A short one shot, as always reviews are much appreciated, thanks.
Holby City belongs to the BBC.
Too Little, Too Late
Oliver Valentine was sitting alone with only his thoughts for company he still was trying to come to terms with the tragic news that Penny was dead. He struggled to contemplate Michael's words which, to Oliver may as well have been said in a foreign language. This was not happening. He looked at Malick who could only nod in confirmation of the news. Both of them knew that words of condolence were going to be of little or no comfort to him. Somehow the fact that Oliver was a colleague made it worse. Of course any death was hard to deal with. But this was different, Penny was one of them. Malick and Michael reluctantly left the young man on his own.
Oliver's thoughts weren't comforting though, far from it. All that was in his mind was Penny's disgust and disappointment when he finally plucked up the courage and confessed that he wasn't qualified to be a doctor. If that wasn't bad enough he'd shafted her. Cheated, lied and schemed his way through to get to the top of his profession. He'd used Penny to cover up so many of his screw ups, but this was so huge. He was so scared to fail he'd made his own sister take the blame for his biggest mistake. Penny was the one with all the guts and determination. She had been the one to put in the extra work while her brother only seemed interested in taking whatever shortcut possible. She had always been there for Ollie no matter what. But no more he was on his own now, he could no longer count on her support.
When Oliver confessed to Malick a few hours later, it didn't help him. He was numb with shock and shame. Nothing would make up for what he had done. Nothing would bring her back. Penny would never know how sorry he was. Or how much he'd love her. Sitting alone, rocking gently back and forth taunted by memories and crying silent tears.
It was too little, too late.