Verity trusted Oliver's mother as much as she trusted her own family. This wouldn't be the last time that Margaret Wood would examine Verity in such a way--Margaret would be her midwife, too. Verity and Margaret had had a whole conversation about it when Verity and Oliver told Margaret that they were trying for a baby.
This was not exactly how she imagined her first pelvic exam would go, though. Once Daphne was out of the room, Verity laid back on the sofa. At least it was private. At least Margaret would never judge her. She wouldn't make faces, she wouldn't curse Eddie or vow to seek revenge. Verity could close her eyes and hum gently to herself, imagining that she was somewhere else, and that nothing awful had happened. She could imagine that Margaret was simply checking on the baby growing within her, or making sure she was healthy enough to have one.
Verity had to imagine, because if she didn't, the tears flowed more forcefully.