Donor by Ken McClure Read Free Book Online Page B

registers, not all of them available to NHS-funded hospitals.’
    ‘I don’t think I understand.’
    ‘I’m afraid that where there’s any kind of demand there’s always a supply based on currency rather than need,’ said Turner. ‘The international trade in donor organs is no different from any other commodity in short supply.’
    ‘How awful,’ said Kate.
    ‘But even if that were so,’ said Sandy, ‘surely they couldn’t admit to that and accept Amanda on those grounds?’
    ‘No indeed,’ smiled Turner. ‘But in addition, and this is important, they have the most modern dialysis equipment available anywhere in the world. I think a case could be made out that Amanda would benefit greatly from that alone. What she needs most right now is time. The Médic Ecosse unit could give her that. If they can come up with a kidney for her too, so much the better.’
    ‘How do we go about asking Médic Ecosse?’ asked Sandy.
    ‘The referral would have to come from here. I’ll speak to Dr Grayson if you like.’
    ‘Would you?’ said Kate, gratitude obvious in her voice.
    ‘Maybe I shouldn’t have rattled his cage,’ said Sandy ruefully. ‘I was pretty rude.’
    ‘Don’t worry about it,’ said Turner. ‘He’s too thick-skinned to have taken it to heart. He’ll have put it down to your being upset. Insensitive people always put it down to a misunderstanding on someone else’s part. I’ll get back in touch as soon as I’ve talked to him. Why don’t you go up and see Amanda for a while, and I’ll get in touch with the lab about tissue-typing you before you leave. It’s a simple procedure.’
    Sandy stood up and shook Turner’s hand. ‘We really appreciate this,’ he said.
    ‘Let’s hope something works out,’ said Turner.
    Turner left and Sandy waited for Kate to finish her tea. She was taking her time, trying to compose herself. She didn’t want Amanda to see that she had been crying. ‘What do you think?’ she asked as she put away her handkerchief and smoothed her hair back.
    Sandy gave a long sigh as if suddenly releasing the tension he had been under. It was as if Kate’s question had acted as a relief valve. ‘I don’t know what to think,’ he confessed. ‘I feel numb. Everything seems to be happening at such a rate that I can’t keep up. I keep wanting to yell out, “Stop! Just a minute! Let’s all sit down and talk things over. This wasn’t meant to happen to my family. There’s been some kind of terrible mistake. It’s not really our daughter who’s supposed to have this thing.” But it is happening and time’s ticking away. I’m scared.’ He looked Kate in the eye.
    She swallowed, before reaching across the table and taking his hand. ‘So am I,’ she whispered.
    Sandy shook his head and said, ‘You know, I can’t believe it. I’m reduced to sitting here praying that some private hospital is going to take my daughter on as a charity case. Me! Ex-treasurer of the university Labour Club, veteran of a hundred campaigns to defend and support the NHS. Jesus! What a fake.’
    ‘You’re just a father trying to do his best for his daughter,’ said Kate softly. ‘There’s no shame in that.’
    Sandy shrugged, not convinced. ‘Let’s go see her,’ he said.
    They both broke into broad smiles as they walked into the room where Amanda lay, but the smiles were window-dressing to hide their worry. Amanda looked very ill. She had the distant look in her eyes that Kate had first seen on the day she fell ill. Her skin was pale, and she seemed slow and feeble in her movements. ‘I want to go home, Mummy,’ she said as Kate gave her a cuddle.
    ‘I know you do, darling, but you’re not well enough yet,’ crooned Kate. ‘But it won’t be long. All the boys and girls in the class send their love. They’ve sent you this card and look, they’ve all signed it.’
    Amanda looked but her distant expression didn’t change.
    ‘Dr Turner says you’ve been a very brave girl,’