20
‘I’ve changed my mind about having him tested.’ Maisie darted an anxious glance at Bridget, who was standing in the doorway with her arms folded, watching like a hawk as Zoe weighed Ezra.
She hadn’t wanted to say so, but Zoe was more convinced than ever that there was a problem. It was information that she couldn’t be certain about because she wasn’t the expert, and it was probably better coming from the experts anyway, who would be able to follow it up with appropriate care.
‘Even without my referral to the specialist, Ezra will be having a hearing screen as part of his regular checks, and if a problem is picked up then, the result will be the same. The hospital department will refer him for further investigations. You might as well get it over and done with now – the sooner, the better.’
Maisie glanced at Bridget again. ‘The thing is…well, I don’t think he needs the tests. He’s probably deaf, so what’s the point?’
‘All the more reason to go, surely? If he is, we don’t know the extent, whether he can be helped and what sort of assistance can be put into place. As well as medical, you might be able to getfinancial assistance. You must see how valuable that would be with a disabled child.’
‘Disabled?’ Maisie seemed suddenly alarmed. Perhaps she hadn’t thought of her son’s problems in such stark terms before.
‘What kind of money?’ Bridget asked.
‘It’s not for me to say,’ Zoe replied briskly.
Ezra was crying now as she placed him on the scales, and she did her best to hush him rather than look at Bridget’s face. She knew she wouldn’t like what she saw there, and her own mood was already more unpredictable than she was happy about. ‘But there will be help, benefits and such. It seems silly not to take advantage of that…to help care for him, of course.’
‘Of course,’ Bridget said. ‘You’re right – it does seem daft not to take money if it’s offered. I mean, we might as well get something.’
‘You mean Maisie and Ezra might as well get something…’ Zoe looked from one to the other. She hadn’t been given an opportunity to ask, but she wondered if Maisie had come close to telling her mum she planned to move out as soon as her council house was ready. It didn’t seem that way, but Zoe hoped that the young woman wouldn’t change her mind about that too. She didn’t much like the hold Bridget had over her daughter; the woman wasn’t a particularly good role model, but so far Maisie, by some miracle, had avoided becoming like her mum, and Zoe hoped it would stay that way. ‘After all, if there is a problem, they might need it.’
‘That’s what I meant,’ Bridget snapped. ‘What are you trying to say?’
‘I’m not trying to say anything.’
‘It’s me who has to put up with all this. You don’t live here, up and down all hours of the day and night.’
‘I know?—’
‘Mum, I’m sure Zoe didn’t mean?—’
‘I know what she meant,’ Bridget cut in. ‘She reckons we’re scum. Always has done.’
‘Mum!’
‘Bridget!’ Zoe raised her voice as Ezra’s crying grew louder and more insistent. ‘Please, I don’t want to be at odds with you! My main concern is Maisie and Ezra, and I know yours is too. We might differ on our opinions of how to achieve it, but we both want them to be safe and well.’ She paused, watching Bridget search for an answer, before adding, ‘Why didn’t you want Maisie to take Ezra to the hospital for the tests? Because if there’s an issue getting there, I can arrange transport for you.’
‘She said I couldn’t have anyone coming here,’ Maisie said.
Bridget glared at her but then seemed to decide there was no point in denying it.
‘People come in here and they judge…like you. Some people might decide this place isn’t good enough for Ezra. It is. It was good enough to bring Maisie up, and it’s going to be good enough for him.’
‘They wouldn’t be coming here,’ Zoe said. ‘You’d be going to Outpatients.’
‘What if they see something they don’t like and they decide to send someone? It happens.’
‘What makes you think they’d see something they don’t like?’ Zoe asked slowly.
Bridget threw her hands into the air. ‘I don’t know! Ezra’s romper isn’t clean enough or something. It doesn’t take much to make these social services types foam at the mouth, does it?’
Zoe tried to smile, though it was taking a lot of energy. ‘When I look at Ezra, I see a well-cared-for, well-loved little boy. I’m sure that’s all anyone will see. The staff at the unit will only have his best interests at heart. They know what they’re doing, and they’re best placed to give him what he needs, should he need it. I can’t force you to go, but I strongly recommend it.’
Bridget said nothing more. She turned and left the room. Zoe wondered whether she’d managed to get through and Bridget was simply too stubborn to admit it. She hoped so.
‘Someone tried to take me away when I was little,’ Maisie said into the silence. ‘It was all right in the end, but Mum gets really upset when she thinks about it. I suppose…’ She lowered her voice. ‘I suppose that’s why I haven’t told her.’
