The Country Doctor's Choice (21 page)

The August sun shone on the last week of Derek Bolt’s ministry at St Matthew’s Everham, which was remembered for a popular wedding and a christening. The marriage of two doctors took place on the Saturday, and not only Everham Hospital staff but a fair number of ex-patients, some with their babies, turned out to attend the ceremony and see the bride in her powder-blue dress and jacket and flowery hat; the groom wore a grey suit with a white carnation in
his buttonhole, and a tie with rainbow colours. Mr North played the organ accompaniment to the one hymn, ‘The King of Love My Shepherd Is’, and their happiness radiated out to friends and family, healing the rift between the groom’s divorced parents, at least for the day of their son’s wedding.

Mrs Maynard and her friend Mrs Whittaker attended the ceremony, but politely declined a general invitation to the buffet set out in the hospital boardroom.

‘I thought Mr North looked rather grim,’ remarked Phyllis. ‘He didn’t smile once.’

‘Ah, but he’s doing his duty, and that’s what matters,’ replied Mary. ‘He’s got a big burden to carry, with Fiona in a wheelchair and carers going in each day. Denise has a specially trained health visitor calling to check on the twins, and I’ve fixed them up with a home help three times a week.’

‘What about the son?’ asked Phyllis.

‘Roy’s going to Alcoholics Anonymous, and Jeremy told me that he hopes he’ll be reunited with his wife eventually, and their poor little girl.’

‘Frankly, my sympathies are more with Iris Oates,’ said Phyllis, but Mary did not agree.

‘She and Jeremy are both to blame for her pregnancy, but I think it’s wrong of her to stay in Everham, announcing her condition to all and sundry when she starts to show.’

‘I wish her well,’ insisted Phyllis, and their talk
turned to the christening of Phyllis’s grandson on the following day at the morning service. It was the Revd Derek Bolt’s last duty as vicar at St Matthew’s, and his farewell to Everham; a large turnout was expected, and a buffet lunch was prepared in the church hall.

Once again Mr North was at the organ, playing ‘All Things Bright and Beautiful’, and especially for Donovan Gifford, ‘To Be a Pilgrim’. Many handkerchiefs were needed when the little smiling boy was held up in his godmother’s arms to be baptised and welcomed into the church.

After the service Jeremy North sought out Derek Bolt, alone in the vestry before joining the congregation in the hall.

‘So, time to say farewell, Rev,’ he said. ‘You’ll be missed.’

‘On the contrary, most of this lot will be glad to see the back of me,’ Derek answered wryly.

‘Don’t be daft, there’s a lot of goodwill towards you. I, on the other hand, have to stay in Everham and face the music, a whole orchestra of it.’

‘You’re doing the right thing, though, and so am I, that’s all that really matters,’ said Derek, and added, ‘I noticed Iris in church this morning, and looking very well, I thought. Happy. Nice to see her back again.’

Jeremy winced, for seeing Iris and knowing that she would bear his child was the hardest part of his self-imposed duty.

Derek continued, ‘Anyway, old chap, God go with you and, er, the family.’

‘D’you think he will? Is he there? God, I mean.’

‘Oh, he’s there all right, he doesn’t leave us in peace. He’s the voice of conscience who’s brought us both to where we are today.’

‘Dishing out prizes and kicks up the arse, as appropriate.’

Derek suddenly grinned. ‘God bless us
all
, old chap. We’re going to need it!’ He held out his hand which North clasped warmly.

‘Goodbye, then, Jeremy. Be happy.’

‘You too. And good luck.’

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Born in Hampshire, M
AGGIE
B
ENNETT
worked as a nurse and midwife until her retirement in 1991. Having been an avid reader and scribbler since childhood, she first began to approach her writing seriously after her husband’s death in 1983. She enjoyed modest success with articles and short stories before the publication of a medical romance in 1992, which won that year’s RNA New Writers’ Award. She wrote six more before turning to mainstream fiction in 1996. Maggie has two grown-up daughters, two grandsons and a granddaughter. She lives in Suffolk.

The Carpenter’s Children

A Family’s Duty

The Country Doctor’s Choice