Duffy entered the staffroom and made herself a cup of tea, barely noticing the young nurse sat at the table. She took the cup to the table and seated herself down opposite the nurse, suddenly noticing that something was wrong.
"Tina? Are you alright?" She questioned. Tina quickly snapped out of her deep thoughts.
"I'm fine." She responded, with a half-hearted smile.
"No you're not." Duffy pointed out. "What is it?"
"Just my patient, Kath Banks. Her husband is clearly beating her but she won't let us call the police." Tina sighed in frustration.
"It's all part of the job though. It is hard but we can't let it get to us."
"But it's so wrong! It's probably been going on for months and this time…this time he's gone too far. "She explained, stumbling over the last few words. "When it happened to me, I didn't want to tell anyone at first but I did report it later on and then I started to move on. I just wish Kath would do the same." Duffy remained silent for a few moments.
"It happened to you?" She whispered. Tina realised she had said more than she meant to.
"Not…not exactly the same thing – it was a patient…it happened in the corridor by the toilets after my shift one evening but that doesn't matter – it was months ago now." She told her hastily as she got up to leave.
"Tina – Tina wait." The young nurse stopped in her tracks. "It happened to me as well. About ten years ago." Duffy began.
"Really?" Tina questioned, not quite convinced.
"Yes. On my way to work one evening." Tina sat down again. "I never actually admitted it at the time because I was brought in and treated by my colleagues. They knew but I never said so myself. Before that I could usually brush something like this off without too much difficulty but afterwards I was just like you. I wanted to help anyone else in that situation – I still do so I know how hard this is for you to just stand by and watch. If it's too much then I can take over."
"No, no it's okay. I want to see it through. I'm sorry I didn't realise –"
"Don't worry about it. The only other people here who know are Charlie and Baz but only because they still worked here back in the day." Duffy said, laughing at her last words. Tina grinned.
"It's nice to have someone who understands – I'm sorry it happened to you though."
"If things ever get too much or if ever you just need to talk then I'm always here to listen okay?"
"Thank you." Tina said, relieved. "Likewise. I'd better get back to work or I'll have Eve after me – a fate worse than death if you get on the wrong side of her!" She told her, smiling as she got up and left.