She had to admit at first the felt she'd made a massive mistake returning to Holby. The building was still there and little had changed in that respect but it didn't feel the same. The people had changed greatly, so much younger, and she didn't wish to admit it but she got the horrible feeling she was not welcome among them at first. She couldn't help but notice them staring and whispering. She knew they were judging her and feared greatly she wasn't been judged well. No doubt from her obvious close relationship with Charlie. It didn't help that they'd all seemed to noticed just how close they were at Charlie's wedding. But it didn't last long, thankfully. They seemed to finally accept she didn't get the job purely because she was close to the boss, something she was worried about herself. But she wasn't happy to have to prove herself worthy after all her experience in nursing. But things finally seemed to be looking up. Although things had changed greatly since she was last working in the department she finally felt happy in her work again. She only wished them same went for her home life. But you couldn't have it both ways. Life was never like that. At least not for her. Her marriage was anything but perfect and despite telling herself to move on his affair was still hurting her greatly. She'd hadn't let him touch her since his outburst about the miscarriage some weeks ago now. It simply hurt too much and she was well aware Megan was not happy in her decision to stay in the marriage. She knew what it was like growing up without a father in her life, despite the fact hers wasn't worth it, and she couldn't do that to her kids. Yes she had no problem when she was younger, she didn't really see the damage that could be done then. She felt she'd hadn't lost out not having a dad in her life so why should her son. Plus Peter had never met Andrew then, it caused less damage. But her cancer scare brought her to her senses. But now it was hurt so much more. She couldn't do that to them. She'd seen what divorce did to kids every day at work. It wasn't worth it. Also despite everything he'd done she couldn't take the kids away from Andrew. It would brake him and as much as she told herself she didn't, she still loved him.
As much as he told himself otherwise over the years, Holby just wasn't the same when Duffy left. He'd missed her company and sense. She was a fantastic nurse and her returning gave him a small piece of the old team he missed so desperately back. They'd both changed a lot since those days but he still missed them. Fighting a good fight against the government and anyone else that got in the way. Yes it was high stress but he had to admit he enjoyed the fight. Still work was safer now and he felt happier in the fact his patients were safer and he had better equipment to treat them. Life was just so much more complicated now. He was aware just how much Duffy was going through and once more she'd proved just how strong she was. He didn't know how she coped with it all. But despite Andrews one night stand he still remained strong in his belief that they needed each other right now. What stupid mistake Andrew had made in the past shouldn't stop him been there for his wife right now. But of course he didn't know the full truth. Either did Duffy.
He'd lost track how long it had been now. A long time, he knew that much. But the mass of guilt he once felt was quickly disappearing once more. He was well and truly back to his old ways. Of course he didn't see it like that. His wife wasn't interested. He was blind to the fact at just how much she was hurting. She'd ran back to bloody Charlie Fairhead. She didn't need him anymore. Not with saint Charlie on the scene again. Even with her sleeping in the spare bedroom most of the time he didn't see the truth. His mind wasn't even thinking about her. It did at first, he was worried about her. But he could only take her rejection so many times before he gave up caring. They were married in name only. Nothing more.
He was still lying in the bed, watching some TV show. But she blanks him. Almost as if she's in the room alone. He was used to it. Her long locks lay curled at her shoulders as she takes a pair of jeans and a boring colourless top out of her side of the wardrobe. Placing them over the dresser she didn't undress in front of him any more. It didn't feel right. Instead she sits in the chair and glances in the mirror. She could see him staring towards her but she remains silent as she twists her hair up for work.
"Another 12 hour shift? I thought you were off!"
"No I'm not off." She hadn't slept well, Megan wasn't well right now so she'd been up half the night with her. Now really wasn't the time for her to be nice to Andrew. She didn't have the temperament today.
"When are you working till then?"
"Just until 6. Your off aren't you?" Her voice was annoyed. She really couldn't be assed with this. Finishing her hair she quickly does her basic make-up.
" Well yes. But I had plans."
"Tough! Your daughter is ill. Cancel them!" Without finishing her make-up she grabs the bag along with her clothes before leaving the room. Leaving her husband grabbing for the house phone while muttering a few choice words about his wife. Bloody woman!