"Well, I'm happy to say… You can go home today."
"Finally!" She beamed at Mike and rose, grabbing her bag from the bedside locker and proceeding to fill it.
"Hold on!"
At Mike's words, she paused and turned back to him.
"I need to lay down some ground rules."
She sighed and sat down on the bed, her good mood evaporated; she knew what he was going to say.
"Okay, first of all, take it easy." He raised his eyebrows and she shrugged in reply, as if she thought he had no cause to say it. "I've signed you off work for six weeks, so I don't expect to see you unless you're here for a check-up. No heavy lifting, plenty of rest. And no… You know… Sexual activity for at least six weeks."
"Yes Sir." She mock saluted, trying to ignore the pink in her cheeks caused by his last words. Her sex life wasn't something she wanted to discuss with anyone, especially her colleagues.
"And I'm under strict instructions not to let you leave this building without Doctor Ormerod." Judging by the speed at which Mike delivered his words, he too, wanted to steer the conversation away from the embarrassing topic.
"And what time will that be?"
"He's got a couple of house calls before lunch. He said he'd drop you at home on his way."
She nodded. "If you see him, tell him I'll be in my office. I've a spare suit in there."
Upon Mike's departure from the ward, she sighed, her shoulders slumping. She hated depending on people. If something needed doing, she'd do it herself, and woe betide anyone who thought she couldn't. Six weeks off work she liked even less. Perhaps she could sneak back early… And Mike's last instruction… The least she dwelled on that the better…