Oh my word! Have you seen the spoilers for tomorrows episode? I feel like I need to scream or at the very least talk about it! Why can't it be Tuesday now? I hate waiting. Waiting sucks...
... anyway... look at that, chapter 2 is up! Woohoo :) Thank you to everyone that had read this and reviewed. To all those that have added me to alerts and this story too. I'm just so grateful to you all! You guys are awesome. I really mean that. I've been in lots of fandoms and the Holby/Berena fans are amongst the nicest I've ever met.
In this chapter and the ones to come will begin to show some familiar faces so I hope you like it. I'm still having a blast writing this and I hope you guys continue to enjoy reading.
I've just started a Berena blog on tumblr under the same name I use here so if anyone is over on tumblr, please do stop by and say hi. Oh and let me know if your blog is a dedicated Berena blog cause I'll definitely follow it!
Thank you all again. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and I'll see you again soon!
xxx
Chapter 02
Bernie arrived at the clinic an hour before she was required. She wanted to gain an understanding of how the place worked and familiarise herself with the layout.
"Good morning Doctor Wolfe," a young black woman said with a bright smile.
"Good morning," Bernie replied as she attempted to mask her surprise. It wasn't very often one met a man or woman of colour in Holby. Bernie had spent the last four years with African men and women and she had discovered that they were not the savages people led you to believe. She'd grown very close to a few of the local women and despite their physical differences; there really wasn't much that separated them.
"I'm training to be a doctor under Doctor Campbell," she said. "She told me you were stationed in Africa. I would be honoured to learn from you too."
The young woman's English was perfect, nothing like the broken English with which the women in Africa used. It was clear to her that this young woman had been born in Holby and that perhaps her family had made their fortune here.
"A keen mind and a willingness to learn," Bernie observed. "What is your name?"
"Oh!" the young woman blushed. "Here's me going on and on and I haven't even introduced myself." She laughed. "I'm Mrs Morven Digby."
"Well Mrs Digby, would you be so kind as to show me around the clinic?"
"I would be honoured Doctor Wolfe," she smiled again. "Or should I call you Major Wolfe? Doctor Campbell wasn't sure either..."
"Bernie is fine," she said without thinking. Morven looked slightly taken aback and once again Bernie had to remind herself of the social standards she had grown used to not caring about. "Doctor Wolfe if you prefer," she quickly added.
Morven looked relieved and smiled. "Follow me, Doctor Wolfe."
As it turned out, the clinic was a little larger than she first thought. There was storage space in the attic which was checked twice a day and cleaned every two days. It was the best place for surgical supplies but Bernie worried what would happen if there was an emergency. The attic space wasn't very accessible in a hurry.
The area she had seen through the archway held ten wooden beds for patients. Morven explained that occasionally, a patient had to be sent home earlier than they would like to make room for other patients. It wasn't ideal but they had no other option. Unless the building next door went up for auction at a cheap rate, they would have no chance of expanding.
The washroom was connected to the offices so that the surgeons could easily access running water. Linen and bandages were washed daily by a group of women whom Morven described as 'having once lost their way.' Many had been prostitutes but there were women who had lost their husbands to industrial injuries and had been made homeless. Doctor Campbell had stepped in with opportunities to help these young women get back on their feet and build a future for themselves and their families.
"She helped me too," Morven continued after she'd introduced Bernie to a few of the women on duty.
"How so?" Bernie asked.
"My husband, Arthur, was a doctor and he was training me up as his assistant. Said I had a head for medicine," she grinned, her shoulders lifted playfully.
"And what happened?" Bernie asked.
Morven's face became serious and she looked down at the ground. "He died a year ago," she said sadly. "Cancer."
"I'm sorry," Bernie whispered.
Morven smiled slightly. "Arthur insisted we come to Doctor Campbell. There wasn't anything she could do for him and looking back on it, I think he did it for me. We had to stop my training when he started to get bad but Doctor Campbell stepped in after he died. I would have given up on medicine if it hadn't been for her. Turns out she trained Arthur for a while too. He kept saying she would look out for me. He was right."
They continued on their tour of the clinic. Morven was explaining the drop in system when a kind faced gentleman walked in and made his way straight toward them.
"Good morning, Mrs Digby," he greeted, taking off his hat and bowing a little.
"Good morning, Doctor Hanssen," Morven smiled again. Bernie had to admit that the young woman's smile was infectious. "Let me introduce our newest surgeon..."
"Doctor Berenice Wolfe I presume," they shook hands. "My name is Doctor Henrik Hanssen, I'm a founding Patron of this establishment and I am the primary administrator and fundraiser."
"Ah yes," Bernie smiled. She remembered Serena mentioning an administrator the day before.
"One of my first priorities is to fund your residency here," he said, taking out a small pocket diary from his breast pocket. "Would one week to Thursday be sufficient?"
"One week..." Confused, Bernie looked to Morven but the young woman had already drifted into the background. She turned back to Mr Hanssen. "For what?"
"If we are to keep you I assume you will require wages," he said in a dry tone that left Bernie wondering if he was mocking her. "The surgeons here are required to fundraise for not only the clinic but for their wages. The clinic is funded completely by wealthy patrons who wish to alleviate the guilt we throw on them for not doing enough to help the poor. You will come and meet them, woo them. They won't reach into their pockets if they don't like you."
"Oh I..." Bernie wasn't very good with people. Her independence and strong minded thinking were not usually something that people found amenable. In this case, perhaps honesty was the best route to take. "I'm not very sociable. I'm not sure these donors will..."
"Nonsense," Hanssen smiled. "You're an attractive young woman, you're skilled and you were a Major in the British Army. I can assure you that the donors will be very taken with you indeed."
Bernie paused. "Am I to understand that you wish me to use my attractiveness as a selling point?"
"Doctor Campbell will talk you through it," he smiled. "She's very good at securing donations."
"I'm sure," Bernie mumbled.
"Speak of the devil," Hanssen nodded toward the door.
"And she appears," Serena said loudly as she entered the clinic. She wore simple clothing, a beige skirt and white collar shirt under a cream jacket. Her cloak was hooked over her arm, her hat and doctors bag in the hand of her other arm. "I see you've already met."
"Mr Hanssen was just informing me of our upcoming fundraiser," Bernie glanced toward the man who seemed unaware of the situation he had created.
"Ah," Serena glanced at the man too, picking up on what had happened immediately. "I had hoped to be here when Mr Hanssen told you."
"Perhaps I should leave you both to it," he smiled awkwardly before making a quick retreat into the nearest office.
"Am I correct in thinking that I should utilise my looks in order to receive my wages?" the more she talked about it, the angrier she felt. "There's a word for that and I believe some of the women in your washroom have fortunately retired from that profession."
"No one is suggesting that Ms Wolfe," Serena said patiently. "Come with me," she indicated for her to follow and they headed for the attic. Once up there, Serena led them to a small door that opened out onto the roof.
"Why are we up here? Bernie asked.
"I thought some fresh air might do you good before you start speaking to our patients," Serena said with a stern look.
Bernie let out a sigh. "I'm sorry," she said after a moment.
"No need," Serena brushed it off. "Henrik means well but sometimes he can be a little too straight forward."
"Something we have in common," Bernie smirked. She paused for a moment and made her way toward the edge of the roof. She sat on the short wall and looked down at the people hurrying around on the street below. "I'm not very good with people," she repeated what she'd said to Hanssen just a few moments ago.
"Come on," Serena smirked at her and Bernie frowned. "You were the Head Surgeon with the British Army, don't tell me that you didn't socialise with the eligible young men abroad."
Bernie laughed at that. "I don't think I can very well behave as I did with my regiment. I think it would only serve to have me run out of town." She looked down at the ground for a moment, considering her words before looking up at the other woman from under her eyelashes. "Unless that is your intention Ms Campbell?"
Serena smiled and moved toward the wall so that she could sit down next to Bernie. "Look at any of the old men like that and we'll have your wages and mine settled for years to come!"
Bernie shook her head and laughed at the ridiculousness of it. "Who knew the lengths doctors would have to go to in order to save a life."
"It's the oath we took," Serena bumped her shoulder against hers.
"And one we both honour," Bernie nodded.
"As this is your first one," Serena said in a slight teasing tone. "We can go together."
"Is that appropriate?" Bernie smirked.
"Wear something salacious," Serena laughed. "And pin your medals to your bosom. They'll be so intimidated by a female Major with the British Army they won't quite know what to do with themselves."
Bernie laughed. "I doubt Mr Hanssen would take too kindly to that," she said.
"Are you frightened, Major?" Serena smirked and winked. "I wouldn't have thought a big macho army surgeon would back down..."
"I'd be careful if I were you," Bernie smiled. "You're attacking my honour."
"I'm not as fragile as I look," Serena smirked again. "I grew up with three brothers and I never lost a fight."
"I picked up a few moves from my friends in the regiment that even your childhood scraps wouldn't save you from," Bernie smiled when Serena laughed.
"That's the fight you need to survive here," she said, getting to her feet and offering her hand to Bernie. "You'll do just fine in the clinic and if you keep the fire I see burning behind your eyes, you'll be a smash hit with our donors."
"You can talk anyone into anything can't you?" Bernie asked as she took Serena's hand and allowed her to pull her up from the wall.
"It's what makes me such a good fundraiser," she smiled and wiggled her eyebrows.
"And a good friend?" Bernie asked, noticing that once again they kept hold of each other's hands far longer than necessary.
Serena's smile faltered just a touch. "We'll see how you do here," she said, dropping her hand to her side. "This clinic means a lot to me. I've put a lot into it and I've lost a lot because of it too. Help me... help us to keep this place up and running. Then we can talk about being good friends."
"You drive a hard bargain Doctor Campbell," Bernie smiled. "I can see this place has its challenges and I feel you should know something about me."
Serena's eyes filled with worry. "What is that?"
"I love a good challenge." They shared one last smile before Serena led the way back down to the clinic.
Oh the flirting though! I couldn't help myself. I blame Serena/Catherine – it's all their fault!
Thanks for reading and please let me know what you're thinking.
