The Drowning Tide (Blair Dubh Trilogy #2) Read Online Free

reason why you haven’t managed to conceive yet,” began the doctor, who wasn’t much older than themselves.
    “I know it’s me. It’s my fault for drinking and taking drugs when I was younger,” said Freya, tears standing out in her eyes.
    “Actually Mrs Donaldson there’s nothing wrong with you, you’re perfectly healthy and fertile. The reason lies with you,” he replied, looking at Craig.
    It was the last thing they’d expected and they stared at him in shock.
    “Me?” spluttered Craig.
    “You have a low sperm count.”
    “How low?”
    “Very low I’m afraid.”
    Craig looked to Freya. “I’m sorry,” he said before hanging his head, distraught.
    Her heart went out to him and she squeezed his hand. “Is it at all possible we can get pregnant?” she asked the doctor.
    “Yes but I must warn you, it’s a very slim chance.”
    “What can be done?”
    “There are a number of different options available. IVF would probably be best for you. However, given that a low sperm count is the reason why you haven’t managed to conceive then donor insemination might be something you need to consider.”
    “No way. I am not having another man’s stuff put inside me,” said Freya.
    “That is a very difficult decision for couples to make. It’s just something to bear in mind at the moment.”
    “Will the treatment be free?”
    “We can offer you two free cycles on the NHS. If they don’t work then you’ll need to go private.”
    “And how much would that be?”
    “It depends on what treatments you have and how many times they need to be repeated. A standard IVF package is just over three thousand pounds. A three-cycle package, which may well be necessary in your case, costs just over eight thousand.”
    Freya sighed heavily. Between her counselling wages and Craig’s police pay they had a decent income, but they certainly didn’t have thousands of pounds spare to throw at this.
    “I do believe they offer credit if that’s any help.”
    “Is it guaranteed to work?” she said.
    “We can’t say it definitely will. Each case is different.”
    “So that’s a no,” she replied, trying not to sound as annoyed as the felt. She looked to her husband. “What do you think?”
    “I…I think we have to try,” he said, looking lost and confused.
    “Me too. Can we put our names down for the IVF?”
    “Yes but I should warn you there’s a two year waiting list for the treatment.”
    Craig sighed again and sank deeper into his chair.
    “I’ll list you for the treatment and we’ll contact you in due course,” said the doctor with a sympathetic smile.
    The appointment over, Freya led a reeling Craig out of the office. She even had to drive home, even though she’d only just passed her test, because he was so out of it. She was desperate to discuss what they’d just been told but he appeared so shell-shocked she decided it would be better to leave him in peace.
    It was a relief when he finally spoke once they were back in their flat.
    “I’m so sorry,” he said, sinking onto the couch. “I assumed it was you when all along I’m the one with the problem.” He buried his face in his hands. “I’m so so sorry.”
    “We both assumed,” she replied, sitting beside him and running her hand up and down his back. “You’ve nothing to apologise for. This is no one’s fault, it’s just one of those things and you heard the doctor, we have options.”
    “Yeah,” he replied unenthusiastically.
    “Remember what you said yesterday? If the treatment doesn’t work we can always adopt.”
    He raised his head to regard her with sad eyes. “That was a lie. I spoke to a social worker at the station. You’re a recovering alcoholic and an ex-drug addict with anger issues and a criminal record. It’s unlikely we’ll be allowed to adopt.”
    Pain pierced her heart. That was what she’d been clinging onto as each month passed and her period continued to arrive. Now that hope had been smothered with a