I don’t want you to worry unduly,’ Oliver told the woman, continuing to hold her hand. ‘But I agree with Chloe that your symptoms are more serious than your previous practice believed.’
‘Oh! I knew it. What’s wrong with me, Doctor? Is it the stress of the move?’
Oliver glanced up and Chloe nodded for him to continue. She wasn’t territorial about her role when a second opinion was beneficial, and she worked well in partnership with the GPs to deliver the best possible care to her patients. As Avril was new and nervous, and seemed to trust Oliver, Chloe was happy to take a back seat for now.
‘We suspect you have a condition called pre-eclampsia,’ Oliver explained, and Chloe, impressed again with his patient care, noticed how he was respectful to include her and not take over completely.
‘That’s dangerous, isn’t it?’ Avril’s voice rose with alarm. ‘Is my baby going to die?’
Oliver was swift to reassure her, without scaring her unduly, about the dangers to her own health, which Chloe knew was of concern at this point. ‘Not if we can help it, Avril. Preeclampsia affects about one in ten pregnancies and is caused by a defect in the placenta.’ He glanced up and sent Chloe a quick smile, inviting her to participate.
‘That’s right. The baby receives nutrients and oxygen from the mother through the placenta,’ she explained to Avril. ‘That’s why it is so important to have regular antenatal checks because the symptoms don’t always show up in the early stages. Today we’ve seen signs that you could be affected. You have protein in your urine, your blood pressure is considerably elevated, and you have swelling in your hands, legs and feet, plus the headaches and visual problems. If we catch things straight away, there is every chance that both you and your baby will come through this without further ill-effects.’
Avril was clearly struggling to absorb all the information. She turned her anxious gaze back to Oliver. ‘What will happen? Can you give me something to make it go away?’
‘No, I’m sorry, Avril, but there isn’t a medical cure as such.’
‘But my baby!’
Chloe handed over another tissue, which the woman took in her free hand, the other one still clasped within Oliver’s. ‘I know it’s distressing, but you need to keep as calm as you can. Chloe will refer you to the hospital in St Piran and—’
‘Is that really necessary?’ Avril interrupted.
‘I’m afraid it is.’ Oliver’s tone was firm but gentle. ‘They’ll monitor your symptoms, keep a close eye on your blood pressure and the levels of protein in the urine. It may be that after a day or two you can go home on strict bed rest, but they will advise you what is best.’
‘Once you are lying down, especially on your left side, it is possible that your blood pressure will come down. It’s a question of how effectively they can keep you settled and stable,’ Chloe added.
‘And if they can’t?’ Avril fretted.
Oliver remained calm and persuasive. ‘They’ll do some tests, check your blood, and they’ll listen to your baby’s heart with a foetal monitor. You’ll also have an ultrasound to check on the condition of your baby. Depending on what they find, they may suggest you have a steroid injection to help the baby’s lungs, and you may have some other drugs for your blood pressure, and maybe some magnesium. Ultimately, the best way to protect you both would be to carry out a Caesarean and deliver your baby straight away, but that is something your doctor and midwife at the hospital will discuss with you.’
‘Oh, my goodness.’ Tears trickled from Avril’s eyes as she sat back on the chair. ‘I’m only thirty-two weeks along.’
‘Everything will be done in the best interests of your baby’s health and your own,’ Chloe reassured her.
Oliver released Avril’s hand and rose to his feet. ‘Can your husband come and collect you to drive you to the hospital?’
‘He’s already gone to St Piran. I don’t know what to do,’ Avril cried.
‘I can take you.’ Chloe glanced up from writing a note to the midwife and doctor at the hospital. ‘I’m free until after lunch when I have a couple of house calls to make before my afternoon clinic. One of those calls is halfway between here and St Piran, so it won’t be a problem. We can phone your husband, Avril, and have him meet you at the hospital.’
The woman sank back in relief. ‘That is so kind of you. I wouldn’t like to go on my own in a taxi or something. Are you sure you don’t mind?’
‘Not at all,’ Chloe assured her with a smile.
Her nerves tingled as she felt Oliver watching her, and her gaze was drawn to his against her will. Dark eyes focused intently on her making her shift uneasily on her chair. How did he do that? What was it about this man that made her so edgy? Thick, lustrous, over-long dark hair brushed the collar of his shirt and framed a face that was far too handsome. The straight, well-proportioned nose, sensual mouth and chiselled, masculine jaw, combined with those wicked chocolate eyes to complete the playboy package…the wealthy, devil-may-care doctor who, according to rumour, loved to surf and live the high life. A life totally opposite from her own. Shaking her head to rid herself of her unwanted thoughts about him, she mustered her reserves and kept her voice controlled.
‘Thank you for your assistance, Dr Fawkner.’
A knowing smile curved his mouth. ‘Always a pleasure, Chloe. I’ll organise an outside line so Avril can contact her husband while you write your notes for the hospital. Then I’ll help her downstairs.’
Chloe wanted to decline, to send him away, but she had to place Avril’s needs above her own. ‘All right,’ she conceded, her evident reluctance widening Oliver’s smile, a boyish dimple appearing in his left cheek.
Focusing on her task, she tried to ignore the masculine rumble of his voice, followed by Avril’s tearful but brief conversation as she explained developments to her husband.
‘He’s going directly from the school to the hospital,’ Avril confirmed, once again holding Oliver’s hand as he helped her to her feet.
‘That’s good news. Chloe, I’ll take Avril down in the lift and meet you by your car.’
‘Thanks.’
Chloe gathered up her things and hurried down the stairs, stopping at Reception to explain what was happening and to collect the notes for her home visits. She was ready to head outside when the lift doors opened and Oliver gently guided Avril towards the exit. Once Avril was settled in the car, her seat belt in place, Chloe walked round to the driver’s side, disconcerted when Oliver followed her. She opened the door, but the light touch of his fingers on her bare arm made her jump, and she paused, looking at him in confusion, alarmed at the way her skin burned from his touch.
‘Let me know how things turn out?’ he asked, and his genuine concern warmed her.
‘Of course. I can check in with you later.’
‘I’ll look forward to it.’ He hesitated a moment and Chloe fought not to reveal her discomfort when he leaned across her, making her all too aware of him as he ducked his head through the open door to talk to their patient. His body brushed against hers, and she sucked in an unsteady breath, only to find herself inhaling his unfamiliar, earthy, male scent. ‘Good luck, Avril. I wish you and your husband a healthy baby. Now I’ll leave you in Chloe’s capable hands. She’s a terrific midwife—you can trust her to give you the very best care and advice.’
Chloe was still reeling from Oliver’s praise when he straightened, held her gaze for an endless moment, then stroked one finger across the tip of her nose. ‘Drive carefully, babe,’ he instructed, his voice soft but husky, before he stepped back to let her slide behind the steering-wheel and close the door.
Fighting down a fresh welling up of confusion, trying to ignore the way her nose prickled and her arm still tingled