'What do we have, please?' Lily asserted herself confidently, walking over to the wheelchair being pushed in by the paramedics.

'Chris Adams, thirty s-'

'Dr Chao, with me.' Mrs Beauchamp said coolly. 'Dr Hardy will take over.'

As Ethan brushed her aside with a small smile, Lily followed the clinical lead into this office.

'Take a seat.' Mrs Beauchamp gestured. 'Help yourself to the biscuits, they're in a tin on the side.'

The biscuit tin. Paint was flaking off what was once a floral design. Instead of giving it a vintage feel, it just made it look tired. When she first got the job, she had taken a biscuit out the tin. When her father died, she had taken a biscuit out the tin. It was notoriously offered to staff who were either having a hard time, or about to receive bad news. Or as Lily surmised, in her case, both.

As Connie sifted through paperwork at the cabinet, Lily opted for the least suspicious choice - a custard cream. She hoped the discolouration was part of the biscuit, rather than a sign of ageing well past its use by date.

She nibbled on it politely, while Connie sat down opposite her.

'Now, I won't worry you. Everything's fine. Well, concerning your work, anyway.' She steepled her hands as she addressed her.

'However, I have a few questions for you and I was hoping we could talk them through informally.'

Lily nearly choked on the crumbs, beginning to splutter desperately. A plastic cup of water was passed in her direction. All the while, a wry smile played about the clinical lead's lips. Amusement, though the reason why was at first unclear.

'What exactly were you ill with last week? It's just, you look fine except for the dark shadows.' Immediately, Lily understood. She was on to her, plain and simple. She squirmed in her chair, uncomfortable. 'He's back, isn't he? Iain?' Connie asked, in tune to a fault.

'Yeah. Anything else a giveaway besides the bags under my eyes?' She sighed.

'No, no, don't worry.' Connie answered. 'I just had an inkling and wanted to check you - and he too - are both alright.'

Lily's eyes dropped. 'Yeah. Well, as fine as you could hope for him to be. I think it's going to take some adjusting.'

'Oh, it's bound to. For you and for him. I just noticed you looking a bit down earlier.'

'Tired.' Lily corrected. 'I've just not slept much. It's so great to have him back.'

'I'm glad, I'm glad. I felt that way about Grace when Sam brought her back from America. Although, granted, two totally different situations. Sam liked to play silly games with me to get a reaction. That's enough about that, though. I'm oversharing and rambling. Shut up Connie, save it for the family counselling session.'

Lily giggled lightly, nervous. 'A real conversation doesn't go amiss, trust me.'

Sharp as ever, Connie's forehead creased. 'Meaning?'

Realising what she'd said, Lily's eyes widened. 'No, no. I just meant that it's nice to talk to a-a fellow medical professional in a department so busy and full of patients.'

She tilted her head to the side, analytical. 'Right...'

'As I say, I am overdue a nap. Thanks for the concern, I'll pass on your best wishes to Iain.'

A pause. 'Oh, he should come in.'

Lily gave a nervous laugh. 'He's a bit antisocial at the moment.'

'Really?' Connie frowned again.

'Yes. Was there anything else, or?' Lily begun to get visibly flustered.

'I was wondering if he'd like his job back. He was - is - a great paramedic, and we need all the help we can get. As such a good team player now without a job, I'd hate not to offer it to him again.'

'I will ask him.' Lily nodded, already making her way to the door. Ironically, the way in which Mrs Beauchamp accidentally used past tense was all too accurate. Even if he got his job back, he would be a different colleague completely. Of course he would be. He was already changed, and it scared her to think of what she hadn't yet seen.

Noticing Lily had glazed over, Mrs Beauchamp spoke again. 'Don't worry, I'll call him. Same number, right?' She asked, beginning to scribble down something on paper, glancing at the monitor every now and then.

'Same number, um, no. I mean yes. I- yes, it's the same number.'

She stared long and hard at Lily. 'Good. Let him know I'll call later on.'

'Okay, thank you Mrs Beauchamp.'

'That's no problem. Oh, and Lily?' Connie called, waiting until she turned round fully. 'You know where I am should you need anything.'

'Yes.' She replied solemnly, leaving without a backward glance.

Lily couldn't get away fast enough. Her body moved two times as fast as her high heels would allow, and they scraped desperately against the laminate floor to keep up. He wouldn't be up for a call. He wouldn't be up for anything. He'd be furious at her for allowing it to happen.

'Lily, can you assist me with these-' Ethan begun, sidling up to her with the ward's iPad.

'Not right now, I'm sorry.' She dismissed him, quickly turning the corner. Not put off, he followed her.

'Uh, are you alright? What was it Mrs Beauchamp wanted, if you don't mind me asking?' Still refusing to make eye contact, she hurried faster down the corridor. As she left the hospital, a bewildered Ethan was left standing a few metres behind the automatic doors. 'Text me!' He called weakly.

Deep down, she felt guilty. He was her friend, he wanted to ask her opinion and the only thing he'd done wrong was show a tiny bit of concern in her direction. Concern from everyone, and she was sick of it. She had one purpose, and it was to get back to the flat before Mrs Beauchamp found opportunity to ring Iain.