Two thousand and fourteen years ago a grey bearded man, famed for his ability to tell a good story, sat surrounded by children who gazed up in wonder as he continued his tale:
The story picks up with May Ray visiting a doctor. The doctor is a little unsettled, because May is young and it is more usual for young people to consult him with their parents. He asks May whether her parents know that she is seeing him. Awkwardly she shakes her head. A little bemused the doctor sits back to listen to what she has to say. “I am going to have a baby,” she opens. The doctor wriggles awkwardly and hopes May will continue talking, but she does not. Aware of legal ramifications the doctor asks, “Oh! And who is the father?” Without hesitation May answers, “There is no father.” The doctor for a moment seems relieved, but then for clarification, “There must be a father. Did you have no choice in the matter?” May looked a little downcast, “No, I had no choice.” The doctor now seemed resolved on some action and tells May Ray that he will have to inform the police or social services. Aghast, May Ray snaps, “But there is no father!”
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A silence follows and neither May Ray looked at the doctor nor the doctor looked at May Ray. It was the doctor who broke the silence, “Have you done a pregnancy test?”
“No” answered May Ray, “You don’t believe me?” “No, it is not that I don’t believe you, but I have to have proof, if you are to have the usual maternity care.” By this stage May Ray is fed up, “Whatever” she mumbles. The doctor goes into verbal overdrive saying something she did not really understand about providing an early morning sample and provides a small bottle and piece of paper which he prints out. As a dispirited May Ray leaves the doctor, the doctor makes a mental note to look out for a negative pregnancy test in two days’ time. |
- Come and see the Cribs at St James Church Chipping Campden Tuesday 2nd December to Saturday 6th December 2014
Chapter 4