Just and idea I got from last night's episode (14.2.15). Hope you enjoy, and please review if you can and let me know if you want me to continue or not! -Sophie x
It was that time of year where the winter sun beamed down each day, but the temperatures still stayed desperately low. Pulling her deep blue coat around her neck, Connie strode towards the entrance of the emergency department, taking some deep breaths and letting the crisp morning air cleanse her lungs.
"You can do this…" She whispered to herself, pulling her handbag further up her shoulder and looking at the door with apprehensive eyes.
"It's been 2 months, that's long enough. Come on…" Placing her clammy hands in her coat pockets, the woman walked forward and opened the doors, before letting herself be immersed in the chaos that each day in the department brought. She quickly walked straight through reception and into cubicles, where she veered off into her office before anyone could catch her.
Without noticing, her anxiety levels had risen and her chest had begun to constrict slightly. Connie removed her coat and sat down, taking some slow breaths. Her hair, now thin and mousey hung over her shoulders, and the uneasy pallor of her face lay exposed- her make-up hadn't been used since that very day.
...
She awoke bright and early that morning, to the streets covered with inches of snow, and snowballs flying here and there. Grace had come bounding into her room, begging to go out and play with Laura, her best friend and next door neighbour. The two girls were inseparable during the holidays, and their mothers got on too. So naturally, Connie agreed.
She dressed in a warm blue jumper and jeans before brushing out her hair, deciding to leave it loose. She applied her make-up and made Grace her breakfast before pouring herself a cup of coffee and following her daughter next door.
"Morning Susie." Connie had smiled, breathing in the strong fumes of her coffee.
"Is Laura in?" Grace interrupted, "can she come play?"
"Don't interrupt darling." Connie has told her sternly but Susie merely laughed, her cheeks rosy from the cold.
"Of course she can. Laura! Grace is here!" She called back into the hallway, and immediately a young girl with curly ginger locks came into view.
"Gracie!" She had exclaimed before running to her mother and getting her shoes and coat on. It was then that Connie's phone rang, so she went to the end of the garden to answer it.
"Yes this is Mrs Beauchamp… What? No, the last time I used it was at Waitrose yesterday… Oh god, right, ok… Yeah, I'll set off now. Who do I ask for? Olivia? Ok, thank you, see you then."
She made her way back to where Susi was stood at the door, watching as Grace and Laura started on a snowman.
"Susi, the bank just called, it looks like someone's been trying to use my card. Are you alright to keep an eye on Grace for an hour? Sorry to spring it on you like this-"
"Oh don't be daft Connie, of course I will. She's a pleasure to have around is your Grace." She beamed and Connie sighed with relief.
"Thankyou so much!" She looked over to her daughter who was in the corner of the garden, looking for stones.
"Grace, come here a second!" She had called, and the little girl had bounded over, snowflakes trapped in her hair. Connie patted it down and took the hat from her pocket before placing it on her head.
"I have to go to the bank darling, so Susie's going to keep an eye on you, ok?"
"Ok mummy." She replied, obviously itching to get back to playing again.
"Please be good, and don't go wandering off! I don't want to hear that you went down Olive's end of the street like I did last time, I've warned you about her. Ok?"
"Yeeeees, can I go now?" she whined, and Connie smiled before kissing her on the head.
"Of course. I'll see you when I get back. Goodbye darling, I love you."
But she didn't hear the last part as she'd already bounded off. Connie wished every day after that that she had stayed to do so.
...
As she sat with her hands curled around her coffee, deep in thought, there was a knock at the door causing her to jump and knock her mug.
"Shit!" She hissed, the hot liquid scalding her hands. She grabbed some tissues and mopped up the desk before dabbing at her hand.
"Come in." She called eventually, her voice faltering as she watched the door open to reveal Zoe and Charlie.
"See, I told you I saw her name on the rota!" Charlie exclaimed, "You made me think I was going mad!"
"Fine fine, I believe you." Zoe sighed before smiling. "Connie, nice to have you back."
"Wish I could say it was nice to be back." She mumbled, wincing as she caught her nail on the burnt part of her hand.
"Are you ok?" Charlie asked, and Zoe moved towards her, watching her hands.
"Oh, you've burnt yourself? How did you manage that?"
"Unexpected visitors." She said shortly, looking at the desk. Zoe and Charlie exchanged glances.
"Well you should get that under the cold tap, or maybe I could get you an ice pack? I-"
"I don't need molly-coddling Dr Hanna, I'm 47, not 7." Connie snapped, moving her chair so it faced away from them. She bent over, her hand on her knee and closed her eyes, trying to keep herself together in front of her colleagues.
From where Zoe was stood, she could see the outline of Connie's spine, and she realised her clothes hung looser than they did 2 months ago. Her hair had lost its professional shine, and she seemed a lot plainer and less glamorous than she used to. Frowning slightly, the consultant moved round until she was stood in front of the clinical lead's desk, and she knelt down until they were level.
"Connie, what happened whilst you were off?" She whispered, "You look like a whole new person, and not in a good way either."
Connie looked up, her teeth nibbling at the inside of her lip.
"Nothing happened." She replied quietly, "that's the problem."
Zoe's eyes narrowed.
"What do you mean-" but she was cut off.
"I'm a bit too busy for a mothers meeting Zoe, don't you and Charlie have patients to treat?"
"Yes but-" The consultant began.
"Then go and treat them." Connie said through clenched teeth.
"Come on Zoe." Charlie said quietly. She stood and followed him to the door, and with one last look back, left the room.
"Something's wrong." She said thoughtfully, staring at the name on the door to her office from the nurse's station. "Whatever the reason was for her leave, it's changed her."
"Well whatever it is, it's obvious she doesn't want to talk about it." Charlie said gently. "So go play Sherlock somewhere else, somewhere you won't be fired for doing so."
Taking this as a hint, she picked up her files and made her way back to reception, passing Connie's door as she did so.
What she did notice was the fact she was holding the framed photo of Grace she kept on her desk.
What she didn't notice, however, were the tears streaming down her cheeks.