The Lonely Lands by Ramsey Campbell

Author:Ramsey Campbell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: horror; gothic fantasy; dark fantasy; flame tree press; creepy stories; Ramsey Campbell; dark suspense; horror fiction; cosmic horror
Publisher: Flame Tree Publishing
Published: 2023-06-07T13:21:28+00:00

Chapter Twenty

The gynaecologist’s broad plump face looked made for if not out of motherhood. It didn’t quite relinquish its perpetually hopeful expression even when she said “I wish I had better news for you, Mrs Hunter.”

“It’s for my husband as well.”

“I do appreciate that. I mean the issue is with you, unfortunately.”

Joe had a sense that she might take some time to venture to the truth. “Just tell us the worst,” he said.

“I’m very much afraid Mrs Hunter is unlikely to be able to conceive.”

“You’re saying just unlikely,” Olivia said like an unadmitted plea.

“Very, I’m sorry. I’d put it close to nil.”

“Isn’t there something we can do?” Joe said.

“You might consider surrogacy if that’s an acceptable option.”

“I wouldn’t want a baby not to be mine unless you would, Joe.”

“I wouldn’t want anything you don’t.”

“There’s always fostering,” the gynaecologist said, “perhaps eventually leading to adoption.”

“I think we’d feel the same way about that,” Olivia said.

“It’d feel like having a stranger in our home.”

“I’m afraid I’ve no more to offer you except my sympathies,” the gynaecologist said before living up to her expression. “But despite what I’ve told you, you can always hope.”

In the corridor Joe clasped Olivia’s hand. “I knew what she was going to say,” she said. “I was just hoping I was wrong.”

“So much for hope,” Joe might have said. At least she seemed resigned, but he suspected they had yet to face the worst the day would bring. In the reception area Olivia’s parents stood up so fast he had to catch his breath. “What tidings have we?” Hubert said.

“Say our prayers were answered,” Bettina urged. “When will you be giving us a grandchild?”

“Shall we move away from people?” Once they’d left the interested audience behind Joe said “I wish I didn’t have to tell you, but I don’t think you’ll be getting one in this life.”

“How can you say that?” Bettina protested. “What are you unable to provide?”

“You mustn’t speak to Joe like that. It isn’t him, it’s me.”

“Then it wasn’t his place to speak,” Hubert said. “What are you taking upon yourself?”

“My works don’t work.”

“Surely there must be treatment,” Bettina said, “if anybody doesn’t trust in prayer.”

“The gynie says not. Try not to be too unhappy. I feel bad enough for letting you down.”

“You haven’t let anyone down,” Joe said, “least of all me. We’ll always have each other.”

As he held her hands and her gaze, her parents looked away. “Well,” Hubert said like a negation of the word, “it appears we have travelled all this way for nothing.”

“We were hoping to have occasion to celebrate,” Bettina said.

“So were we,” Joe retorted.

Perhaps his fierceness on Olivia’s behalf worked as a warning, unless they’d been waiting for him to give them an excuse to leave. “Call us whenever you need to, Olivia,” Hubert said, “and don’t be tempted to despair.”

“Don’t lose your faith in prayer. We can still pray for a miracle.”

Joe couldn’t overlook the disappointment underlying their determined optimism. Exacerbating his and no doubt Olivia’s, it had followed them out of the hospital.

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