Rita had only been at work for 2 hours and she was already looking at the clocking wishing her shift would end. Tess and Charlie were on her back because she came in late and they both lied to Connie to cover for her.

Rita groaned quietly as she rubbed her head. She had been suffering from this splitting headache all day.

Tess came round the corner 'Mr Walters is in cubicle 4 still waiting for you and Mrs Richards should have been discharged 30 minutes ago, Rita get yourself together' she demanded.

'I'm busy at the moment can't Lofty or someone else discharge Mrs Richards?' Rita asked. 'No you're supposed to be on top of all your patients not passing them on to other people' Tess said sternly before walking away.

Rita shock her head trying to focus on the paperwork in front of her, giving up she looked around to see if the coast was clear before walking quickly to her locker. She rummaged through her handbag trying to find some paracetamol but she didn't have any. Rita swore under her breath.

She went to reception with the intention of asking Louise if she had any painkillers. She was stopped by a tall bulky lad in his late-twenties wearing a pair dirty jeans and a black top.

He grabbed her arm. 'I need to find my brother' he stated with urgency.

'Okay sir, what's his name?' Rita replied trying to free her arm from his solid grasp.

'Mark, he came in earlier…he was in a fight. I wasn't involved though…I only found out about it after my mate called me' the man replied defensively.

Rita was getting both scared and angry that this man was still holding her arm.

'I would appreciate it if you could let go of my arm, I need to find his paperwork.' she told him with authority. He let go but it was clear that he was getting irritated.

'Just tell me where my f****** brother is' he demanded taking a step closer to her.

She could feel his breath on her face; he was so close to her she could smell alcohol as he breathed. Rita looked up at him 'I don't appreciate being threatened sir, do you want me to find out where your brother is or do you want me to call security?' She retorted with a hint of patronisation, she wasn't going to be pushed around by another jerk.

He grabbed her arms and brought his face even closer to hers, whispering 'no one talks to me like that, you'd better apologize. Tell me where my f****** brother is or I'll break you in half.' He threatened glaring menacingly into her eyes.

Rita wasn't going to let this guy get the better of her. She shot back loudly 'how f****** dare you threaten me, get your hands off me you b******. I am not helping you. Just f*** off.' She forcefully pushes him backwards to free herself, getting ready for a fight, anger coursing through her veins.

Tess and Charlie quickly rush over after hearing her swearing; the guy backed off, glared at Rita and walked out of the ED. Tess and Charlie both were looking at her disapprovingly, they hadn't seen everything that had happened. Rita looked around and realised that everyone was looking at her. Tess was about to say something but someone else got there first.

'Rita. My office. Now. Charlie go and find the man, take security with you. Tess go and find his brother.' Connie ordered.

Rita walked into Connie's office getting ready to defend herself, not noticing the blinds were shut. She shouldn't have sworn in front of everyone but she had good reason after the way he treated her she thought.

'Connie I'm really not in the mood to be lectured right now…' She started knowing she was going to be in a whole heap of trouble, she could feel her heart pumping loudly. Rita looked at Connie's face. She was smiling.

'Shut the door' Connie asked 'have a seat.' Rita shut the door and sat down watching Connie look through her handbag. She placed a bottle of water and some paracetamol in front of Rita. 'How did you know I had a headache?' Rita asked with confusion. 'I saw you earlier rubbing your head' she replied. 'I'm sorry Connie, I shouldn't have sworn at him in front of all those people but he was threatening me…' Rita exclaimed.

'You didn't handle it very professionally I'll admit but I think most people would've done the same thing in that circumstance.' Connie replied 'I can tell you were having a bad day before he turned up. Don't worry Rita, I'll sort it out. I know you and I know that you wouldn't have said those things without reason. I will have to report it but you don't have anything to worry about'. She could see how badly this had affected Rita.

'So you're not going to yell at me?' Rita asked nervously.

'No, I just brought you in here to calm you down, we all have bad days and I know Tess and Charlie have been on at you already so you don't need me as well.' Connie responded gently 'go on take a couple now' gesturing at the pills.

Still a little confused Rita sighed with relief and took the pills. 'Tess and Charlie will assume I'm punishing you right now so you can stay in here as long as you need to cool off, which will also mean they'll probably ease off as well.' Connie pointed out 'you only have a few hours left of your shift if you want me to send you home, it's your call.'

Rita started to tremble, she had been on edge all day and after the incident she just needed to let it all out, she began to cry uncontrollably covering her face with her hands. Connie was a little taken aback by this; she hadn't seen Rita this vulnerable before. Connie leant over and took Rita's hand. Rita was shocked by this act of kindness. They both stared at their interlocking hands. Rita looked up at Connie. Connie could see how upset she was; she stood up and walked round her desk. She knelt down so that she was looking up at Rita trying to appear as unintimidating as possible. She gently held Rita's hands, which were still shaking. She looked into Rita's eyes trying to figure out the right thing to say to make Rita feel better but she understood that Rita was feeling overwhelmed and needed to cry. 'Come here' Connie said quietly pulling Rita up into a warm comforting embrace. She could feel the little blonde sobbing. Connie felt so sorry for her, a part of her wanted to go after that horrible boy but being with Rita was more important.

Rita was confused; she needed to cry but was bewildered by the way Connie was treating her.

'What do you want to do? Do you want to go home now?' Connie asked lifting her head just enough to see Rita's face but still holding on to her. Rita and Connie both knew what she wanted to do and what she was likely to do.

Connie sighed heavily whilst stroking Rita's back. 'How did you know?' Rita whispered realising that Connie knew that she desperately wanted to get her hands on a bottle of something, anything to drown out her thoughts, her memories and her emotions.

Connie slowly pulled out of the embrace but still held on to Rita's hands 'Like I said earlier, I know you' Connie replied 'okay this is what I want you to do, you're going to dry your eyes and try to finish you shift. If at any point you need a moment come in here, I'll cover for you so don't worry about Tess and Charlie.' Rita nodded pulling one of her hands out of Connie's, wiping the tears from her cheeks.

Connie opened her mouth then closed it again as though she wanted to say something but was unsure how to. 'It's a bit unconventional but…I would prefer it if you came back to mine tonight, I want to make sure you're alright. We can talk through everything you need to get out, which I think may help or we can just watch a movie to take you mind off it all.' Connie said 'I don't want you to be alone tonight but ultimately it's up to you.'

Rita stood there completely dumbfounded. She wasn't sure what was going on. Mrs Beauchamp just invited her to her house. 'Can I get back to you on that?' Rita replied after a long pause. Connie sighed she was desperately hoping Rita would take the offer; she was worried that Rita would relapse.

'Okay… Do you feel ready to go back to work?' Connie asked. Rita nodded letting go of Connie's hand. Rita left the office, shutting the door behind her. She let out a deep breath realising her heart was racing.

Rita picked up some paperwork, trying to focus on it. She heard Tess, who was standing in front of her, 'Was it bad?' She saw Rita had been crying, assuming the ice queen had given her a hard time, Rita just nodded knowing Connie wouldn't want anyone to know what had happened in her office. 'If you need a few minutes I don't mind covering your next patient' Tess offered. 'No it's okay, I'm fine' Rita replied, she saw Connie behind Tess. Connie smiled at Rita before saying 'Come on ladies back to work, I'm trying to run an ED here.'