Ally leaned forward and gave her hand a squeeze. ‘Well, that’s why it’s a good idea to take someone with you. Can your husband take time off?’
‘He has to look after the twins. My mother’s away…’ Jenny’s eyes filled again and Ally reached for the phone, tapping in a number and then covering the receiver while she talked to Jenny.
‘When’s the appointment?’
‘Thursday at four o’clock.’
Ally uncovered the receiver and waited. ‘Mum? It’s me. I need a favour.’
She listened and smiled while her mother made the usual remarks and then her face sobered. ‘Could you babysit two eight-month-old twins for an hour while their mother goes to hospital for an appointment?’ She talked for a few minutes more then replaced the receiver and scribbled her address on a piece of paper.
‘This is where I live. My daughter Charlie is five and my mother will be looking after her until I finish evening surgery, so you’re welcome to drop your two off on your way to the hospital. That way you get time to concentrate on what’s being said and what you want to ask.’
Jenny took the piece of paper and gazed at it, her expression slightly stunned. ‘Are you sure…?’
‘Absolutely.’ Ally gave her a gentle smile. ‘And if you still don’t feel you’ve asked all the questions you want to ask, I’ll have a word with Mr Gordon.’
‘Bless you, Dr McGuire.’ Jenny tucked the paper safely inside her purse and blew her nose loudly. ‘I’ll probably be OK once I know what’s going on. It’s just the uncertainty that gets to me, you know?’
Ally nodded sympathetically. ‘It must be very tough, but try and stay positive. The other people you might find useful to get in touch with are the support group Cancer BACK UP. They’re in London but they have a helpline, with trained nurses giving information and answering all sorts of questions which you might not want to ask the doctor.’
She flicked through her address files and scribbled down another number which she handed to Jenny.
‘Now then, I’ll tell Mum to expect you on Thursday, and in the meantime give me a ring if you’re really fretting about anything.’
Jenny stood up and smiled, looking much more relaxed. ‘I can’t thank you enough…’
‘Nothing to thank me for,’ Ally said gruffly, standing up, too, and walking to the door with her. ‘I’ll see you soon.’
She watched Jenny go and sent up a silent prayer that the tumour would have been caught early or, better still, be benign.
* * *
The rest of the week was a busy one with the beginnings of a flu outbreak which kept her and the partners busy.
Ally collapsed into a chair in the staffroom with a groan after one particularly busy morning.
‘My muscles ache.’
‘Flu?’ suggested Lucy helpfully, handing her a mug of coffee and reaching for the biscuits.
‘I hope not!’ Ally took the coffee but waved aside the biscuits. ‘I can’t afford to be ill. I’m the doctor.’
‘Well, you’d better wear a mask, then,’ Lucy suggested cheerfully, ‘because everyone I’ve seen this morning is brewing something hideous.’
‘Oh, thanks!’ The phone buzzed and Ally reached across to answer it, all her senses suddenly on alert as she saw Sean walk in. ‘Hello?’
She listened for a moment and then reached for a pen and a pad. ‘Yes, she’s my patient. Fire away.’ She scribbled for a minute and then gave a grin. ‘Brilliant. Thanks a lot… Yes, I’ll tell her.’
She replaced the receiver and smiled at Lucy. ‘That was the lab. Felicity Webster has immunity to chickenpox so that’s one worry gone.’
‘Oh, that’s good.’ Lucy smiled and snuggled into a chair, folding her legs under her. ‘I saw her in Sainsbury’s last night. She looked as though she was about to deliver any moment. When’s she due?’
‘Not for another two weeks.’
Lucy shook her head slowly. ‘No way is that woman going to last two weeks. She’ll have delivered by Saturday if you ask me.’
‘Clairvoyant, Lucy?’ Sean dropped into a chair next to her and stretched out his long legs.
Lucy yawned. ‘No. I just know when a woman’s about to deliver.’
Ally laughed. ‘You should go and work in the obstetric unit, then they could throw away the ultrasound. Are you all right? You look exhausted.’
‘I am.’ Lucy rubbed her eyes and stifled another yawn. ‘I’m spending every spare minute training. Red and I have got our assessment coming up in a while.’