"I'm just a little concerned that the laceration to the leg is infected, what do you think Mrs Beauchamp?" Dr Hardy's voice sang, a frown stitched across his brow. Connie took a step forward as she carefully placed her stephoscope around her neck and swiftly moved her long locks behind her shoulders. She examined the patients leg before replying, "Mm... Right Dr Hardy I need you to..." She cut herself off, her hand moving up to cover her mouth as she quickly span around to a nearby sink and threw up whilst Ethan stood frozen, a hand hovering inches away from his boss's back, unsure whether to comfort her or not.
"And you told me you was a cardio thoracic surgeon." Dylan said bluntly, stood with his arms folded across his chest, "Surely you've seen gorier than that Mrs Beauchamp?"
Connie placed her hands on the sink, before turning her head and glaring at her sarcastic colleague. She was about to respond before Ethan interrupted, "Are you OK Mrs Beauchamp? Do you want me to get you some...?"
"Just get back to your patient, Dr Hardy." She snapped, waving his hand away from her. She stood up straight, before striding past Dylan and out of cubicles before going into her office, and plumping herself on the sofa.
Connie grabbed a bottle of water from the side and sipped it gratefully, happy to be rid of the disgusting taste in her mouth. As she screwed the lid back on whilst wondering if she'd cooked her dinner well enough the night before or not when the room started to spin slowly and then everything went black.
Charlie stood shining his pen into Connie's eyes, before jumping slightly when her hand shoved his away from her face as she woke up confused as to why she was lying in cubicles.
"What on earth do you think you are doing!?" The surgeon exclaimed, her words slightly slurred in her sleepy haze.
"You fainted Connie."
"Right well I'm fine, so I suggest we both go and see to some patients that actually need help." She swung her legs round and started to get up when Charlie placed his hand on her arm and stopped her.
"Why was you sick earlier?" He asked, raising an eyebrow to be rewarded with a loud aggravated sigh from Mrs Beauchamp.
"I don't know. Probably something I ate. Look, Charlie, really I'm fine. I appreciate your concern but I do have more pressing things to attend to." She replied with a brief fake smile, attempting to stand up again.
Charlie shook his head, "I just want to run a few tests. Just a few and then if you're well enough you can get back to ruling the roost. They can manage half an hour without you."
Another sigh filled the room as Connie decided that she wasn't going to win this battle.
Connie laughed, shaking her head, "Good one. Right, I best get back to work then." She stood up still laughing, "Honestly, you nearly had me there, Mr Fairhead."
Charlie wasn't laughing though, in fact, he looked quite somber, "Connie..."
"Let me stop you there, I can't stress enough to you right now about how understaffed we are today. I want Lofty and Robyn in cubicles with DR..."
"Ignoring this won't make it disappear. It's a big shock, Connie. You just need time to let it sink in." Charlie interrupted the brunette, seeing right through her tough exterior.
"It's my problem, I'll sort it. Thank you Mr Fairhead." Connie replied formally, speaking to her friend as if he were a stranger.
"Do you know what? You got yourself into this. You deal with it. On your own. I pity the child growing inside you. No doubt they'll be under prioritised too just like Grace." Charlie spat angrily, storming out of the cubicle.