The Doctors’ Baby Bond

by Abigail Gordon

  But did she care what he thought? It was comforting to know that there was someone else concerned about the welfare of Jodie’s child, but she didn’t want him to overdo it. Apart from Morgan, he was the baby’s only blood relation, while her own connection was merely through her mother’s marriage to Jodie’s father. So this Drew Curtis person had a prior claim to him if he should decide to do something about it.

  ‘So we’re both in health care,’ he said slowly. ‘That is a coincidence.’

  ‘Yes, isn’t it?’ she agreed listlessly, and yawned.

  ‘I feel that you’d like me to go,’ he said getting to his feet.

  Andrina felt her colour rise and said apologetically, ‘I’m just tired, that’s all. I was gasping for a cup of tea when you came. Would you like to join me?’

  ‘Er…yes, thank you, and then I will go. But you will be hearing from me again once I’ve gathered my wits after the shock of finding that my small nephew has already arrived in the world.’

  As she rummaged around for two clean cups, Andrina thought that was ominous. What he’d just said had the overtones of a solicitor’s letter.

  There was silence in the room as they drank the tea, each of them with their own thoughts. When Drew had put his cup down, he got to his feet, his glance on the closed door of the bedroom.

  ‘I’d like to see the baby just once more, if I may. I promise not to disturb him.’ His voice had thickened. ‘I still can’t take it in that in there we have all that is left of the hopes and dreams of two young people. We have been left with a great responsibility, you and I. We’re going to have to decide how we’re going to cope with it.’

  ‘I’m already coping,’ she told him coolly, immediately on the defensive, because at that moment it didn’t look like it, with a sink full of dirty pots and an unmade bed in the room where he’d met his nephew for the first time. ‘My decision was made on a hot July night a month ago and, jaded though I am, nothing is going to change it.’

  ‘Yes, well, we’ll have to see, won’t we?’ he said equably, and the uncertainty that had been all around her ever since she’d discovered who he was increased.

  As he was leaving he paused in the doorway and offered her his card.

  ‘That’s me,’ he said. ‘Drew Curtis, GP, along with my address and phone number. I have a practice in a Derbyshire village and live in an old farmhouse, which I’m renovating. If you need me for anything at all, do, please, get in touch. But I have said that I’ll be back, and I never say anything I don’t mean.’

  When he’d gone Andrina sat staring into nothing. In the space of an hour her life had changed dramatically again. Out of the blue had come a man with golden hair and blue eyes, tall, straight and purposeful, and back there in the bedroom was a child whose presence had brought him into her life.

  He’d wept, she thought wonderingly, the stranger who had come to her door, and had not been ashamed of it, but he’d had cause to if what he’d said was true. That his dead brother was the baby’s father.

  Obviously a man who took his responsibilities seriously, he’d walked into her life and told her in no uncertain terms that he wasn’t going to go away.

  Her thoughts switched to Jodie. She herself had been the achiever out of the two of them, but her stepsister had managed something that she hadn’t. Jodie had known the joys and delights of real love, which was more than she herself ever had.

  She’d had a couple of relationships over the last few years but they hadn’t come to anything. Her hours and the fact that her vitality was always low had put the blight on them and they’d ended with no regret on either side.

  And now she was involved in the aftermath of somebody else’s love affair and, where she’d just begun to feel that she was getting her act together, now she was on shifting sands again.

  It was a relief to have someone else in the baby’s life, especially if this GP from Derbyshire was willing to be supportive. But just how supportive was he planning to be?

  If he wanted to take the baby from her, he would have a fight on his hands. After her first shock and dismay at finding that Jodie had left a child to be cared for, she’d grown to love the tiny helpless scrap who had turned her life upside down.

  But the future was still unsorted. Soon she would have to go back to work. They had to eat. Bills had to be paid. The leave she’d been granted couldn’t go on for ever.

  She got to her feet with new purpose. Time to worry about today’s unexpected caller if he came back, and as he’d told her that he wasn’t in the habit of saying things he didn’t mean, no doubt he would be back.

  As she cleared the cluttered sink and made her bed, Andrina was thinking that it was typical that she should meet one of the most attractive men she’d seen in ages under such circumstances.

  On the rare occasions she’d spoken to Jodie in recent years the younger girl had always had some comment to make about Andrina’s almost non-existent social life, and she’d always told Jodie that the job left little time for living it up. Now she had even less.

  What was this village practice of his like? she wondered. Twenty years behind the times? She doubted it. Drew had looked cool and efficient, yet with a tolerant sort of mouth, and there was no doubt in her mind that he’d loved his brother. He must have been fond of Jodie, too, she thought, remembering his tears as he’d looked down at the sleeping baby.

  * * *

  As Drew drove back to where he’d come from, his mind was working overtime. He’d been dumbstruck to find that Jodie’s baby had already been born and that the infant had neither mother nor father.

  The pale-faced doctor back there was doing her best, but didn’t seem to be coping very well. Though the baby had looked well cared for. Yet he didn’t want his brother’s child to be brought up in a high-rise apartment, not when there was all that clear country air back home.

  But having only just met the woman and child, he wasn’t exactly in a position to start reorganising their lives. She’d soon let him know that she was in charge and it was all credit to her that she was, but he had to do something to help. Financially certainly, but that wouldn’t be enough to wipe out his concern for his orphaned nephew.

  It was strange that Andrina Bell should be a doctor too and had done some training in general practice. He wondered how good she was. He was looking for someone to replace his brother and she could quite possibly fit the bill.

  But practice matters would have to be put aside for the moment. Back there in Gloucestershire was a situation that would be for ever on his mind unless he did something about it. But what?

  * * *

  Back at Whistler’s Farm, the once derelict place that he was halfway through renovating, Drew paced around its spacious rooms, comparing them to Andrina Bell’s small apartment, and with every glance around the farmhouse’s warm and welcoming interior the certainty grew that this was where the baby in the cluttered bedroom should be.

  He shook his head. He’d only just got back from visiting them. He needed to sleep on it. The woman and child had managed so far without any assistance from him. Another couple of days wouldn’t make much difference, and the ideas crowding his mind could stay there for a while until he’d thought them all through.

  After a sleepless night he felt that he had considered all the options. Nothing had changed during the dark hours, except that the desire to do something for his brother’s baby was increasing by the moment.

  * * *

  When the phone rang early the next morning Andrina found herself tensing. Calls were not that frequent and she thought immediately that it was Drew wasting no time.

  When she picked up the receiver she found that it wasn’t. The personnel officer from the hospital where she was employed was on the line, asking if she had any idea when she would be coming back.

  ‘I know that you have a problem while you are looking after your sister’s baby,’ he said, ‘but, Dr Bell, you are needed here. As you must be aware, we have a crèche for the use of mo
thers with small children. Maybe you could avail yourself of that facility during working hours.’

  ‘I may do that in the future,’ she told him stiffly, ‘but my stepsister’s baby is only four weeks old. He needs me and I couldn’t bear to be away from him while he’s so small. I’m having to juggle my life around and it isn’t easy.’

  ‘So do I take it that it’s a no for the present?’ he questioned.

  ‘Yes, but I will come back as soon as I possibly can. I have no choice. I’m going to need the money.’

  ‘Very well,’ he agreed coolly. ‘We’ll give it another few weeks.’

  When he’d gone off the line she stood immobile in the apartment’s small hallway, thinking that it would still be the same when he rang again. She wouldn’t want to leave the baby, who was for the time being legally in her care…and it was time that the little orphaned one had a name. But more important than that was the realisation that if she stayed away from the hospital for too long, she could lose her job.

  * * *

  Drew didn’t ring, as she’d half expected. He appeared in person again late that evening, and when she opened the door to him Andrina was thankful that this time the place was tidy.

  He’d had a busy day. James, the trainee doctor he was employing at the surgery, had been at college all day and Drew had done both surgeries and all the home visits. He was missing Jonathan in every way, and not least at the surgery.

  If he’d had no time to think about Andrina and the baby during the day, the moment he’d finished work it had been there again, the need to do something constructive that had kept him pacing his house the night before.

  The hazel-eyed woman who’d taken the child into her care couldn’t do it round the clock for ever. She had a job to hold onto and what would she do when she had to go back? He didn’t want to think of his nephew fobbed off onto just anyone.

  When she opened the door to him for a second time there was only moderate surprise in her expression, and he thought incredulously that she’d been expecting him.

  ‘Dr Curtis,’ she said evenly, to disguise a fast beating heart. ‘So soon.’

  ‘Er…yes. I don’t let the grass grow under my feet,’ he said crisply, ignoring the mild sarcasm. ‘I have a proposition to put to you.’

  Andrina took a deep breath. This was it, she thought. He was going to exert his rights. Tell her that he had legal right to the baby…and that she could visit.

  ‘You’re not taking him away from me,’ she cried, before he could say anything further.

  ‘Whoa!’ he remonstrated. ‘Did I say that? I was about to explain that I would like the baby to be brought up in the place where Jonathan and I had a happy childhood. Where there are fields and clean fresh air and where one isn’t a faceless person to those one meets, but part of a community.’

  ‘It’s the same thing you’re suggesting,’ she insisted hotly. ‘You’re just describing it in a different way. It won’t work. I am not giving Jonathan up!’

  ‘So he’s got a name, has he?’ he said in slow surprise. ‘Since when?’

  ‘Since I knew that was what his father was called. It seemed fitting…if you are in agreement.’

  ‘Of course I am,’ he told her huskily. ‘I think it’s a wonderful idea.’

  ‘Good,’ she told him flatly, ‘but let’s get back to what you were saying.’

  ‘I will if you’ll give me the chance.’

  ‘Go ahead, then, but don’t expect me to agree.’

  ‘I want you both to come and stay with me. I’ve got plenty of room and I could share the burden of looking after, er…Jonathan.’

  He saw amazed disbelief in her eyes as she listened to what he was saying. It was the last thing she’d been expecting him to say and instead of answering immediately she sidetracked him by saying, ‘But what about your family? Are they going to want a strange woman and child foisted on them?’

  ‘When did I say I had a family?’ he commented levelly. ‘You are jumping to conclusions…and not telling me what you think of my suggestion. The village is a beautiful place. Fresh and clean with friendly folk living there.’

  Andrina was not to be appeased.

  ‘Maybe, but what role would I be expected to play? Second fiddle to you?’

  The idea had its appeal from one angle, but was this a ploy to get the baby on his home ground as a first step to wanting him for himself?

  ‘Your role would be that of his stand-in mother, as it is now, and I would be someone sharing the work and responsibility in a paternal role.’

  ‘And that’s it?’

  ‘Well…yes. What did you think I had in mind?’

  ‘You’re a blood relative and I’m not. Need I say more?’

  His face was sombre.

  ‘That may be so, but I’m fully aware that without you Jonathan would have been taken into care if Social Services couldn’t find the father. Your sister and my brother have a lot to thank you for…and so have I. So how about it? You could wave this cramped place goodbye and with someone else to assist you could take up employment again in some form or other.’

  Her smile was wry.

  ‘Such as what, in a country village? Milking the cows. Haymaking?’

  His answering smile had reproof in it.

  ‘Don’t knock it. Both those occupations can be very rewarding. But I was referring to the surgery. We’re a doctor short since we lost Jonathan. I’ve interviewed a few but haven’t found anyone suitable. Now, in your case you’ve done hospital work and have also done some GP training with a view to branching into it. Naturally I’d want to know all about what you’ve done and where and for how long.’

  ‘But suppose you didn’t think I was suitable when you’d interviewed me?’

  ‘Then it really would be milking the cows at five o’clock in the morning,’ he told her laughingly.

  ‘You think I’m not coping, don’t you?’ she said flatly, ‘after finding this place a shambles yesterday.’

  ‘The only thing I’m thinking is that you need some help as anyone caring for a baby on their own does. So what about it?’

  ‘It’s a crazy idea,’ she protested. ‘You’re still a complete stranger. I know nothing about you. It wouldn’t be fair to Jonathan to take him to live with someone I don’t know.’

  ‘I’m the village doctor…not the local rapist. But if you have doubts, why not come for a short stay and make your decision after that? Pack your bags in the morning and come for a week. That way you’re not committing yourself to anything that you might regret.’

  ‘All right,’ she said slowly, and knew that she was curious about this man and his background, and the village that he spoke of so fondly. In another situation she might find the thought of rural living uneventful, but the idea of a restful week with a willing helper was too appealing to turn down.

  ‘Good,’ he said, ‘and am I going to get a peep at my nephew before I drive back to Derbyshire tonight?’

  ‘He’s due for his last bottle of the day in a moment. You can give it to him if you like,’ she said, feeling that she must make amends for her earlier ungraciousness.

  Drew’s face lit up.

  ‘Wonderful. Getting to know Jonathan is something I never expected to have the pleasure of.’

  CHAPTER TWO

  AS ANDRINA drove into the place that Drew had spoken of with such fondness the previous day, she understood where his love of the village came from.

  Limestone cottages with neat gardens snuggled up to solid oak doors and there were shops on the main street of the kind she hadn’t seen in years, each with its own individuality, scorning the anonymity of the supermarket.

  Behind them, rising majestically towards the heavens, were the Pennines, the peaks described as the backbone of England. Today, beneath the August sun, they were looking down in green benevolence on the place where Drew had his practice.

  He’d told her it was at the end of the main street and, sure enough, there it was—another limestone
building but larger and more imposing than some.

  Jonathan had slept most of the way but now as she stopped the car outside the practice, he opened eyes that were the same deep blue as his uncle’s and gazed around him.

  ‘We’re here, my precious one,’ she told him, and wondered again if she’d taken leave of her senses in coming to the place where Drew wanted his nephew to grow up. Was he hoping that the village would cast its spell on her, too, and she would want to stay? Everything was moving too fast. She’d only known him two days and he was taking over her life.

  Lifting Jonathan out of his car seat, she stood with him in her arms looking around her. The man who’d persuaded her to come here had been right about one thing, she thought, the air smelt fresh and unpolluted.

  The inside of the village practice was bright and attractive with pale yellow walls, a dark honey-coloured carpet, chairs and an occasional table to match.

  Andrina hid a smile. Not twenty years behind the times, by any means, but, then, she’d met the man and should have known it wouldn’t be. He gave off an air of style and efficiency himself, so it was to be expected that everything connected with him would be the same.

  As she gazed around her the smile faded. Jodie had worked here, she thought, with the young doctor who had given her a child. Now they were gone and instead she was here with their child. Maybe this was where Jonathan should be, but not without her. Never that.

  Two receptionists were in view behind a nearby counter, filing. The elder of them stopped what she was doing and asked, ‘Can I help you?’

  ‘I’m here to see Dr Curtis,’ Andrina told her.

  Bright, inquisitive eyes were taking stock of her.

  ‘Morning surgery is finished, I’m afraid,’ she said. ‘Did you have an appointment?’

  ‘Not exactly, but he is expecting me.’

  ‘I see. Well, the doctor is out on his home visits, but will be back shortly if you’d like to wait. Is it the baby that isn’t well?’

  ‘No, he’s fine. It’s a personal matter I’m here about.’

  At that moment the door opened and Drew came striding in, loosening his tie and shedding his jacket as he did so. When he saw her sitting there with the baby in her arms, his face lit up.