'I want to see Tom,' moaned a resigned voice from inside the recovery room. Tom's lips were very dry. Would he be able to look Nicki in the eye after what he had just discovered?

By the time that the blonde nurse had entered the waiting room to get Tom, he had already stood up straight. Inhaling deeply, he followed her into the room where Nicki was lying.

'You okay?' He murmured as he approached her bed.

'Of course,' smiled Nicki. He had almost forgotten how radiant her smile was. 'This is just where I want to be.'

'Don't worry,' chirped the blonde nurse, her glossy lips stretching in a sickly sweet smile, 'the operation went great. According to your chart you might be able to leave in just a few hours.'

And so she did. In fact, Nicki was feeling so good that she insisted that she returned to her teaching job the following day

Tom sat in the staff room at lunch, every now and then looking at Nicki who was reading a magazine.

'I'm not going explode you know Tom,' said Nicki, not taking her eyes off the magazine she was reading.

'Sorry,' muttered Tom, 'its just that I am worried for you.'

'Really,' sighed Nicki before going over to the coffee machine and pouring herself one.

Just then the door opened and a familiar woman entered. Tom soon recognised her as the one who had tried out to be the head of english along with Nicki. Wow he hadn't seen her in ages- she still looked the same though.

'Hi Tom!' She squeaked in an unnaturally high voice, 'remember me? Course you do. Anyway have you know I do have a job now. Michael appointed me assistant in the PRU. I think that I am going to love this job. I'm not tough at all. In fact I can't bite into an apple without hurting my teeth. But I don't think that being tough is a good strength for the PRU and is definitely not a great skill. remember that Nicki person? She was too tough for her own good. Clear why she didn't get the job really.'

Tom had no idea what this woman was getting at. From behind her came a small cough. She turned around quickly to see Nicki. Gasping, she stuttered, 'Nicki, what are you doing here?'

'I'm head of the PRU.' Retorted Nicki, her eyes cold.

The woman's mouth was slightly open.

Glad that she'd caused a reaction, Nicki smiled and exited the staff room.

'Bit of a wtf moment there don't you think?' The woman said, sitting next to Tom, 'she must be a pain to work with. Anyway fancy going out for a drink sometime.'

'What?' Asked Tom, stunned by her words.

'Tonight? You? Me? The bar? Come on! You look like you could use some cheering up.'

'Er,' replied Tom, still trying to process what she'd said.

'Great! Okay bye.' She kissed him on the cheek before leaving the room.

As she crossed the hall, Nicki stepped out from behind the corner, having listened to everything that she'd just said. Her fists were clenched and her jaw was set.