"Keep still please James." She said gently, holding the syringe in one hand and the young lad's arm in her other. The young lad in question was sobbing loudly, and doing anything but keeping still.
"I don't want an injection!" He continued sobbing, trying to wrench away.
"I know. But it'll only take a second, then it'll be over." She continued trying to sooth the distressed boy, wondering whether she could just inject him now whilst he was concentrating on escaping her and not on the syringe.
"Noooooo!" He screamed, the sound ringing in the doctor's ears long after it had been uttered. He twisted violently, kicking her leg in the process. She let out a gasp of pain, momentarily loosing her grip on James' arm, giving him enough time to wrench himself free, launch himself from the chair, and he was off out the door.
"James!" She half ran, half limped after him, seeing him running down the corridor in the direction of Milner Ward as fast as his little legs could carry him. "James!" She called again with no response, wondering where on Earth his mother was.
"Problem?" The sound of her husband's voice reached her, but she didn't stop, making him in turn run after her, receiving many a strange glance from other occupants of the corridor.
"I just need to catch this boy." She gasped, turning left just before Milner and beginning to ascend the stairs. "He doesn't like the idea of a vaccination."
"Ahhh." Her husband's breathing too was becoming laboured. "Anything I can do?"
"No, not really." She gasped, dodging round a nurse laden with bedpans, hoping her husband too would be as lucky. "I'll see you at home!"
"Okay love!"
She gave no reply as she turned yet another corner, nearly upsetting a trolley of instruments and darting nimbly around a bewildered Sister Brigid. She couldn't help but smile at how the charade must look to the rest of the staff, patients and anyone else who had the misfortune to be in her path. The joys of general practice!
Jill drew up outside her home, their home. She paused for a moment, looking up at it, taking in the view. Two months they had been living here, one month of that as a married couple. Her gaze turned from their home to her hand, moving it to make the moonlight glint off the gold band adorning her finger. She couldn't imagine ever getting used to it sitting there, a symbol of the three people who made her life complete; her husband and his two children. She practically leapt out her mini at that point, the thought of spending another second away from them near enough unbearable.
She entered the house, pausing to remove her coat and shoes, placing them along with her bags in the places they now belonged. It was one of the many things she marvelled at; at quickly and easily they'd slipped into a routine together, how everything had its place. She padded in her stockinged feet across the plush carpet, her toes sinking ever so slightly into the fibres, remembering the day they'd spent traipsing round the high street, trying to find suitable carpets for each room. It had taken nearly the whole Sunday but the four of them had enjoyed it immensely.
She entered their living room, her gaze immediately drawn to the figure seated on the settee; her husband. She couldn't prevent her lips curving into a smile at the sight of him, still she couldn't believe she had a family to come home to. He turned, meeting her gaze and returning her smile.
"You look happy."
"Just glad to be home." She replied, her smile widening as she took the hand he offered, and releasing an uncharacteristic giggle as he pulled her to sit next to him.
"How was it?" He asked, referring to the labour she'd had to attend, the reason for her late arrival home.
"It was fine. No complications thankfully." She snuggled further into his arms, resting her head against his shoulder.
"What about the boy?"
"Ah well." She smiled, recalling the chase. "I finally managed to catch up with him and got him back to my office. It took two nurses to hold him down, and even then I got kicked another few times. It was all accidental though, I think, the poor boy was absolutely petrified."
"Well where was his mother?"
"Outside. Her youngest was a little grumpy, to say the least. Let's just say my hearing hasn't recovered yet."
He chuckled, tightening his arm around her. After a few moments contented silence, he spoke again. "You know, I was thinking, we should have a party."
"Oh?" She tipped her head back against his arm so she could look at him. "Any particular reason?"
"Well, we've been here two months and no one's really seen the place. And we didn't get a wedding reception either. It'll be a nice opportunity to get our friends together."
She nodded, smiling and placing her lips on his for a quick kiss. "Sounds wonderful. When?"
"I was thinking this Friday. Since I'm taking the kids down to Bournemouth the next day, it might tire them out and make them sleep during journey."
"You wish." She laughed, elbowing him lightly in his side, before her tone turned wistful. "I'm going to miss you, you know."
It was Tom and Katie's half term holiday the next week, and Gordon was taking them down to stay with their grandparents in Bournemouth on Saturday morning. He was to return to Elsinby Monday morning, then drive the long distance back down to collect the children the following Saturday.
"I'm only going for a weekend." He replied to her last uttered sentiment.
"I know, but still..." She shrugged, shifting still closer to him, sliding her arm across him, bringing them closer together. It was hard to believe that she, the ever independent, seemingly emotionally detached Doctor Weatherill was the same woman declaring she'd miss a man who would be gone only for a weekend.
"Well if it's any consolation Mrs Ormerod, I'll miss you too."
She grinned at his words shifting so she bring her face level with his, but still pressing her body close to his. "We'll just have to make the most of the time we've got left then." She whispered, before moving in for what was to be far from a quick kiss.
"Morning Lizzie." Jill said, smiling as she moved to stand in front of the reception desk, joined moments later by Gordon.
"Morning doctors." She sighed. "Here's your letters, notes and patient lists." She sighed again, only a tiny smile flickering on her features, though the doctors could tell even this was forced.
They accepted their paperwork, smiling sympathetically at the young woman, and made their way towards Jill's office. "Poor Lizzie." She said, placing her notes in the hand Gordon offered, allowing her to unlock her door. They entered, Gordon moving to her desk, placing her notes down as she closed the door.
"Maybe the party will help take her mind off it." He offered, turning and leaning against her desk, holding out a hand into which she placed her own.
"Maybe." She was quite a moment, allowing Gordon to pull her against him and into a hug. "If I ever see that Dave again... He'll get a piece of my mind! How dare he treat Lizzie like that?"
"And I'd love to see that." He chuckled a little, his exhalation moving the loose strands of hair hanging in a soft curl just in front of her ear. "But I doubt Lizzie will appreciate it, no matter how much he's hurt her."
"No, I suppose not." She sighed sadly, not even being able to comprehend the pain Lizzie must be feeling at her husband's betrayal. She tightened her arms around her own husband, laying her head on his shoulder. "You know, it's made me appreciate what I've got, Gordon Ormerod."
"And me." He hugged her closer in response to the increase in pressure of her hands on his back. "But you needn't worry Jill, I'll never betray you."
"Not if you know what's good for you!" She laughed, but happier all the same to receive extra confirmation to what she already knew.
"Hey." She smiled at him, placing her hand briefly on his arm as she passed him on her way to the filing cabinet.
He looked at her from his position sat at the table behind reception. "Cup of tea?"
"Please." She sighed, placing her files in the cabinet before sinking down in a chair beside him. She sighed again, placing her head in her hands, allowing her heavy eyelids to close. It was late Wednesday afternoon, the day had been busy, for her starting at 5 o'clock that morning with a labour.
"You okay?" She felt him place a hand on her back, the warmth transferring through the thin material of her blouse.
"Yeah, just a little tired is all." She smiled a little as Gordon rubbed her back soothingly.
"Doctor Weatherill."
Jill almost groaned out loud when Lizzie called her name, knowing it meant more work. "Yes Lizzie?" She sighed, raising her head and turning to see Lizzie with the phone in her hand.
"I know Doctor Goodwin's on call this evening but it's Mrs Holloway. She said she had a fall this morning, and will only have you." She paused, looking worried. "What shall I tell her?"
"It's fine, Lizzie. Tell her I'm on my way." As Lizzie turned back to relate the message, Jill stood up, pausing only when Gordon took hold of her wrist.
"But you were out early this morning, and back late last night, and the night before!"
"Yes, I do know Gordon." She said dryly, rolling her eyes. "I'll see you later." She bent down to kiss his cheek, before walking out. She straightened her back, taking a deep breath, forcing herself to wake herself up properly. She knew it was going to be a long night.
"What are you thinking?" She whispered, looking up at him. They were in bed, Gordon gazing down at her, his arm beneath her head. He was laying on his side, propped up by an elbow, holding her close to him with his free hand on her waist. He trailed his hand up her body to her cheek, brushing back her hair.
"About our wedding day." He gazed down at her, matching her smile as she remembered the day. "I never did tell you how beautiful you looked in your dress did I."
Her smile widened and she blushed, hoping he wouldn't be able to see in the dim light.
"And you looked pretty dapper yourself. Especially after you got all sooty."
"Really? I'll remember that next time we go out; a bit of dirt to complete the outfit."
She laughed, shifting and snuggling closer against him. "You definitely looked better than I did."
"Oh I don't know, you certainly looked a sight." She raised an eyebrow at the comment. "Dressed in a wedding dress, scrubs, covered in soot and treating patients, I don't think the hospital's seen anything quite like it."
She hit him lightly. "If I knew you were going to be horrible I wouldn't have complimented you."
He grinned at her, barely stopping himself from laughing. "You did look a sight... But you also looked very cute."
She raised her eyebrow again, about to contest his choice of word, but despite herself, she yawned.
"I'm sorry, am I boring you?" He asked, pretending to be affronted.
"No, no, just a little tired." She yawned again, doing nothing to try and hide it.
"Exhausted more like. You've had a busy few days."
It was true; she'd had numerous late nights and early mornings, accompanied with draining operations and labours.
"Why don't you try and get some sleep." He continued, running a hand through her hair.
"Mmm. That would be nice." She murmured, already starting to drift off.
He shifted onto his back, allowing her to lay her head upon his shoulder. His arm wrapped around her, holding her securely against him.
"You know," she suddenly said, yawning again. "I don't think many people can say an explosion is part of the happiest day of their lives." She grinned up at him, feeling the vibrations of his chuckle through the hand placed against his chest.
"No, I don't suppose they can." His thumb glided across her cheek, his fingertips moving to brush through her hair. She smiled at the sensation, her eyes slowly closing as sleep took over.