‘Well, my dear.’ The doctor friend of William’s whom Kane had had brought to the house the next morning was very kind and thorough, and his voice was gentle as he looked at her after his examination which had seemed to go on for ever. ‘Your husband tells me you’ve been working very hard over the last few months.’
Sophy gripped Kane’s hand tighter and nodded. Now the show was up and running and she could begin to relax a little, she had admitted to herself what her body had been trying to tell her for weeks. She felt unwell. Unwell and so exhausted she hadn’t argued with Kane when he had made her stay in bed. Terrified now that something was seriously wrong, she didn’t dare ask what was the matter.
‘Forgive the intrusion but I need to know,’ the man went on. ‘Your monthly cycle – has it been normal?’
Blushing furiously, she stammered, ‘Not-not really, Doctor. But I’ve been so busy . . . I – I think it’s been three months since – since I—’
‘Yes, that would be about right. You are expecting a baby, Mrs Gregory. Have you noticed any changes in your abdomen?’
A baby. Now it was Kane’s hand that squeezed hers until it hurt. ‘Changes?’ Sophy repeated vacantly, unable to take in the news. ‘I suppose it’s a little swollen but I put it down to not eating properly, flatulence . . .’
‘Well, I think this little piece of flatulence will be born some time in December.’
‘Are you sure?’ Kane’s voice was thick with emotion.
Dr Palmer smiled. He liked giving good news. ‘Quite sure, Mr Gregory. I definitely felt a baby in there.’
‘Oh, my love.’ As Kane crushed her to him Sophy’s eyes widened. A baby. A baby. A flood of protective joy caused her to put her hands to the swell of her stomach, but almost immediately, she said apprehensively, ‘But I haven’t felt sick, Doctor. Just tired and generally unwell. Are you sure?’
Not at all annoyed at being asked to repeat himself, Dr Palmer’s smile spread. ‘Quite sure. Now I’ll make an appointment for you with a colleague of mine who is a specialist in this area.’ He didn’t add. ‘There is something I would like him to check’, because he didn’t want to worry them.
Kane saw the doctor out and then dashed back to the bedroom as fast as he could, his stick clattering on the stairs. Sophy was waiting for him with shining eyes. Taking her in his arms, he said huskily, ‘To think of all you’ve been doing.’
‘I know, I know. And I should have thought, when my monthlies stopped, but I put it down to all the hard work and tearing about. And I’ve lost weight, not gained it.’
‘There were days when you didn’t bother to eat, you were so busy, now weren’t there? And other times when you were so tired you came home and just picked at your meal.’ He shook his head. ‘I blame myself. But now, young lady, you are going to do what I say, and behave. If you won’t look after yourself, I will do the job.’
‘Oh, Kane.’ She looked radiant. ‘A baby. Our baby.’
Everyone was thrilled at the news. Patience and William, who had been worried to death when Kane had gone to see them that morning asking William to recommend a good GP, arrived with chocolates and flowers. Sadie cried. Harriet and Ralph beamed, and the women at the theatre let out a cheer when they heard which could have been heard in Gateshead.
Sophy rested at home for a few days and slept a lot, but then she was itching to get back to the theatre. Because Kane had been so concerned about her, she agreed to wait until they had seen the specialist Dr Palmer had spoken of. This occurred one week after Dr Palmer had been to the house and this time they saw the consultant at the Sunderland Infirmary. They left somewhat stunned. In the consultant’s opinion Sophy was between four and five months’ pregnant but from his very thorough examination he was sure there was not one baby but two. And in the next few weeks, he warned, her stomach would begin to expand rapidly as they grew.
‘That settles it.’ As Ralph drove them home in the sweltering heat of a July heatwave, Kane was adamant. ‘We’re going to have to get extra help for you.’
‘But I’ve told you, I’ll manage. Harriet and Sadie will help and I can take the baby – babies – into work with me when necessary.’
‘Sadie is the cook, not a nursemaid, and Harriet has enough to do, and whether you take the babies with you to the theatre or not, you will need another pair of hands. You know I felt this way when we thought there was only one baby, but now twins are confirmed there is no way you can manage. The theatre will still take a great deal of your time, Sophy. Be realistic. Without a sound, capable nursemaid to take some of the burden, you will make yourself ill, and how will that help you, me or the babies?’