Chapter Nine

"So what was it like?"

"Rehab? Tough at first but after a while I kind of got used to it, if you can ever get used to such a place."

Sacha and Eddi have taken a break away from AAU and Luc and relocated themselves in Pulses, a café at the entrance of the hospital.

"Was it worse than being kidnapped by Luc?" Sacha smiles.

"Oh no," she chuckles, "Being kidnapped by Luc was ten times worse. I had to put up with his endless words of wisdom after all."

"That's true; I never understand half of what he says most of the time."

"I learnt to nod your head at the right moments, which generally kept him satisfied."

The light hearted banter has been restored between the two and they embrace it with a mutual chuckle.

"I've missed you you know."

"I've missed you too Sacha."

"It's not been the same around here. There's been a big Eddi-shaped hole that no one can fill except you."

"Don't start Sacha…"

"Why not? You're out of rehab and I know that you're missing this place. Surely you can't be happy at the care home."

"It's a job…"

"But so is working here."

"But what would I do?"

"I hear there's a senior nurse position available on AAU."

"They wouldn't let me work here again let alone go back to my original position, not after everything that's happened."

"No one knows Eddi."

"What do you mean no one knows? Surely Hanssen…"

"Hanssen's left."

"What do you mean Hanssen's left?"

"He disappeared without a trace and hasn't been seen since. Anyway, that's beside the point. The only people who knows about what happened are you, me, Luc, Michael and Chrissie. You know what I think on the matter, Chrissie needs another pair of hands, someone she can rely on, and as for Michael he did say he's got your back. He never did report you."

"And Luc?"

"Luc's been wanting you back since the day you left. He may not say much but it was there in his eyes and the way he acted. He can't function properly without you. I saw the way his eyes would dart across the ward, as if he was looking for something and at other times I'd catch him gazing off into the distance when a patient was trying to talk to him. And when he let his guard down, which was very rare mind you, he'd mention your name in passing. 'Eddi would have spotted that', he'd say, or 'I wish someone would disagree with me, Eddi would have'. So you see Eddi, the only person stopping you from coming back is you."

She looks down at her coffee, the warmth now gone, her mind jumbled with alternative thoughts. She has a decision to make, one that will change her life.

Meanwhile on AAU…

"He's waking up!" Michael yells to no one in particular. "Someone page Sacha. Chrissie, can you go and find Eddi please? Oh boy are you going to get the shock of your life. You are one lucky sod Luc, one lucky sod."