Page 28 of Heartbreak for the Irish Midwife

Maybe, she thought as she entered the hospital, once Matty was trained, Maureen or Molly could be funded to learn a trade . . . One step at a time. Matty was only on his first day. It would be a long time before the family would get choices again – any sort of choices.

Having stashed her coat and bag in one of the nurses’ lockers in the changing room across the corridor, Maisie donned a clean, crisp apron, carefully securing the cross straps at the back and smoothing the apron over her skirt. It still felt amazing to be allowed to dress like this. Her mind was calm, her thoughts clear. She was ready for work.

Unsurprisingly, Sister was already there when she walked into the clinic. No matter how early Maisie arrived – and this morning it was only twenty-five to eight – Sister Campbell was always in before her.

‘Good morning, Midwife Canavan.’

‘Good morning, Sister.’

‘A lady called Mrs Lennon is first on the list for today. I believe you were present at her first appointment?’

‘I was.’ Maisie felt strange inside. She had been trying not to think of Mrs Lennon, and whether she would turn up this morning. God, what is gonna happen there?

‘Right. If she comes in, I want you to go to theatre with her. Having someone she’s met before might help her.’

‘Yes, Sister.’

While Maisie couldn’t fault Sister’s reasoning, and while she wanted to be there to support Mrs Lennon, part of her was wondering whether she would be strong enough to cope with such a dreadful situation. As she set out chairs and tidied magazines, all the while her insides were churning. The leaflet about the D&C procedure that she had given to Mrs Lennon had been designed for women whose miscarriage hadn’t completed – an unfortunate situation, since Mrs Lennon showed no signs of miscarrying, yet the procedure was the same. The woman had been told to come to the clinic at half past eight, having fasted since supper time last night. Will she come? Maisie wasn’t sure.

At around ten to eight Peggy popped in, wondering if Maisie was free to take a brief walk. Since Maisie wasn’t officially on duty yet, she went, curious to know how her friend was doing.

They walked along the corridor then up the stairs, taking their time. ‘I woke up this morning feeling so good after being out on the district yesterday!’ Peggy’s broad smile warmed Maisie’s heart.

‘I can only imagine!’ She frowned. ‘It must have been hard, keeping it a secret – the fact you were a handywoman, I mean.’

‘It was. And it came between me and—’ She paused, then continued. ‘Dan Sheridan is my boyfriend,’ she said in a rush, warm colour flushing her face. ‘We got back together a few days ago.’

Maisie nodded, and Peggy raised an eyebrow. ‘You don’t seem particularly surprised.’

‘Somebody told me yesterday,’ she confessed. ‘I suspect it will be hard to keep a secret in this place!’

Peggy laughed. ‘You’re probably right. Thank God I don’t have to try any more. And thank God the news about me and Dan is spreading by itself. I wanted to make sure you knew because we’re like, friends now, though.’ She sent Maisie a curious glance. ‘Who told you?’

‘Alex. Dr Lowe, I mean.’

Peggy gave her a knowing look. ‘Alex, is it?’

A slow flush was sending heat to Maisie’s cheeks. Ignoring it, she bit back. ‘I only met him a lock of days ago. And anyway,’ she retaliated, ‘how come you and Dr Sheridan had split up?’

Pain flashed in Peggy’s eyes. ‘We were walking out together in Dublin, but I broke it off.’

‘Oh. I’m sorry. That must have been awful.’

‘It was. I never wanted to finish with him, you see.’ Peggy grimaced. ‘There were a few reasons – but the main one was my secret past as a handywoman. And also—’ She broke off, adding in a different tone, ‘It’s complicated.’

‘Then I won’t pry,’ said Maisie firmly. Some impulse, inspired by Peggy’s beginning to share personal information with her, made her then say, ‘I had a boyfriend in London. He was called Gerald.’

Peggy sent her a keen look. ‘Did you? And . . .?’

‘We broke up just before I came home.’

‘Aye, that’s when me and Dan broke up too. I bet we were both going through it at the same time!’ Her brow furrowed, but she gave a light laugh. ‘I broke my wee heart over him.’

‘Same. But I wish I’d never met Gerald!’ Maisie shook her head slowly. ‘I learned a lot about how charming people can be different deep down.’

‘Oh, so he wasn’t good to you, this Gerald?’

She grimaced. ‘He’s not a nice person. Unlike your Dan.’