The Casualty doors abruptly opened and Doctors Ormerod and Weatherill came rushing through, wheeling Stella to A&E.
"Stella?" Marian cried, in shock, "what happened, is she okay?"
"Not now Nurse, we need to get her on a ventilator now or else we're going to lose her." Gordon instructed.
Marian's hands clammed up and her legs turned to jelly. Her best friend was lying there, critically injured, she looked so helpless and frail.
"NURSE MCKAIG! I SAID NOW!" Gordon yelled.
Marian blinked.
"Yes, sorry Doctor." And with that, she rushed off to set up a ventilator.
Matron hurried down the corridor to reception, where Mr Carnegie, Sister Brigid, Mr Rose and Lizzie were waiting, anxious to hear of any news.
"Matron…?" Sister asked, being an instinctive woman, she could tell that something was wrong.
"There's been an explosion at the arcade, Nurse Davenport, Frankie and a fourteen year old girl were in the wreckage at the time," their faces turned from looks of anxiety to looks of horror, "Frankie's fine, just a few minor cuts and bruises and Stella…she's…in Casualty now, they're going to put her on a ventilator."
Everyone looked alarmed.
"And the girl?" Sister asked.
"There was nothing they could do." Matron turned and walked off.
"Is there any news on Stella?" Lizzie asked, later on.
Alun shook his head.
"No, not yet, she's stable but still critical, no signs of improvement." He replied, worriedly.
Lizzie sighed.
"After everything she's been through, she doesn't deserve this at all."
"I know, do you think she'll be alright?" He asked.
"Don't Alun, please, it doesn't even bare thinking about!"
"Sorry, I will say this though, she's strong and determined, Stella can fight this, can't she?" They both looked hopeful, but worried.
The ventilator was working away. Stella lay there, her long dark hair spread out on the pillow, her face was so pale, yet she looked peaceful. She was sleeping, she was weak and was recovering. She looked so delicate, like she could shatter if she was touched. Who knows whether she dreamt as she lay there? Stella was a much valued and highly respected member of staff at The Royal, though she was more than that, she was a very special friend to many. She had a good sense of humour, a bright, beautiful smile and a caring way about her. She's been through a lot and had not really recovered fully. She'd just learned to trust Frankie.
Was all that hope about to be blown apart?