blocked our path. âBless you, bless you! Just a minute of your time, if you donât mind. I know how busy you are but what Iâm wondering is if you could ever tell me about Mrs Murphy. I happened to notice her being taken in there.â He pointed at the labour rooms whilst darting his eyes at the antenatal room doors with an anxiety which suggested a vision of Sister Uprichard wouldnât constitute a miracle.
âYou mean the labour ward?â I asked, feeling bold at introducing a word that suggested hard work.
The priest nodded and scratched his curls, prompting an early fall of dandruff to snowstorm the black coat swaddled about him. It had a torn pocket from which a Racing Times hung out lending cheer to the cold weather front of his person. âIâm betting her husband will want to know sheâs there but as he hasnât a phone, I could tell him where she is and I could easily go now.â
âMy good man, we couldnât possibly tell you anything about any patient,â said Cynthia, her chest advancing, âthat would be a terrible breach of confidentiality.â
Despite a position of vulnerability, trapped as he was under the shelf of Cynthiaâs bosom, Father OâPatrick fought back. Patting his Racing Times as if to reassure himself that better things lay ahead he said, âBut my dear girl, you wonât know the family circumstances like I do, and believe me, Mr Murphy may well need my support right now.â
Cynthiaâs bosom continued inexorably as she said, âWeâre not at liberty to disclose anything.â
Margaret, keen to put in her tuppence worth, hardened her jaw as she said, âProfessionalism comes in many shapes.â
I hadnât thought either Cynthiaâs chest or Margaretâs chin fitted that category but they were doing their bit when Dr OâReilly, looking harassed, barged through the labour ward doors.
âAh! Father â thatâs a bit of luck. I was just nipping over to see Sister Uprichard to see how to contact Mr Murphy and she said you were probably still around. Mrs Murphyâs just had her baby and I need to contact him right away but weâre having a problem getting a hold of him. Would you know if he has a telephone now?â
The priest gave us a smug âtold you soâ look before thanking God for deliverance and the presence of a diligent messenger at such a crucial time.
âI know he doesnât have one but what is it and what will I tell him?â
The doctor looked solemn. âI canât actually say but just let him know that the sooner I see him the better itâll be for everybody. Now, do you think you could go, and quickly too?â
âWell if youâre sure I canât pass on any other message,â the priest said, looking cheated then frustrated. Then clutching at a straw, âIâve actually a few things to do here first so if you could tell me more â¦â
Horns could have locked had Seonaid not stepped forward and asked if the family lived nearby. Dr OâReilly had to look down to locate the voice whilst the priest seemed relieved to find somebody with long sooty eyelashes and small enough to hardly pose any threat. âNumber Seventy-Six. Itâs just a wee way down the Falls Road, but itâll be no trouble for me to go, especially if itâs an emergency.â Curiosity sharpened his tone. âLook, I can do me other chores here later.â
âAh! But I could easily run down just now, and as you say youâve work to do here. See, Father, Iâm really fast.â Seonaid wiggled a shoe as if it had spikes. âItâll be our lunch hour soon and Iâm sure Miss Harvey wonât mind. She knows Mrs Murphy.â
Dr OâReilly brightened. âThatâd be even better. As you say, Father, youâre a busy man and youâve just said youâve other things to do so maybe this nurse should go and
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