To the person who asked me to check my spelling. I try my best, but i am dyslexic. I use spell check, that is all i can really do. I hope you all enjoy the next chapter. Xxx
Jeff sat next to Chantelle in the ambulance, he watched as she sent a quick text on her phone.
"Who's that then Princess? Secret admirer?"
"Wouldn't be secret if I have his number" She chuckled softly, and put her phone back in her pocket.
"Partner?" Jeff raised his eyebrows, he saw a difference in her expression as soon as he said the word.
"Yeah. David" She smiled weakly, rubbing her hands together.
Jeff nodded his head, looking through the windscreen. He sighed, running his hand over his head. It had been a quiet shift so far, Dixie had gone home. He had given her strict instructions to go to bed. He cared about Dixie, and knew she needed rest.
"Where's Dixie gone?" Chantelle asked.
"Home for a bit, she will be back later"
"Oh. Ok" She seemed satisfied with that answer, she took some sips from the tea Jeff had made her. It had been a while since someone did something for her, at work, she felt different, a little safer than at Davids house.
"Holby control to 3006, young female collapse in shopping centre on Millard road, are you able to attend?"
"3006 to Holby control responding over" Jeff spoke into the radio, he made sure Chantelle had her seatbelt on before he begun to drive out the ambulance station.
When they arrived at the shop, they both jumped out the ambulance, carrying their response kits, Chantelle went in before Jeff. They were both lead to a little side room, where there was a woman lying on the bed motionless.
"Alright love, can you tell us what happened?" Jeff asked he placed his fingers on the woman's wrist, taking her pulse.
"She collapsed, never regained consciousness. We don't know her name or age, and he doesn't have a phone on her" The shop assistant replied, Chantelle handed Jeff all the equipment he needed.
"Thanks Princess" Jeff smiled at her, and inserted the IV line.
"Do you want me to go and get the trolley?"
"That would be great Darling" Jeff encouraged, he watched as she left, before helping the patient once more.
It didn't take long for Chantelle to return, she helped Jeff lift the woman off the bed and onto the trolley. She winced as her stomach twisted, Jeff noticed this and looked at her with concern. "You ok?"
"Yep, Im fine Jeff" She took one end of the trolley, looking away from Jeff so she could let her emotions show. Tears were forming in her eyes as she felt her stomach become extremely tender.
By the time they got half way through their shift Dixie had returned, Jeff was less than impressed but deep down he knew Dixie wouldn't be able to resist the urge of coming back to the station, to check up on everyone.
Dixie was cheerfully humming to herself when Jeff ran up behind her, picking her up and swinging her around. "Jeff get off me!" Dixie giggled, trying to wriggle out of Jeffs grasp. Their loud laughing made Chantelle jump, she watched them from a distance, realising how great their friendship was.
Dixie managed to get out of Jeff's lock, she slapped him lightly, making him jump back. "No need for violence"
"No need for your pathetic childish behaviour either" Dixie mocked, Jeff pretended to act hurt from her words, but he couldn't stop himself laughing.
"See. There you go again" Dixie ignored him, and went to find Chantelle. She found her in the Rec room sat on her own, staring at the wall.
"Darling you alright?" Dixie studied her expression, she flinched as she spoke. "Of course"
"Sweetie, me and Jeff are going up the pub later. Did you want to come?" Dixie offered, she had noticed the young woman was isolated from everyone. She wanted to give her the chance to socialise.
"Ummm... Alright then" She gave in, she could just tell David she did overtime at work. Hopefully he would take that for an excuse.
"Good" Dixie sat next to her, wrapping her arms around Chantelle. She hadn't been hugged properly in a long time, and she wasn't sure how to respond. Slowly she put her own arms around Dixie and nestled her head in Dixie's neck.
Dixie pulled away after a few moments, looking into the young womans blue eyes. "Thank you" Chantelle mustered, it had been a long time since she had been hugged like that. She felt warm and protected in Dixie's arms.
"That's alright sweet pea. Have a good shift" Dixie stood up and left the Rec room.
Chantelle and Jeff finished their shift together, a few hoax calls and a major RTC. Dixie had warned Jeff several times to look after her on shouts, and not allow her to do anything stupid. Chantelle finished getting ready, wearing her long sleeved top to cover the bruises on her arms and wrists.
Dixie and Jeff both waited for her outside the ambulance bay. Jeff continued to whine that they were wasting valuable drinking time. Chantelle met them, greeting them both with a smile.
"Took your time"
"Oh stop complaining Jeffrey, you'll get your pint soon enough" Dixie sighed, she lead the way to the pub while Chantelle and Jeff lagged behind giggling.
It wasn't a long walk to the pub, Dixie and Chantelle settled down at the chairs while Jeff brought the drinks. "What do you want to drink then kids?" Jeff called over from the bar.
"Pint please love" Dixie shouted.
"Same for me please" Chantelle smiled, Dixie patted her on her arm comfortingly. "Do you have my number sweetie?"
"No. Don't think so. Why?" Chantelle looked at Dixie curiously, "Pass us your phone" Dixie encouraged holding out her hand, Chantelle obeyed her, pulling out her mobile from her pocket and giving it to Dixie. She watched as Dixie messed with her phone, part of her was worried that Dixie would think it was strange the amount of times David would text her. Demanding to know where she was.
Dixie typed in hers and Jeffs number, before handing Chantelle her phone back. "There you go. Mine and Jeff's number is on there. If you ever need us, don't be scared to call" Dixie looked her in the eye, Chantelle nodded, feeling like she had made two new friends.
"Here we are then Ladies. Drink up" Jeff placed the 3 pint glasses on the table. Taking the largest one for himself.
"Oi you, I wanted that one" Dixie complained, glaring at Jeff.
"I paid, so it's only fair that I get first dibs" Jeff took a large gulp of the drink, smirking at Dixie.
The three of them continued their evening, laughing and giggling. Sharing stories and jokes, Chantelle was beginning to feel at home with them. It had been a long time since she had been out with people, without David.
Jeff and Dixie got in a taxi with her, making sure she got home safely. Chantelle thanked them both and got out the taxi, watching as it drove off before walking up the path.
Unlocking the door, she knew David was home, the downstairs light was on. "Where have you been then Babe?" He stood up from the chair, his strong muscular build could easily over power her small frame. "Out, I did text you" She replied weakly. Feeling her heart begin to race.
"I want you to come home on time tommorow. I had to make my own dinner. And well, you know what I'm like with cooking"He glared at her, making her visably shake.
"I'm sorry, I'll make you something now" She put her bag in the armchair and went into the kitchen. "What would you like?" Opening the fridge she scanned for something to cook.
"Something quick" She felt arms wrap around her stomach, holding her tightly, she picked up a pizza from the fridge and closed it. Turning around she came face to face with him. "Pizza ok?" She smiled at him, trying to hide her fear.
"That's fine" She moved out of his grasp, turning on the oven and placing the pizza on a tray. She winced as she bent down to put the pizza in the oven, she felt arms around her helping her up. "Babe Im sorry, you know I didn't mean it... If you didn't wind me up" He pulled her close to him, holding her tight.
"I know... I was wrong..."
"Too right you were, and don't go out after work like that again. I missed you"
"I won't, I'm sorry" She pulled away from him, setting the oven timer.
"Good, you know how you could look prettier?"
"How?" Chantelle walked out of the kitchen, to prepare the table.
"I've been meaning to say something for a while. You could lose a bit of weight" He remarked, making her look down at her figure, she was already a slim size 8.
"I'm a size 8" She said, looking over to him.
"And a size 6 would look so much sexier... It isn't that hard. Just skip a meal or two each day. Yeah?" He walked over to her, brushing her hair away from her eyes.
"Ok" She tried not to flinch as he moved her hair away. The rest of the evening went quickly, she got him his pizza, having nothing for herself, going to bed hungry.