Read Online It Shouldn't Happen to a Midwife! by Jane Yeadon - Free Book Online

blocked our path. ‘Bless you, bless you! Just a minute of your time, if you don’t mind. I know how busy you are but what I’m wondering is if you could ever tell me about Mrs Murphy. I happened to notice her being taken in there.’ 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 wouldn’t constitute a miracle.
    â€˜You mean the labour ward?’ 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. ‘I’m betting her husband will want to know she’s there but as he hasn’t a phone, I could tell him where she is and I could easily go now.’
    â€˜My good man, we couldn’t possibly tell you anything about any patient,’ said Cynthia, her chest advancing, ‘that would be a terrible breach of confidentiality.’
    Despite a position of vulnerability, trapped as he was under the shelf of Cynthia’s bosom, Father O’Patrick fought back. Patting his Racing Times as if to reassure himself that better things lay ahead he said, ‘But my dear girl, you won’t know the family circumstances like I do, and believe me, Mr Murphy may well need my support right now.’
    Cynthia’s bosom continued inexorably as she said, ‘We’re not at liberty to disclose anything.’
    Margaret, keen to put in her tuppence worth, hardened her jaw as she said, ‘Professionalism comes in many shapes.’
    I hadn’t thought either Cynthia’s chest or Margaret’s chin fitted that category but they were doing their bit when Dr O’Reilly, looking harassed, barged through the labour ward doors.
    â€˜Ah! Father – that’s 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 Murphy’s just had her baby and I need to contact him right away but we’re having a problem getting a hold of him. Would you know if he has a telephone now?’
    The priest gave us a smug ‘told you so’ look before thanking God for deliverance and the presence of a diligent messenger at such a crucial time.
    â€˜I know he doesn’t have one but what is it and what will I tell him?’
    The doctor looked solemn. ‘I can’t actually say but just let him know that the sooner I see him the better it’ll be for everybody. Now, do you think you could go, and quickly too?’
    â€˜Well if you’re sure I can’t pass on any other message,’ the priest said, looking cheated then frustrated. Then clutching at a straw, ‘I’ve actually a few things to do here first so if you could tell me more …’
    Horns could have locked had Seonaid not stepped forward and asked if the family lived nearby. Dr O’Reilly 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. ‘Number Seventy-Six. It’s just a wee way down the Falls Road, but it’ll be no trouble for me to go, especially if it’s an emergency.’ Curiosity sharpened his tone. ‘Look, I can do me other chores here later.’
    â€˜Ah! But I could easily run down just now, and as you say you’ve work to do here. See, Father, I’m really fast.’ Seonaid wiggled a shoe as if it had spikes. ‘It’ll be our lunch hour soon and I’m sure Miss Harvey won’t mind. She knows Mrs Murphy.’
    Dr O’Reilly brightened. ‘That’d be even better. As you say, Father, you’re a busy man and you’ve just said you’ve other things to do so maybe this nurse should go and