Loss and Regret
Chapter 1
Serena Campbell, one-time Deputy CEO, Clinical co-lead of AAU, and vascular surgeon at Holby City Hospital pulled her leased Fiat into her old parking space outside
said hospital with major butterflies in her stomach. It had been just a year since she had sat on the rooftop with Bernie, telling her she had to get out of there,
had to find herself again. The Serena everyone knew, the Serena Bernie loved. Not the horrible monster she had become.
As she sat for a moment after turning off the engine, she stared up at the building that for so many years had been her second home. Her family. But now, so many are gone.
Jasmine and Raf, dead. Morven, with Cam in London. Bernie in Africa. As a tear threatened, she shakily wiped it away.
"Well, at least I know I will be seeing you again my love," she says softly, thinking of Bernie. "But... first things first."
Even with the butterflies still present, her mind turned on the professional persona.
And head held high, a determined step pushing her forward, she locked the car and headed to the main doors.
_
"Do they know you are leaving?" Serena asked Henrik.
"Yes," he replies. "Only one person knows that I've asked you back here to replace me."
"Temporarily," Serena states, as a question.
Henrik just looks at her.
"You are coming back?" she asks.
He smiles sadly.
"In due time,,,, perhaps," is his cryptic reply.
"There has been so much loss and,,,,regret," he continues. "And I need to ascertain as,,, to my place in all that."
Serena just nods knowingly, then registers what he said.
"Who knows?" she asks.
"Mr. Fletcher," he replies. "As the director of nursing I felt I should inform him first-hand. And I expect he would tell at least one other person."
"And that would be...?" she asks.
"Ms. Naylor," he replies.
"Ah, yes of course," Serena replies. "How is she?"
"Back working, and,, managing," Henrik says as he stands and moves around the desk.
"Good," Serena replies. "I had actually hoped to speak to her."
Henrik just smiles sadly. A smile that does not reach his eyes.
"I think that would be wise," he says softly.
"I will be in touch," he says as he turns to the door.
"I'm counting on in, Henrik," Serena replies as she watches him go.
She then turns to the desk in the now to empty office.
"Loss and regret," she repeats Henriks' words. "To much."
As she is about to sit behind the desk, a knock comes.
"Come in," she calls out.
"Serena," Fletch says gratefully as he enters.
"Well, hello Mr. "Director of Nursing"," she says with a smile as she comes to hug him.
"It is so good to have you back," he replies as he returns the hug.
And as Serena releases him, she can just make out the tears forming in his eyes.
She puts her hand to his cheek.
"I'm so sorry I couldn't be here," she whispers.
"I know," he replies. "But, you're here now. And I imagine you want to get right on with things. Budgets, department changes, employee changes, etc."
"Well, yes I need to do that but I was hoping to speak to someone first," she replies.
"Oh. Who?" he asks.
"Jac," she replies.
"Ah, actually she should be on her way up here shortly. I informed her of you returning and she had hoped to speak to you too," he replies.
"Oh, okay," Serena replies, surprised.
"I know I'm stating the obvious here but, much has happened Serena," Fletch explains.
"I know," she replies. "I think the two words Henrik said apply."
"Loss and regret."
And with that, a knock at the door.
"I'll leave you both to it," Fletch says. "I'll let her in."
He opens the door and gives both the women a smile.
Jac then closes the door and turns.
And smiles.
And Serena is speechless.
A/N Please let me know what you think. It's a good conversation I promise. Other part will be up soon. Thanks for reading.