Page 22 of Prognosis Temporary

‘I don’t know,’ Blake teased. ‘There’s nobody like me.’

That was true. Blake had only ever been a phone call away and always managed to fit in Callie’s obstetric patients. Always. She smiled and pecked him on the cheek again. ‘Kiss Jen and the kids for me,’ she said as she headed out of the room.

Ginny was on a call when Callie joined them in the corridor. ‘Is that Brad?’ she asked, aware of Sebastian’s brooding gaze and ignoring it.

‘Yes.’ Ginny nodded. ‘He’s almost here.’

‘Okay, tell him to meet us at the cafeteria.’

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They spent the nexthalf-hour in the cafeteria, talking to Ginny and Brad about the baby and how to manage the pregnancy and Ginny’s condition without compromising either.

‘I’m worried that I’ll be so anxious about the baby, that it’s...you know...okay that I might have a relapse of my anxiety,’ Ginny admitted.

Callie grabbed her client’s fidgety hands and squeezed, stilling their nervous plucking movements. ‘I’m going to set you up with a community midwife service that’ll see you every week, and if you’re still worried – ever — you can come to Jambalyn. We have a hand-held Doppler there and I even know how to use it.’ Callie grinned. ‘You can listen to the baby’s heartbeat every day if you want.’

Ginny looked at her uncertainly. ‘Really?’

Callie nodded knowing that Ginny was going to require extra support and reassurance and that was what she did. She’d do whatever it took to help Ginny through her pregnancy. ‘Really.’

On that promise, Brad took Ginny home which left just her and Sebastian in the car again for the ride back to Jambalyn. Not that she was paying him much heed as Callie reflected on that strange moment when the sound of the foetal heartbeat had filled the room and tears had threatened.

What had that been about?

‘So, is he an ex-lover?’

‘Hmm?’ she asked distractedly.

‘Blake. I’m guessing he’s an old flame?’

Callie had no desire to carry on mysteriously about her relationship with Blake outside his office. ‘We’re just friends. Old friends. We went to uni together. He married another uni friend of mine. They have three children. I’m their godmother.’

‘Ah.’

It was just one word but it was loaded with relief and smugness neither of which Callie wanted to explore too deeply especially not when all she could think about suddenly was how many of her friend’s had chosen her to be godmother to their kids.

It seemed like she was destined to always be the godmother. Never the mother.

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