His American Fling

by Brogan, Kim

  Chapter 12

  Catch My Breath

  “Bloody Hell!” Campbell pushed the door open and ran to Maggie’s side. She had apparently tried to get out of bed to ring someone, because the telephone was on the floor and so was she. He didn’t need to put his head to her chest to know she was congested and having difficulty breathing, because her lips were turning a blue-gray. “Maggie, Maggie. Come on Mags. Wake up.” Campbell turned to the small crowd that had formed. He threw his keys to Nigel, “Get my car and bring it to the entrance. It’s parked up in the parking lot.”

  Within minutes they had loaded Maggie in the back seat and were racing with her to Addenbrookes. Nigel kept looking back at Maggie, lying still in the back seat. He looked over at Campbell whose eyes were narrowed in thought.

  “What is it?” Nigel asked from the passenger’s seat

  “It’s some kind of infestation in the dorm. Henry said she was feeling better when he took her home from London. I have three others, not as bad as Maggie, but still showing the same symptoms. They’re all from her building and their rooms are clustered near the bathrooms.”

  Maggie’s breathing sounded like something being dragged across a washboard. Even Campbell turned around to take a look when she started to gurgle. He thought she might be suffocating. When he turned back to watch the road, he was happy to see the signs pointing to Emergency entrance. Campbell whipped his car into the emergency bay and ran inside, appearing a few minutes later with a gurney and orderly. They loaded Maggie on the gurney and rushed her inside.

  Campbell stayed close to Maggie as the doctors and sisters ran deftly around her in movements that seemed choreographed. He looked down at her tiny body and could see now that she had obviously lost weight since he had slept with her. Why hadn’t he noticed that? Her ribs were so prominent, her face gaunt.

  Hooking her up to a monitor, he quickly noted that she had a fever of 38.5°C. Picking up her tiny hand in his, he rolled his eyes. How did I miss this? There were broken blood vessels under her nails. Campbell dragged his hand through his hair before pulling the emergency doctor to the side, “She most likely has Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis.”

  “Is she immunocompromised?”

  “Not that I know, but she’s probably been exposed to it for over three months.”

  The doctor nodded thoughtfully, “I’ll order steroids. She should have come in sooner, her blood oxygen is 87.”

  Campbell didn’t want to say that it might have been his fault that Maggie didn’t seek medical help earlier. He suspected she didn’t seek help so that she could avoid having contact with him. Keeping quiet, he stepped out of the area and went to see Nigel in the waiting room.

  “She’s having a severe allergic reaction to a mold infestation somewhere in the dormitory. She’s going to require respiratory aid and corticosteroids although she should recover. But she won’t be able to go back to that room, at least not until they find the source and do something about the mold. I’m ringing Hopkins and letting him know what’s going on.”

  “Blimey, what shall we do with her?” Nigel asked.

  Campbell grimaced, “It isn’t as if we’re her guardians. She is a full grown woman; let her sort herself out.”

  Nigel wagged a finger at Campbell. “A seriously ill woman, who has no one here, has little money, and who needs a place to go? We can’t just leave her to figure it out. We’re her friends.”

  Campbell knew it was no use looking to Nigel for a place to house Maggie. He rented rooms at a boarding house owned by Downing College in Lensfield Road during term. When he wasn’t at college he stayed in his flat in London.

  Nigel gave Campbell a look of expectation.

  Campbell motioned with his palms up, “I can’t! Gemma would make my life miserable if I let Maggie stay with me.”

  Nigel said nothing, but narrowed his eyes and pursed his lips.

  Campbell shrugged and looked down, “Besides, Maggie and I aren’t on the best terms. Maybe Henry will let her stay with him in his cottage?”

  Nigel shook his head, “But his cottage is in Audley End. How is she going to get to Downing on a daily basis without a car?”

  “Train, she can take the train just like everyone else.”

  “Money? Remember, no money?”

  Campbell shook his head and looked at the ceiling, yelling, “Bloody hell, will no one rid me of this turbulent Yank? You know Gemma will have my bollocks for this!” He continued to shake his head. Looking up at the ceiling he acquiesced, “Fine, she can stay for a few days until we sort her out…but that’s it! After that, I’ve done all I can for foreign relations with the Colonists.”

  Nigel snickered. He thought that Campbell gave in just a little too easy for someone who supposedly didn’t care. There was something between them and Nigel thought that some time together in Campbell’s townhouse was the perfect place to sort it out.

  Campbell went in and checked on Maggie who was sleeping. Her face was white with purple halos around her eyes. Oxygen tubes were in her nose and steroids were being fed intravenously. He went up to his office and dialed John Hopkins at Downing.

  “Hopkins here.”

  “Dean Hopkins? This is Professor Adair at Addenbrookes.”

  “Yes, of course. What is it Professor?”

  “Maggie McGee. She’s been hospitalized and we’re treating several other cases of a mold infestation at Downing. We need to send over a biohazard team to start investigating the dormitory and finding out where the source of the infestation is.”

  “Bloody hell. Is it that serious?”

  “Yes, I’m afraid it is. This can be fatal to someone who is immunocompromised or has a condition like asthma. We need to test and treat everyone in Ms. McGee’s dormitory that is showing a reaction. I’m afraid that most of the students near Maggie will have to be placed in alternative lodgings until we can clean the dormitory rooms.”

  “My God, there are twelve students in her building alone. Trying to find lodgings for twelve students in the middle of term is going to be next to impossible. Well, we’ll just have to do it. How is Ms. McGee?”

  “She’s on a respirator and receiving medication, but she should recover. She’ll probably be released tomorrow or the next day if we get her oxygen levels up. Since she can’t go back to the dormitory, she can stay with me until you can place her in other lodgings.”

  “That’s good of you to take her in like this. We certainly appreciate it.”

  “I’ll come down with a team tomorrow. In the meantime, you need to get the students relocated.”

  “Is it just Miss McGee’s building?”

  “Yes, as far as we know.”

  They spoke for a few minutes more, deciding that someone would pack up Maggie’s things and move them to Campbell’s home. They also arranged a time to meet to start the investigation and clean up.

  Campbell made several more calls over the course of the next two hours, including to the Health Ministry. Downing would soon be under the scrutiny of the City Council, NHS East of England Strategic Health Authority and Department of Public Health. Campbell was attached to the NHS and Department of Public Health, so more than likely, he would head the investigation. He was the best Infectious Disease and Immunologist physician in East Anglia and since this was in his back garden, he’d be in charge.

  He finally made his way back down to the ward where Maggie was currently sleeping. Staring down at her, Campbell thought that he had failed her in some twisted way. Besides the fact that their failed relationship made her reluctant to seek medical help from him, he was disinclined to follow up on the strange malady that had hit the Americans so that he could avoid Maggie. Campbell admitted to himself that he should have done a cursory examination of the students in the dorm a month after moving in, but he had avoided it, knowing he’d have to be in contact with Maggie. Staring at her face, he felt a longing to go back to August when they were so happy.

  Maggie slowly opened her eyes, givin
g Campbell a genuine smile of affection when she saw him staring down so forlornly. The guilt he felt deepened when he saw the warmth in her eyes. The smile faded when she remembered that he was her doctor, nothing more.

  “Mags, you’re ill and in the hospital. We know what’s wrong and you should start feeling better soon.”

  She removed the oxygen mask. Her voice was raspy, “What do I have?”

  “A mold infection and allergy related asthma. We’re doing an inspection of the dorms, since the source of the infection appears to be related to them. Unfortunately, you can’t go back to your dorm. You’re going to come and stay with me until we can find you new lodgings.”

  She shook her head, “No, that’s not a good idea. I’m not going to live with you and Gemma.”

  “Gemma is not living with me. Not yet. I’ve spoken to Dean Hopkins and he already has his hands full trying to determine where to lodge the other students. Don’t worry, Maggie, it will only be for a few days, until we find you another place to live or clean up the source of the contamination.”

  “I can’t think of that right now, I’m so tired. Maybe Henry can take me in?”

  Campbell shook his head. “No, he lives in Audley End. It would cost a lot for you to get to Cambridge on a daily basis to attend school. At least this way you just have a short walk across Parker’s Piece.” He patted her hand absent mindedly. “You get some sleep, I’ll be back to check on you.”

  She nodded, too tired to argue.

  Later, Campbell checked on Maggie and discovered that her oxygen levels were back in the nineties, a good sign. He studied her as she slept, unaware that he was present. Although still somewhat congested, her face and lips pink again. After checking on the medication, he thought about leaving her a message that he had been by, but decided it wasn’t necessary.

  As he left her room, he felt his spirits start to lift. She’s responding, thank God. I don’t feel quite as guilty. Besides, I’m letting her stay with me. Am I doing this to ease my guilt or do I just want to be around her? It can’t be that, I’m pleased that Gemma came back.

  Arriving home, Campbell found Gemma dishing out the Chinese take-out that she had brought with her. While setting the table, she spoke at length about her run in with a car park attendant, but soon noticed that Campbell was quieter than usual. When they took their seats, she leaned in to him.

  “Alright, what is all this brooding about?”

  “I have to tell you something and you’re not going to like it.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “What?

  “Maggie McGee is going to come here to stay for a few days.” Campbell saw the flash of anger and disapproval but he continued, “Her dorm is infested with mold and she’s been hospitalized with a fungal infection and asthma. She can’t go back to her dorm and they don’t have lodgings close enough for her to go to class.”

  Gemma’s eyes flashed as her lips flattened in anger. “She’s not your responsibility! She’s a grown woman for God’s sake.”

  “But, she’s sick because of me. She knew she would have to consult with me if she came into Addenbrookes and, given our past, she didn’t come to me when she first got ill. I owe her this.”

  “No you don’t. Let Henry deal with her. He happens to be her boyfriend.”

  Campbell shook his head in frustration. “Henry lives too far from Downing for her to commute. I consider Maggie one of my friends and I won’t abandon her. She will be staying here.” His voice was flat and final.

  Gemma jumped up, throwing her napkin down on the ground, “I forbid it!”

  Campbell pulled his head back in disbelief, “You forbid it?”

  “She wants you back. This is some desperate ploy to get you back.”

  Campbell started laughing. “You think Maggie purposefully inhaled mold for several months to get me back? Poppycock. Gemma, darling, calm down. It isn’t as if she’ll be here for years. It’s only for a few days.”

  Gemma grabbed her handbag and stormed up the stairs to the entryway. A few minutes later he heard the front door slam. Campbell sat at the dinner table with his head in his hands and feeling frustrated. He knew he shouldn’t be surprised. He had expected a rather unpleasant exchange, but he still found it distasteful. Nonplussed, he went back to his meal, enjoying the quiet before the real storm.

  The next morning, Campbell met with several agencies, including Dean Hopkins and the President of Cambridge University, at the dorm. He watched as students filed out with their belongings, some being doubled up with other students in their rooms, but most being shuffled off to nearby bed and breakfasts that had provided the University with a reasonable monthly rate for the displaced students. As he waited for them to be relocated, Campbell checked with the hospital on Maggie’s status.

  Dean Hopkins took Campbell aside. “We can place Miss McGee at a bed and breakfast on Cherry Hinton if that works for her.”

  Campbell felt a jolt of panic. He immediately shook his head, “Oh, not necessary. She’ll stay in my guestroom. Her boyfriend is my best friend, it’s all been sorted.”

  Hopkins raised his eyebrows. “Oh, really? Isn’t that somewhat awkward? I thought you and Miss McGee had, at one time, been… close.”

  Campbell smiled, “Yes, well that’s old news. Maggie has been seeing Lord Pendleton.”

  Hopkins nodded slowly. “I see. Lord Guilford?””

  “Earl of Guilford.”

  “Miss McGee moves in auspicious circles.”

  Campbell nodded. “That she does.”

  The investigation started as soon as the dorms had been evacuated. Air samplers were placed throughout out the dormitory to determine where the spores were highest, usually indicating the proximity for the source of the infestation. They also took samples for culturing from around the entire structure. A team of ten microbiologists, sent by the University itself, assisted Campbell.

  Campbell went back to Addenbrookes to pick up Maggie, who had been responding well to the steroids. On the way he thought about Maggie coming home with him. There was something comforting in knowing that she would be nearby,

  The bed and breakfast would have solved everything. Why did I do that? What possessed me to say no to Dean Hopkins? I’m such a Wally. I could have preserved the peace with Gemma. I don’t really owe Maggie anything. Oh, I am an arse!

  Campbell went up and signed Maggie out, picked up her prescription and took the elevator up to the ward. Maggie was dressed and sitting in a chair waiting. When Campbell came in she looked up from her magazine and tilted her head.

  “Are you going to discharge me?”

  “I already have. Where are your things?” He turned and saw a plastic hospital bag filled with some of her things. “Come on, I’m taking you home.”

  Maggie pressed her lips together in thought. With eyes narrowed she shook her head. “Campbell, we both know that Gemma will have your balls if I stay with you. Have you talked it over with her?”

  “Yes, of course I’ve told her. I’m not daft. Admittedly, she’s not that happy about it, but she’ll recover. Come along, let’s get out of here and get you settled.”

  Maggie shrugged her shoulders and stood up, following Campbell down the hall and into the elevator. She could smell his Ferragamo cologne. The familiar smell comforted her. Admitting that she wanted to go home with him was too big a step for her mind to take, so she simply rationalized that his home was close to school and that it made sense to stay with him.

  When she arrived he took her plastic bag up to the guest room on the second floor. He turned just as she came up behind him. They were close enough that he could smell her shampoo. He had a hard time remembering what he was going to say. “Uh… you can have this room or, if you want, I can make up the bed on the third floor and you can stay up there. Whichever you prefer.”

  “This is fine. I just want what’s easiest,” she said, close enough that she could feel the warmth of his body.

  “It’s no trouble either way.”


  She gave him a tired smile. “This is fine.”

  He smiled back and dropped the plastic bag on the bed. “They brought your luggage and books over. They are in the wardrobe and on the other side of the bed. I sent all of your clothes out to the laundress to have them professionally done. I didn’t want you putting on clothes with mold spores on them. They should be back tomorrow.”

  “Thank you. How much do I owe you?”

  “Nothing, Henry paid for it, it’s his laundress. Now, how about a cuppa?”

  “Sounds great.” She followed him down to the kitchen and took a seat at the counter while he turned on the electric kettle. “Campbell, how long do I have to stay on these steroids? I’ve gained five pounds in two days.”

  “You’re gaining water weight. It will all come off once we wean you off the steroids. I want you on them for another week and then we’ll take you off of them slowly.”

  “Okay. Did they find the source of the mold?”

  “Not yet. I’m going over to Selwyn to see the results of the lab work. We’ll find it.”

  “Have you talked to Henry lately?” Maggie looked away, unable to look him in the eye, embarrassed that she had to ask Campbell about Henry. She knew he was in London, but there had been no attempts to contact her since he left.

  Campbell tilted his head, “I spoke to him this morning.” He paused and asked, “Hasn’t he called you? I told him you were ill and moving into my house for a few days until we can find you another place to live.”

  Shaking her head, Maggie tried to sound nonchalant, “I’m sure he’s just busy.”

  Campbell almost told her that Henry had the weekend off and was planning on going to a wedding that Campbell was also attending. He decided against telling Maggie because he wasn’t sure why Henry hadn’t invited her.

  Maggie excused herself early in the evening and went upstairs to study and then sleep. Campbell knocked on her door at 7:30 and heard a faint command to enter. He opened the door.

  Maggie was lying on the bed, reading her text for English Jurisprudence. She was dressed in a pair of sleep shorts and a tank top. Just as Campbell opened the door, Maggie realized that she had no bra on and her nipples were clearly visible under the thin tank top. Pretending that there was no problem with her top, she smiled up at Campbell who stood in the doorway with a tray.