Casualty
Just one moment with you
Patrick looked at his alarm clock. Who the hell was ringing him at…4:30 in the morning? Pulling himself out of bed he stumbled across to the phone, tired and snappish he answered,
"Yeah? What is it Lara?"
"Nothing, I just wanted to see if you sounded like the rest of us in the mornings."
"Was that it?"
"No, I have something to ask. Say I had this friend."
"Yeah?"
"And this friend wanted to take this other friend out for the day."
"Hmm."
"But she didn't know whether her friend liked the countryside."
"And who would this friend be?"
"Does it matter? I'm only asking for your opinion."
"This friend wouldn't happen to be me would it?"
"What gave you that idea?"
"The fact you keep using friend instead of a name."
"You'll have to wait and see won't you?"
The line going dead Patrick crawled back into bed. It was lucky for him that he didn't need to go to work that day.
Damn Lara, now he couldn't get back to sleep. Switching the lights on in his garage he thought he might as well check the car was in perfect condition seeing as how his date wasn't until a few hours later.
He carefully picked out a blue shirt, black leather jacket and smart grey trousers. Trying to look as though he hadn't made an effort he left his shoes unpolished. Patrick wound down the cover of his car and prayed that the April weather wouldn't turn horribly against them.
Patrick stopped the car outside Lara's. Before he got her attention he anxiously checked his hair and pressed the horn impatiently. What was keeping her, he wondered, and why do women have to make the most fuss about getting ready? He turned his gaze away to look at the neighbours across the road.
"Good morning Patrick," said Lara as she shut the front door with a smile. Lara was dressed in a light lilac shirt with a grey skirt that dropped above her ankles with a small slit. Patrick looked at her as she placed a basket into his car boot. As she got in beside her he tried not to look surprised that she was wearing his necklace.
"So where do you want to go?"
"I was thinking about Paradise Woods,"
"Lara, don't tell me we're having a picnic!"
"Why not?"
"I haven't had one since I was five!"
"I want one so you're putting up with it."
"But…"
"Come on Patrick, it's a nice day."
Starting the car Patrick left the street and drove off to Paradise Woods. There was still quite some length to go but it was a popular place to go on dates in the area. It was only ten in the morning now.
As he drove down the winding roads Lara rummaged in her handbag. She pulled out a cigarette and tried in vain to light it. When she finally did manage to get one puff out of it Patrick bought the car to a screeching halt.
"What do you think your doing in my car?"
Lara took a long drag in before breathing out the smoke slowly.
"Know anyway to stop me?"
Reaching forward to give her a kiss she threw it out of the car.
A few minutes later Patrick carried on with his route there. Stopping the car he parked it at the side of the park and pulled the car cover, closing it's open top.
"Let's go for a walk first," Lara suggested.
"What? In those shoes? Do you want a medical injury woman?"
"Open the boot," she commanded. Rummaging in the basket she held onto Patrick for support as she threw her sandals in. Patrick pulled off his own jacket as it was slightly warmer now and they walked off. Lara leant slightly towards Patrick. It's going to be a good day, she thought, juts the two of us.
The park was quiet now. Not that they minded, it just meant they could enjoy the picturesque scenery to themselves. This place wasn't surrounded by your average tree, grass and occasional flower. Everything had been done to create a romantic atmosphere. They walked under black metallic archways with a vine delicately twisting around them and saw low cut hedges with a fountain spouting water out and flower springing out colourfully. In the centre of this was a low marble bench. Never had any other place come close to heaven. If you listened carefully you ould almost hear birds merrily singing.
Patrick and Lara carried on walking. They came across this miniature man-made waterfall. Deciding to stop they sat under a blossoming tree and sat for a while as they satisfied their hunger for each other through their kisses. When they eventually stopped Patrick leaned against the tree while Lara leaned forward to scan the water.
"Patrick, tell me is that a lily?"
Reluctant he left and looked as well.
"Yeah, it is."
"Don't you think it's beautiful?" she asked. Patrick wasn't listening. He was flat on his stomach reaching out,
" Oh Patrick," I didn't mean you had to get if for me."
It was annoying for Patrick. It was one of those things where you knew you could reach it, it was just you needed to be an inch longer and you would get it. Changing his position he crouched down on the water edge and tried his luck again.
"No Patrick don't," warned Lara, "You're going to fall in."
He still wasn't listening. He was nearly there. Grasping the lily pad into reach he tried to pull it over to him.
And the next minute…splash! Patrick was wet from head to foot. Luckily for him the water bed was made from stones.
"If only everyone at the hospital had seen this!" laughed Lara, "Oh Patrick do you have to take everything so seriously."
"Either that or the world is filled with immature people like you. Imagine that," he shuddered. He raised from the water and picked up the lily.
"At least you have it now."
She took the flower from him, highered to her eyes and looked at it with delight. Turning her attention she reached up to kiss him on the cheek and grasping his wet shirt suggested,
"Come on. We better get you some place dry."
They moved to the marble bench as there was no tree there. Patrick unbuttoned his wet shirt and Lara couldn't help but watch him. Pulling it off he put the shirt beside him. Lara reached to his arm and squeezed a bicep,
"Hm, you don't work out as often as you make out. And what's this?" she patted his belly, "Have you been overdoing it on the beers?"
Patrick leant forward and whispered a suggestion into her ear.
"I'm sat here topless what about…"
She looked disgusted at him,
"Yeah, keep on wishing Patrick."
They sat quietly for a moment before Lara carried on,
"I love Britain. There's a beauty here that I don't see back home."
"Do you ever miss Australia?"
Lara was surprised at her sensitivity.
"Sometimes," she admitted, "I wish I could go back sometimes but then I'd probably never want to come back. It's inconvenient to have your parents on the other side of the world. Do you ever see yours?"
A stony silence.
"My mum died on Christmas day when I was ten."
Lara looked at him,
"Oh, Patrick I-"
"Don't. It's not as if you knew her,"
Lara stared at the sky around her, anxious at the question she had just asked. Patrick sensing that the lily was probably forgotten by now and he looked behind him. Snapping a pink flower away he gently turned Lara's face towards him and brushed away her blond hair and tucked the flower behind her ear.
"Lara," he began, "I love you."
Kissing her so she couldn't react Lara felt a panic switch flick on. She liked Patrick but hadn't thought their relationship where Patrick admitted to loving her first. Luckily for her when he pulled out of the kiss he hadn't expected her to say the same. It was like he had forgotten. He happily followed her back to the car as she suggested lunch.
She pulled the chequered blanket over the hilltop side. Patrick's shirt was now dry enough for him to wear and they sat under another blossoming tree. It was quite nice to have pink blossoms fall around you as they had lunch.
Lara had made enough for the two of them but they spent most of that time kissing, neglecting their original plan. They ate little and Patrick flicked a crumb of food at Lara. She threw a bit back and soon they had a food fight instead. Patrick grabbed the last piece of food as he pinned Lara to the ground, holding the crumb threateningly over her. Desperately wriggling to escape they both found themselves rolling to the bottom of the hill. Laughing wildly as they climbed back up Lara clutched onto the tree afraid that if she held onto Patrick they'd be on the way back down.
But her laughter ceased, Her eyes strained as she looked at Patrick's car in disbelief,
"Patrick," she whispered, "Hurry up and look at this."
Patrick looked horrified at the figure trying to break into his car. Angrily marching down, Lara not far behind he quickened his pace.
"Oi!" he yelled, "Get off my car!"
The figure looked at him fearfully. As Patrick tried to grab hold of him he wrenched free and ran to the bushes. Pulling out his motorbike he dangerously veered it away. In the not so far distance a holidaymaker began to cross the road. Patrick's car was chasing behind the robber's. He looked curiously behind him and brought the cycle to a screeching halt as a figure flew onto the road. They cycle stopped for a moment and without hesitating he began to start they cycle again.
"Oh no you don't," said Lara furiously as she pulled the figure onto the ground. He wildly kicked and began to pull free but not before a few others closed around him, leaving no exit.
Patrick ran over to the patient on the floor. Getting onto the floor he said,
"Hello I'm doctor Spiller, now is anything the problem?"
As he gathered the details the holidaymaker had a broken leg he did the best he could and rang for the ambulance and police.
Most of there afternoon was spent giving a witness account to the police. When they got out of the police station Patrick was in a foul mood. Lara wondered if he was angry that their day had been spoilt or the near theft of his car.
"Where do you want to go now?"
"What about the local art gallery?"
Patrick looked sullen at the idea.
"Entry is free for a month."
"So why didn't you say woman?"
As soon as he walked in he felt very out of place. Trust Lara to be a fan of art. He looked at some of the abstract pieces and wondered why people would paint rubbish for a profession. Lara seemed to enjoy it and he couldn't help but yawn when she dragged from room to room.
There was one sculpture that caught both their eyes, and it caught many of the primary school children on a school trip who were there after school. Even though the figure was chalk white it was still quite loud in it's own sense. Stood up were a naked couple male in the background, female before him sharing a kiss. Lara looked at Patrick who looked like his eyes were going to fall out. They walked away from the statues and Lara swinging her arms around Patrick's neck asked,
"You liked that did you? What about this?"
She gave him a kiss and they were both oblivious to their surroundings. One school child walking past stopped to stare. She tugged her teacher's skirt who looked down on her,
"Miss, are they real life art. Can I draw them?"
The teacher looked at Patrick and Lara and chuckled at the girl's innocent remark. Lara pulled away, looking embarrassed and mercifully for Patrick they left the art gallery. They both laughed out at the girl's remark.
Patrick looked at his watch. 6 o'clock. He didn't want to go home yet. Spotting the cinema he suggested it. Lara agreed and said she wasn't picky about the film. She stood in the background as Patrick ordered two tickets for an action movie, full of violence. She shook her head smiling at the typicalness. Well, he is a bloke isn't he she thought to herself.
"Do you want any popcorn or anything?" asked Lara as they walked past the counter.
"No, it's unhealthy junk food," he answered, "You should know that."
Lara had a sudden urge to kick him. She was a doctor as well!
"Well, I'm getting some," she answered defiantly. She carried a huge carton with her and Patrick looked at her questioningly. Just you wait Patrick, she thought, in a few minutes you're going to start begging for some.
She placed the popcorn on an empty chair. There were still quite a number of adverts to run through,
"Look at that," spat Patrick at an advert involving a mini-car and alien chase. "That is so fake. Who going to be persuaded by something like that?"
"That's an offence to mini-car drivers and you know it!" she defended.
"Are you going to eat that popcorn?" he pointed.
"When the movie starts,"
"Can I have some now?"
"No. I told you you should have got your own," she defencelessly held up the popcorn far from reach. Smiling up as Patrick gave a defeated look he sat back down. Whilst she watched an advert a little later on he triumphantly seized it away.
"Patrick!" yelled Lara in surprise.
"Ssh!"
"What?" asked Patrick annoyed, "It's not like the movie's started."
"Ssh!"
Turning angrily around he watched the adverts in peace.
While Patrick waited for the action in the story to begin he stuffed the popcorn in small handfuls into his mouth. Lara watched interested at the love story developing. She turned to Patrick who had ate his way through more then half of the carton. She dipped her hand in and pulled a few popcorns out. In the corner of her eye she caught Patrick drumming his fingers in boredom. Turning her attention back to him she looked at him silently, hoping he would understand to stop. Getting completely the wrong idea Patrick moved forward to kiss her instead.
"Move your heads!" shouted someone. Patrick and Lara pretended not to notice and carried on. When Patrick felt he had enough he pulled away then.
A few minutes later and Patrick was still bored. He wanted to leave but with the (far) promise of violence coming up he kept quiet. The reviews had praised the film. Holding some pocket in his hand he teasingly said,
"Lara,"
She turned to se him toss a popcorn high into the air. Pulling her tongue out and moving forward she caught it cleverly into her mouth. He tried again and once again she succeeded. Smiling wickedly she took the popcorn and threw one into his mouth. To her surprise he caught it and in the background she caught a brief shone of light and then the door shut.
Still bored Patrick's hand crept along behind the seat. He placed it comfortably on her shoulder and sat there absently playing with her hair.
"Excuse me," asked an irritated voice. Patrick's hand quickly returned to him as both doctors turned to look.
"Yes?" asked Patrick.
"We've had a complaint (Patrick couldn't help but scowl) and if you carry on fooling around we're going to have to force you out."
"We're sorry," said Lara, trying not to sound sarcastic, "We'll promise not to do it again (She tried not to slap Patrick as her rubbed her thigh up and down). We're ever, ever so sorry."
The attendant walked away satisfied. Shaking his head he thought that he wouldn't be able to forget that. He had been expecting a teenage couple not a couple who were acting like teenagers!
The violence started. Lights flickered quickly as an explosion blasted from a building tossing the broken roof high into the air. Patrick leant forward watching and waiting for the oncoming action.
"Oh my god!" someone screamed. It wasn't because something disturbing had come on the screen, "Is there a doctor in the house?"
The lights flickered on. The movie rolled unwatched in the background. Patrick and Lara followed the stressed cry, as did most of the audience. Fighting their way to the patient Lara shouted at the crowd,
"Stand back!"
She turned her attention to look at the male jerking in his seat. Patrick looked at her and said,
"Epilepsy."
She nodded.
"Okay Patrick we need to get him onto the floor, into the recovery position."
Moving the patient onto the floor Patrick slid his jacket under his head.
"Someone get an ambulance," yelled Patrick at the dumbfounded crowd.
The audience began to leave the cinema gradually. From the fierce look Patrick had been giving them for their sudden interest in this stranger. Quite soon the cinema was empty.
"Should we go with him?" she asked. The patient had stopped jerking now, "It doesn't look like he's got anyone with him."
"No," he answered, "The hospital can cope with him."
Comfort and Nicky came in with a trolled bed. The four of them lifted him onto the bed and Patrick and Lara walked out slowly with them. After they got him on the ambulance Comfort said to them,
"It's been hell at the hospital. There are an unusual number of casualties going in."
Lara looked at Patrick and then back at Comfort,
"Boy, Max has been going out of his mind," she continued, "He's never known so many staff to take time off."
"But Comfort," argues Lara, "It's our day off."
"Come on sister," Comfort pleaded, "We've all got to stick together."
Lara looked at Patrick who knew what the question was going to be.
"Only if you are."
Torn between her work and Patrick she looked long and hard at Comfort's pleading face.
"See you in a few minutes then."
Lara climber into Patrick's car and off they drove to the hospital. As they reached reception for once Max looked pleased to see Patrick as well. Lara went off to the treat the epileptic patient. He had to be taken for an x-ray to trace the brain's electrical activity. For once in her long day she found time to wonder over Patrick's declaration of love. Perhaps 'I love you' were the most beautiful words in the world. She certainly hadn't felt so strongly about someone for a long time. She drummed her fingers impatiently waiting for the x-ray to develop. She should never had agreed to come in. Here she was waiting for the busy period to end so she could see Patrick. And more importantly to say…
I love you too.
A few cubicles away Patrick tried to throw himself into his work. His mind cats back to the moment when he told Lara he loved her. Why hadn't she answered back? Was she only lusting after him? He didn't think it was possible for her. He needed to ask her, to see if this relationship wasn't going to resolve in heartache as well. For once he wished the department wasn't so busy, so he could have some time to think.
As time crept by into the late hours and no more casualties appeared Lara discussed the details of her patient with the doctor who was going to take over her work.
"You're to prescribe him these drugs when he wakes up and make sure you make him an appointment. He'll need to see the surgeon."
The doctor nodded and walked away. Lara found Patrick waiting for her as the doctor left.
"Max said we can go now," he said. She smiled and walked to his car as he offered her a lift home.
Never had a journey been so quick. It had passed in silence but neither knew what to say to the other. He stopped his car outside her house. She didn't move immediately from her seat. He climbed out, opened the door for her and walked her to the front door.
"I guess I'll see you in the morning then."
"No Patrick, wait," she called to her retreating figure, "Look it's late. Why don't you stay for the night?"
He turned trying not to react. He walked coolly over and gave her a long kiss. When they pulled away she opened the front door. She hadn't moved far in when he kissed her again, clumsily trying to unbutton her shirt in the darkness. He pulled away and looked at her,
"I think we might have one problem,"
Her face turned blank before looking anxious and confused.
"What is it?"
"If we're going to play doctors and nurses who's the nurse?"
Laughing nervously she closed the front door. Taking his hand she led him up the stairs, half-running. Pushing her bedroom door open Lara led Patrick nervously into the room and in turn he closed the door.
And to Patrick and Lara have a good night.
Just one moment with you
Patrick looked at his alarm clock. Who the hell was ringing him at…4:30 in the morning? Pulling himself out of bed he stumbled across to the phone, tired and snappish he answered,
"Yeah? What is it Lara?"
"Nothing, I just wanted to see if you sounded like the rest of us in the mornings."
"Was that it?"
"No, I have something to ask. Say I had this friend."
"Yeah?"
"And this friend wanted to take this other friend out for the day."
"Hmm."
"But she didn't know whether her friend liked the countryside."
"And who would this friend be?"
"Does it matter? I'm only asking for your opinion."
"This friend wouldn't happen to be me would it?"
"What gave you that idea?"
"The fact you keep using friend instead of a name."
"You'll have to wait and see won't you?"
The line going dead Patrick crawled back into bed. It was lucky for him that he didn't need to go to work that day.
Damn Lara, now he couldn't get back to sleep. Switching the lights on in his garage he thought he might as well check the car was in perfect condition seeing as how his date wasn't until a few hours later.
He carefully picked out a blue shirt, black leather jacket and smart grey trousers. Trying to look as though he hadn't made an effort he left his shoes unpolished. Patrick wound down the cover of his car and prayed that the April weather wouldn't turn horribly against them.
Patrick stopped the car outside Lara's. Before he got her attention he anxiously checked his hair and pressed the horn impatiently. What was keeping her, he wondered, and why do women have to make the most fuss about getting ready? He turned his gaze away to look at the neighbours across the road.
"Good morning Patrick," said Lara as she shut the front door with a smile. Lara was dressed in a light lilac shirt with a grey skirt that dropped above her ankles with a small slit. Patrick looked at her as she placed a basket into his car boot. As she got in beside her he tried not to look surprised that she was wearing his necklace.
"So where do you want to go?"
"I was thinking about Paradise Woods,"
"Lara, don't tell me we're having a picnic!"
"Why not?"
"I haven't had one since I was five!"
"I want one so you're putting up with it."
"But…"
"Come on Patrick, it's a nice day."
Starting the car Patrick left the street and drove off to Paradise Woods. There was still quite some length to go but it was a popular place to go on dates in the area. It was only ten in the morning now.
As he drove down the winding roads Lara rummaged in her handbag. She pulled out a cigarette and tried in vain to light it. When she finally did manage to get one puff out of it Patrick bought the car to a screeching halt.
"What do you think your doing in my car?"
Lara took a long drag in before breathing out the smoke slowly.
"Know anyway to stop me?"
Reaching forward to give her a kiss she threw it out of the car.
A few minutes later Patrick carried on with his route there. Stopping the car he parked it at the side of the park and pulled the car cover, closing it's open top.
"Let's go for a walk first," Lara suggested.
"What? In those shoes? Do you want a medical injury woman?"
"Open the boot," she commanded. Rummaging in the basket she held onto Patrick for support as she threw her sandals in. Patrick pulled off his own jacket as it was slightly warmer now and they walked off. Lara leant slightly towards Patrick. It's going to be a good day, she thought, juts the two of us.
The park was quiet now. Not that they minded, it just meant they could enjoy the picturesque scenery to themselves. This place wasn't surrounded by your average tree, grass and occasional flower. Everything had been done to create a romantic atmosphere. They walked under black metallic archways with a vine delicately twisting around them and saw low cut hedges with a fountain spouting water out and flower springing out colourfully. In the centre of this was a low marble bench. Never had any other place come close to heaven. If you listened carefully you ould almost hear birds merrily singing.
Patrick and Lara carried on walking. They came across this miniature man-made waterfall. Deciding to stop they sat under a blossoming tree and sat for a while as they satisfied their hunger for each other through their kisses. When they eventually stopped Patrick leaned against the tree while Lara leaned forward to scan the water.
"Patrick, tell me is that a lily?"
Reluctant he left and looked as well.
"Yeah, it is."
"Don't you think it's beautiful?" she asked. Patrick wasn't listening. He was flat on his stomach reaching out,
" Oh Patrick," I didn't mean you had to get if for me."
It was annoying for Patrick. It was one of those things where you knew you could reach it, it was just you needed to be an inch longer and you would get it. Changing his position he crouched down on the water edge and tried his luck again.
"No Patrick don't," warned Lara, "You're going to fall in."
He still wasn't listening. He was nearly there. Grasping the lily pad into reach he tried to pull it over to him.
And the next minute…splash! Patrick was wet from head to foot. Luckily for him the water bed was made from stones.
"If only everyone at the hospital had seen this!" laughed Lara, "Oh Patrick do you have to take everything so seriously."
"Either that or the world is filled with immature people like you. Imagine that," he shuddered. He raised from the water and picked up the lily.
"At least you have it now."
She took the flower from him, highered to her eyes and looked at it with delight. Turning her attention she reached up to kiss him on the cheek and grasping his wet shirt suggested,
"Come on. We better get you some place dry."
They moved to the marble bench as there was no tree there. Patrick unbuttoned his wet shirt and Lara couldn't help but watch him. Pulling it off he put the shirt beside him. Lara reached to his arm and squeezed a bicep,
"Hm, you don't work out as often as you make out. And what's this?" she patted his belly, "Have you been overdoing it on the beers?"
Patrick leant forward and whispered a suggestion into her ear.
"I'm sat here topless what about…"
She looked disgusted at him,
"Yeah, keep on wishing Patrick."
They sat quietly for a moment before Lara carried on,
"I love Britain. There's a beauty here that I don't see back home."
"Do you ever miss Australia?"
Lara was surprised at her sensitivity.
"Sometimes," she admitted, "I wish I could go back sometimes but then I'd probably never want to come back. It's inconvenient to have your parents on the other side of the world. Do you ever see yours?"
A stony silence.
"My mum died on Christmas day when I was ten."
Lara looked at him,
"Oh, Patrick I-"
"Don't. It's not as if you knew her,"
Lara stared at the sky around her, anxious at the question she had just asked. Patrick sensing that the lily was probably forgotten by now and he looked behind him. Snapping a pink flower away he gently turned Lara's face towards him and brushed away her blond hair and tucked the flower behind her ear.
"Lara," he began, "I love you."
Kissing her so she couldn't react Lara felt a panic switch flick on. She liked Patrick but hadn't thought their relationship where Patrick admitted to loving her first. Luckily for her when he pulled out of the kiss he hadn't expected her to say the same. It was like he had forgotten. He happily followed her back to the car as she suggested lunch.
She pulled the chequered blanket over the hilltop side. Patrick's shirt was now dry enough for him to wear and they sat under another blossoming tree. It was quite nice to have pink blossoms fall around you as they had lunch.
Lara had made enough for the two of them but they spent most of that time kissing, neglecting their original plan. They ate little and Patrick flicked a crumb of food at Lara. She threw a bit back and soon they had a food fight instead. Patrick grabbed the last piece of food as he pinned Lara to the ground, holding the crumb threateningly over her. Desperately wriggling to escape they both found themselves rolling to the bottom of the hill. Laughing wildly as they climbed back up Lara clutched onto the tree afraid that if she held onto Patrick they'd be on the way back down.
But her laughter ceased, Her eyes strained as she looked at Patrick's car in disbelief,
"Patrick," she whispered, "Hurry up and look at this."
Patrick looked horrified at the figure trying to break into his car. Angrily marching down, Lara not far behind he quickened his pace.
"Oi!" he yelled, "Get off my car!"
The figure looked at him fearfully. As Patrick tried to grab hold of him he wrenched free and ran to the bushes. Pulling out his motorbike he dangerously veered it away. In the not so far distance a holidaymaker began to cross the road. Patrick's car was chasing behind the robber's. He looked curiously behind him and brought the cycle to a screeching halt as a figure flew onto the road. They cycle stopped for a moment and without hesitating he began to start they cycle again.
"Oh no you don't," said Lara furiously as she pulled the figure onto the ground. He wildly kicked and began to pull free but not before a few others closed around him, leaving no exit.
Patrick ran over to the patient on the floor. Getting onto the floor he said,
"Hello I'm doctor Spiller, now is anything the problem?"
As he gathered the details the holidaymaker had a broken leg he did the best he could and rang for the ambulance and police.
Most of there afternoon was spent giving a witness account to the police. When they got out of the police station Patrick was in a foul mood. Lara wondered if he was angry that their day had been spoilt or the near theft of his car.
"Where do you want to go now?"
"What about the local art gallery?"
Patrick looked sullen at the idea.
"Entry is free for a month."
"So why didn't you say woman?"
As soon as he walked in he felt very out of place. Trust Lara to be a fan of art. He looked at some of the abstract pieces and wondered why people would paint rubbish for a profession. Lara seemed to enjoy it and he couldn't help but yawn when she dragged from room to room.
There was one sculpture that caught both their eyes, and it caught many of the primary school children on a school trip who were there after school. Even though the figure was chalk white it was still quite loud in it's own sense. Stood up were a naked couple male in the background, female before him sharing a kiss. Lara looked at Patrick who looked like his eyes were going to fall out. They walked away from the statues and Lara swinging her arms around Patrick's neck asked,
"You liked that did you? What about this?"
She gave him a kiss and they were both oblivious to their surroundings. One school child walking past stopped to stare. She tugged her teacher's skirt who looked down on her,
"Miss, are they real life art. Can I draw them?"
The teacher looked at Patrick and Lara and chuckled at the girl's innocent remark. Lara pulled away, looking embarrassed and mercifully for Patrick they left the art gallery. They both laughed out at the girl's remark.
Patrick looked at his watch. 6 o'clock. He didn't want to go home yet. Spotting the cinema he suggested it. Lara agreed and said she wasn't picky about the film. She stood in the background as Patrick ordered two tickets for an action movie, full of violence. She shook her head smiling at the typicalness. Well, he is a bloke isn't he she thought to herself.
"Do you want any popcorn or anything?" asked Lara as they walked past the counter.
"No, it's unhealthy junk food," he answered, "You should know that."
Lara had a sudden urge to kick him. She was a doctor as well!
"Well, I'm getting some," she answered defiantly. She carried a huge carton with her and Patrick looked at her questioningly. Just you wait Patrick, she thought, in a few minutes you're going to start begging for some.
She placed the popcorn on an empty chair. There were still quite a number of adverts to run through,
"Look at that," spat Patrick at an advert involving a mini-car and alien chase. "That is so fake. Who going to be persuaded by something like that?"
"That's an offence to mini-car drivers and you know it!" she defended.
"Are you going to eat that popcorn?" he pointed.
"When the movie starts,"
"Can I have some now?"
"No. I told you you should have got your own," she defencelessly held up the popcorn far from reach. Smiling up as Patrick gave a defeated look he sat back down. Whilst she watched an advert a little later on he triumphantly seized it away.
"Patrick!" yelled Lara in surprise.
"Ssh!"
"What?" asked Patrick annoyed, "It's not like the movie's started."
"Ssh!"
Turning angrily around he watched the adverts in peace.
While Patrick waited for the action in the story to begin he stuffed the popcorn in small handfuls into his mouth. Lara watched interested at the love story developing. She turned to Patrick who had ate his way through more then half of the carton. She dipped her hand in and pulled a few popcorns out. In the corner of her eye she caught Patrick drumming his fingers in boredom. Turning her attention back to him she looked at him silently, hoping he would understand to stop. Getting completely the wrong idea Patrick moved forward to kiss her instead.
"Move your heads!" shouted someone. Patrick and Lara pretended not to notice and carried on. When Patrick felt he had enough he pulled away then.
A few minutes later and Patrick was still bored. He wanted to leave but with the (far) promise of violence coming up he kept quiet. The reviews had praised the film. Holding some pocket in his hand he teasingly said,
"Lara,"
She turned to se him toss a popcorn high into the air. Pulling her tongue out and moving forward she caught it cleverly into her mouth. He tried again and once again she succeeded. Smiling wickedly she took the popcorn and threw one into his mouth. To her surprise he caught it and in the background she caught a brief shone of light and then the door shut.
Still bored Patrick's hand crept along behind the seat. He placed it comfortably on her shoulder and sat there absently playing with her hair.
"Excuse me," asked an irritated voice. Patrick's hand quickly returned to him as both doctors turned to look.
"Yes?" asked Patrick.
"We've had a complaint (Patrick couldn't help but scowl) and if you carry on fooling around we're going to have to force you out."
"We're sorry," said Lara, trying not to sound sarcastic, "We'll promise not to do it again (She tried not to slap Patrick as her rubbed her thigh up and down). We're ever, ever so sorry."
The attendant walked away satisfied. Shaking his head he thought that he wouldn't be able to forget that. He had been expecting a teenage couple not a couple who were acting like teenagers!
The violence started. Lights flickered quickly as an explosion blasted from a building tossing the broken roof high into the air. Patrick leant forward watching and waiting for the oncoming action.
"Oh my god!" someone screamed. It wasn't because something disturbing had come on the screen, "Is there a doctor in the house?"
The lights flickered on. The movie rolled unwatched in the background. Patrick and Lara followed the stressed cry, as did most of the audience. Fighting their way to the patient Lara shouted at the crowd,
"Stand back!"
She turned her attention to look at the male jerking in his seat. Patrick looked at her and said,
"Epilepsy."
She nodded.
"Okay Patrick we need to get him onto the floor, into the recovery position."
Moving the patient onto the floor Patrick slid his jacket under his head.
"Someone get an ambulance," yelled Patrick at the dumbfounded crowd.
The audience began to leave the cinema gradually. From the fierce look Patrick had been giving them for their sudden interest in this stranger. Quite soon the cinema was empty.
"Should we go with him?" she asked. The patient had stopped jerking now, "It doesn't look like he's got anyone with him."
"No," he answered, "The hospital can cope with him."
Comfort and Nicky came in with a trolled bed. The four of them lifted him onto the bed and Patrick and Lara walked out slowly with them. After they got him on the ambulance Comfort said to them,
"It's been hell at the hospital. There are an unusual number of casualties going in."
Lara looked at Patrick and then back at Comfort,
"Boy, Max has been going out of his mind," she continued, "He's never known so many staff to take time off."
"But Comfort," argues Lara, "It's our day off."
"Come on sister," Comfort pleaded, "We've all got to stick together."
Lara looked at Patrick who knew what the question was going to be.
"Only if you are."
Torn between her work and Patrick she looked long and hard at Comfort's pleading face.
"See you in a few minutes then."
Lara climber into Patrick's car and off they drove to the hospital. As they reached reception for once Max looked pleased to see Patrick as well. Lara went off to the treat the epileptic patient. He had to be taken for an x-ray to trace the brain's electrical activity. For once in her long day she found time to wonder over Patrick's declaration of love. Perhaps 'I love you' were the most beautiful words in the world. She certainly hadn't felt so strongly about someone for a long time. She drummed her fingers impatiently waiting for the x-ray to develop. She should never had agreed to come in. Here she was waiting for the busy period to end so she could see Patrick. And more importantly to say…
I love you too.
A few cubicles away Patrick tried to throw himself into his work. His mind cats back to the moment when he told Lara he loved her. Why hadn't she answered back? Was she only lusting after him? He didn't think it was possible for her. He needed to ask her, to see if this relationship wasn't going to resolve in heartache as well. For once he wished the department wasn't so busy, so he could have some time to think.
As time crept by into the late hours and no more casualties appeared Lara discussed the details of her patient with the doctor who was going to take over her work.
"You're to prescribe him these drugs when he wakes up and make sure you make him an appointment. He'll need to see the surgeon."
The doctor nodded and walked away. Lara found Patrick waiting for her as the doctor left.
"Max said we can go now," he said. She smiled and walked to his car as he offered her a lift home.
Never had a journey been so quick. It had passed in silence but neither knew what to say to the other. He stopped his car outside her house. She didn't move immediately from her seat. He climbed out, opened the door for her and walked her to the front door.
"I guess I'll see you in the morning then."
"No Patrick, wait," she called to her retreating figure, "Look it's late. Why don't you stay for the night?"
He turned trying not to react. He walked coolly over and gave her a long kiss. When they pulled away she opened the front door. She hadn't moved far in when he kissed her again, clumsily trying to unbutton her shirt in the darkness. He pulled away and looked at her,
"I think we might have one problem,"
Her face turned blank before looking anxious and confused.
"What is it?"
"If we're going to play doctors and nurses who's the nurse?"
Laughing nervously she closed the front door. Taking his hand she led him up the stairs, half-running. Pushing her bedroom door open Lara led Patrick nervously into the room and in turn he closed the door.
And to Patrick and Lara have a good night.
