Page 34 of Heartbreak for the Irish Midwife

Alex shrugged. ‘Even if he can’t, why did he not suggest a repeat caesarean section?’

‘That’s true.’ They walked on another few steps.

‘She might well have bled during surgery, to be fair – especially if the placenta had grown into the scar. But the risks could have been managed. He could have had another surgeon do the operation with him, though that might have seemed like weakness to him.’

‘Either way, the lady didn’t have to be pressurised into . . . into this.’ Maisie’s voice wobbled and he put a friendly arm around her.

‘Hey.’ They had stopped, and now he was looking at her. ‘I know. It’s shocking.’

‘It’s wrong. It shouldn’t have happened.’

His hand slid to seek hers and she gave it. ‘I did try, you know.’

‘I’m not blaming you. Honestly. We’re only small cogs in a massive machine. And men like Fenton just swan around and do what they want.’

‘Russell did ask him about consent. Pointed out the woman is Catholic.’

‘Let me guess. He didn’t care.’

A shadow crossed Alex’s face. ‘No. He didn’t.’

‘Fecker.’

They walked on, Alex dropping Maisie’s hand. She felt strangely bereft without his touch, but pushed the feeling away. ‘Let me know when it’s twenty past.’ Unlike her, Alex had a watch.

‘I will.’

‘God love them.’ The words burst from her as she recalled Mr Lennon hugging his wife. ‘Two innocent people. Both bewildered by the whole thing. She’s blaming herself entirely. Never even a thought in her head that what she was told might not be true.’ She shook her head. ‘How is that poor woman ever supposed to get over this?’

‘I don’t think she will. I don’t think anyone could – especially someone with her beliefs.’

She sent him a challenging look. ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’

He shrugged. ‘Many Protestants would have struggled with her decision too, though it’s harder for Catholics, I would imagine. But it’s an awful thing to ask of any woman. Any couple.’

‘What would you have done? If it was you in Mr Lennon’s position?’

He thought for a moment. ‘I think it’s hard for the man to know what to do, because the child is inside her, not him. I would want to be supportive, to talk it all through, to help her say what’s most important to her.’

‘Aye.’ A good man. She could barely speak for fear of crying.

‘I would also want a second opinion. No way would somebody like Russell have presented the information in that way.’

‘Or you.’

‘Sorry?’ He looked confused.

‘If you were her doctor, you wouldn’t have pressurised her like that.’

‘No. At least, I hope not.’ He shook his head. ‘Maybe this is a good thing for me to learn now, at the very beginning of my career.’

‘Me too. I just feel so helpless, though. If I had interfered, I’d have been sacked. What am I supposed to do if something like that happens again?’

‘But you did interfere – in a good way. You got me involved.’

Her jaw dropped. ‘You’re right! I interfered. I could still be sacked! Jesus!’

Stopping, he took both of her hands in his. ‘No. Don’t you be worrying about that! You did exactly the right thing. You went to someone you trusted, and I didn’t tell Russell where my information had come from.’