The Doctor's Engagement

‘Well, I’m sorry you feel that way.’ He gave Anna a crooked smile. ‘OK, here’s what we’ll do. I’ll give you a full examination now and then I’ll write to your consultant and tell him my findings so that they can discharge you. Is that all right?’

Anna nodded gratefully. ‘Thanks.’

Mark shrugged and gave her a relaxed smile. ‘No problem. Holly? Can you get me a speculum and some gloves, please?’

r /> Holly quickly set up a trolley for him and drew the curtains so that Anna could get undressed.

‘Just your lower half, Anna,’ she said quietly, taking Harry from her and strapping him back into his car seat so that she was free to assist Mark.

Mark washed his hands and then snapped on a pair of gloves. ‘OK, Anna, just relax. I promise not to do anything without warning you. I’m just going to look at your episiotomy scar first.’

Anna tensed and stared at the ceiling and Holly gave her hand a squeeze. She always hated gynaecological examinations, too—especially by male doctors. But to give him his due, Mark was very careful and considerate.

‘That’s healed beautifully, Anna,’ he said quietly, reaching for a speculum. ‘I’m just going to examine you internally. Can you adjust the light for me, please, Sister?’

Holly reached up and did as he asked, wincing as Anna gripped her hand.

‘Am I hurting you?’ Mark’s face was concerned as he looked at his patient. ‘I need to know whether this actually hurts, or whether it’s just because you’re scared and tense and expecting it to hurt.’

‘I—I don’t know.’ Anna bit her lip and held onto Holly. ‘I just can’t believe that it won’t hurt.’

‘Actually, it seems to have healed very well,’ Mark said calmly as he finished his examination. ‘When did you last have a smear?’

‘I can’t remember.’

Holly disengaged her hands and checked the notes quickly. ‘Five years ago.’

‘Let’s do one, then. Can I have a spatula, please?’ Mark held out his gloved hand and Holly passed him an Aylesbury spatula.

‘That’s OK, Anna. All finished.’

He straightened and stood back while Holly pulled a cover back over Anna and helped her sit up.

‘It all looks fine,’ Mark told her, his voice very reassuring. ‘As for intercourse, well, I should give it a go and see how you get on.’

Anna went red, watching as he walked across the room and stripped off his gloves. ‘You don’t think it will hurt?’

Mark hesitated and then gave her a gentle smile. ‘It might, Anna,’ he said honestly, ‘but I think it’s more likely to be psychological than physical. You had a bad experience and you’re naturally anxious that penetration might be uncomfortable.’

‘But there’s no reason for it to hurt?’ Anna slipped off the couch and picked up her bag and Harry in his car seat. ‘Nothing that you can see?’

‘No.’ Mark finished washing his hands and pulled some paper towels from the dispenser. ‘But I should try a little scene-setting with your husband. Glass of wine, that sort of thing—make sure you’re relaxed.’

Anna smiled. ‘Maybe I’ll do just that. It might do us both good. Thanks, Dr Logan.’

‘How are you feeling generally?’

Mark questioned her briefly, assessing her mood, and then gave a brief nod. ‘Don’t forget to make an appointment to see me in another week. I need to check how you’re getting on with your tablets.’

‘I’ll do that.’ Anna left the room and Holly cleared up the rest of the equipment.

‘What exactly went wrong with the birth?’ She watched as Mark dried his hands and leaned broad shoulders against the wall.

‘She had a forceps delivery but the chap doing it was inexperienced and she’s tiny.’ Mark frowned and shook his head at the memory. ‘Let’s just say he was heavy-handed and he rearranged her insides. She had a sinus tract through to her rectum which was permanently infected and causing her agony.’

‘And the hospital didn’t notice that before they sent her home?’ Holly was appalled and Mark’s face was grim.

‘According to Anna, they kept telling her not to make a fuss. They said that childbirth was a normal event and that she shouldn’t be a wimp.’