"Excuse m-"
"Sorry, mate, if you could just wait there a second, I'll be there as soon as I can," interjected Noel before turning his back on the man at the desk to answer the phone. The morning had not been going well, and the receptionist already felt the need for a strong cup of coffee and some R & R. Instead, he was receiving a call from yet another frantic family member wishing to see one of the numerous patients in the ED, and not even Poirot could find their file under this lot!
"Right, sorry, what were you saying?" Noel asked, turning back to the surprisingly dapper gentleman leaning against the desk. Doctor, he though immediately.
"Hi, I'm looking for Sam," he replied with an easy-going smile and smooth voice. He was exactly the sort of man which made Noel feel about ten inches tall, and he hated him already.
"Sam?" he responded, deciding to make this day as difficult for him as possible – it wasn't fair that he was the only one suffering.
"Yeah, gorgeous, fair hair, pig-headed, stubborn… know the one I mean?"
Noel couldn't help smirking, which made him all the more annoyed, and nodded. "She'll be around somewhere. Is it important?"
The man shrugged nonchalantly. "Well, it's not a matter of life or death, if that's what you mean. But I have a plane to catch in…" he paused to check his watch, "two hours, and I need to see her before I go."
Noel's brows gathered as he tried to work out who this guy was. It wasn't her husband, that was for sure – that particular position had already been filled by their very own rude, obnoxious doctor. But, from the way he was speaking, they weren't exactly friends either.
"I'll page her, let her know you're here. Name?"
"Matt. She'll know who I am," he said with a smile and then went to sit down in the waiting area.
xxx
She saw him before he saw her. She hated being the first to make eye contact – no matter how hard she tried, she always felt needy when he saw she was looking at him. It was ridiculous, of course, but somehow he always made her feel so self-conscious and vulnerable, as though he could read her mind with just a glance.
She gave a weak smile before cautiously quickening her pace, deciding the quicker she was away from him the better.
"Oh, Sam," he called after her, and she halted suddenly. It had been a long time since he had been the first to engage in conversation with her.
"Mm-hmm?"
"Matt's here… to see you," he stated bluntly, eyes hard and unseeing as he stared right at her.
There was a moments silence as Sam tried to take in this unbelievable information. He couldn't mean… Matt. She hadn't seen him in years, and she had never, ever expected to see him again. But he was here. And he had seen Dylan… maybe even spoken to him. Oh God.
"Right. Thanks. I suppose I should… Um, yeah, I'll just…"
"Ok," Dylan replied before she could think up a semi-coherent response, turning briskly on his heel and marching down the corridor without a second glance.
Once she had regained control of her thoughts, Sam rubbed her eyes hard and hurried up the corridor towards the reception area.
xxx
"What is wrong with you today?" Zoe asked, cocking her head to one side as she studied her friend's vacant, irate face.
Dylan decided to ignore her and continued to read the patient's notes. He had woken at four, as had been normal for years now, but it wasn't just the exhaustion clouding his mind.
"Fine, don't tell me. But I bet I can guess," she added under her breath, giving a mischievous smile as she saw his jaw lock.
"Right, well, that's probably the most boring case notes I have ever read. Here you go," he said, handing over the file before attempting to make a hasty retreat. He wasn't surprised when Zoe blocked his path.
"Go on. You're not likely to get another offer."
He sighed, turning his head to the side to stop her reading his expression. It had been nagging away at him the entire morning, wondering why he had decided to show up now. Why today?
"Matthew Garrett. Renowned surgeon, currently residing in Harley street, though his talents are now required in Dubai." In Dylan's mind, this was enough information for Zoe to piece the jigsaw puzzle together, but by the look on her face, she couldn't see the problem. "He's a prick," he explained, and she chuckled at his frank answer.
"Right. So, you're jealous, then? He's got the money, the career, the contacts…"
"No," he replied, almost wishing it was that simple. But the fact was, he had something far more important within his grasp, something which Dylan had no hope of ever stealing back.
"Then what's the problem? I'm sure you've met hundreds of twats like Garrett – what's so special about him?"
"Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Can we drop it, now, or do you honestly have nothing better to do?" he snapped, pushing past her and going in search of a more interesting patient to distract him.
xxx
She knew as soon as she entered reception that he was there – if the giggling nurses wasn't a giveaway, his arrogant, smug voice certainly confirmed her fears. She stood by the doors, half tempted to hide in the on-call room for the rest of the shift, but he had turned before she had a chance to decide.
"My God, you look bloody awful!" he yelled before giving his signature laugh. She shuddered at the sound.
"Thanks. Why are you here?" she asked, determined to remain cold and detached for the entire conversation, which would hopefully be very brief.
His mouth twitched slightly at the harsh tone of her voice, before faking a smile. "To see you, of course. I don't have long to chat, but I could hardly leave before seeing you."
"Why not? We haven't spoken in almost two years."
He nodded, combing his fingers through his golden locks. "I know. My fault, I suppose. I probably should have made the effort, but you know how it is, Sammy. Busy, busy, busy."
She felt like slapping him, but refrained, knowing that it wouldn't look too good if a doctor assaulted a visitor, no matter how much of a bastard he was.
"Talking of being busy, I have a patient list which is increasing by the minute, so if you could kindly say whatever it is you have to say and leave, that would be greatly appreciated," she replied, eyes as cold and hard as Dylan's. It was a terrifying thought to think she was anything like him, but in this case, maybe it wasn't such a bad thing.
"Right… Well, first thing's first. Why the hell is Dylan working at the same hospital as you? I mean, divorcees don't usually stay joined at the hip – not that either of you were particularly close even when you were married."
"Stop right there, Matt. This has nothing to do with you. Say what you have to say, and then go. Quite frankly, I don't know what you could possibly need to tell me that is so urgent."
"I'm going to Dubai."
Sam laughed bitterly. "That's great news. Don't feel the need to send me a postcard-"
"I want you to come with me."
