Don't you want me?
The next day, Patrick had scheduled several meetings with donors and potential research partners. His first meeting in the morning was with a new PhD researcher from Durham University, who would be staying under his supervision for six months.
After having talked for a while, Patrick suggested they grab an early lunch before the main crowd would get in. The two men had just entered the food area when Patrick spotted Shelagh at a table at the other side of the room. He went over to her, his new colleague in tow.
When she spotted him approaching her table, Shelagh said: "Greetings, Dr Turner," curiously looking at his companion.
"Good morning, Shelagh. I was just talking about you and your heroic deed last night," Patrick beamed. Shelagh blushed and bit her lips.
"This is Shelagh Mannion, the most accomplished midwife you will find in this part of the world," Patrick told Tom who extended his hand to Shelagh, who smiled slightly embarrassed. "May I introduce you to Tom Hereward," Patrick said. "Tom is a PhD researcher who will be working with me for the next six months."
"Hello Tom, nice to meet you," Shelagh smiled at the young man. She watched him from below, thinking he was rather handsome, almost a slightly younger version of Dr Turner with warm brown eyes and dark hair – although unlike Dr Turner's always somewhat dishevelled hair, Tom's was neatly cut and combed.
Shelagh tore her eyes away from Tom and looked at Patrick, saying: "I had no idea that you were receiving another researcher? You did not mention a word."
Now it was Patrick's turn to look embarrassed. "Well, yes, to be honest, I completely forgot about it. I only remembered last night when I read Tom's message asking me where to meet me this morning."
Shelagh smiled at Tom. "Well, I take it Dr Turner told you about last night? Rather exciting."
"How is Mrs. Carter?" Patrick asked, "Do you happen to have any news?"
"In fact I just received a text from Trixie. She looked in at Mave this morning and they are all well. Mave feels quite sore, but her sister has come around and helps with the babies."
Patrick smiled and nervously fidgeted with his fingers, not certain whether to invite himself to sit down. Just then, Shelagh said: "Would you like to sit down? I'd appreciate some company." Both men happily agreed, went to fetch their lunch and returned to Shelagh's table.
"So Tom, what is your research interest?" Shelagh asked the younger man.
He smiled at her and explained: "I am interested in potential synergies between traditional and modern medicine in the context of maternal health. That is, I am mainly interested in questions of spiritual support and how the two spheres might be combined to improve maternal care."
"Oh, this is interesting", Shelagh said. "Has Dr Turner already talked about Nonnatus Mission's work?"
"Yes, he has," Tom replied. "He told me quite a lot. And I have been following your work as well. I find your last year's article for the New England Journal of Medicine on maternal health care very interesting. In fact, I was thinking of discussing some opportunities of working together with you, so it's wonderful to meet you today already," Tom remarked excitedly.
"Yes, we have been working together with traditional healers and birth attendants in the area a lot and we have established quite a good rapport, I daresay," Shelagh stated. "You should come to our office and we can provide you with some of our findings and contacts. In fact, some of the outreach visits I have planned over the next weeks might provide you with some insights. If you give me your number, I can let you know about the schedule – that is, if you like?"
Tom nodded eagerly. "Yes, yes, I would like this very much." Shelagh and he entered a lively discussion about the role of traditional birth attendants and Patrick suddenly felt like an onlooker. He closely watched Tom. He was slightly older than the usual PhD students, probably in his late twenties. He was handsome with soft features, a warm smile, and his dark hair was short and carefully combed sideways.
Shelagh laughed at something he had said and gestured with her hands while explaining something else. Patrick watched her and felt his throat tighten. He found himself intriguingly attracted to her and it troubled him that she was laughing and acting all relaxed around this young man when she generally was rather shy and reserved in professional settings.
"What is your opinion on this, Dr Turner?" he suddenly heard Shelagh ask.
"I am sorry, I was absent for a minute," he stammered. "What was your question?"
"I suggested that Tom should come to our clinic if you agree. I do not want to interfere with your plans for him, and before anything else, he should get settled, but you might want to bring him on one of your days?"
"Oh yes, this sounds like a good idea," Patrick responded meekly, not entirely certain he really thought so.
To his annoyance, he had to leave. He was about to run late for an important meeting with a research coordinator from DFID who wanted to discuss some final details of the TB research programme. Thus, Patrick excused himself and left the two talking, angry at himself for the growing jealousy tightening his throat.
It was already past 5 pm when his rather tiresome meeting was over. Patrick walked out of the conference centre and lit a cigarette. He felt exhausted but he had managed to explain all details of his programme still in question and the research coordinator had promised to send the grant contract within one week.
Patrick briefly considered calling Shelagh; he had already taken out his mobile phone and scrolled to her number – but then stopped. He had no reason calling her. They were colleagues from different organizations who happened to attend the same conference. She would certainly wonder why he was calling her after they had already spent so much time together during the past days. Patrick thought about checking in on Mave Carter, but remembered that she would be cared for by Shelagh and Trixie, two excellent midwives.
Patrick put his phone back into his pocket and lit another cigarette, when Jack Tenant approached him. Patrick had first met Jack in 1994 when he had worked with Doctors Without Borders in Rwanda. They had briefly met during breakfast that morning as they were staying at the same hotel.
Now, Jack invited Patrick to join him for a few drinks at the hotel bar. Initially, Patrick hesitated but then he considered his alternative; having dinner alone and retreating for an early night. Being painfully aware of his conflicting thoughts about Shelagh lately, he would probably not be able to find any sleep soon, hence he accepted Jack's invitation and got into a taxi with him.
He would have a few drinks, get not an early, but not a very late night either and then be off home to Moshi the next morning, trying to leave his feelings back in Kenya.
