“Here” Kit answered while tightly holding onto Tina’s shoulders.

“Ms Kennard, I’m the on call paediatrician Dr Richards.” Tina barely mumbled an acknowledgement.

“I’m Kit Porter, Angelica’s aunt and Godmother.” Kit shook the doctors hand. Dr Richards looked carefully at Tina before beginning and then turned to the male nurse standing by her side and whispered an instruction to him, which made him quickly turn on his heels towards the reception area. He returned with a hypodermic syringe and handed it to the doctor.

“Ms Kennard I need to give you a shot of this tranquilliser as I don’t want you going into shock, okay?” Tina was barely coherent, but allowed her arm to be punctured with the small needle and the drug administered.

After a few moments Kit spoke again.

“Can you tell us something Doc?”

We’re still running tests but we think it’s meningitis.” Kit gasped audibly as the Doctor continued without missing a beat.

“We’re trying to work out what strain, and at the moment she’s a very sick little girl. We should have the results of the tests in an hour or so, but in the meantime she’s comfortable and we’re giving her plenty of fluids. You’ll be able to see her in a little while.”

Tina’s colour was returning to normal but Kit was uncertain whether or not she had heard and understood what the doctor had said. When it was just the two of them again Kit turned to look Tina in the eyes.

“Did you hear what she said?”

“Yes.” Tina answered calmly, “She had the MMR jab at six month’s I don’t understand how it’s possible” Tina trailed off in thought. Kit spoke again.

“What can I do Tina?” she asked.
Tina was silent for a moment as if considering this question. Then she spoke, softly at first, then with more force.

“Bette,” she said, “Get Bette.”

**

Kit didn’t want to leave Tina’s side even though she felt incredibly tired. The strain of the earlier evening coupled now with the shock of Angie’s hospitalisation was quickly taking it’s toll on Kit. She needed reinforcements and soon.
She rang Alice’s number first.

“What?” Alice mumbled into her telephone, “This better be good” She warned.