"Sandra?"
"Not now Gerry, I have to go and meet mum and you know how she gets when I'm late."
"It's important babe."
"Fine but you can explain that to your mother in law."
"The surgery rang again when you were shopping."
"Really? What'd they say?" Sandra said trying to keep her voice level but already knowing what was coming.
"You've now missed two appointments for a blood test, they wanted to check everything was okay."
"What did you tell them?" Sandra asked nervously but again knowing what was coming.
"I told them you'd be in first thing tomorrow. So we've not been that busy so what's the real reason you've not been, are you scared of the results?" Gerry asked gently as he rubbed her arms.
"No."
"Well then the sooner you get it the sooner you'll get the results and the sooner you'll get better."
"I know that but…" Sandra started but stopped almost as soon as she'd started.
"But what? Come on we've been married 4 years, we don't have secrets Sandra."
"I can't do it, I'm terrified of needles." Sandra almost whispered her face turning ghostly white as she even mentioned the word.
"How come you've never said before?"
"It's not something that I advertised anyway it wasn't even remotely relevant until recently."
"Well honey you need this blood test done and there's no point in putting it off much longer. I'll come with you and hold your hand."
"You better because I'm not having it done otherwise. Now come on and you can explain to my mother why you decided to make me late."