Chapter 1
The sound of heels hitting the floor was echoing through the department before anyone saw her. Walking in, in her louboutin's, Connie looked flawless as she picked up some files from reception before entering her office. Sitting down at her desk she noticed the pile of paperwork that she had to complete by the end of the shift.
Zoe was at the nurses' station addressing the staff for the day as Connie had gone upstairs for a meeting with Guy Self, leaving her in charge. "Okay I think that's everything, Rita anything I've forgotten?" She turned to her colleague who shook her head "Nope, think that's everything… Have a good day guys."
Rita and Zoe stood speaking once everyone else had left. "So are you all set for the wedding? You know we have to have a hen party right?" Zoe rolled her eyes as they made their way through to reception to meet their patients. "Yeah, Max has taken care of most of it… And I just want a quiet one, no drama." She looked at Rita who nodded smiling before Zoe walked off with a patient. Robyn approached Rita as she called for her patient. "Are we really going to let her have a 'quiet' night-" "Who said anything about it being quiet?" Rita grinned as they walked back towards cubicles.
After a few hours of Connie being in meetings and sifting through paperwork which should have been completed hours ago, there was a knock at the door. "Come in." She didn't look up as they entered and walked towards her desk. "Erm, Mrs Beauchamp everyone's going out for a drink tonight and I was wandering if you were joining us?"
Connie looked up and noticed Cal was standing in-front of her desk smiling. She sat back in her chair before looking towards him. "And what would have given you the impression that I'd want to spend any extra time with you than I have to?" The smile faded from Cal's face as he turned around to walk out the office. "Dr Knight…" he turned to face her again "Close the door on your way out." He turned back around shaking his head not believing her, yet not being able to stop thinking about her.
Zoe was standing outside having a cigarette when Connie wandered outside. She noticed her colleague standing around the corner from her before heading towards her. "Everything alright?" Connie nodded leaning back against the wall. "Yeah, I just needed 5 minutes out of there. Crazy how mad it can all seem after being away for a few weeks…" Zoe nodded "I can understand that. Why don't you come out tonight, have a drink?" Connie looked over and had a long list of reasons in her head why she shouldn't go but for a moment her brain and mouth weren't connected. "Okay, after work I assume?"
Zoe left Connie standing outside and met Max near her office. "If I didn't know any better I'd think you were stalking me Mr Walker." He smiled as his fiancé closed the space between them. "Well it'd be a bit weird to stalk the woman you're going to marry, but yes in theory." She smiled as he leant forward and kissed her before they parted ways returning to finish their shifts.
So in the space of a few moment Connie had refused drinks with Cal, to say yes to Zoe when he would be there anyway. Walking back inside after having a few minutes to herself Connie approached the nurses' station where Ethan was discussing something with Lily. "I'll rush the results and find you when they're back." Ethan left as Tess and Zoe approached the desk.
"So I hear you're joining us this evening?" Rita looked up after having spoken to Zoe. Connie nodded "It certainly appears that way. I won't be out long though." As she was speaking she noticed Cal lean forward on the desk across from her. He was looking down at the file but caught Connie's eye as he looked up. For some reason she couldn't bring herself to look away until she felt someone tapping her arm.
"Sorry, what did you say?" Connie turned back to Rita who was leaning on the desk. "I said don't flatter us too much by showing how much you're loving the thought of being with us out of hours." Connie smiled rolling her eyes "Oh don't worry Nurse Freeman, the thought is thrilling me…" Cal laughed pushing away from the desk and walking past Connie who watched him as he walked away. He thought someone was watching to turned round and noticed Connie still looking over, but she quickly walked away upon noticing him looking back.
Connie was in her office putting paperwork away as she heard someone at her door. "Hey you still coming?" Zoe was waiting in the doorway as Connie turned around. "I'll be over in a minute, I just need to finish up here." Zoe nodded "I'll get us a drink, see you in a bit." She walked away with Max joining the other members of staff.
Putting the folders away in the cupboard behind her desk she heard someone at her door again. "I'll be over in a minute…" There was no answer until she stood up and turned around. "I thought you didn't 'socialise' with us." Connie looked away closing the draw before putting her arms into her coat. "Well what can I say, some people are more persuasive than others…" Cal smiled, sighing before speaking again. "So can I buy you a drink?"
Connie walked out of her office, closing the door behind her. Cal was standing next to her leaning on the wall. She turned and locked the door, watching him look at her out of the corner of her eye. "So… Come on, what's with all the attention today?" They began walking out of the department. "Who says I don't pay this much attention every day?" Cal kept the slow pace walking next to Cal. They approached the pub but before they walked in Cal slowed down and reached out to Connie's arm. "Hang on a second…"
"Are we really going to be like this?" Connie looked up at him. "Like what? What do you mean 'we'?" Cal turned around and pulled Connie to the side of the building where nobody else could see them. "You know what I mean. Come on, before you went away you know that there was something-" "No there wasn't Cal, and I suggest you remember that too." Before she could say anything else he had moved down to her level and kissed her. She froze for a few moments not knowing whether to push him away or pull him closer.
Cal moved back slightly still staying close to her. "Really? You want to say that again?" Connie looked up at him "There is nothing between us and never will be." But instead of walking away while she had the chance she stayed exactly where she was. Again Cal leaned closer and placed his lips onto hers. His hands moved to her waist while she put hers around his neck kissing him back. This time it was Connie who broke the kiss before looking at Cal. "There's nothing…" She moved backwards looking at him the whole time before he began walking towards the door behind her.
All night Connie sat with Zoe discussing both work and personal things, and for the first time Connie spoke too. All the while she was noticing Cal across the table with Max and Ethan. Whenever he wasn't talking, he was looking at her which she secretly loved but of course would never show him that.
