It
was a successful organization that phlebotomist Harriet Robinson joined on a
bitter cold January morning along with another new nurse named Elena Fedeli.
It
was two years to the day after Dr Claire Andrews took over The Shallowfield
Surgery and in that short time she and her business partner Olivia Adamson had
transformed it into the Dancingdean Heath Centre, which necessitated the
expansion of staff numbers.
Equally while
things had been going well for Claire and Olivia in the two years they had been
in Shallowfield.
It had been quite
a similar story in those two years for
Harriet, which
began with her taking blood from her needle phobic husband to be.
Her
full birth name was Hayley Harriet Hanson but that was before, at the tender
age of 21, she married William Quimby.
And
after her disastrous marriage ended though she chose to remain as Harriet
Quimby as she rather liked the name.
Her
ex-husband on the other hand remained a complete bastard.
She
was a phlebotomist by profession and proud of it but she was really tired
of people saying to her “What’s a phlebotomist?”
And
then having to explain her occupation to them, so she made the decision to
reply, when asked what she did for a living, that she was a nurse and
volunteered no further information.
Which
was a shame because she loved her job, and she really was proud to be a
phlebotomist, she liked dealing with people and liked engaging with them and
she was good at it.
Some
of her colleagues favoured the stand offish approach, keeping a dignified distance
between themselves and the patients, but that was not Harriet’s way.
Harriet
found the pleasant exchanges helped the day pass by, she couldn’t do it with
everyone of course, some patients thought they were customers and that she was
on a par with a shop girl, but they were few and far between.
And
it was through her job and her pleasant professionalism that she came to
replace the name Quimby with that of Robinson.
In
the years since her divorce she had not remarried or even thought of doing so.
She
worked hard in a rewarding job, she had a supportive family and she had a large
circle of friends, and she was content with that.
Harriet
was not without admirers however and she had not exactly lived as a nun, she
had had boyfriends but she had not actively sort a replacement for Mr Quimby,
what would be would be in the fullness of time.
So it
was a life changing moment at the Abbeyvale Health Centre when Nathan Robinson
heard his name called by the willowy young Harriet with her bobbed dark brown
hair, wearing a white uniform with red piping.
He
was only there for a routine blood test but he was Trypanophobic but she was
well used to needle phobe’s and her easy manner and playful teasing soon put
him at his ease when she called him a chicken and he called her a vampire.
All
of which put his mind at rest to such a degree that he was able to take a
moment or two to appreciate the loveliness of the girl with the very large
needle.
After
he’d left the room she chuckled to herself as she remembered their humorous and
pleasant exchange and she thought what a nice man he was.
There
was no one in her life at the time and she was content with that so that brief
pleasant exchange between them would probably have been the end of it had it
not been for a chance meeting just over a week later when they saw each other
again in St Candida’s park.
He
saw her sitting on the grass with a small group of young women and decided to approach.
“Hello
nurse Nosferatu” he called and then he made the sign of the cross when she
turned around
“Oh
hello chicken” she responded and made it sound like a term of endearment which
wasn’t her intent but she was not unhappy about it.
“Should
a phlebotomist be out in the sunlight?” Nathan asked
“What’s
a phlebotomist?” one of the group asked and Harriet shook her head and took it
as her sign to leave.
She
said her goodbyes to her friends and quickly caught up with Nathan who had gone
ahead.
“Thanks
for that” she said
“For
what?” he asked
“For
exposing me as a phlebotomist” she said
“Ay?”
he exclaimed in some confusion
“But
you are a phlebotomist”
“I
know” she said “but I hate the fact that I always have to explain it”
“Sorry”
Nathan said
“So
what do you do for a living?” she asked
“I’m
a University Professor” he said proudly
“A
professor?” Harriet replied a little impressed
“Aren’t
you a little young?”
“Not
in my field” he replied
“I
thought professors were intelligent” she said with a laugh
“And
I thought nursing was the caring profession” he retorted
“So
what are you the professor of?” she enquired
“Music”
Nathan replied
“Really,
what kind?” she asked impressed
“My
field of expertise is early 20th century” he replied
“Like
Puccini?” She said hopefully
“Like
jazz” Nathan said
“Jazz?
How disappointing, you got interesting for a second and then, wham! Dull as
ditch water again”
“I
like jazz” he said defensively “Jazz is very exciting”
“And
people study that at University?” she asked derisively
“Of
course, as part of a rounded degree course” he replied
“Do
you play or just teach?” she asked
“Yes”
Nathan replied
“Which
one?”
“Both”
“What
instrument? The washboard?” She asked and laughed out loud with delight
“That’s
skiffle, not jazz” he corrected her “Philistine”
“What
then?” Harriet persisted
“Clarinet”
Said Nathan
“Really?
But that’s a proper instrument” she said shocked “Are you any good?”
“Well
I enjoy playing” he answered
“You’re
really bad then” Harriet said and laughed again
“Why
not come and judge for yourself” he said
“When?”
she asked
“Now”
he replied “we’re playing a set at the Jazz Shack on Finchampton Street”
“Ok”
she answered although she wasn’t sure why
Nathan
who was six years older than her, really liked her but worried about the age
difference, however after the gig he suggested that they do it again.
Harriet
was reluctant to accept, not because of the age gap or because she hadn’t
enjoyed it.
Nor
was it because she didn’t like him, because she did.
“We
have absolutely nothing in common” Harriet said to him
“We
share a sense of humour” he said
“That
doesn’t count” she responded
“I
think a good sense of humour is essential in a relationship if there is a
prospect of someone seeing me naked” Nathan replied
“That’s
really not much of a prospect” Harriet corrected him.
In
the end she reluctantly agreed and much to her surprise it worked.
To
the untrained eye they seemed an odd couple, she a beautiful willowy health
professional and him an unspectacular looking academic.
There
was the 6 year age difference for a start and they didn’t even agree on music,
he was a devotee of early Jazz whereas Harriet favoured Puccini’s Operas.
But
despite their differences they became a couple and learned to appreciate the
others likes because that was what relationships were about, compromise.
And
it was also patently obvious to everyone, that miss matched or not they were
head over heels in love.
And
after six months together Harriet could hardly remember the time before they
met.
They
did however still disagree musically but in all other matters they were
simpatico.
For
her 30th birthday he arranged a surprise trip to see Madame
Butterfly, at the Metropolitan Opera
House in New York City.
Which
had she not already fallen in love with him would on its own have won her
heart.
Harriet
loved every moment and it was a wonderfully romantic trip and on the night
before they returned home, on top of the Empire State Building, he proposed to
her and they married the year after.
Alas
because she was a divorcee they couldn’t marry in Church, so the ceremony was
held in the Abbeyvale registry office which was immediately followed by a
blessing at St Candida’s Church.
Their
reason for moving from Abbeyvale came out of the blue, they had been perfectly
happy where they lived and she remained fulfilled in her job, but within a
matter of weeks her job came under threat as the local trust were rationalizing
services so she started putting feelers out and within a week she had an
interview in Shallowfield.
Harriet
and Nathan moved into number 1 Folly Cottages just before Christmas, the
previous occupant was one of her new bosses Dr Claire Lutchford, who now lived
on the other side of the lake with her new husband and they fell in love with the
cottage instantly.
Originally there
were six dwellings but after conversion there were now three terraced cottages
and they were situated high above the northern perimeter road in a rocky glade.
The two end ones
had two bedroom and the one in the middle had one.
Once upon a time
they were home to peasants who worked the woods but now the peasantry couldn’t
afford to live anywhere near the lake.
The view of the lake was spectacular although
they couldn’t see it all or discern the teardrop shape that gave the lake its
name. But the view of the surrounding ancient woodland of the Dancingdean
Forest was majestic.
Although much of the modest body of water was
obscured from view it was still quite beautiful and relatively unspoilt which
was why the she instantly fell in love with the place, and as there was snow on
the ground the scene was very picturesque.
Teardrop Lake
and the surrounding woodland was privately owned and divided into twelve
parcels each with one significant dwelling although there were a number of
cottages dotted around the woodland.
It was both idyllic and peaceful, there was
little or no noise pollution and they had been reliably informed that although
the lake was used there were no speed boats or jet skis, only rowing boats,
canoes, dinghies and skiffs.
“What a perfect
place to raise a child” Nathan said when they first looked out across the lake.
“If only” she
replied sadly
“It’s just a
matter of time sweetheart” he said reassuringly
“But time is
running out” she replied, so he just hugged her
Fortunately
Harriet was not the only new starter at the health centre or the only newbie to
the area.
Elena
Fedeli who was the new district nurse moved into number 3 a couple of days
after the Robinsons.
However
whereas Harriet’s move had been forced upon her Elena had been looking for a
change.
As
they both moved in before Christmas and weren’t due to start work until the New
Year and as they were neighbours the two new girls gravitated towards each
other especially as Nathan was only around at the weekend for the first week
until the end of the semester.
Eva Christodoulou and Siti Shahara, who lived in number 2, also worked at the health centre, volunteered to show the new girls around and help them get their bearings and settle in.
When
they moved to Teardrop they had been together for over 7 years and married for
6, Harry was fast approaching her 37th birthday and she was
convinced she could literally hear her biological clock ticking.
They
had been trying for a family ever since they were married but it just wasn’t
happening for them.
43
years old Nathan was medium height, slim build and had thinning sandy hair and
grey eyes.
He
loved her very much but he didn’t feel the same time pressure that his wife did
but he was desperate to make her happy.
They
had undergone all the tests imaginable but there was nothing physically wrong
with either of them and everything was in good working order.
And a
lack of trying was also not the problem and the love making was as great as it
had always been and they didn’t stint on the quantity,
But it was all
to no avail, but it didn’t prevent them from trying.
After a very active first Christmas in their
new home on the Lake, the mad girls in number 2 made sure they had an enjoyable Christmas.
Harriet was
really pleased that she wasn’t starting the new job on her own and she knew
Elena felt the same way.
They both
slotted right in at the Heath Centre and they soon found that the rest of the
staff were just as friendly as their new neighbours were.
When
she first walked through the doors of the Health Centre she felt instantly at
home and it took Harriet no time at all to settle
into a comfortable routine at work and find the natural rhythm of life on the
Lake.
And in a matter of weeks it was as if they had lived there forever.
Almost as soon as her boss Olivia realised Nathan was a Professor of
Music she kept making references to her about the Church choir and dropping
hints about the need for someone with a professional ear to champion the Church
music, but then she was married to the Vicar.
Eventually after a month or two the drip, drip, drip of Olivia’s Chinese
water torture technique paid off and she succumbed or to be more accurate she
made Nathan succumb and he took control of St Mary’s church choir.
As it turned out it was just what the Robinson’s needed something to put
their collective efforts into, a common interest and a distraction from what
was consuming her every waking thought, her failure as a woman.
As a member of the choir she threw herself into it body and soul and
managed to put everything else out of her mind.
She even managed to persuade Elena to join and they were side by side
when, on Easter Sunday, Nathan debuted as Choir master.
After Easter, life continued in much the same way until the summer
festivities filled the calendar.
It began as it did every year on Teardrop Lake with Lynn Cooper’s
birthday BBQ at Coopers Villa on the first of May and ended at the Shallowfield
Lodge Hotel in September for Rob and Sheryl Browns Wedding Anniversary party.
It had been such a busy summer with the seemingly
endless round of Hog Roasts and BBQ’s, parties and picnics that it wasn’t until
summer drifted relentlessly into autumn that the
hopeless longing for a child struck her again.
Nathan tried desperately to lift her spirits
and for his sake she put on a brave face but inside she was dying.
There were other distractions in September such as
Olivia Shenton’s Wedding Anniversary and Chantelle Dooney’s
birthday and Siti Shahara’s also had one in October, but overall not enough.
Throughout October at the health centre the
main topic of conversation was the upcoming Lutchford’s Annual Fancy Dress
Halloween party at Forest Lodge, to which all the staff were invited.
The talk was primarily of what costumes would
be worn but more interestingly the gossip was mainly about past misdemeanours.
Everyone at the
health centre apart from Elena Fedeli and the Vicar’s wife Olivia were going to
the Halloween
Party at the Lutchford’s and the two of them left work early for the church as they had chosen instead to attend the Halloween celebrations at St Mary’s.
Nathan and Harriet, both conscious of each
other’s feeling of inadequacy, but were equally unable to discuss “the elephant
in the room”.
So as the Halloween party approached, they
had both independently developed a plan designed to cheer the other one up.
Nathan was already at home when Harriet
arrived and was busy in the kitchen.
“Hi Hun” she called as she walked through the
door
“Something smells good”
“That must be me” he said
“Nah it’s definitely something nice” Harriet
retorted
After they’d eaten and cleared away they went
into separate rooms to change.
When they were ready they emerged
simultaneously onto the landing, the result of which caused hysterical laughter
when they discovered what the other was wearing.
Harriet was dressed as a vampire and Nathan
was wearing a chicken suit.
The laughter continued as they went downstairs
into the lounge in fact it only stopped when they kissed, which was prolonged
and passionate.
In fact the kissing lead to a horny vampire
straddling a prostrated chicken on the lounge carpet.
Needless to say they were late arriving at
the party.
That
lustful Halloween Night seemed to have put the destructive thoughts of
inadequacy into the shade, at least for a while and then as November progressed
thoughts of Christmas took over and became all consuming, it was after all a
celebration of their first year on the Lake.
It
was the week before Christmas and Nathan had finished work for the holiday and
was looking forward to his long break as he was off until the New Year.
And
as Christmas was fast approaching he was taking full advantage of the fact that
Harry was at work so he could wrap her presents.
He
had just safely placed the wrapped gifts under the tree when he heard her car
pull up outside the cottage.
She
was home early so he quickly tidied away the wrapping paper, scissors and
sellotape, and had just sat down on the sofa as she came through the door.
“Hi
Hun” she said
“Hello
darling” he replied “are you ok?”
“No
I’m a bit queasy” she replied
“That’s
not good for a vampire to get queasy at the site of blood” he said flippantly
“It
wasn’t the blood” she retorted
“Was
it the needles then? Are you turning into a chicken?” he said and chuckled
“No
it’s not the needles” she stated and sat down beside him “there are other
things that can cause queasiness in the morning”
“I
know Hun, like too much Pernod the night before” Nathan said
“Yes
but what else causes sickness in the morning?” She asked him leadingly
“Apart
from a dodgy kebab, or 6 pints of Guinness, I don’t know” he said “what could
cause morning sick...”
She
sat looking at him patiently as the penny finally dropped
“You’re
pregnant” he said
“Well
done Professor”
“You’re
pregnant” he squealed and then he kissed her
“We’re
having a little musician” he said proudly
“Or a
little health professional”
She
added and he kissed her again
“So
how pregnant are you?” he asked her later “when was it, you know”
“I
think we both know the answer to that” she said
“Halloween”
they said in unison
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