Clara’s hands moved with practised efficiency as she knelt beside the young woman. ‘Tell me about the pains, Anna?’ she asked softly, her voice calm despite the urgency thrumming through her veins. ‘When did they start?’
‘This morning,’ Anna whispered, her face pale and drawn.
‘And where exactly is the pain?’
Anna indicated to the right-hand side of her stomach and low in the centre. ‘They are shooting pains.’
‘And have they got any worse during the day?’
‘No, but they are strong enough to hurt.’
‘I need to examine you,’ Clara explained, washing her hands quickly in the bowl of water Paul had followed them down with.
Clara positioned her stethoscope on Anna’s belly, moving it systematically to locate the baby’s heartbeat. It was a little faster than normal but nothing to cause Clara concern. ‘Anna, I don’t want to examine you internally,’ said Clara. ‘It is possible it could induce labour which we certainly don’t want now.’
‘What are the pains from?’ Anna’s voice fractured as she spoke.
‘It could be you are experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions. It’s your body practicing for real labour.’
‘That is what I said,’ piped up one of the other women.
Clara smiled at Anna. ‘Sometimes it helps if you move around. I know you probably don’t feel like it but even just walking around this room might help. And you need to keep hydrated. Drink plenty of water.’
‘The other pregnant woman laughed again but without humour. ‘This isn’t exactly The Ritz with fresh water available whenever we want it.’
‘Miriam, that’s enough,’ came the voice of one of the men. Clara presumed it was the woman’s husband.
Clara looked at the other women. ‘How are you both? Would you like me to check everything is all right?’
After a slight hesitation, both women took Clara up on her offer. It was the least she could do to offer some reassurance for the women as well as giving herself peace of mind. The conditions these families were living in were awful.
‘Are they all right?’ asked Max.
‘They are both fine from what I can tell from my limited observations.’
‘And Anna?’
‘She should be all right. Gentle exercise and plenty of water.’
Max shook his head. ‘I can get the water, but we need to move from here. I’m not sure the exercise will be that gentle.’
‘How far are they going?’
‘Ten kilometres out of the city,’ replied Max. ‘We have a safe house there.’
‘Transport?’ asked Clara?
‘On foot.’
Clara turned away from the women, lowering her voice. ‘I don’t like them having to walk that far. It’s too dangerous.’
‘And it’s too dangerous to do otherwise,’ snapped Max. ‘What do you expect me to do? They can’t stay here.’
‘I can help,’ said Clara. ‘I can arrange the transport for you and documentation you need if you are stopped.’
Max looked at her for a long moment. ‘You can definitely do that?’
Clara looked around at the others in the room, who weren’t even pretending they weren’t listening, and then turned to Max. ‘You know I can. Or at least, I know someone who can.’ Clara continued, ‘I’ll arrange for false names so they can’t be connected back to the list of those to be relocated.’
