Trying out a new idea I had recently! Hope you enjoy it, there's a lot of twists and turns to come and it'll hopefully unravel some of Connie's layers
For the purpose of this fan fiction, Connie's family might be slightly different to how it is on the show, however she still has Grace and is in a relationship with Jacob although its still early days
Anyway, enjoy and please leave a review x
Natalia Gallagher (25) enters the ED, wearing skin tight skinny jeans, heels, a crop top and a fitted leather jacket. Her make-up is heavy and smoky but not overdone and her long deep red hair glistens under the ED lights. She walks over to the desk but there is no-one working behind it. She waits, glancing round the ED. Cal and Iain enter and Cal immediately spots Natalia, transfixed on her.
'What's up with you?' Iain asked.
'Mate I think in love.' Cal replied.
Iain looks over at Natalia, clearly impressed.
'You better hurry up and get over there or I'll have to make a move. She's gorgeous.' Iain said.
Zoe approaches Cal and Iain, wondering why they've stopped working.
'Come on lads, look lively.' Zoe ordered, clapping her hands, trying to get them motivated.
'Oh I think Cal's planning to get very lively.' Iain joked, nudging Cal with his elbow.
'What?' Zoe asked, frowning.
'That fit bird at the desk.' Iain pointed her out to Zoe.
'Right that's it, I'm gonna go for it.' Cal replied.
'You boys have a beautiful way with words.' Zoe said, sarcastically. 'Don't go scaring her away, poor girl.'
'Believe me, once a girl has experienced the Caleb Knight charm, nothing else will ever do.'
'Then why are you still single?' Zoe asked, laughing.
'Because I-.' Cal is interrupted by Natalia tapping him on the shoulder.
'Excuse me hun, I'm looking for Connie Beauchamp? I think she works here.' Natalia said.
'Today's your lucky day princess. I can take you to her office if you want?' Cal offered.
'I'll find my own way there. Just tell me where it is.' Natalia said.
'It's no trouble.' Cal said.
'And I said no.' Natalia replied, bluntly.
'Right. Through those double doors and second door on the right.' Cal explained, feeling disheartened.
'Thanks.' Natalia called over her shoulder as she walked away.
'What was that you were saying about the Caleb Knight charm?' Zoe teased, laughing.
In Connie's office, Jacob is perched on the edge of the desk in front of Connie who is sitting in her posh, leather office chair. They are talking quietly amongst themselves when Natalia lets herself into the room.
'I'm sorry but-' Connie said, annoyed that they had been interrupted. She peers round Jacob to see Natalia in the doorway. 'Oh you must be here about the PA vacancy..'
'I-' Natalia said, confused.
'Could you wait outside for a moment?' Connie asked, determined to get the younger girl out of the room.
'Everything alright, babe?' Jacob asked as Natalia leaves.
'Fine. I just completely forgot about the interview, that's all.' Connie said, a little flustered.
'Right...do you want me to sit in on the interview?' Jacob offered, getting up from the desk.
'No, I'm perfectly capable.' Connie said. 'Please send...'
Connie searches her diary, pretending to look for something, although Jacob is suspicious.
'...Miss Gallagher in here.' Connie said.
'She'll see you now.' Jacob said, opening the door to Natalia.
Jacob walks out of the office and Natalia looks him up and down, particularly focusing her attention on his muscular arms and toned bum. Connie starts getting impatient and walks over to the younger girl.
'Get a good look did you?' Connie asked, raising her eyebrows.
'Is that your fella? Nice one Auntie Connie.' Natalia giggled
'Will you keep your voice down?!' Connie snapped, shoving her into the room.
'Why?' Natalia asked.
'Just ssh! Get in here.' Connie hissed, closing the door.
Connie stands in silence for a moment, properly looking at her niece; her tiny clothes, her make-up, her heels...
'Couldn't you have dressed a little more appropriately?' Connie asked, disapprovingly.
'Why? I'm not really here for an interview.' Natalia shrugged. 'Good work though, thinking on your feet.'
'Last I knew you'd been expelled from school. The fourth school in a row.' Connie said; admittedly that was many years ago, however Connie and her sister had always had a difficult relationship and now rarely spoke.
'I had a tough time adjusting.' Natalia said, innocently.
'Doing as you were told more like.' Connie replied coldly before being interrupted by her phone ringing. 'I'm gonna have to take this.'
Connie waits for Natalia to take the hint but when she doesn't, she flashes her a glare and the younger girl has soon left the office.
A while later, in reception, Iain is standing against the wall, near coffee shop and Natalia is in front of him; they were flirting and laughing, the chemistry between them clear to see.
'So tell me...do you ever wear your uniform outside of work?' Natalia asked, running her hands down Iain's chest.
'Only on special occasions.' Iain said, smiling.
'Oh yeah? Well your bird is a very lucky woman.' Natalia said.
'Happily single.' Iain said.
'Happy?' Natalia asked, not convinced.
'Ok...single. Just single.' Iain admitted with a laugh.
'Then maybe you should crack out that uniform a little bit more.' Jaimee said seductively.
'Can I have a word?' Connie asked her niece, standing between Natalia and Iain, not impressed by the flirting.
'Sure.' Natalia said.
'My office.' Connie replied.
'You know you've done proper well for yourself.' Natalia told her, impressed, as they head back to the office.
'It's taken a lot of sacrifice and hard work.' Connie told her.
'I can imagine.' Natalia replied.
The two women go into the office and Connie closes the door, standing against it, her defences up, looking at her niece as if she was a naughty school-child.
'So enough of the small talk, why are you really here?' Connie asked.
'I need your help.' Natalia admitted.
'Let me guess...money?' Connie asked.
'Yeah.' Natalia said, receiving a groan from Connie. 'But it's not what you think-'
'I've heard all of this a million times before.' Connie sighed, rolling her eyes.
'Not from me.' Natalia said, defending herself.
'No, from your mother. And you're a real chip off the old block.' Connie said sternly, folding her arms across her chest.
'I don't need a lot. Just a grand.' Natalia said.
'And you don't think that's a lot of money?' Connie asked.
'Well it isn't to someone like you.' Natalia said.
'Because I've worked hard. All of my life I've worked to get to this point. I don't expect it handed to me like you.' Connie explained. 'What do you even need that kind of money for anyway?'
'I...I can't say.' Natalia stuttered.
'Alcohol? Drugs?' Connie asked.
'No! Auntie Connie, I'm not some kinda druggie!' Natalia exclaimed, horrified.
'Is it for rent? Because you know you really should think about getting yourself a job.' Connie replied.
'I have one. Well, I did. But it wasn't right.' Natalia said, once again stumbling over her words.
'Cleaning toilets too much work for you was it?' Connie snapped.
'How dare you! I wasn't a bog cleaner.' Natalia replied.
'Then what were you?' Connie asked.
'Exotic dancer.' Natalia grinned.
'Oh for goodness sake!' Connie exclaimed, disappointed in her niece.
'Don't go acting like a prude Auntie Connie. I heard Grace was the result of a quick shag in the locker room.' Natalia replied, a smirk creeping onto her face.
A few moments later, Jacob is at the reception desk, collecting some notes when Noel, Big Mac and Louise all stop their conversation to talk to him.
'What's the deal with Mrs Beauchamp, Jacob?' Noel asked.
'What do you mean?' Jacob asked, although he knew his girlfriend had been acting odd.
'She's been in and out of her office with that girl. That's a funny sort of interview.' Big Mac said.
'Interview?' Louise repeated, confused.
'For the PA job.' Noel said.
'Oh...I thought Connie had already chosen someone?' Louise asked, shrugging before going back to her own work.
Jacob is clearly bothered by what the others had said and this, together with his own uneasy feeling, was too much to handle. He makes his way to Connie's office and arrives at the door just as Natalia is wandering out. She winks at him before making her way out of the hospital.
Jacob goes into the office where Connie is reclining in her chair, a face like thunder. He makes his way over to her, standing to the side of his girlfriend and gently massaging her shoulders.
'Is she causing trouble? I can get rid of her if you want?' Jacob asked, keen to protect his girlfriend.
'No, its fine.' Connie said.
'It's not. You look stressed.' Jacob said.
'I run an A&E department Jacob. When am I not stressed?' Connie replied.
'Even more reason for a PA then I guess. How did the girl interview?' Jacob asked.
'Hmm? Oh..she was okay. Not really what I'm looking for though.' Connie said casually, shrugging Jacob away and trying to get through some paperwork.
'So you've made a decision?' Jacob asked.
'Yes, there are a couple of people in the running.' Connie told him, although she was avoiding his gaze.
'But no final decision?' Jacob asked, growing suspicious.
'Not yet. I need to make sure I find the right candidate.' Connie said.
'But-' Jacob said.
'Jacob! I'm too busy to be playing twenty questions with you! Haven't you got patients to see to?' Connie snapped.
Jacob is hurt by Connie's attitude and leaves the office, slamming the door. Connie regrets shouting at him, her head dropping to her hands, already exhausted by the day.
'I need some air.' Connie muttered to herself.
Connie struts out of the hospital, taking a few deep breaths once she is in fresh air. She looks around the car park and eventually her gaze falls on her niece, flirting with Max, although it is clear to Connie that Natalia has other intentions.
'Max!' Connie called, getting his attention.
Connie gestures to Natalia, who is slinking her hand towards Max's pocket, where his wallet is sticking out.
'Nice try darlin. It seems the boss isn't on your side.' Max said, pushing Natalia's hand away.
'No change there.' Natalia said before handing him a scrap of paper with her number on it. 'Remember what I said though...anytime.'
Natalia walks over to Connie, who, as ever, is looking deeply unimpressed.
'He's married.' Connie warned her.
'I didn't see a ring.' Natalia said.
'It's complicated.' Connie replied. 'I really think you should be getting yourself home.'
'Can't I stay for a bit longer? We're long overdue a catch up.' Natalia said.
'This is my place of work. I don't have time for coffee and a gossip.' Connie said.
'You must be allowed breaks like everyone else though?' Natalia reminder her, not taking her eyes from her Auntie, desperate to convince her. 'Please?'
'A coffee in my office and then it really is time to go.' Connie replied.
A short while later, Connie is in the coffee shop, collecting two coffees when Jacob approaches her. Despite Connie's best efforts, the stress on her face was evident and Jacob was determined to get to the bottom of his girlfriend's problems.
'Everything alright?' Jacob asked, deeply concerned.
'I've warned you already. Stop questioning me.' Connie said firmly.
'And I'm warning you...don't push me away.' Jacob said, pulling her back round to face him. 'I love you Connie. Does that not mean anything to you?'
Jacob can tell he's touched a nerve as Connie relaxes a little, offering him a small smile.
'Come with me.' Connie said, her voice softer and calmer as she walks just a little way ahead of Jacob.
Connie and Jacob walk into Connie's office, closing the door behind them. Natalia is sitting comfortably on the sofa, the cheeky grin still etched on her face.
'You're still here?' Jacob asked, looking at Natalia. 'Listen sweetheart, if Mrs Beauchamp has turned you down for the job then I'm sorry but you're going to have to accept it.'
'There is no job. Not for Natalia anyway. There never was.' Connie told him.
'Natalia?' Jacob repeated; it was the first time Connie had referred to her by name.
'Jacob, she's my niece.' Connie admitted.
'Natalia Gallagher. Nice to meet you, handsome.' Natalia said, shaking his hand, a flirtatious glint in her eye. 'Ooh that's a powerful handshake you've got there.'
'Please excuse her, she's got no control over her mouth.' Connie sighed.
'Yeah well people aren't normally interested in my mouth, if you catch my drift. Especially not the fittie's you employ, Auntie Connie.' Natalia joked, although she was soon silenced by Connie's trademark 'death stare'...