Family Matters

Chapter 10 – Community

James Henry was fussing as Louisa tried to strap him into the Baby Bjorn carrier hanging from her shoulders. It wasn't ideal to run a community meeting with an infant strapped to your chest, but since she and Martin would both be speaking to the assembled group and neither of them was ready to hand him over to a child minder in the midst of an epidemic, this was the best solution at hand.

James was cranky, most likely because he had undergone the indignity of an injection of antibiotics both last night and again this morning. Louisa was sure he was looking at her reproachfully for allowing this to go on. It was hard to blame him; her own arm was still sore from the meningococcal inoculation Martin had given her before bed. He'd wasted no time implementing his treatment plan once she had agreed, probably fearful that she'd change her mind.

Louisa herself was anxious and exhausted. Martin had been called out twice during the night. Ian Nichols had joined his pupils in hospital. Mrs. Kronk had just needed albuterol for her asthma. Louisa had wakened with fear in her heart each time the telephone rang, and had been unable to sleep during each of Martin's absences. With long practice at interrupted nights, Martin had dropped off to sleep immediately upon each return but she'd tossed and turned. It was going to be a long day.

When at last she had the final strap in place, she looked around her office and picked up some papers. She straightened her green wool dress, already regretting the choice. It had seemed professional and seasonal in her wardrobe this morning, but she was already sweltering, particularly with baby carrier trapping James Henry's body heat as well as her own against her chest. It was odd that the school seemed so warm – she'd have to speak to Mr. Coley about the boiler.

As she passed through the corridor, she heard a familiar voice. She poked her head into room three where Martin was giving last minute instructions to Pauline and Molly O'Brien who would be doing the jabbing.

"Ready?" she asked, looking at him with admiration. No one would ever know he'd been up and down all night; he was impeccably dressed as always in a fresh suit and tie, with not a hair out of place, or a hint of a dark circle under his eyes. His posture did nothing to belay any anxiety at the task ahead of him and he exuded professionalism, competence and confidence. Moments like these made her fall in love all over again.

"Yes." His voice was calm and reassuring. She felt her anxiety lessen a little as he took her hand and patted James on the head. Together they headed up to the lunch room where the people of Portwenn, summoned by email and word of mouth and telephone trees, were waiting for answers about what was happening in their village.

The room was crowded, mostly adults but some of the children were there too. Louisa thought it strange to see the children so subdued – they were usually at their most rambunctious in the lunch room. Whether it was the presence of their parents or confusion about being at school under these mysterious circumstances, they all seemed to be on their best behavior. The adults radiated nervous energy, fidgeting as much as their children were. There were rumblings in the masses as Martin and Louisa crossed the room and went to the front where P.C. Penhale was standing, looking officious.

"Make way for the Doctor. The other half of the dynamic duo." Penhale was shouting to no one in particular. "And our lovely head teacher. Let them through." Martin cut an imposing figure and the assembled parents, children, teachers and assorted villagers parted to let him pass, anxious to hear what he had to say.

Louisa knew that community relations were not exactly Martin's strong suit and that she'd better try to run the meeting to avoid a riot. She pushed past him and up to the front.

"Thank you, Joe. Everyone, would you please take a seat? It is important that we get started right away." Her head teacher voice had the desired impact. The room grew quiet and she could feel the not entirely welcoming eyes of the group upon her. She saw Stu McKenzie nod almost imperceptibly and knew she had to go on.

"As you may have heard, the school governors have closed the school in light of the children and staff who have become ill with meningitis. Since we're only a week away from the start of the Christmas holidays, we'll remain closed until after the New Year and hopefully open as scheduled on the ninth of January, assuming we have approval from the Health Protection Authority."

As she said this, there was a loud crash. Louisa strained her neck and gasped with everyone else as she saw Reg Parker sprawled on the floor. Bracing herself for yet another medical emergency, she looked to Martin, who was standing beside her, hands behind his back, for direction. As she did so, the whole room suddenly filled with laughter and she turned back to see Reg getting to his feet, a bit sheepishly, and taking a bow. She saw his wife, Ginny, shaking her head in embarrassment and it became clear from the not so quiet whisperings of the crowd that Reg had dosed off while Louisa was speaking and the sharp elbow jab from his wife had sent him flying out of his chair instead of waking him up as she had intended.

Louisa gave a weak smile and then resumed her remarks, hoping to regain the group's attention. "Getting back to the school calendar, the last day of the spring term and the start of summer holidays will be pushed back as necessary to accommodate the missed days so there is minimal disruption to the education of the children." She looked over at Martin, who was studiously looking out over the crowd, apparently searching the assembled faces for signs of illness.

"Dr. Ellingham is going to tell us about the medical issues and the precautions we need to take to keep everyone as healthy as possible." With that she gave Martin an encouraging glance, and then sat down on a chair behind Martin, where she could see out onto the rest of the audience. She bounced her knee a bit to keep James from squalling, and tried to distract him with his favorite plush bunny. He seemed content, at least for now, trying to gnaw off the bunny's ear with his brand new tooth.

Martin cleared his throat. "Right. We're dealing with bacterial meningitis which is a serious illness. As you may have heard, Mr. Newcross died yesterday before getting to hospital. There is treatment available but it is important that anyone who is having any symptoms seek treatment as soon as possible. When we finish here, I will be available to consult with anyone who may be having symptoms now. Anyone with a fever, a headache, a stiff or sore neck or vomiting should see me right away."

While Martin discussed the methods of transmitting the bacteria and the relevant incubation period, Louisa was watching her staff. With a practiced eye, she noted which teachers were paying close attention and which were just going through the motions. Tricia Soames worried her – she looked more fragile than usual and that was saying something. She made a mental note to encourage Tricia to speak with Ruth who was going to assist Martin by speaking to any patients suffering from anxiety disorders or other psychological issues.

She tuned back in to Martin as he said, "Anyone who has had close contact with any of the patients should be examined. It may be appropriate to start antibiotics even before symptoms show up."

"How close is close contact?" asked Art Collins, a farmer who had twins in year 5. She thought his son looked peaky, leaning against his sister in a most uncharacteristic way, and she hoped Martin would get a look at him before the morning was over.

"Any contact with body fluids, sneezing, coughing, using the same glassware or cutlery, sharing food or drink." Martin stopped and looked around. "Or kissing."

Louisa smiled to herself. At least he hadn't mentioned licking.

"We heard there was a vaccine," shouted Ellen Bridges, who had three children in the school and lived next door to the Archers. Louisa knew she must be frantic – her Samantha was Mary Archer's best friend.

"We are still waiting to hear from the hospital laboratory to confirm this but we believe Neisseria meningitides is the culprit here . . ."

Martin was cut off by Penhale. "A culprit! Can you give me a description of the perpetrator?" His notebook and radio were at the ready.

"You imbecile! You can't arrest a microbe. We're talking about a type of bacteria!"

There were nervous laughs and Penhale looked dejected. "Poor Joe," thought Louisa, "never the sharpest knife in the drawer."

"There is a vaccine. It is effective against some strains of Neisseria, but it can only be given to teens and adults." Louisa felt the audience deflate at this news, and she looked down at her son who was squirming in the carrier, knowing exactly how they felt.

As Martin directed the adults to see Pauline and Molly for the jab if they were interested and eligible, Louisa shifted in her chair and stifled a yawn. She was too warm and too tired and having a wriggling baby strapped to her wasn't making her feel any better. She rubbed the back of her neck. The straps of the carrier must be chafing.

"Has adequate consideration been given to natural remedies in place of poisoning our bodies with, with PHARMACEUTICALS? Meditating, or acupuncture? Herbs?" Oh dear, thought Louisa. It was Terri Oakwood.

Martin looked outraged as he replied with a sneer, "Do you mean green soup? Burning badgers? Be my guest but don't come running to me when you and your delinquent son are dead from infection."

Terri looked indignant, particularly when the rest of the audience gave her dirty looks, and Martin appeared ready to explode. This was Louisa's cue to come to his rescue and divert things before he said anything else inappropriate.

"Alright, ladies and gentlemen." She clapped her hands to get their attention. "Those of you who are interested in the vaccine can proceed to room 3. Those who need to see the doctor can go to room 5. A psychiatrist is available in room six for assistance if you or any of your children are experiencing undue anxiety symptoms. Mr. Shepherd is in the school office and can fill prescriptions immediately right here. Mr. Coley is in the gymnasium and anyone who can assist with cleaning the school can check in with him. Finally, the WI is organizing assistance for Mr. Newcross's family – if you'd like to help, please ring Margaret at the vicarage."

Immediately the noise level rose as people pushed their chairs back and consulted with their neighbors about what to do. Some of them began to disperse. Louisa caught Stu McKenzie's eye and he winked, a sign of his approval. She was grateful.

Martin came up behind her and took her hand briefly. "I'd better get to room 5. I don't know how many patients there are for me to see, and I need to see as many as I can before I get another emergency call."

She nodded and looked down at the baby, now sleeping in the carrier on her chest.

"Louisa. Take him home. You've done enough."

She was torn. She felt as head teacher her place was here, but she couldn't deny her rising sense of anxiety at continuing to expose James to whatever germs were lurking in the school. No matter what she did she would feel like she was copping out and letting somebody down.

Martin seemed to read her mind. "The school is under control. If anyone needs you, they can telephone the surgery. Take him home, put him to bed, and take a rest yourself." His words were stern but his look was gentle and filled with genuine concern.

She nodded. "Alright. I'll get my coat and then we'll go. But let me know if anyone else is ill or if you have any news from the hospital."

"I will." He stroked her cheek briefly with his thumb, then hoisted his medical bag and strode down the corridor, leaving her to gather her papers.

As she went to her office, she rubbed her neck, sore she was sure from the baby's weight in the front carrier, with the straps running over her shoulders. She promised herself a couple paracetamol and a cool shower after she got him in his cot for a nap. That might even help the tight feeling behind her eyes and the exhaustion headache that she could feel brewing in her temples.