Safely fly the stork.
10.
At the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, just three miles from Covent Garden, Harry was undergoing tests.
She was constantly fighting back tears, her face already streaked with mascara, her eyes red and wide with fear. Angela hadn't left her side, Arabella, Joyce and Belinda pacing the waiting room constantly, all of them nervous for news.
Arabella was muttering out loud what they were all thinking, as she walked around in circles.
"Please let her be fine, please let the baby be safe, please let her be fine, please let the baby be safe."
At Guy's Hospital in SE1, Dempsey was semi-conscious, sedated but in agony, the painkillers yet to kick in. Although his broken nose had been reset immediately and bandaged up, his broken cheekbone required more detailed attention.
First of all, it had been X-rayed in order to identify the site of the fracture, followed by a CT scan to establish the exact delineation of the fracture site and to assess any other injury to the facial skin or tissues.
Initial treatment involved the control of bleeding and stabilization, but no displacement of the fractured bone was found, so no surgery was required. Further scans revealed two broken ribs and severe bruising to his stomach and abdomen following the concentration by his attackers on those sensitive areas of his body.
No-one had yet told him what had happened to Harry.
At the Chelsea and Westminster, doctors had finished their examination of her.
"Well Lady Harriet, I'm happy to tell you all is fine with your baby." said Doctor Webber. "The fact you're only in your eighth week has meant the foetus is very tiny and heavily protected by the amniotic sac in your uterus. Remember, that is where your baby is situated, your uterus, not your stomach."
Harry broke down and wept with relief, Angela too, hugging her closely, the pair of them rocking in each others arms, tears flowing freely and unashamedly.
Doctor Webber waited patiently for them to gather themselves together.
"How did this occur, Lady Harriet?" he asked eventually, as the girls dabbed their eyes with tissue and blew their noses. "Did you fall?"
"It...it was an accident doctor." replied Harry, in no way prepared to explain the real reason and adding gratefully. "Thank you so much for all you've done. I can't tell you what it means to know my baby is unharmed."
"Oh I think I can guess." he smiled, hiding his suspicion that this wasn't the result of a mere accident. "Now you must take things easy for a while. Your stomach is bruised and requires rest. Is your husband here?"
"Oh I've no idea." replied Harry, looking questioningly at Angela. "Did you manage to get a message to him?"
"I got a call through to Ollie." said Angela. "I presume he's told James."
"If James had known Angela, he'd be right here with me!" replied Harry, a sudden flash of danger lighting up her mind. "He's in trouble! He's in trouble! Angela. I know it! Where is he!?"
"Oh Harry, I don't know!" said Angela, alarmed at Harry's certainty that all was not well with Dempsey. "Wait a sec, let me go to reception and see if a message has been left."
"Surely they'd have found me if there was." replied Harry, her eyes wide with worry.
"Maybe darling, but it's Friday night and A&E is so busy." said Angela. "Keep calm for a mo. Let me see if I can find anything out. Why don't you join the others, they're in the waiting room and probably beside themselves with worry about you."
Harry felt dazed with shock as she allowed a nurse to escort her to the waiting room, the girls rushing to her side when she was led in, thanking the nurse and taking over.
While Harry gave them the good news about her, she broke down again when mentioning where Angela had gone, more certain than ever now that Dempsey was injured, her unique telepathic connection to him as strong as ever.
For his part, although drugged and semi-conscious, he had visions flying round his mind of Harry being hurt too, and kept mumbling her name over and over again.
Ollie explained to the doctor what had happened to Harry and wanted advice as to whether Dempsey should be told.
"No, not right now, Mr Murray." he replied. "Have you any idea as to his wife's latest condition?"
"No I don't." said Ollie. "But I do know where she is. The Chelsea and Westminster, my fiance called me from there earlier. She's with her."
"Wait here." said the doctor. "I'll see if I can find out the latest. Stay with your friend. I won't be long."
A few minutes later he was back, a smile on his lips.
"She's okay, Mr Murray." he said. "I understand she sustained injury to her stomach? And she's pregnant?"
"Yes doc." replied Ollie. "Is she okay? I mean she's not miscarried or anything?"
"Yes she's fine, as I've said, and so is the baby." he replied. "A message is being sent to her as we speak. I suggest you say nothing to Mr Dempsey just now. I'm sure she'll be here very soon and we'll leave it up her as to how much she wants to tell him, given his present condition."
"Yes, thank you, doc." said Ollie and went to find Rupert, Roger and Hugo, all three hanging about nervously awaiting news on both Dempsey and Harry.
"Oh thank God, Harry's okay." said Roger, her cousin. "We know it was that bastard Makepeace who punched her, but do you reckon he was behind James's beating?"
"What do you think!" replied Rupert, his eyebrows raised knowingly. "Who else could it have been?"
"Well he is a police detective, Rupert." reminded Roger, forever pragmatic. "How do we know it wasn't some group of villians with a score to settle."
"A possibility, I grant you." said Rupert. "But too coincidental for my liking. It was less than a week ago, remember, when he confronted Harry and James and was sent packing with a punch on the nose and an uppercut. No, this is revenge. And heaven bloody help him when James gets to find out!"
"Perhaps we should stick by his side when he's up and about again." suggested Hugo. "There's no telling what he'll do to Robert Makepeace when he finds him. Copper or no copper, the love of his life has been blatantly attacked and his unborn child put in danger of it's life! Any man would be blind with rage, caution as to the consequences not even a consideration."
"I think you're right, Hugo." said Rupert. "I doubt we can all be with him, at the same time, all of the time, but at least one of us should be."
"I suspect his work colleagues will be on hand too." said Roger. "By all accounts they're a tight knit bunch and James is highly respected. Harry's working for the boss now too, so I wouldn't put it past any of them to seek Makepeace out."
"By God! Little does he know what a hornets nest he's stirred up!" remarked Hugo, the others nodding and unable to hide a certain feeling of satisfaction when Robert is eventually made to pay for his vicious reprisals.
When the girls arrived, their shocked faces at the news that Dempsey had been badly beaten up, were plain to see, all of them, including Harry, in no doubt Robert was behind it.
They left her to sit at Dempsey's side, his hand gripped tightly in hers, her other hand wiping away the tears that refused to stop running down her face.
"Darling, I'm here now. I'm not leaving you for one moment." she whispered, her face close to his, her hand, shakingly, lightly carressing his injured face. "I love you so much. You're going to be okay, I promise."
He grunted, his eyes closed, his eyelids twitching in deep sleep, but she knew he'd heard her.
Angela appeared by her side.
"How is he Harry?" she asked, placing her arm gently around her shoulder. "Had I better call Freddy and Glo."
"Yes I think you should." agreed Harry. "My God, Daddy's going to be seething when he hears Robert's behind all this."
"He's not alone. The boys are too." said Angela. "And they're worried what James might do when he's back to full fitness. Roger reckons all the guys at his work are going to want to get involved too."
'I'm damn certain they will be' thought Harry, but said. "Yes, they like James a lot."
"Harry, don't you think you should slip home and freshen up." suggested Angela. "You'll feel a lot better."
"I'm not leaving him, Angela." replied Harry, adamant. "I'll give you my keys. Perhaps you can get a change of clothes, anything will do. You find some soft bags in one of my warddrobes. Just shove what you think I'll need in one of them, would you? I can use the bathrooms here to change and wash."
"Okay darling. Consider it done." said Angela. "I'll call Freddy from your place too. Are you sure it's not too late? I mean it is nearly three am!"
"Thanks Angela. No, he'll want to know. Oh, and he's at the house in London, not Winfield." remembered Harry. "Just push button 2 on the 'phone and it'll dial automatically."
"Oooh, get you, Mrs Mod Cons." chuckled Angela, at least bringing a weak smile to Harry's lips.
After she'd gone, a doctor popped by, white haired and in his early sixties.
"How long do you think it will be before he's better doctor?" asked Harry.
"I'd say the injuries to his face will take about six to eight weeks to heal." he replied. "It seems the attack was aimed at his stomach and lower body. I'd guess his face was hit just the once with an iron bar or baseball bat, but not too forcefully as luck would have it. Had they concentrated on it instead, then we probably would have had to operate, because his face would have been seriously disfigured and his cheekbone lifted back into place. Even then, he may have had to live with a lopsided look for the rest of his life. But his abdomen and testicles have taken quite a beating I'm afraid. Only time will tell if he's fully functioning in that area again."
Harry was stunned at this, tears once again rushing in. She swallowed them down and quickly wiped her eyes.
"Um, do men usually recover from that kind of attack to their private parts?" she asked, a little embarrassed, but nevertheless needing an answer.
"Despite their sensitivity, nature has made them pretty robust, my dear." replied the doctor. "I would say, given time, more often than not, men do recover."
"Will we be able to have more children then?" asked Harry, mentally closing her eyes as she awaited his answer.
"You mean will your husband be impotent?" said the doctor.
'Dear God, it's the same bloody question man!' she thought, her nerves close to breaking point.
"The odds are in his favour." said the doctor. "You must excuse me, other patients await my attention. Don't worry too much, my dear, I'm sure things will be fine."
After he'd gone her tears were released. As they tumbled down her face, she thought back to two weeks ago, when she'd worried that her desire for Dempsey might be affected by her developing pregnancy and their love life, suffering because of it, would affect their overall relationship.
Now, she knew, no matter what, it didn't matter in the scheme of things. She'd always love him, sex or no sex. It formed part of the glue that bonded them, an important part, but not to the demise of her wonderful marriage. She was wiping yet more tears away when Joyce joined her.
"Oh Harry, I hate to see you so upset." she said, and like Angela, hugging her. "He'll be fine, I'm certain. What has the doctor said? I saw he was in here, so I waited until he'd gone."
"That he may never recover from the beating he's taken to his...his, you know, down there." she replied, pointing to her own groin.
"Harry, don't forget I've been around agents who have been badly tortured during interrogation." said Joyce. "One of the areas the questioners concentrate on are the testicles, because they are so painful if squeezed or beaten. But those men have recovered and gone on to have proper sex lives and father children. You know what these doctors are like. They'll always hedge their bets for fear of retribution later or possible litigation."
"The doctor didn't actually say he wouldn't recover, just that it was highly likely."
"There you are then." replied Joyce. "Okay, he's fallen short of saying outright that James will be okay, but he's come pretty close. Take heart from that. Come on, you're an optimist, always have been."
"Yes I am, Joyce." smiled Harry. "But I'm not leaving his side. Daddy will be here soon. I'm certain he'll arrange for James to be moved to a private hospital. The best care money can buy."
She was right.
As soon as Freddy had learned of Dempsey's attack and hospitalization, he'd immediately decided to arrange for him to be moved to 'The London Bridge Hospital', renowned worldwide for outstanding care, first thing the following morning.
Then he'd woken Gloria and Alice and broken the news to them.
Gloria took it, outwardly, in her stride, a tough life in the Bronx had hardened her to difficult news, but inwardly she was weeping. Alice of course, always her heart worn openly on her sleeve, didn't stop crying all the way to the hospital in the back of Freddy's Rolls Royce.
Goodness only knew how they'd all react to the news of Harry's attack once she'd admitted it to them.
Angela, however, managed to reach her before they did and joined Joyce at Dempsey's bedside with two soft bags, full of everything Harry would need for her sustained vigil beside him.
"Harry, I've spoken to Freddy. He's on his way, no doubt Glo and Aunt Alice too." she said. "But I've said nothing about your attack. I thought it best not to at the moment, seeing as you're okay. Did I do the right thing?"
"Yes Ange, you did." replied Harry. "I'll tell them when I think the time is right. And thanks for all the bags. Listen, why don't you all get off home. It's so late. I'll be fine here."
"Are you sure?" asked Angela, kissing her cheek, yet reluctant to leave her friend.
"Yes, I'm sure." replied Harry, returning the kiss.
"Okay, be over first thing." said Angela.
"No, wait for me to call." said Harry. "If Freddy's going to arrange James's move, it'll happen pretty damn quick. You know what he's like. The private room will have a telephone, I'll call you all from it once we're settled, okay?"
"Okay." agreed Angela.
Not long after they'd all popped in and kissed her goodbye, Freddy arrived, immediately hugging her close as Gloria took her seat and sat at Dempsey's side taking hold of his hand.
Alice sat the opposite side of the bed with his other hand in hers, tears flowing freely down her cheeks.
"How did this happen, darling?" asked Freddy, distress clear in his blue eyes as he looked at Dempsey.
Harry hesitated and took his hand, leading him out into the corridor, not wanting to be overheard by Gloria or Alice.
"Robert's behind it." she said, looking directly into his eyes and seeing them cloud over with anger.
"Robert! Why!?"
Harry swallowed hard, determined she'd get through the explanation without breaking down.
"He was at Angela and Ollie's engagement party we went to last weekend." she explained. "He was dating an ex flame of Ollie's, who was invited, but they had no idea she was with Robert. He got nasty with me and James socked him a couple of times. He, no doubt, felt humiliated and decided to get his revenge. I've no idea how many attacked him but they've..."
She had to stop for a moment, her throat contracting, tears threatening. He gave her time to gather herself together, waiting patiently.
"Go on darling. Take your time, there's no rush."
"They concentrated on his ... his."
"Ok I know." said Freddy, immediately aware of the nature of the attack. "Any idea as to why?"
"Robert knows I'm pregnant." replied Harry. "I can only think he wanted to try and make sure James couldn't father any more babies."
She couldn't help herself then, breaking down in floods of tears again, Freddy hugging her to him, quietly scowling.
"Darling, you know if he feels that strongly he could come after you." he warned. "I mean, he may attack you and try and cause a miscarriage."
Her sobs increased, her body shaking with them, Freddy suddenly going cold as the realization rushed in and hit him.
"He already has, hasn't he!" he growled, trying hard to remain calm. "When!?"
"Las...last ni..night!" sobbed Harry. "He foll...followed me me into the lad..ladies at String...Stringfellows and pun...punched me in my stom..stomach thr..three times."
Freddy was shaking now, his anger almost uncontrollable. He began breathing deeply, slowly, calming down, then spoke.
"You've been checked over?" he asked finally, feeling her nodding furiously as she clung to him.
"Ye...Yes." she stammered, finally. "Scrum...Scrumpy's fi...fine."
"Thank God!" replied Freddy, quietly. "Alright Harry, the main thing is you're safe and James isn't so badly hurt he won't recover. He'll be fully fit in every area, trust me. Now, I think you should come home with us and get some rest. I'm going to arrange for him to be moved to The London Bridge Hospital. It's one of the best."
"Thank you, Daddy." said Harry. "But I'm staying here. Angela's brought me everything I need from home. You go now, there's nothing you can do. I'll be perfectly fine."
"If you're sure." he said.
"I'm sure." replied Harry as they returned to Dempsey's bedside.
"Why is Jimmy here?" asked Gloria, trying hard not to let her emotions get the better of her.
"I'll explain tomorrow, Glo." said Freddy. "Harry is staying here. We'll see them both tomorrow. Come on, now."
After she'd kissed Dempsey tenderly on his cheek, followed by Alice, Freddy escorted them back to the car, silence reigning.
Harry kissed Dempsey, settled back in the large armchair next to his bed and fell into a fitful sleep.