Moving On
Tess had been back at work for over a month, her leg was practically healed and she had a new found determination to continue life as though she had never met Fletch. It was easier now that the gossiping had subsided. Her first shift back had been hell with whispers and stares and her only comfort being the return of Zoe, her confidante and friend who had held her and supported her. As she pushed down the handle of her office door, Zoe caught up with her. 'Tess...' she said, looking worried. 'What's wrong?' Tess asked.
'Are you finished for the day?' Zoe asked.
'I've got paperwork to do, but...'
'Leave it for tonight. Trust me, you'll need a drink.' Zoe said. Tess frowned at the somewhat cryptic message. 'I'll get changed and meet you at the pub.' she said.
Ten minutes later Tess entered the pub across the road, located Zoe and snaked her way through her colleagues to reach her. As she sat down she saw a brandy ready and waiting. 'What's going on?' she asked. 'Tess I spoke with one of the surgeons on the wards and they've just hired a new nurse on Keller.' Zoe said.
'So?' Tess asked, still frowning.
'It's Fletch.' Zoe said and Tess felt her heart leap and her body numb at the mention of his name. Zoe pushed the brandy towards her and Tess picked it up, draining it in one and enjoying the warm liquid burning feeling back into her. 'Are you okay?' Zoe asked.
'I'm fine.'
'Tess you don't have to do that with me.'
'What?'
'Pretend you're okay.'
'I am.'
'Tess...' Zoe said. Tess looked up at her friend; Zoe knew her too well.
'He said he'd leave.'
'Look, there's no reason you have to even see him, I just thought you deserved some warning.'
'Thank you.'
'You fancy another drink?'
'I think you know the answer to that.' Tess said and Zoe approached the bar. Tess' head was doing cartwheels. What was he still doing here? There were other hospitals in the area. Why Holby? He said he would leave her, let her move on.
Tess and Zoe spent the rest of the night drinking before heading back to Tess' house. Zoe crashed out in the guest room and Tess collapsed on top of her own bed covers. Her head was fuzzy, her mind was full of Fletch, her heart was racing and she was soon in a deep sleep dreaming of her former lover.