Midwives On-Call At Christmas. Tina Beckett

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СКАЧАТЬ and make sure that if we need to take Eleanor to Theatre there are no delays and we’re ready to go as soon as we get the blood results.’

      Sean nodded towards Bonnie. His initial surprise had died away and now he just looked relieved that he didn’t have to go and call Isabel. What was the deal with those two?

      ‘I’m going to stay close by. Give me a shout if you need anything.’

      Bonnie went back to the room to help Karen. It only took a few minutes to administer the blood-pressure drugs and start some IV fluids. Karen continued to monitor the babies and Bonnie set the blood-pressure cuff for every ten minutes.

      Eleanor kept her eyes closed, occasionally wincing and touching her right side. It was a clear sign that her liver was affected.

      Jacob seemed impatient. He was pacing up and down the corridor, and phoned the lab twice to harass them for the blood results. She’d never seen him quite so on edge.

      On one hand, she knew that he was putting the care of Eleanor and her babies first. On the other, it was obvious he was anxious to still keep his other plans.

      The anaesthetist, Laura, appeared and did a quick assessment. While Eleanor’s current condition was serious she had no significant history that would cause any Theatre delays.

      Laura was already dressed in theatre scrubs and tucked her hair into her hat as the phone rang. Jacob snatched it up, listening carefully before putting it back down. ‘Her blood tests confirm thrombocytopenia and liver dysfunction.’ These, combined with her other symptoms, meant that Eleanor could be at risk of liver rupture, uncontrolled bleeding or cerebral oedema.

      ‘Let’s go, then,’ said Laura. ‘I’ll meet you in Theatre once you’ve spoken to Eleanor.’

      Things moved quickly. Eleanor’s mother arrived with news that her husband was already on the helicopter and had left the oil rig. It would still be hours before he arrived.

      Eleanor’s condition was worsening. She was beginning to get drowsy, so once Jacob had explained what was happening and consented her they prepared her for Theatre in a matter of minutes and whisked her down the corridor.

      Jacob and Sean disappeared to scrub and Bonnie hurried back to the labour ward.

      It was three long hours before she heard anything else.

      Sean walked up to the nursing station and pulled his theatre hat off his head. His mussed-up hair and tired eyes said everything. She looked over his shoulder. ‘Where’s Jacob?’

      Sean shrugged. ‘As soon as we had stabilised Eleanor and the babies and everyone was happy he disappeared.’

      She bit her lip to stop her saying what she actually thought. ‘What about Eleanor and her babies?’

      Sean nodded. ‘Two girls. Both in SCBU. Three pounds, four ounces and three pounds, two ounces. Not bad for twins. One had to have a little support breathing and the other was fine.’

      ‘And Eleanor?’

      He sighed. ‘She started bleeding out almost straight away. Her blood pressure plummeted and she had six units of blood and then some platelets. We caught her just in time.’

      ‘What’s happening now?’

      ‘She’s stable. Mainly thanks to Jacob. She’s been transferred to ICU. They need to keep a careful watch for organ failure.’

      Bonnie sighed. ‘Poor woman. I hope she’s going to be okay. Will you let me know how she is?’

      Sean raised his eyebrow. ‘Won’t Jacob tell you?’

      Bonnie felt colour rush into her cheeks. ‘What do you mean?’

      Sean seemed completely unperturbed. He leaned on the desk towards her, a cheeky grin on his face. ‘You two had a fight? For a few weeks the world of CRMU thought you’d turned Jacob into Prince Charming. But now he’s back to his usual lovely self. I take it Prince Charming has turned into a frog?’

      Sean was good-natured. He was only teasing but she felt distinctly uncomfortable. She wagged her finger at him. ‘If I find out you’ve been gossiping about me, Sean, I’ll ban you from our tea room. Don’t think I don’t know who goes in there and eats all the biscuits and sweets.’

      Sean pulled back in mock horror. ‘Ouch. Tough sanctions.’ He waved his hand as he started down the corridor. ‘Don’t worry, Bonnie. All your secrets are safe with me.’

      She blushed again as one of the other midwives came out of a patient’s room and raised her eyebrows at the comment. She pulled her phone from her pocket. Enough was enough. It was time to make that call to the letting agency.

      * * *

      ‘Mummy, where are we going?’ Freya was looking at the photo on the laptop screen.

      Bonnie took a deep breath. ‘We’re going to stay somewhere else, honey. This was only ever temporary. Jacob let us stay for a few weeks until we could find somewhere for ourselves.’

      ‘But I like it here. I like staying with Jacob.’ Freya stuck her chin out and folded her arms across her chest.

       I like staying with Jacob too.

      She knelt down in front of Freya. ‘I know that, honey. But we have to find a home of our own.’ She tucked Freya’s hair behind her ear and turned the computer screen around to show her the flat she’d just reserved. ‘It will be fine. Honestly, it’s near to the school and you’ll still get to see all your friends.’

      Freya gave a nod and stared at the cases. ‘Will we have a Christmas tree like Jacob’s?’

      No. Something tugged at her heartstrings. She didn’t want to leave. She really didn’t want to leave.

      Jacob was being secretive. He’d kissed her, but never made any promises. He’d never even asked her and Freya to stay for Christmas. He hadn’t asked them to leave either...in fact, he’d made lots of excuses for them not to leave. But it wasn’t the same.

      A distant, secretive man was not what she needed. No matter how much he made her heart flip over. It made her question herself all the time. She needed to protect her heart and her daughter’s. They’d got too attached. Freya’s reaction now just made her even more determined.

      Tears were bristling in her eyes. ‘We’ll get another Christmas tree and I promise it will be just as gorgeous as the one we decorated here.’ Bang goes my limited budget.

      It was fine. She would make sure it was fine. Anything to keep Freya settled after all the disruption she’d exposed her to. She already had the ridiculously expensive doll and all her accessories that Freya wanted for Christmas. Blowing what little savings she had left on another set of Christmas decorations was an easy sacrifice.

      The key turned in the lock and she heard footsteps coming towards the sitting room. Jacob. He opened the door and his face dropped as soon as he saw what they were doing. The flat was clearly visible on the laptop screen in front of them.

      ‘Bonnie? Freya? What’s going on?’

      Bonnie СКАЧАТЬ