Dylan was sat on the bed in the cubicle waiting for Dr Kinsella to come back. She had been very persuasive in telling Dylan he had to get into a gown. She had taken his joggers and t-shirt away, telling him she'd get new clothes. That's when he remembered he had a change in the Consultants office, if no one had bothered removing them during his absence.

He was relieved to see her come back, with the clothes. It had been a long time since he'd worn a shirt and trousers.

"Here we go, right where you said they were"

"Thank you"

"I'll take another look at your wound and put a fresh dressing on before you get changed. I'll also give you something for your legs"

"My legs?"

"Yes. If I didn't know better, I'd say you've been whipped or caned"

Dylan didn't regret talking to the woman in the supermarket. She had made some comment on the amount of KY jelly in their shopping basket. He'd replied: at least I'm getting some. David had found it endearing but he didn't want Dylan having pointless conversations with anyone.

That was how Dylan found himself naked and in handcuffs when they'd got back home, David hooking them onto the wall. Dylan heard the canes whistle through the air and tensed as it hit his skin. David made him count as he struck him. Dylan howled each time he was struck, Dervla howling because she knew Dylan was in pain. He couldn't think and gave up counting after he got to eight.

David was also in tears as he unhooked Dylan and lifted him onto the bed. David soothing him, saying he was sorry. He had to leave Dylan whilst he popped back out for some analgesic cream.

Dylan had fallen asleep by the time he got back. David had taken a photo on his phone. 12 marks on Dylan's legs as he cleaned them up and applied the cream. Dylan had woken the next morning in pain. Something else to add to his list of never repeating again.

Bea went back out to get the supplies she needed. Sam spotted her. "How is he?"

"He seems fine. He wouldn't tell me how he got his homemade tattoo though"

"Tattoo?"

"Presumably his initials. D.H."

Sam was very angry. She didn't care if Dylan had some kind of kinky fetish thing going on with David. They were adults as Iain had pointed out. But she felt whatever was going on was far worse. Call it instinct. She knew Dylan better than anyone and the Dylan she knew would never have allowed himself to be marked in this way.

Remembering to breathe before pulling back the curtain, Sam went into the cubicle to hear him tell her where he'd been all these weeks.

Dylan looked up at Sam as she went in. He was afraid. Of her. Afraid of telling her the truth. Bea followed and worked on his wound.

Sam couldn't believe the cane marks on his legs. She was horrified and looked at Bea. Why didn't you warn me, she thought. Maybe because you're an ex army doctor who'd seen patients that had been half blown up.

"Go on. Take a good look. I know that's why you're here"

"Dylan..."

"Whatever I say won't matter. You already have made up your mind"

"I'm just trying to understand where you've been since the end of January? You just left without a word. And then suddenly turn up again with David. Louise told me about your drinking"

"You didn't exactly care before"

"That's not fair Dylan"

"I'll tell you what's not fair. Watching the one person you've ever loved with someone else"

"I'm sorry you think that"

"So am I. Now get out". Sam reluctantly left. She would have been more persistent. But not in a cubicle with another person.

Bea really liked Dylan. If he decided he was going to come back, she was going to ask Ethan if she could switch mentors.

"You still love her don't you?"

"Not that it's any of your business"

"What's going on with you and David?"

"That definitely isn't anyone's business"

"He did this to you didn't he?"

"You honestly think I'd let someone cut me like this without my consent?"

"Honestly? I don't think anyone could make you do anything you didn't want to do". Bea had to get the next bit right. She didn't want to frighten Dylan or alarm him. "But under duress is another thing entirely"

Dylan let out a breath he didn't realise he was holding. He could just so easily tell her what David had done. It would be over. He'd be free. He was scared to be free.

He didn't get chance to though as Robyn poked her head in to say David was awake and asking for Dylan.

On the walk to Resus, Dylan had apologised to Robyn for not being at the wedding.

"It's ok Dylan. David being happy with you is more than enough for me"

"What did he say?"

"He didn't need to. His face spoke volumes when he asked for you"

Dylan halted just outside the door to Resus. Elle was talking to David, telling him that they were waiting to take him up to x-ray.

David looked up at Dylan in wonder, Elle following his gaze to Dylan. She beckoned him in.