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No wonder the woman was exhausted. Holly ran through the options in her head. One thing was certain—Anna couldn’t be allowed to leave until they’d found a way to help her.
‘We need to sort this out one stage at a time Anna,’ Holly said gently. ‘I’ll come round and see if massage helps Harry’s colic, but we need to think about you, too. Who’s your GP?’
‘Dr Logan,’ came the reply, and Holly nodded.
‘And have you tried talking to him about how you feel?’
‘Oh, I couldn’t!’ Anna wiped her swollen eyes and sniffed. ‘He was great after Harry was born and I had all those problems, but this is different. He’s a man and he hasn’t got children of his own. He’d be really shocked if he knew some of the things I’ve been thinking about Harry. He couldn’t possibly understand.’
‘That’s not true,’ Holly said swiftly. ‘Not only is Dr Logan a superb doctor but he’s also the uncle of twins, and they’re the biggest handful you’ve ever met. Believe me, he wouldn’t be shocked by anything you told him. He knows what hard work children can be.’
‘I just couldn’t. What would he think of me?’ Anna started to sob again and Debra frowned.
‘He wouldn’t think anything, pet. He wouldn’t judge you if that’s what you’re worried about.’
Anna’s breath was jerky. ‘He might think I’m an unfit mother.’
‘Anna, you’re a lovely mother,’ Holly said gently. ‘You’re just very down and you need help. And Dr Logan can give it. Please, let him.’
Anna sniffed again, clearly hesitant. Just then there was a tap on the door and Mark popped his head round.
‘I wondered whether you’d seen—’ He broke off and his sharp eyes narrowed as he registered what was happening. ‘Anna?’
He closed the door behind him and crossed the room in two easy strides, squatting down next to Anna, his handsome face concerned.
‘What’s the matter?’ His voice was kind and Anna swallowed hard.
‘It’s nothing—really.’
‘Come on, Anna,’ Mark said softly. ‘You don’t cry over nothing. You must be feeling pretty low.’
Anna hesitated, tears threatening again as she struggled for control and shredded another tissue between trembling fingers. ‘I—I know it’s stupid...’
‘It isn’t stupid at all.’ Mark’s voice was steady and calm. ‘If I’d been through what you went through I’d be feeling low, too.’
‘It’s my fault,’ Anna whispered. ‘I should try and snap out of it.’
Mark shook his head, his dark eyes holding hers. ‘It’s not your fault at all. If it’s anyone’s fault then it’s probably mine for not checking up on you sooner. I should have guessed you might feel depressed after the awful time you had. How long have you been feeling this bad?’
‘I—I don’t know really.’ Anna’s voice cracked and the tears spilled down her pale cheeks. ‘It just seems to have got worse and worse.’
‘I’m really sorry,’ Mark said gruffly, taking her hand in his and giving it a squeeze. ‘I should have followed you up more closely. Why on earth didn’t you come and see me?’
Anna bit her lip. ‘I didn’t want to be a bother.’
‘Oh, Anna.’ Mark gave a groan and rubbed his forehead with long fingers. There was a pause while he mentally ran through the options. ‘OK, here’s what we’re going to do. You’re going to come with me now, and we’re going to have a cup of tea and a chat. Then you’re going to promise me to come and see me every week until I see you laughing.’
Anna’s eyes widened. ‘You can’t spare the time to have a cup of tea with me. You’ve got patients to see.’
‘You’re my patient, too, Anna.’ Mark straightened and gave her a gentle smile that did funny things to Holly’s insides. How many doctors did she know who would have handled the situation so sensitively? Not once had he dismissed Anna’s feelings, made her feel stupid or let on that he was in the middle of a busy surgery. Mark was so good with people and such a good doctor.
‘We just need to give Harry his first immunisations,’ she told Mark quickly, and he nodded.
‘Fine. Bring her through when you’re ready.’
Holly turned back to Anna with a smile. ‘Are you happy about Harry having his immunisations? Has Debra explained it all?’
Anna nodded. ‘Yes, she gave me a booklet. Does he have the meningitis injection as well?’
