Chapter one
"We are auctioning…" Jack hesitated, looking around for ideas "a date – with Lofty!" Spinning the nurse around and positioning him under Jack's arm. Robyn looked at Lofty in disbelief.
"What?" Lofty frowned, confused at the sudden mention of the idea. "What do you mean date?"
"Oh come on, Lofty! Handsome man like you, we could make hundreds! And it's all for charity…" Jack sang in an almost melodic tone. The new receptionist playfully tapped Lofty on the shoulder, swiftly departing before the nurse could protest any further. The remaining nurses, Lofty, Robyn and Louise, stood in silence for a moment. Suddenly, the girls erupted into laughter.
"Oh Lofty – what have you gotten yourself into?" Louise laughed, shaking her head.
"What can I do? I never agreed auctioned off but if it's for charity I can't exactly say no!" the young nurse sighed, putting his face into his hands. The two girls simply giggled some more as they scurried off to attend to their duties. Lofty remained leant over the reception counter, wondering if there was anything he could do to change Jack's mind. Suddenly, the sharp click of fingers struck in his ear.
"Come on, no time for you to be sulking around. What's wrong?" Dylan ordered, traipsing his fingers through a collection of files. He waited for the nurses reply as he stood up straight and rubbed his face.
"Jack is using me as a prize at the auction tonight," Lofty began to explain, before being interrupted by a chuckle from Dylan.
"And what is his selling point exactly? You can successfully knock over three trollies in one go?"
"Hey that was one time!" Lofty rolled his eyes, almost sick of Dylan's fondness of reminding him. However, both the men began to laugh at the memory of Rita's face as Lofty tumbled, along with a batch of fresh medical equipment, to the floor in a heap. They composed themselves and Lofty carried on.
"He's selling a date… with me…" the nurse winced, like he was cleaning a wound as he said it. Dylan's face dropped, unable to comprehend what the younger man had just said. He stood for a moment, searching for words.
"A-a-and you don't want to go, and be auctioned off in that way?" he stuttered, looking for clarification.
"No, it's going to be so degrading. What if I get snapped up by some weirdo? I've never been on a proper date before in my life!" Lofty exclaimed, shaking his head. Dylan's face softened, his mind relaxed once more.
"Then you need to march right up to that flamboyant clown and tell him you don't want to go, Ben." Dylan said sharply. He hadn't intended it to come out like he was ordering the nurse around, but he wanted Lofty to have more confidence. That was something Lofty needed to work on if he was going to get this promotion – he needed to be able to take charge and lead. The nurse began to shake his head, rubbing the tiredness from his eyes. He had only just started his shift, and it looked as if it was going to be a long day now that he had this problem playing on his mind.
"It's not gonna work, Dylan. Do you know how pushy that guy is? It would be like reasoning with a brick wall! I'm never gonna get out of this" he complained, washing his hands with antibacterial gel. Dylan looked at Lofty, unimpressed at his urge to surrender.
"No, you are. Walk with me, I know what we need to do." The doctor demanded, motioning for Lofty to follow him. Lofty nodded. The word 'we' made Lofty feel warm inside, Dylan actually wanted to help him. He accompanied Dylan while he treated them, offering tips on how to be more forceful for the interview, and for Jack. Lofty appreciated Dylan's sincerity to help; it was rare for Dylan Keogh to help anyone in terms of emotion rather than injury – but he always made an exception for Lofty, for some reason.