Page 50 of Heartbreak for the Irish Midwife

‘The others look straightforward. White-card cases; no major obstetric concerns.’

‘Fair enough. How about I take rooms 1 and 2, you take 4 and 5, and if Sister needs us for the lady in room 3, we’ll decide at the time?’

‘Perfect.’ I get to work with Maisie!

‘I’m hoping to meet Peggy at one in the canteen, remember,’ Dan said, a little sheepishly.

‘Right! I’ll bear that in mind, and cover for you if needed.’

‘Thanks, a chara.’ Dan lightly punched his arm.

‘What does that mean? I’ve heard it said a few times. A kara. ‘Irish, I presume.’

‘It just means friend.’

‘Oh.’ Friend. Yeah, they were friends. A good feeling.

A moment later he was knocking on the door of room 4.

* * *

Maisie heard the knock but ignored it, as Mrs Duffy was in the throes of a contraction and moaning softly. Since the child’s heartbeat had been confirmed she had been talking less – a good sign, and one associated with women beginning to develop the birth trance necessary for labour to progress well. The last thing the woman needed was a stranger in the room.

Once the contraction was done she crossed to the door, opening it a crack. Her heart skipped at seeing a familiar handsome face. Alex! ‘Dr Lowe!’

‘Well, Midwife Canavan. How’s it going?’

She made a face, knowing Mrs Duffy couldn’t see. ‘Slow and steady,’ she reported. ‘Baby’s heartbeat good.’

‘Is now a good time to introduce myself to Mrs Duffy?’

Maisie’s heart turned over at his consideration for the woman. Many doctors would have barged in by now. ‘Er – let me check.’

‘Bring him in surely, whoever he is,’ said Mrs Duffy, and Maisie grinned, opening the door wider.

‘This is Dr Lowe, she said. ‘Dr Lowe, this is Mrs Duffy.’

‘It’s very nice to meet you,’ said Alex, and Mrs Duffy guffawed.

‘Not so nice to meet you, if you don’t mind me sayin’ so!’

‘And why’s that?’ asked Alex, a twinkle in his eye.

‘State of me! Nine months pregnant, size of a cow, and red in the face from being in labour! Believe it or not, I used to be good-luckin’ at one time!’

‘Ah you still are, Mrs Duffy!’

She snorted. ‘And you’re nahin’ but an oul’ charmer, Dr Lowe.’ She glanced at Maisie. ‘I bet all the midwives are after this one, Maisie. You may grab him quick if he’s not spoken for!’

Aware of sudden heat in her face, Maisie managed to answer primly, ‘I’ve no intention of grabbing him – or any other man, Mrs Duffy. I’ve had my fill of handsome lads and I’m sticking to my own company!’

‘Ah, you’re right, love!’ Mrs Duffy laughed. ‘They need us far more than we need them, I always say. Sure my own man will be as lost as a rooster in a pigsty until I get home again!’

‘Too right!’ Laughing it off, Maisie’s pulse remained fairly tumultuous as she stood by while Alex checked Mrs Duffy’s blood pressure and asked her questions about how she was feeling. Having opened the curtains a wee bit to allow him to do his checks and add a note to the woman’s file, she closed them again as Alex left, promising to check in on them again later.

While she was grateful to have a doctor keeping an eye on Mrs Duffy and her baby, Maisie was all too aware that she had been far too delighted that the doctor was Alex. This is getting ridiculous. Dan Sheridan was objectively equally as good-looking as Alex Lowe, and yet her heart didn’t race when Dan looked at her. But then, Dan was spoken for.

So was it simply that Alex seemed to like her, while Dan was merely friendly? Was she really so easily led that any fella with a handsome face that showed her a bit of attention could make her go weak at the knees? If so, that was a flaw in her own character, and one that she shouldn’t be giving in to.