Chapter 45

Doctor James and nurse Caroline stood at the foot of the bed and looked at her. Her face was tranquil and lovely, despite the sweat and the tumbled hair and the purple bruises under her eyes.

Doctor James frowned.

"It's a dammed nuisance" he said. "that baby is not making the headway it should. She will sleep for a bit but I'm afraid she will wake up to another nasty bout"

Nurse Caroline twisted her lips.

This was not a straight forward case, that was obvious. But like everyone she had implicit faith in this doctor.

"I will go down and get a spot of sleep" said Caroline. "Call me when she wakes out of this"

Downstairs in the little living room he had a tall with Joey. Audrey went into the kitchen to make coffee for everybody. There were all thankful that Penny wasn't suffering any more for the moment. Audrey had been horrified at the sight of Joey's face when he heard Penny moaning. She thought :

"It must be ghastly to be in love with a woma