Absolute silence.
It was deafening
A bomb could have dropped just outside and no-one would have heard it. It was only when Dom left the room that she remembered to breathe again, but with each one she felt more suffocated.
After Hansen made his exit, everyone mutely followed, all acutely aware of Morven needing both comfort and space simultaneously. Glancing back Serena saw Sacha and Elsie sat outside the room – she had little doubt that they would not leave her at all tonight…
As the clock came into focus she suddenly registered the time. It appeared she had had been sat in silence in her office for over half an hour. A fact only known to her because she had looked at the clock continuously in theatre mere hours earlier. A more than successful operation thanks to Morven's brilliant hunch-
OH GOD
Morven…
They were leaving on such a high… and then… and now… and suddenly a million thoughts ran through her mind at once.
Family – Morven needs family right now – family? Where? Dad! Morven's Dad – he needs to be here.
Dom – where would he go? Shouldn't be on his own – Sacha will find him.
Oh Christ Zosia… the dance… she wasn't there! Ollie – goes without saying, and Guy – well maybe Ollie more so.
Hansen – can handle himself. He has his own ports of call.
As do they all.
Wait… not all… Arthur's parents? Never mentioned, his business but-
Arthur
Morven
Arthur
Morven
Arthur and Morven
Serena suddenly gasped a breath, feeling the oxygen make her lungs ache as her eyes shot wide open to let a single tear fall. It echoed in her head endlessly on repeat. Breathing deeply, almost gasping, her eyes filled with tears waiting to fall, the dam dangerously close to breaking- but she couldn't, not here. Not with no one to break her fall.
In a second Serena was on her feet, forcefully packing her bag and made a hasty exit. Running to her car she started the engine, swallowing back the painful sobs that threatened to break her voice any second
Bernie sipped on the whiskey before signing the document with a quick flick of her pen.
Three down, two to go. Thinking back to the hospital, Bernie supposed the wouldn't have to do this after work hours if she actually bothered to unclutter her desk occasionally and see-
*knock knock knock
Bernie physically jumped. She looked over at the door almost as if to ask it who was there. Glancing down at her watch, she started to worry… 9.30?! Who the hell…?
Getting up, Bernie quickly crossed the room and opened the door… A smile crossed her face for a millisecond before her brain assessed an entirely different situation. It took all of 3 seconds for Bernie to see Serena's wet eyes, shaking body and pale complexion before she was taking Serena's arm and pulling her into the room.
Finally in the safe comfort of familiar strength, Serena collapsed – and Bernie caught her. Pulling her into an embrace, they fell together. The dam opened even before their knees hit the floor and Serena sobbed on Bernie's shoulder. The tears came and they didn't stop coming. Bernie felt with each of Serena's gasps, her body shake more than the last, one outcry of tears following another.
Eventually each cry became quieter and Serena's shaking eased, until it stopped completely with one heavy breath. They stayed connected for another minute before Bernie pulled away slightly. Their eyes connected and a few tears escaped from Bernie's before she said 'I've got you'.
Without a word, Bernie packed her things and left with Serena. No more words were exchanged that night, no long conversations or attempts to make sense of what had happened. Instead, a strength was sought, found, and shared… the rest would come later.