Before I begin, I'd just like to thank holbyclover and CArfwedsonFan91 who helped me with ideas for this series of 6 stories a while ago :) And if the ideas are not used in this story, they'll probably be used in one of the other 5 expeditions!
The boardroom of Holby City General Hospital was rarely somewhere that you'd want to be. The main function of the room was to host meetings, job interviews or hearings – all of which were events to avoid at all costs. But on one Monday morning, that was clearly different. The skeleton staff of Darwin and Keller were seated around an oval table and there was just one seat left empty. A seat that would soon be filled by the hospital's CEO, Guy Self. Jonny, alongside his on-off partner Jac, Mo, Adele and Jesse were from Darwin whilst Zosia, Colette, Arthur, Dom and Sacha were from the general surgical ward, Keller.
"Do you have any idea what this is all about?" Dom asked his flatmate.
"No. Why would I?" Zosia retorted.
"Yeah, it's not like Guy's your Dad or anything." Dom replied sarcastically.
"It can't be something bad can it?" Arthur asked quietly. "I mean, not with everyone here."
"Stop worrying Diggers, it's probably just going to be about a fundraiser or something like that." Dom stated. The door then swung open, the CEO entered and he sat down at the head of the table.
"Ah, excellent. Everyone's here." He smiled as he placed his black leather portfolio on the table, and his blazer on the back of his chair. "Right, now given the major incident declared last week and the recent inspection, the board has been breathing down my neck about making Holby the most efficient hospital in the South West." He began. "And a number of observing members have noted that many minor errors or delays were made due to a lack of communication and teamwork between the wards. And one of them - who is a good friend of mine and wishes to remain anonymous - was so kind as to offer financial backing for any sort of 'team building' ideas that would benefit the hospital because he understands how hard you're all working."
"Oh god." Jac muttered quietly which caused Jonny and Mo - who were sitting either side of her - to smirk.
"I have, therefore, taken the liberty to train as a leader for the Duke of Edinburgh award programme." Guy announced. "I proposed the idea to the benefactor and he is delighted to know that I'm going to be taking all ten of you on six expeditions: a practice expedition and the assessed expedition for the bronze, silver and gold awards. Where necessary, you will be given time off of work to prepare or recover and most of your travelling and equipment costs will be reimbursed."
"And who's going to treat patients whilst you have us hiking out in the middle of nowhere?" Jac demanded.
"You might not like to hear it Ms Naylor but this hospital can cope without you for a couple of days and Professor Hope can run the ward without you." Guy replied. "Now, I've booked the bronze practice expedition – it's in just over a month's time in the first week of March and seeing as it is only 2 days and 1 night long, it'll take place on a Saturday and Sunday to minimise disruption to the hospital. We'll be following the Mid Worcestershire Ring which is a 21 miles long hiking route–"
"In two days?" Colette protested.
"If you think that's a long way, you wait until you see what I've got planned for the final gold expedition." Guy smirked. "Now, I'll email you all the details but I just thought that it'd be best to tell you all in person."
"Who the hell does he think he is?" Jac snapped as she and Jonny ascended the stairs back up to Darwin after the meeting.
"Er... I don't know, maybe Guy Self?" Jonny replied humorously. He'd grown up camping in the Scottish Highlands so he couldn't wait for the expedition but he knew his partner was of the reciprocal opinion.
"I don't care if he's Guy bloody Self, it doesn't mean that he can force me to go on some ridiculous camping trip."
"Expedition." Jonny corrected which forced the consultant to pause on the stairs, look down at the nurse and give him her infamously daunting glare which, from a couple of steps up, looked all the more formidable but it didn't faze the Scottish nurse. "Alright, I'm sorry." He apologised. "But I think you're overreacting about this. It's only one night, what's the worst that could happen?"
The Night Before The Expedition
"Have you guys seen my iPad mini?" Zosia frowned as she entered the living room after she'd searched her bedroom for the device. It was Friday night and the trio had decided to give going out a miss because it was the night before they were leaving for their practice expedition. Instead, their flat was dotted around with clothes, non-perishable food, drinks and equipment as they all packed their hiking bags.
"Yeah, it's on charge in the kitchen where you left it this morning." Dom stated.
"I knew that." She replied slowly as she walked through to unplug her tablet.
"You're not taking that with you, are you?" Arthur asked.
"My iPad? Yeah, why?"
"I just would've thought that you'd leave it here."
"Yeah Zosia, we're going to the countryside to get away from all this technology." Dom said patronisingly.
"You sound just like Colette." She scoffed before she began sorting through a pile of her clean washing to find some clothing suitable for the weekend.
"Just one question: how are you going to manage without sleeping with Jesse for a night?" Dom quipped.
"Who said we're not going to sleep together?" Zosia teased.
"Well for a start, you're staying in a tent with me and Arthur. And secondly, your Dad is going to be a couple of meters away with little more than a thin tent separating you – anyone, including your Dad, will be able to hear." He replied bluntly.
"Like I care what he thinks." She scoffed.
"You really need to make up with your father Zosh, he's trying and tomorrow could be the perfect opportunity for you both to spend some time together." Dom stated.
"Alright, when you and your Dad make up then I'll make up with my Dad."
"That's completely different, he doesn't accept my sexuality and I find that intolerable."
"And not telling me that my mother was dying was?" Zosia protested. "I just want this weekend to go quickly and painlessly." She declared. "It won't be that bad, will it?"
Thank you all for reading, please leave me a review and let me know what you think :-)