have thought about it, it's going to worry us. Debra turned her head in
Ruby's direction. How long will it take? A day. I'll give you an
examination in the morning, and then we'll shoot some X-ray plates in
the afternoon. 'How soon could you see her? David asked, his vice
unnatural for he knew that the appointment had been arranged five weeks
previously.
Oh, I'm sure we could fit her in right away, tomorrow, even if we have
to do a little juggling. Yours is rather a special case. David reached
across and took Debra's hand.
Okay, darling? he asked.
Okay, David, she agreed readily.
Ruby's consulting-rooms were in the Medical Centre that towered above
the harbour and looked out across Table Bay to where the black
southeaster was hacking the tops from the waves in bursts of white, and
shrouding the far shores of the bay in banks of cloud as grey as wood
smoke.
The rooms were decorated with care and taste: two original landscapes by
Pierneef and some good carpets, Samarkand and a gold-washed Abedah, even
Ruby's receptionist looked like a hostess from a Playboy Club, without
the bunny ears and tail. It was clear that Dr. Friedman enjoyed the
good things of life.
The receptionist was expecting them, but still could not control the
widening of her eyes and the shocked flight of colour from her cheeks as
she looked at David's face.
Dr. Friedman is waiting for you, Mr. and Mrs. Morgan.
He wants you both to go through, please. Ruby looked different without
his prosperous paunch bulging over the waistband of a bathing costume,
but his greeting was warm as he took Debra's arm.
Shall we let David stay with us? he asked Debra in mock conspiracy.
Let's, she answered.
After the usual clinical history which Ruby pursued relentlessly, he
seemed satisfied and they went through into his examination-room. The
chair looked to David to be identical to a dentist's, and Ruby adjusted
it for Debra to lie back comfortably while he made a physical
examination, directing light through her pupils deep into the body of
each eye.
Nice healthy eyes, he gave his opinion at last, and very pretty also,
what do you say, David? Smashing, David agreed, and Ruby sat Debra
upright while he attached electrodes to her arm and swung forward a
complicated-looking piece of electronic equipment.
ECG, David guessed, and Ruby chuckled and shook his head.
No, it's a little invention of my own. I'm quite proud of it, but in
reality it's only a variation on the oldfashioned lie-detector. Question
time again? Debra asked.
No. We are going to flash lights at you, and see just what sort of
subconscious reaction you have to them. 'We know that already, 'Debra
told him, and they both heard the edge in her voice now.
Perhaps. It's just an established routine we work to. Ruby soothed
her, and then to David. Stand back here, please. The lights are pretty
