Four

Hunched at the desk of the paediatric consultant, her face eaten with anxiety, Jeanette briefly thought about her scream when the young doctor had told her. For fifteen months that scream had whirlpooled about her brain, making her feel like she was drowning. Next to her Simon gripped his fists, as if trying to crush the awful memories.

            Dr Bennett, the report in his hands, said in his slow, self-certain voice: ‘These are the hospitals own findings, let us not forget, and they are damning. Short-staffed, equipment missing or not working properly and, most crucially, a doctor who didn’t understand the significance of baby having different oxygen saturations, SATS, in her hand (99%) and her foot (88%). Such a difference is an indicator of coarctation of the aorta, a congenital heart condition.’

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Even your best friend may not be fully frank

These two had been at school together and never roamed far beyond the town. They were content and deeply appreciated the familiarity and depth of one another’s friendship. It was unusual,  therefore, to watch them fizzing like a herd of ants imitating a headless chicken. I’m no eavesdropper but I couldn’t help overhearing…

            ‘You mean you nicked it?’

            ‘I did, yeah. You have a problem with that?’

‘Well, as a matter of fact, yes, I do have several problems with that. And the first is that you forgot to tell me about it.’

‘ Well, sorry about that, mate, but it’s something that’s been bothering me for a while. 30 years at least.  It’s an old score I had to settle. You should be glad I still care about honour and dignity.’

‘Go on then. How did you do it?’

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