***
I’M AT MY DESK WITHa pile of paperwork so tall, I can hardly see over it. I select the folder filled with congratulatory certificates for me to sign first. Might as well warm up with something mind-numbingly easy. I sigh, feeling very irritated with my father, who has just left on another trip to God-knows-where for a month, leaving me with the lion’s share of the ruling again whilst he’s off having fun. Normally, I’m happy to have him out of the country so I don’t have to deal with his crusty moods, but right now I’m in one myself.
It’s a combination of a lack of sleep and lack of sex that has my patience worn thin at the moment. I don’t expect Tessa to want to do the horizontal tango in her current state, but the truth is that I’ve grown rather fond of having regular dance classes in the past year and a half, and now that there is literally no possibility, Excalibur and I are feeling a little pouty.
Not that either of us would dream of telling Tessa. Poor thing is so sick that I’m actually quite worried. At this point, I think she may have lost weight in the last couple of weeks, which I find rather alarming. I also feel a tremendous amount of guilt for being responsible for the source of her current state. And if I were to be really honest, I’d admit that I feel powerless, which is not my normal condition. No man likes to feel powerless, certainly not one who has been given power over an entire kingdom for many years already. But with this, I have to sit back and watch.
Or do I? Maybe I can convince the obstetrician to squeeze us in today and he’ll have some miracle cure for morning sickness. Deciding the certificates can wait, I press the intercom button and ask Vincent if he’s managed to get an appointment with Dr. Glastonbury.
Vincent clears his throat twice before answering. Never a good sign. “I’m afraid I have bad news. Dr. Glastonbury is taking an early retirement, starting in two months.”
“He’s what?”
“Retiring. Moving to Costa Rica, actually.”
“Can’t he wait until February?”
Vincent pauses, which is what he does when he thinks I’m being unreasonable. “I’m afraid not. He’s very much intent on leaving before winter sets in. He did provide me with a list of qualified candidates, however. There are three in total that have been under his tutelage for several years now.”
Dammit. This isn’t what I wanted to hear. Now Tessa’s going to want to go with Dr. Dropp The Baby. I open my mouth to speak, but Vincent cuts me off. “I’ve already taken the liberty of ordering record checks on them all. We should have the results by next Monday. Would you like to interview them at that time?”
“Yes, please set that up.”
***
7WEEKS
It’s nearly nine o’clock on Wednesday morning, and I’m about to interview the first candidate for the position of official royal obstetrician. Tessa is going to meet me in the conference room where the interview will be held, and I’m putting last-minute touches on my questions before I go in. By noon, we should have the very best choice in care for Tessa and the baby, which shall most definitely take a load off my mind.
First up is Dr. Dev Patell, who graduated first in his medical class and has been practicing gynecology and obstetrics for twelve years. Second will be Ted Yates, whose grandmother is an old friend of my gran. Last we have Dr. Mary O’Rourke, who won the Avonian Healthcare Award in 2014. I intend to find out what caused her to lose every year since.
The alarm on my smart watch tells me my time is up. I gather my papers and a small bag of medical supplies that Vincent procured for me and hurry out of my office. The first test will be to see if the good doctor has already arrived or not. Two points if he’s waiting.
When I pull open the door, Tessa is standing by the window with a thin man who I presume is Dr. Dev Patell. They’re holding cups of tea, which tells me he was early, and they’re both laughing about something, which tells me he’ll be able to put my wife’s mind at ease. Four points for Patell already. I drop my folder and bag on the table, then stealthily retrieve my first test item from my pocket.
“Hello,” I say, walking towards him. “You must be Dr. Patell.”
“I am, indeed. A pleasure to meet you, Your Highness.” He sets his tea on the side table and turns to shake my hand.
“Think fast!” I say as I lob a cricket ball at him.
He catches it with deft hands whilst Tessa yells, “Arthur! What are you doing?”
“Checking the good doctor’s hand-eye,” I say. “If you can catch a ball you weren’t expecting, I bet you have no trouble catching a baby you’ve been waiting on for hours. Great hands, Dr. Patell.”
I finish crossing the room to him and hold out my hand to the bewildered looking doctor. He gives me back the ball, then we shake hands, each with a firm grip. “I’m Arthur. As you know, we’re interviewing three candidates for the position of official royal obstetrician. Congratulations on making the short list.”
Tessa’s head snaps back in surprise, then she gives me that look her mother gives Bram when he uses his fingers to take a turkey leg off the platter. She then smiles at Dr. Patell. “What Arthur means to say is that we’re very grateful you found time to meet with us today, and we’re looking forward to getting to know you a little.”
Dr. Patell smiles. “And I, you. It’s only natural for first time parents to want to make the best choice when it comes to the care and well-being of both the mother and child. And it’s to everyone’s benefit to make sure we’re a good fit before we embark on this long and emotional journey together.”
Oh, he’s smooth. Maybe a little too smooth.What’s his game?I wonder...
We get seated at the table, me next to Tessa and Patell on the opposite side. I open my folder and pick up my pen. “I have a list of questions prepared, all, I’m sure, are very routine. Have you ever lost a patient through death?”
His smile fades. “Sadly, yes. As an obstetrician, you will inevitably encounter certain medical conditions or genetic complications that don’t allow for the healthy arrival of a child.”
Slippery answer. “Yes, obviously, but more to the point, have you ever lost a patient due to your negligence?”
