning to doubt it.”

“What's that got to do with it,” said Andy. Then suddenly he shot up and shouted, “My God, of course, she's pregnant, I'm going to be a Dad.” He stood up and embraced Sister Sweet, picked her up and swung her around in a circle.

“Put me down,” said Sister Sweet, “the patients will talk.”

Andy waited in the flat till Mary came back from her exams. “Go and lie on the settee love,” he said, “and I'll make a cup of tea.”

Mary lay back pale and exhausted. Andy brought in a tray with a pot of tea, cups and some dry biscuits which was about all Mary was eating nowadays.

“Now tell me, Mummy,” he said, “when are we expecting little Mary to arrive?”

“You've guessed my secret,” said Mary, “I didn't want you to worry, you would have stopped me taking my exams and wrapped me in cotton wool, and it's not going to be little Mary, it's going to be little Andy.”

“Did everybody know except me?” asked Andy.

“Only Sister Sweet,” said Mary.

“Gosh, I was so dumb,” said Andy, “I would have diagnosed it in anyone else except my wife. You'll have to find yourself a new doctor.”

“No chance,” said Mary, “I'm sticking to you.”

***

Mary did get the Gold Medal in her nursing exams and six months after they moved to the Thames Valley she was safely delivered of twins by Dr Hewitson in the little midwifery unit at Kangerford Hospital - a boy and a girl.