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Petra lay on the bed as the probe was pressed on to her abdomen. The grainy images were hard to interpret from her prostrate position. The sonographer had a serious look on her face and kept clicking buttons on the console to enlarge the images.
‘Petra, I’d like you to stay there for a few minutes, I’m going to consult one of my colleagues. I won’t be long.’
‘What’s the problem?’ asked Tomek, aggressively. ‘Don’t we get a picture?’
‘As I said, sir, I’ll be back soon.’
‘What the fuck is going on?’ said Tomek when they were alone. ‘I’ve lost almost a morning here. There are problems at the site. I’ve no reception in this room either.’
‘Please calm down. You make me nervous,’ said Petra. ‘Don’t get angry with the lady.’
‘She doesn’t know what she’s doing, That is problem. Hopeless.’
The sonographer returned with a colleague who wasn’t wearing a uniform.
‘Hello,’ she said to the couple, then looked at the images in silence. ‘Thank you, send them through to me,’ she said to the sonographer and then left the room, glancing momentarily Petra and Tomek.
‘What’s the matter? asked Petra, her voice had become high pitched. ‘Is my baby OK?’
‘We need to speak to you for a few minutes. Please get dressed and I’ll show you to a room where one of my colleagues will discuss some things with you.’
‘Has my baby died? Is there a heartbeat?’
‘Please try to stay calm. No, your baby is still alive. Would you like tea or coffee?’
‘Er, tea, please.’
‘And you sir?’
‘Nothing, thank you,’ said Tomek aggressively.
The sonographer left the couple and went to find one of her colleagues.
‘There’s something wrong,’ said Tomek. ‘It’s obvious. The baby’s not right. I know it.’
Petra felt close to tears. A dreadful feeling had washed over her. She had been worried since the day she fell pregnant but had been unable to share her concerns with Tomek. There was an awful road ahead and this could be the end of their relationship.
**
Alex Goodwood had a busy day ahead. He had moved to a new role within the Financial Conduct Authority, the FCA, and now held a senior position in the newly formed Office for Professional Body Anti-Money Laundering Supervision. It was an unwieldy title and the acronym, OPBAS, didn’t flow much more easily off the tongue. This particular department had only been set up six months ago and was yet to prove its worth. Alex had been involved since its inception and knew only too well how much scope there was to clamp down on money laundering in the UK. It was the unit’s job to oversee financial institutions such as accountancy firms and banks used by business and to ensure that they operated the necessary due diligence checks when large sums were changing hands. Offshore tax havens were notoriously difficult to investigate thus providing the ideal hiding place for large sums which had often travelled on a circuitous route around the globe.
His phone rang. ‘Hi, Olivia,’ he answered, ‘good to hear from you!’
‘Hi, Alex, how’s the new job going?’
Olivia Frensman had been Alex’s colleague in his former job at the FCA and they had enjoyed a good working relationship. Alex would have really liked Olivia to accompany him to his new department but it wasn’t currently possible due to manning constraints.
‘It’s going well, thanks. Still getting to grips with things but I’m doing what I can. So are you all missing me back there?’
‘Of course. It’s not the same without you! We are getting the chance to take it easy now you aren’t cracking the whip,’ she joked. ‘Anyway, how’s the family? Kids OK?’
‘Oh, they’re fine. Busy spending all my money as usual. But never mind me, when is that James going to make an honest woman of you?’
‘Ha, well, I need to pin him down to a date. Watch out for a “Save the Date” card.’
‘I’ll look forward to it.’
‘Anyway, I’ve something which might brighten your day.’
‘Oh, yes? Sounds interesting.’
‘It is indeed, very. We really need to meet up but I’ll email you something in the meantime.’
‘Can’t you give me a clue?’
‘Well, let’s just say it’s not quite on the scale of the Paradise Papers but it’s big. Believe me. I think that we might be able to finally tie up some loose ends which have been evading us for some time now.’
Alex’s mind was working overtime now. He had an inkling of what Olivia might be referring to and if that were the case she was just about to make him a very happy man.
‘I’m starting to get your drift. I think I might owe you a drink if I’m thinking along the right lines.’
‘I think it will be more like an expensive meal, not a drink. Read what I send you and get back to me. We may need to work together on this one. I think we might be able to rattle some cages. It’s been a while but time may be up for certain parties.’
‘You’ve hooked me now. Send me the details and I’ll get right on to it.’
‘Bye for now. See you soon.’
‘Bye Olivia and thanks.’
Alex kept refreshing his inbox and after a couple of minutes, the document arrived. He opened it and began to read. As he worked his way down the document a smile began to play on his lips. A familiar name appeared. ‘Oh, yes, oh yes,’ he murmured to himself.
**
Petra was sipping her vending machine cup of tea when the door opened and a nurse entered the room.
‘Hello, I’m Debbie.’
Petra nodded and gave a nervous smile whilst Tomek looked on sternly.
‘Now, we’ve just completed your twelve-week scan and I’m very sorry to tell you that your baby appears to have some problems.’
Petra looked close to tears, Tomek merely stared at the nurse.
‘The baby has some serious deformities, I’m so sorry.’
Petra burst into tears and Tomek put his arm around her solicitously.
‘But why?’ she wailed. ‘Oh, God, I don’t believe it.’
‘It’s not uncommon, I’m sad to say. In cases like this, we like to ask some questions but we can do them another time if you would prefer.’
‘It’s OK,’ she replied. ‘What questions?’
‘Have you been drinking during pregnancy?’
‘No, nothing. As soon as I find out I stop.’
‘Have you taken any drugs such as ecstasy, cannabis, heroin, amphetamine?’
‘No, of course not!’
‘Have you taken any prescription medication not issued by your doctor.’
‘How would she have done that?’ spat Tomek.
‘I have to ask, sir.’
Petra became agitated. She wiped her eyes on the sleeve of her top. ‘No,’ she replied without looking at the nurse. ‘I not feel well. Dizzy.’
‘Put your head down. I’ll get you some water,’ said the nurse.
Tomek rubbed his girlfriend’s back as she sat with her head forward.
‘Here, drink this,’ he said when the nurse returned with a cup of water.
Petra sat up and looked a little better now that the blood had returned to her head.
‘We have some leaflets for you to take away. This is about your choices. We strongly advise a termination. You would need to make an appointment to come back here when you have decided.’
‘Oh, no,’ said Petra. ‘I don’t know.’
‘This is a leaflet about counselling and support for women in your situation. They will also be able to talk about what happens next. They are very helpful. I would encourage you to speak to them.’
‘OK, thank you,’ she replied.
‘I’ll leave you now. There’s no rush to leave the room, wait until you feel better.’
‘Thank you, nurse,’ said Tomek, ‘we take a few minutes.’
‘Of course, goodbye.’
The couple sat with their arms around each other. Although he didn’t show it, Tomek was just as sad and shocked. He couldn’t understand it. Petra was only in her mid-twenties. She was healthy and had been eating a good diet. Why had this happened?
Once Petra had wiped her face they left the room. Petra was devastated. Her baby was seriously ill. She had a termination to face and she had just lied to the nurse. She was hurt and ashamed. What would Tomek do if he found out the reason? He mustn’t.
