Like One of the Family (34 page)

She picked up the report again and glanced at the result of Mary McCann's test. Positive, as she had expected. Running her eye over Mary's other laboratory tests Jane saw that her condition had worsened. There was a marked increase in coproporphyrin as well as delta-aminolevulinic acid. And this time the report showed that slight leukocytosis was present. Her eye swept further down the page and was arrested by a footnote.

N.B. Accompanying urine specimen corresponds to an amazingly identical degree to McCann specimen, even down to typical colour changes within specified time. Could it be a case of duplication or an error in labelling?

Another symptom of porphyria was the gradual change from normal-coloured urine to dark brown, red or even black. How could Grainne have porphyria? It seemed highly improbable!

Jane tapped the report thoughtfully with her biro. She reached for the telephone and rang the laboratory.

When she put down the phone there was no doubt in her mind that both specimens had been produced by the same woman. She felt a stirring of hope.

She went to the door and called Grainne. When the girl entered Jane told her to sit down, then handed her the report. ‘I would like you to take your time and read this,' she said. ‘I think you will grasp the significance of two urine specimens testing out identical in every way.'

Grainne saw her face and burst into tears.

‘This is very serious,' Jane said quietly. ‘I am not sure if interfering with a patient's specimen and falsifying tests is a criminal offence . If, however, you are still insisting that you are pregnant, I will arrange for you to be admitted to the hospital where full tests and checks can be carried out under supervision.' She waited. In answer, the girl sobbed louder.

‘But you don't really want that, do you?'

‘N..no.'

‘Very well then. Of course, there is no question of your staying on here. I would like you to leave the clinic at once.' Jane crossed to the door and opened it. ‘Whatever is owing to you will be sent on. Goodbye, Grainne.'

The girl went snivelling through the door and Jane closed it after her. Her legs felt suddenly unsteady and she went to sit behind her desk. ‘Thank God,' she whispered. She had always prayed she would never be required to sanction another abortion and now she was spared this agonising dilemma. The telephone rang. Slowly, she picked it up.

‘Mum! I can't go on like this.' Terry's voice cracked with misery. ‘I've got to see you.'

‘Yes, of course, Terry.' She heard the shaky tone of her voice and firmly cleared her throat. ‘It's time we had another talk.'

‘See you at the weekend,' he said, and rang off.

Jane slowly replaced the receiver. Her first instinct had been to give him some indication that he was off the hook, but she decided not to tell him until after they had returned from their trip to Spain. Jane sighed. It seemed cruel to prolong his distress, especially after the tragic death of his friend, but this was one lesson she wished to drive well and truly home.

Claire was a little taken aback when Jane asked her to sleep in the house while she was away in Spain. Her feelings about meeting Terry were very mixed. In a way Claire wished Sheena hadn't told her about himself and Grainne although it had undoubtedly softened the hurt at not hearing from him. She realised that it was shame, not indifference which prevented him from keeping his promise. Each time their relationship showed signs of developing, she thought, something always happened to drive a wedge between them.

On the day of departure she went over early to the McArdle's house, knowing from experience that Jane would have lots of instructions to give Sheena and herself. Jane had written everything down on two foolscap sheets and Sellotaped them to the fridge door. But she still took time to go over it all with them again while Terry was out putting their cases in the car.

‘I doubt the telephone in the apartment has been connected yet so I'll leave the estate agent's number in case you need to get in touch,' Jane concluded at last. ‘Liz here will help out in the evenings with Ruthie if you both have to go anywhere.' She glanced at her receptionist and the girl grinned back.

Liz was the latest of the sprawling Murray family to work for Jane. Her mother and her older sister, Babs, had worked in the surgery way back when the McArdles first moved to the neighbourhood. She was pretty and easygoing and devoted to Ruthie.

Liz said earnestly, ‘Mammy said she'll be glad to do any shopping while you're away.'

Jane nodded at her in a distracted fashion and turned to the girls again, ‘Now don't forget, Spain is one hour ahead of us. If you need to get a message to me be sure and ring before six in the evening.'

‘Mummy,' sighed Sheena. ‘Please don't worry. Nothing is going to happen. You're the one going away, not us. We'll be fine. Off you go and enjoy yourselves.'

Jane nodded. She supposed she was fussing a bit but if she didn't get it all off her chest now knew she would spend the entire time away worrying about what she might have omitted.

‘Now you won't forget to read my instructions?' she reminded them.

‘No, we'll throw them in the bin the minute you're gone,' Sheena said with a grin. ‘Of course, we'll read them, Mummy. What do you think! Anyway, you know well that Claire has everything off by heart already. She'll keep us on the straight and narrow, like she always does.'

Jane chuckled. ‘Thank God for Claire. If I was relying on you, Madam, I don't know where we'd be.' But she gazed affectionately at her daughter. She knew that Sheena had matured enough in the past year to take her responsibilities more seriously. She bussed Sheena's cheek and pulled Ruthie into her arms. ‘Bye, darling.'

Ruthie tightened her arms in stranglehold about her mother's neck. ‘Tell Adela I was asking for her.'

‘If I see her.'

‘And give Fernando my undying love,' Sheena said wickedly.

Jane ignored her and kissed Claire. ‘Keep an eye on these monsters,' she joked, ‘There's a love.'

Claire smiled back, acutely conscious of Terry watching their farewells. He wore a scowling expression which she correctly divined as embarrassment. She met his eyes but he gave no sign that he was in any way thinking of her. He had made no apologies for not ringing her and she sensed he was tightly holding himself in check, lest he say too much. He strode out to the car without a backward look.

‘Four whole days on our own,' Sheena gloated. ‘Let's make the most of them.'

Claire nodded absently, her heart with the disappearing car. She told herself that she was mad to care so much. Terry probably couldn't help flirting with every girl he dated. It was second nature to him. She swallowed her hurt and turned back into the house.

Terry got his first view of the apartment block, peering out of the rear window of Fernando's car as it turned into the parking lot in front of
Las Cicadas
.

The Spaniard had met them because there was a one-day taxi strike at Malaga Airport. Jane was touched by Fernando's thoughtfulness and doubly glad she had telephoned early in the week to say they were coming. When he warmly inquired about
las tres princesas
Jane had to smile at this description of the girls and told him they were all well and sent their regards.

He's a good-looking bastard, Terry thought grudgingly, his eyes fixed on the back of Fernando's well-shaped head as the Spaniard swung the car into the roundabout and filtered into the flowing traffic. He noted the heavy gold watch on Fernando's wrist and the way his dark blonde hair fringed the collar of his cream silk shirt. Terry ran his hand defensively over his own freshly cropped army stubble. So this is the guy Claire likes, he thought.

Clearly his mother liked him too, judging by the way she was chatting and laughing. Almost flirting, Terry thought in amazement. He hadn't seen her so animated in years.

Fernando came with them to the door of the apartment. ‘I think everything is in order,' he told Jane. ‘I made it my special concern. However, if there are any changes you would like made, please do not hesitate to ask.'

‘It's beautiful,' Jane said, looking around. ‘I love it.'

‘Then I am satisfied.' Fernando smiled at her enthusiasm. ‘I wish you many happy moments in Spain, Señora.' He bowed over her hand.

What a smooth talker, Terry thought in disgust as he carried the cases inside. He really knows how to lay on the syrup. To think women actually fall for that line.

Then suddenly it didn't matter anymore. Terry had walked through to the balcony and was confronted by the view of the sea. He stared at the pale sands and billowing waves. It was every bit as beautiful as Claire had said.

Next day Jane and Terry went shopping and walked back to the apartment, heavily laden down with carrier bags full of household articles, ranging from crockery and cooking pots to tea towels and electric light bulbs.

It took them the best part of an hour to put everything away and by the time they were finished, the sun was low in the sky.

‘Want a drink, Mum?' Terry asked, going to the fridge.

‘Mmm... that would be nice.' Jane lifted a cushioned cane chair on to the balcony and lowered herself into it.

Terry poured chilled orange juice for himself and wine for his mother and they sat sipping their drinks and admiring the view.

Now would be a good time to tell him his worries are over, Jane thought, but something stopped her. Some reluctance perhaps to spoil the afternoon with mention of Grainne. Her mouth twisted in distaste. Not now, Jane decided. She found the whole subject too painful and distressing. Some time before they returned home she would carefully choose her moment. She put the matter out of her mind and gave herself over to enjoying the sun and the wine and the soothing sight of the sea. She began to yawn.

She was awakened by a light tapping on the apartment door and heard Terry get up to open it. There was a murmur of voices in the background and she struggled against the tide of weariness.

‘No, please don't disturb her,' she was dimly aware of a voice saying and then the door of the apartment closed.

‘Who was that?' she asked as Terry came back.

‘That Spanish guy,' Terry answered shortly.

Jane was awake now. ‘I hope you were polite to him.'

‘Of course, Mum,' Terry's expression was scornful. ‘I did everything but kiss

San Fernando's hand.'

‘Now, Terry,' Jane warned but she had to smile at his exasperated expression. How painful it can be, when young, to come up against someone so good-looking and well-off as Fernando Gonzalez.

Terry said sulkily. ‘He brought an invitation from his father to have dinner with him tonight.'

That evening Jane dressed with extra care, choosing to wear a filmy blue dress which matched her eyes and fastening about her neck a gold and sapphire pendant, which had been a present from Eddie on their tenth wedding anniversary. She was not a beautiful woman or even a strikingly good-looking one but she had a certain presence and there was about her a glow of goodness and gentle authority that was beautiful in itself.

Terry also dressed with care. He wasn't going to appear at a disadvantage. He knotted his tie and eased down the collar of his shirt and regarded himself critically in the mirror. Maybe not as flash as pretty boy Gonzalez, he thought sardonically, but at least he was taller than him by an inch or two. As Terry attached his flying emblem to the lapel of his blazer he wished his hair was not cropped quite so close. Short cuts were all very well back at the barracks, he thought. He was unaware how well the military clip suited him, moulding the fine bones of his head and accentuating his cheekbones. He thrust out his jaw at an uncompromising angle and went out to join his mother.

It was only a short walk to the restaurant and they arrived just after eight-thirty. At the sight of them Antonio left the group of people he was with and came forward, his dark sorrowful eyes lit by a welcoming smile. Jane thought that his whole face changed when he smiled and became youthful, less melancholy. She smiled shakily back at him. She involuntarily dug her nails into the palm of her hand.

‘Señora.' He took the maltreated hand and bent over it. ‘I am very glad you could come. I was afraid you might have to hurry back to your children. Fernando tells me that in your absence they are on their own.' At the concern in his deep voice Jane quickened with pleasure. She looked up at him and felt herself drowning in his dark eyes. To break the spell she said:

‘My youngest is the only one I worry about but she's in good hands. Sheena, my older girl, is well able to look after her.' She studied his appearance and saw that his hair was shorter than it had been in the summer and consequently the grey not so evident. His skin was still fresh and, for a man of his age, he had very few lines. Then she realised with a start that he was still holding her hand. Jane had to ease her hand gently from Antonio's grip, and to her dismay felt the blood rush to her cheeks.

‘My son speaks often of these young ladies,' Antonio told her. ‘I can see they have made a big impression on him.' He turned toward Terry. ‘This young man is another of your children?'

‘He is.' She realised that her reply was brief almost to the point of gaucheness, but her mind felt like jelly. She was standing there like a teenager, blushing and staring at him. She became suddenly aware that one of Antonio's party, a rather striking woman with beautiful dark hair coiled on the nape of her neck, had turned her eyes soulfully upon them as if willing him back to the group. His wife? Jane became suddenly self-conscious.

‘Come and join the rest of my party, Señora.' Antonio placed his hand at her elbow and pressed her forward.

A waiter approached with menus. Jane took one and ran her eye down it as Antonio poured wine into their glasses. There was a ripple of laughter as someone told a joke. All of them, with the exception of Jane and Terry, were Spanish but, out of politeness, some English was being spoken at the table. Jane caught Terry's eye and he gave her a slow wink. She could see he was entering into the spirit and attempting a conversation in halting Spanish with the lady on his left.