‘You’re early today,’ she said cheerfully. Julie usually enjoyed Maud’s welcome, but she was too on edge this Monday morning to stand about gossiping. ‘Is Dr Michael in yet?’ she asked. Maud sat back on her heels, her expression immediately alert. ‘You don’t want to be bothering him at this time of the morning, dearie,’ she said. ‘He’s been up half the night with poor old Mrs Wells and needs a bit of time to hiself before the rush starts.’ Julie dithered and then decided she simply couldn’t wait any longer. Carefully crossing the damp floor, she went into the waiting room. Thankfully there was no sign of Eunice and, emboldened, she tapped lightly on his consulting room door. ‘Come in.’ Julie closed the door behind her and shot him a tentative smile as he stood to welcome her. ‘Please, don’t get up,’ she protested. ‘You look ever so tired, and I’m sorry to disturb you, but I wanted to ask your advice about something.’ He waved her to the chair in front of his desk and sat back down, his dark eyes regarding her questioningly.
