Page 73 of Doc Rock
“Are you in town?”Sadie demanded.
“Yeah, I’m just outside Burra Creek. What’s up?”
“Clara’s in labour.”
“She’s only thirty-four weeks.”Mai leapt off her stool and grabbed hold of her handbag.
“Yeah. Iknow.There’s a locum on for paediatrics this weekend, and they’re trying to transfer her to Sydney. He says they can’t look after a thirty-four-weeker in Burra. The CTG looks crap. We need to deliver her here. The baby won’t survive retrieval in utero.”
The information from Sadie had her striding toward the door.“I’m on my way. DoNOTlet them transfer her. How long have I got?”
“Hang on. I’ve got Lily with me. She’s on for Obstetrics.”
“Thanks.”While Mai waited for the phone to be handed over, she made eye contact with Ford, who had picked up his own phone and car keys.
“Hi, Mai. How long until you cangethere? I need to take Clara to theatre now; the baby is getting massive decelerations, and the lactate is sky-high. The locum paeds is being obstructive and telling me he can’t care for the baby.”
Mai nodded to Ford, who held the door open for her, and whispered to her,“I’ll drive you.”
“I can betherein twenty minutes.Gether to theatre, I’ll bethereby the time the baby’s born. Tell the locum I’m coming.”
“Thanks, Mai. I’llseeyou soon.”Lily’s voice was full of relief.
“No problems. I’ll bethere.”Mai hung up the call, then stopped and snapped a quick photo of the licence plate of Ford’s car and dashed to the passenger side, climbing in.
Ford was already in the driver’s seat with the engine running.
“Do you still like to drive fast?”Mai asked him, remembering all the times she’d gripped the seat with white knuckles while he gleefully took the corners far too quickly for her liking.
“Yeah.”He pulled away down the drive, his wheels spinning before they gained traction.
“Great. The hospital is thirty minutes away. Clara’s in labour, and it’s not looking good for the baby. I need you togetmetherein twenty.”
Ford pushed his foot further to the floor.“No problems.”
Mai dialled another number and put her phone to her ear again.
“Do you require police, fire or ambulance?”the operator asked.
“Police, please.”Out of the corner of her eye, shesawFord’s gaze swing to her for a moment, then back to the road. Putting a hand over the receiver, she explained,“It’s a small town. I’ll let the policeknowthat we’ll be speeding. If they’re free, they’ll come and escort us to the hospital.”
She had only needed to do it once before, when she got stuck on the wrong side of town and received an emergency call.
“This is the police. How may we help?”
“Hi. My name is Doctor Maisie Jones. I’m a Consultant Paediatrician at Burra Base Hospital. I’ve just received an emergency call to the hospital, and I’m thirty minutes out. I’m in a black Mercedes SUV with the licence plate BE4AD. We’re about to turn onto Walnut Road, about ten kilometres out of town. If any police cars are available, I’m requesting an escort to the hospital.”
“Thank you, Doctor Jones. Give me one moment; I’m looking for available vehicles.”
Ford slowed when they approached the end of the drive, checking for traffic before he screeched the tyres around the corner and pulled onto the road. Pushing his foot down further, the car smoothly accelerated.
Mai closed her eyes, not enjoying the sight of the gum trees flying past, but she needed to ignore her discomfort for Clara and her baby’s sake.It wouldtake them ten minutes or so togetClara to theatre. Maybe another ten for Sadie togetthespinal in ready for the caesarean. If they made the drive in twenty minutes, she would have time togetto theatre ready to resuscitate Clara and Taylor’s baby ifit wasrequired.
“I have a police unit en route to you. They’ll intercept you when you reach Coachwood Road. Please drop in behind them, and they’ll take you to the hospital.”
“Thanks,”Mai said gratefully, then hung up.
Mai looked over at Ford, who was laser-focused on the road in front of them.“The police will be waiting for us in four kilometres. Then we can follow them to the hospital.”
