the child may not live at all if we don’t proceed.’ Juliet slumped a little in her chair. Her apology meeting was turning sour quickly. Charlie’s defensive stance was back again. She hoped she would have been more gracious if she had been the one assisting him with his treatment plan instead of the other way around. But she accepted that was easier said as the victor and her reaction a few hours earlier, suspecting he was delivering bad news, didn’t show any sign of gracious defeat. Perhaps they were alike after all. But she would never know because she was the one who had won this battle.
‘I’ve been performing this procedure for many years and before proceeding the Abbiatis will be fully informed of the risk.’
‘One additional baby complicates things ten-fold and I’m not sure that you’ll be experienced enough to deal with those complications should they arise.’
Juliet decided to stand and signal the end of the meeting. It was going nowhere and it was pointless in her opinion. ‘I don’t see any value in going around in circles. The parents have agreed, Teddy’s board flew me over and the theatre is booked thanks to you. It would appear the surgery is a fait accompli.’
‘If it’s not successful, I’ll be noting my objections in a report to the board.’
‘I would expect no less,’ she replied as she crossed to the door. ‘Will I have an office during my secondment? I think it would be a good idea so that I can have some time to look over the reports privately.’ Her eyebrow was raised as she looked directly at Charlie. She hoped it was a look that didn’t leave room for questions or second-guessing. It was a demand not a polite request that he could choose whether to approve. He had taken it back to adversarial colleagues. They were right back to where they started.
‘I’ll see what we can do.’
‘Now that’s settled, I’ll be back tomorrow with my laptop ready to log on and begin the pre-op preparations.’
Juliet chatted with the nurses and asked to meet the midwife who was looking after Georgina.
‘That’s Ella O’Brien,’ Annabelle offered. ‘She’s not on today but will be back tomorrow.’
Juliet thanked her and then left to visit Georgina.
‘Leo’s just gone home to get me some fresh clothes. I guess you heard we’re going ahead with the surgery.’
‘I did, and I must say I’m very pleased. I truly believe it’s the best option.’
‘So do we,’ Georgina said with nerves and a little doubt still evident in her voice. ‘We really like Charlie but we got to thinking if the board has flown you all the way here then they must believe in the surgery too. We didn’t think they would go to that much trouble and expense if it wasn’t something they believe worthwhile. We just don’t know why Charlie doesn’t feel the same way as them.’
‘Dr Warren is a great doctor, and he has every right to have a different opinion. Medicine can be quite subjective at times and sometimes doctors differ but they both want the best for the patient. Dr Warren’s taken the very best care of you up to now but the board do agree that the laser surgery will give you the best chance of taking four babies home with you.’
‘We pray every day for them all. We’ve named them, you know.’
‘That’s wonderful. Are the names a secret?’
‘We have told our family and Charlie, Ella and Mr Darrington. We like Graham and Rupert for the boys and Lily and Rose for the girls.’
‘I feel very honoured to know, and they are the loveliest names,’ Juliet said sincerely. She thought they were such sweet, old-fashioned names but they didn’t sound very southern European at all.
‘I guess you’re wondering why they sound so English and not Italian.’
‘You’re a mind reader.’
‘Not really, I think we’re going to be asked that a lot but our families moved here from Italy many years ago. Leo and I met at Italian school so traditions are important but since we both come from huge families, I have five siblings and Leo has eight brothers and sisters, so the grandparents all have grandchildren named after them, and more than a few cousins share names too. We wanted our babies to be different. It’s not that we don’t love our culture, it’s just we want them to have their own identity, which will be difficult enough with two sets of identical twins, let alone if they share names with their cousins. So we have our parents’ blessings to give them very special names.’
‘Were you born here, or in Italy?’
‘Leo and I were both born in London. Leo’s grandparents did very well producing rice and maize in the region of Abbiategrasso, in Lombardy in Italy, and that’s where his surname originated. They sent his father to London for an education with the hopes he would return to his home, but instead he graduated from law, met a beautiful young Italian woman, married and settled in London raising Leo and his brothers and sisters. My grandparents’ background was in grapes and olives in Umbria. My father was also sent to London for higher education and along with his international commerce degree came an English bride, my mother, who loved all things Italian including my father. And soon,’ she said, looking down at her oversized belly, ‘there will be another instant generation of Abbiatis a long way from Italy.’
‘Well, I think the names are just gorgeous and I’m sure the children will make you very proud as they grow up.’
‘So you’re privy to the babies’ names too?’ came a deep and now familiar voice from the doorway. ‘Well, I must say you’ve become a member of the Abbiati family more quickly than I did. It took me the best part of a month before that information was entrusted to me.’
Juliet turned to see Charlie in the doorway to the private hospital room.
‘I feel quite special at this moment.’
‘And so you should, for you know the names of the children you have been given the opportunity to save.’
Juliet suddenly felt the weight of the Abbiatis’ decision fall squarely on her shoulders. She swallowed hard, unsure if unsettling her was Charlie’s intention. If so he had succeeded.
‘I will have a great surgical team, experienced—’
‘And ready for the unexpected,’ Charlie cut in.
Juliet was not impressed. She had hoped his doubts would not be voiced any more but apparently that was not the case. At least she was pleased his delivery was subtle enough not to cause any concern to Georgina. She was still unaware of the professional rivalry. For that Juliet was grateful.
‘I would expect no less from any team, primed for success and prepared for the unexpected, but in this case I doubt there will be any surprises. We know there are four babies, and we know there’s one problem to solve and then bed rest for you for another few weeks until they are all healthy and a good size for delivery. And on that note, Dr Warren and I need to discuss the procedure and have a scheduled meeting now.’
‘We do?’
‘We do.’
‘Then,
