New Beginnings
Autumn gales were blowing through Holby and A&E was fit to bursting with patients. Noel and Louise were attempting to deal with a group of rowdy, muddy rugby players grouped around the desk. 'How many of you need treatment?' Louise shouted, earning some derogatory comments from some of the more excitable players. Tess and Charlie rounded the corner and approached the group. 'Come on now gents, calm it down...' Charlie said, but there was no acknowledgement from any of the players. Tess rounded the desk and stood in front of the players. 'Right that's enough!' she shouted and the players silenced, some looking amused. 'This is a hospital not a rugby pitch, so you either quieten down or get out.' she said and the players, though still smirking, silenced. 'Now...' Tess started, her voice softer. '...those of you with genuine injuries register with my receptionists, those of you without can stay in the waiting room as long as you keep it down. There are sick people in here so show some respect.' she said and the majority of the players moved off to a group of seats whilst two remained at the desk to register. A tall muscular African man - holding his left wrist and with a gash to his head - was looking at Tess with interest. 'Thanks Tess.' Noel said before stepping in front of the players. Tess walked out from behind the desk and off down the corridor, the player still staring at her and Noel having to raise his voice again to get his attention. 'Sorry...' the player said, shaking his head. 'Name?' Noel asked.
'Kwame Turay.' he answered.
Within two hours the waiting rugby players were getting rowdy again. Tess approached the reception desk and picked up an admittance slip. She approached the players. 'I thought I made myself clear.' she said loudly.
'Sorry Matron.' one of the players said with a smirk.
'It's Sister Bateman.' Tess said.
'Sorry Sister, we'll try to keep it down.' he said again attempting to sound serious.
'Kwame Turay.' Tess said and the large man stood and followed her down the corridor.
Tess pulled open the curtain of a cubicle to see Kwame sat on the edge of the bed. She entered and pulled the curtain back around her. She looked at the cut on his forehead. 'You'll need stitches.' Tess said simply. 'Let me take a look at your arm.' she said and Kwame allowed her to take his arm in her hands. She moved her fingers up and down his forearm and pressed around his elbow before moving back down his arm and pressing his wrist, causing him to flinch. 'Sorry...' she said. '...I think your wrist is broken so I'm going to get a sling to support it whilst we wait for the doctor.' she said.
'I've hurt my ribs too.' Kwame said.
'Okay, can I take a look?' Tess asked. Kwame slowly pulled his mud spattered rugby shirt over his head revealing a muscular physique. Tess gently pressed along each of his sides, noticing his occasional flinch. 'I think they're just bruised, but I'll get the doctor to take a look.' Tess said, stepping back. 'Thanks.' Kwame said and Tess smiled before leaving the cubicle, returning shortly with a sling. She propped his arm on his shoulder before wrapping the sling around it and leaning forwards to tie it around his neck. 'There...' she said as she pulled away. '...hopefully the doctor won't be too long and we can get you out of here.'
'Thank you Sister Bateman.' Kwame said again.
'It's Tess.'
'Tess.' he said softly, his deep brown eyes taking in her own.
'No problem.' Tess said simply, feeling a little awkward as she left the cubicle and pulled the curtain back around him.
Tess returned to the cubicle after Kwame had returned from x-ray, pulling a trolley in with her. 'Tess...' he said.
'I just need to stitch your head wound before you go and get your plaster fitted.' she said, pulling the curtain around them. 'Not the kind of plastering I planned on after the game.' Kwame said with a smile. 'I'm sure you can manage a couple before the pubs close.' Tess said.
'And you?'
'Me?' Tess asked as she wiped a swab across his head wound.
'Will you be going for a drink after your shift. I'm guessing you probably need it.'
Tess placed the swab on the trolley. 'By the time I finish here the pubs will be closed.' she said before grabbing a needle. She noticed a look of trepidation from Kwame. 'Don't tell me you're scared of needles.' she said.
'A little anxious maybe.'
'A tough rugby player like you? I'm sure you can handle a tiny needle.' she said.
'I might need someone to hold my hand.' Kwame said cheekily.
'I can get one of your team mates in here.'
'Maybe not...' he took a deep breath. '...Okay, go on.' he said. Tess tapped the needle and injected the anaesthetic. She finished and replaced the needle on the trolley. 'There, nothing to it...' she said. '...we'll just wait for that to start working.' she said and tidied the trolley of the rubbish, placing it in the yellow sack. 'So what position do you play?' Tess asked, making conversation whilst they waited for the anaesthetic to kick in. 'Blind Side. Do you like rugby?' Kwame asked.
'It's okay. Sport's sport.'
'Okay? You definitely need to see a game. You should come and see us play.' he said.
'Maybe I will.' Tess said. She touched his head. 'Can you feel that?' she asked.
'Not a bit.' he said. Tess took a needle from the trolley.
'You'll feel some tugging, but if there's any pain just tell me.' she said. Kwame nodded as Tess started to stitch his wound. After she had finished she placed the needle back on the trolley and looked at Kwame. 'All done.' she said.
'Perfect. I didn't feel a thing...Thanks.' he said.
'You don't have to keep thanking me.'
'I do. I'm sorry about the guys too, they can be rowdy but they're a good group.'
'It's not a problem really.'
'Tess-' he started but stopped as the curtain opened and Max appeared.
'Ready to get plastered?' Max joked.
'Goodbye Mr Turay.' Tess said.
'Bye.' Kwame said, watching Tess walk away.
Later that night in reception the team were getting ready to leave and one of the players saw Kwame looking around. 'Come on mate, we'll miss last orders.' he said.
'Yeah, okay.' Kwame said, resigned and was about to leave before he saw Tess. 'Wait here.' he said to his team mates before quickly approaching Tess. The players watched him, knowing smiles playing their faces. 'Tess...' Kwame said as he reached her.
'Mr Turay...'
'Kwame...'
'Sorry, Kwame. Are you feeling better?'
'Thanks to you.'
'Try to take it easy on the alcohol tonight though. You have just had a head injury.'
'I'll stick to soft drinks I promise.' he said and Tess smiled. 'Listen, I was wondering if I could treat you to a drink maybe one evening next week?' he asked.
'A drink? I don't know...'
'Just a drink I promise. I'd like to get to know you without you stabbing me with needles.' he said, causing her to smile. She nodded. 'Okay.' she said. Kwame handed her a card with his number on. 'A lawyer?' she said, looking at the text on the card.
'Corporate law. Very boring stuff, so we're best leaving the conversation to you.' Kwame said.
'I look forward to it.' Tess said, and as Zoe approached from behind, Kwame kissed Tess on the cheek before heading back to his wolf-whistling mates. 'Sister Bateman...' Zoe said, reaching her friend and grinning widely. '...did you just pull a patient?' Zoe asked quietly.
'It's just a drink.' she reasoned, but Zoe continued to smile.
The following evening, Kwame stood outside the hospital, a bouquet of flowers in his hand as he waited for Tess. In the staff room Tess looked into her compact, straightening out her hair and applied some lipstick. Zoe entered the room and looked at her. 'Is your hot date tonight?' she teased. 'It's just a drink.'
'He's obviously smitten.'
'Zoe...'
'I'm glad you're finally moving on.' Zoe said and hugged her friend. 'Now don't keep him waiting.' she said as she pulled back.
Tess exited the hospital to see Kwame waiting and approached him, Zoe watching from the entrance. He handed her the bouquet. 'They're beautiful.' Tess said.
'So are you.' Kwame said and offered his arm. Tess placed her hand on his arm and they started walking. 'Where are we going?' Tess asked.
'You look like a wine drinking girl, so I'm taking you to the best wine bar in town.' he said.
Kwame and Tess talked and laughed over dinner before Tess enjoyed a number of glasses of wine (Kwame sticking to just a couple). As they exited the wine bar, Tess looked around them. 'There's never a taxi around when you need one.' she said.
'You're not getting a taxi. I'll drive you home.' Kwame insisted. Tess smiled and agreed, but the journey felt a little awkward for Tess. When they reached her house, Kwame silenced the engine and looked at Tess. 'I had a good time.' he said.
'Me too.'
'Maybe we can do it again some time.'
'Maybe I can come and see one of your games.'
'I'd like that.'
'Thanks for tonight. It was lovely.' she said and reached for the door handle.
'Tess, wait.' Kwame said and she looked up at him. He leant in and kissed her gently on the lips before stopping and looking into her eyes. Tess leant in again, returning the kiss and Kwame placed his hand on her cheek as they kissed.