Page 53 of The Village Midwife
‘I’m not sure. Fliss is in there with her and says she’s had a funny turn. She wants you to come and check her over.’
‘Yes, of course…I’ll go up now.’
If Fliss was asking for her, then it had to be something to do with Ottilie’s pregnancy. Zoe was well trained to deal with problems, but she always hoped she’d never have to, and she couldn’t deny the heightened sense of urgency rushing over her. Ottilie was a good friend and a colleague, after all. Not only that, but she’d been on high alert ever since the incident with Tegan, despite the logical part of her knowing it had never really been anyone’s fault.
She picked up the bag she’d packed to go out and took it with her as she hurried to Ottilie’s room. If she needed any equipment, it was already in there and ready to go.
She knocked lightly at the door but didn’t wait to be called in, assuming Ottilie and Fliss were in there alone.
She was right. Ottilie was sitting in a chair looking ghostly white, and Fliss was taking her pulse.
‘She’s all right, I think,’ Fliss said in her usual brisk manner.
Zoe wasn’t so sure.
‘It’s only a bit of dizziness,’ Ottilie said. ‘I got up too fast or something.’
‘I’ve checked her over for the obvious,’ Fliss said, already making her way towards the door. ‘I’ll leave her in your capable hands, Zoe. If you think she needs to go home, let Lavender know.’
‘But I have a full clinic—’ Ottilie began, to be shot down immediately by Fliss.
‘I doubt you’ll be much use here if you’re not fit, full clinic or not. If the worst comes to the worst, Simon and I will share your patients out and try to get them seen somehow. I would imagine that Lavender may be able to reschedule some of them too. We’d manage, and I’d rather you act early in aid of a speedy recovery than soldier on and end up having to take twice as long off because you’ve overdone things.’
‘She’s got a point,’ Zoe said as she bent to feel Ottilie’s cheeks.
Fliss left, probably to stop Ottilie from arguing.
‘Have you had enough to eat and drink today?’ Zoe asked.
‘Yes.’
Zoe raised her eyebrows. ‘Honestly?’
‘Yes, honestly. Heath wouldn’t let me leave the house if he hadn’t watched me demolish a full breakfast first.’
‘Hmm. I’ll check your blood pressure…and I know you’ve probably already done it, but I’m going to check again.’
‘Are you going to be like this with everyone now? Because I don’t think I can take it.’
‘What does that mean?’
‘Checking and rechecking every time I have a little dizzy spell.’
‘You mean because of…Ottilie, if you weren’t poorly right now, I’d tell you that’s below the belt. You’d know it too, so I’m going to let you off.’
‘I’m sorry,’ Ottilie replied in a weak voice. ‘I just can’t stand the fuss.’
‘You’re pregnant – take advantage of the fuss now because when the baby comes, everyone’s attention will soon switch. You’ll long for the days when people fussed over you.’
Ottilie offered her arm without further argument, and Zoe checked her blood pressure.
‘Not too much to worry about there,’ she said. ‘A bit on the low side, but it’s all right. If I phoned Heath, would you let him take you to the hospital for a check-up?’
‘No.’
‘Good. I’ll phone him anyway.’
‘Zoe—’
