Page 12 of A Helpin g Hand for the Village Nurse

‘You don’t look all right.’

Ottilie’s instincts took over. She led Flo to a nearby bench and then proceeded to check her vitals, keeping a close eye on Flo’s responses as she did.

‘You know where you are?’ she asked.

‘Of course I do,’ Flo said, managing a withering look despite being so obviously unwell.

‘Don’t be cross – I’m not trying to insult you; I’m just making sure you’re all right.’

‘If I was all right we wouldn’t be here on this bench, would we?’ Flo put a hand to her head and closed her eyes. ‘I need a moment and I’ll be good again. That’s what usually happens.’

‘You get this a lot?’

‘Sometimes.’

‘And the doctor has seen you about it? Are you on medication?’

‘Don’t need it, and Dr Cheadle is busy enough without a silly old lady complaining about the odd dizzy spell. It will pass; it always does. There’s nothing wrong with me except age, and Dr Cheadle can’t do anything about that. If she could, there’d be a queue outside her door day and night.’

‘Still, I think you ought to get checked. How do you know it’s your blood pressure?’

‘I googled it.’

Ottilie bit back a smile. ‘I suppose that’s one place to start.’

Flo opened her eyes. ‘Just because I’m old doesn’t mean I don’t know how to use a computer. Heath bought me one last year and showed me how to use it.’

‘I didn’t mean that. I only meant it’s a logical place to start. And without trying to sound patronising, because I can see you’re a smart woman, the results you get when you google symptoms aren’t always reliable. I’d be happier if you saw Dr Cheadle when you can. We could go now, if you like.’

‘You’re trained – can’t you just tell me what it is, save us the bother?’

‘I could have a go, but I’m not trained in the way she is. I mean, I could take some educated guesses and I might be right, but you might need to see a consultant and have tests and that’s all way above my pay grade.’

‘Hmm…’

Flo tried to push herself off the bench, though she still looked ashen and there was a thin sheen of sweat on her forehead.

‘There’s no rush,’ Ottilie said. ‘Sit until you feel able to walk. And like it or not, I think we should go straight to the surgery and get you seen.’

‘I don’t have an appointment.’

‘I’m sure when I explain she’ll make five minutes to see you.’

‘This is ridiculous…’

Flo looked annoyed, but behind the impatient grimace, Ottilie could see fear. She’d seen it often enough to recognise it. Many of her patients had been like this over the years, unwilling to admit they needed help when deep down they knew the truth, unwilling to recognise their own increasing frailty. It was easier to ignore it, to pretend it wasn’t happening, because the alternative was terrifying.

‘You’re right,’ Ottilie said gently. ‘It will more than likely be nothing to worry about, but I’d feel better if we went along and got Dr Cheadle’s opinion. So could you put up with the imposition as a kindness to me? I won’t sleep tonight if we don’t go to see her.’

‘I suppose it wouldn’t hurt. But if she’s busy we’re not going to add to her burden…’

‘Of course not.’

‘And I’ll need a minute.’

‘Take whatever you need. Is there someone we ought to call?’

‘Call who you like, they won’t have time to come.’

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