An Irish Country Love Story by Patrick Taylor Read Free Book Online Page A

what’s got you worried most, Maggie, and I can understand why, but I still need your help. Have you noticed anything else wrong? Anything at all.”
    She nodded. “He’s getting awful forgetful, and he has headaches and he says his hands and feet are numb.”
    â€œMmmm,” said O’Reilly, stroking his chin. Those symptoms were not usually associated with heart failure and sounded more like a disorder of the nervous system. That and the sudden outbursts? O’Reilly was still at a loss. “Anything else?” he asked.
    She shook her head. “No. But he’s not right, so he’s not. I’m scared he might—he might hit me or, or hurt himself. I think he’s losing his mind and I don’t want til see him locked up in Purdysburn.”
    It was a distinct possibility that Sonny Houston was going to require psychiatric help in the province’s asylum, Purdysburn Hospital, but although O’Reilly could not formulate a working diagnosis now, perhaps there was an underlying physical cause that might be amenable to treatment?
    Maggie was crying quietly when she said, “I want yiz til do something, Doctor O’Reilly. Give me something til make him better. Please?”
    â€œGive me a minute,” O’Reilly said, trying and still failing to arrive at a diagnosis or at least a list of possibilities. Despite patients’ beliefs that the examination was all-important, the physical findings in most instances simply confirmed what had been suspected by analysis of the symptoms. Not in this case. O’Reilly knew that all he could do was take a thorough look at Sonny and hope something helpful turned up. Either that or, and it was something O’Reilly disliked doing unless absolutely necessary, admit he was out of his depth and simply refer him to a specialist at the Royal or Purdysburn. But which specialist? “Maggie,” he said, “I know your husband doesn’t want to see a doctor…”
    â€œHe’ll not let you near him. You know how pig-headed he can be.” She was wringing her hands. “What’ll I do?”
    Jasper woofed once and got to his feet as the door opened.
    O’Reilly turned to see Barry in the doorway. “I just got in. Kinky told me Maggie was here. Morning, Maggie.”
    Maggie sniffed. “Morning, Doctor Laverty.”
    Barry said, “And that you had plans to take Kitty out. Can I help? I am officially on call now. Is Maggie sick?”
    O’Reilly shook his head. “It’s Sonny.”
    Barry frowned. “But he’s not here. I don’t understand.”
    â€œMaggie,” O’Reilly said, “I’m going to ask Doctor Laverty’s opinion.”
    â€œFire away, sir,” Maggie said.
    â€œSonny has a number of symptoms that have got Maggie worried. I’m afraid they don’t quite add up. I’m not sure what’s going on.”
    Maggie’s sniff was huge. She dabbed her eyes with her hanky.
    â€œAnd he’s refusing to see a doctor.” O’Reilly whipped off his spectacles. “Typical Sonny Houston. Gets a bee in his bonnet and ten strong men wouldn’t move him. Huh. Well, he’s not the only bloody-minded man in this village. Yes, Doctor Laverty, I would like you to take over Sonny’s case, but a bit later.” He turned to Maggie. “Doctor Laverty knows a lot more of the new medicine.” He saw Barry smile at the compliment. “And sometimes two medical heads are better than one.” He looked out the window to see snow falling more heavily. “Maggie, wait here with Jasper for a wee while until I come back for you. Doctor Laverty, it’s your case, but what was called in the navy ‘a ship of force’ is sometimes required. That’s me. He’ll see me or else.”
    â€œFair enough.”
    â€œThe Rover’s in the garage. Barry, get your coat on again and your Wellies and go on out