X-Sammii-X, thank you for your review. I'm really happy you love Cal in my fanfics - I really love writing about him. There's more about Matilda and Cal in this chapter!
Bonnie Sveen Fan, thank you for your review. I'm not sure if Zoe will help Ariana to find a job in this story, but I'm sure she would do her best for her. I'd love it if Zoe was my mum, though I would be a bit embarrassed about her wedding night!
Tato Potato, that's interesting about Matilda looking after Cal - I hadn't thought of that, but he does need a bit of looking after at the moment! I'll see if I can include that in the story. Thank you for the idea and for your review!
Tanith Panic, actually, I got Honey's age wrong too as Noel said she was 22 in yesterday's episode, so she'd only be 38 in this story. But maybe she lied! Thank you for your review - it's nice to write about Cal talking to girls and NOT flirting!
ETWentHome, I think Honey will always be Noel's little girl! Especially as that's how she behaves sometimes. You're right about Cal - he gets caught up in his beliefs so much and he completely forgets there could be another outcome. Thank you for your review.
I've also written a story based on yesterday's episode which I've been trying to post, but my computer freezes every time I try to select the category. I'm hoping it will let me update an existing story as I also want to update one of my other stories.
Dylan didn't know what to do.
No. That was wrong. He knew exactly what he had to do. He just didn't know how.
He wished Lofty was working today. Lofty was always good to talk to. He listened carefully; he didn't judge; and even if he couldn't think of a solution, he was always sympathetic. But Lofty was off sick and although Dylan knew he wouldn't mind getting a phone call, it didn't seem fair.
Dylan sighed and left the staff room. He walked back towards cubicles, only to encounter Ella and the girl Dylan.
Ella's pager was beeping. "Oh my God! I'm so sorry, Dylan. I've got to go to Resus or I'll be literally dead!" She caught sight of Dylan. "Dr Keogh, you'll look after Dylan, won't you?"
"Yes, of course," said Dylan K mechanically as Ella rushed off. He turned to Dylan. "Did Dr Ashford find the forms?"
Dylan nodded, a wry smile flitting over her face. "Yes, I've got them here. Thanks for suggesting it, Dr Keogh."
Dylan K guessed from the smile that Ella hadn't found the forms straightaway. He just hoped she hadn't left too much of a mess behind her.
The girl Dylan frowned. "Dr Keogh, is everything all right? If you need to be somewhere, I'll be fine by myself."
Dylan K believed her. His namesake seemed like one of those people who always would be fine.
He looked at her speculatively for a moment. He hardly knew her and she was legally only a child and he wasn't completely sure why he was even considering it, but he needed to talk to someone. "Dylan. I was wondering. You're fifteen, aren't you?"
Dylan nodded.
Dylan K couldn't quite believe he was saying this, but there was something about her that made him feel she could handle anything. "Would you be able to give me some advice?"
If Dylan was surprised, she hid it well. "I'd be very happy to try, Dr Keogh."
"I… I have a half-brother," said Dylan K. "He's fifteen too. I don't think I should go into details, but I had bad news about his mother today. I need to tell him. How would you want me to break the news if you were my sister?"
"Well, every fifteen year old is different," said Dylan. "And I'm more different than most. But I'd want to be told as soon as possible and as honestly as possible. Saving the news for 'a better moment' doesn't really make it hurt any less. If you hide it from him, that's another reason for him to be upset when he has enough to be upset about already. And I'd definitely want to know everything. If you leave anything out, he probably will notice and try in to fill in the gaps himself – and it would be natural to assume the worst."
Dylan K looked at her in surprise. He'd expected good advice, but nothing like this.
"Then, whatever his reaction is, accept it," said Dylan. "He might be angry. He might blame you in some way. But it will only make the situation worse if you get distracted by that. Just worry about the important problem: his mother."
Dylan K was nodding. "Thank you, Dylan," he said. "Thank you very much."
"I'm not saying it will definitely work," said Dylan quickly. "Everyone is different and you're both human beings. But that's what I'd want in your brother's situation."
Honey stood impatiently beside the taxi as the driver loaded her cases out of the boot and the back seat. He'd looked very annoyed when she'd handed him a twenty pound note and told him she wanted change, but divorce was expensive and Louise had told her last time that she couldn't expect her dad to help out again.
Louise. Honey's heavily-made-up eyes narrowed at the thought of her stepmother. She'd really liked Louise as a receptionist and felt reluctant but sincere admiration when she'd become a nurse (Honey had been convinced Louise was a fellow thicko), but she absolutely loathed her as a stepmother.
She'd thought Louise was after Noel's money until she remembered he hadn't got any because Honey had spent it.
She jumped as she heard the taxi driving away, leaving Honey's suitcases on the pavement. Honey shouted after him: "You might have taken it to the door for me!"
But no matter. Noel would carry it in for her. Honey tottered up to the door in her seven-inch wedges and rang the bell.
No answer. He was probably in the loo. Old people were always in the loo.
She gave him another five minutes (reluctantly carrying her suitcases up the drive to pass the time), but Noel still didn't answer.
A horrible suspicion began to grow in Honey's mind. She phoned Noel. "Where are you? I'm standing here on the doorstep, freezing to death!"
"I'm sorry, love. I didn't realise you'd get here already," said Noel. "Haven't you got your key?"
Her key. Honey did have a vague recollection of Noel giving her a key. Actually, she had quite a few vague recollections of Noel giving her a key. "What key? You never gave me no key. Are you coming to let me in or what?"
Noel sighed. "Give me fifteen minutes, Honey, okay?"
Matilda was relieved to see Lottie looking so much better. She was cheerful and smiley, and Matilda was sure she wasn't just putting a brave face on it. The reason for her happiness became clear when she told them that she and Louise weren't complete strangers.
Matilda and Lottie were even happier when Dylan arrived a few minutes later and told them that Dr Keogh was the famous Dr Dylan she'd wondered about for years.
"My mum says I was born here," said Ariana. "Maybe my doctor or nurse is still here too! My mum might know who they are as she used to work here. Were you born here, Matilda?"
"I don't know," admitted Matilda. "But when I'm with Cal, I do kind of get the sense that I know him."
Ariana smiled mischievously. "But you don't fancy him, do you, Tilly? Not at all."
"I don't think she does fancy him," said Dylan. "You obviously look up to him, Tilly, but that's a very different thing. I look up to Dr Keogh, but he must be in his late forties at least: too old to be a potential boyfriend."
Matilda nodded dreamily. "I don't think of Cal in that way at all, but he's just so kind and protective. He really goes out of his way to make me feel less scared."
"He does seem really lovely," said Lottie. "It was kind of him to get us some lunch. Especially as it probably wasn't really on the house."
"I wonder if he has children," said Matilda. "I bet he's a brilliant dad. He's really-" She stopped as she heard the door close, and turned to see Cal.
Face flaming, Matilda lowered her head.
"Hey, girls," said Cal. "Lottie, we managed to speak to your mum on the phone, but unfortunately, she can't get away from work at the moment. She nominated a friend of hers to take her place. She says she will leave work as soon as she can and go home, but it's just not possible at the moment."
"That's okay," said Lottie sweetly. "I know it's difficult for her to get away from work sometimes. Thanks, Cal. Do you know who's coming?"
"Actually," said Cal, a look of great interest on his face, "it's your mum, Matilda."
Matilda felt herself grow cold. The sandwich packet she was still holding slipped from her fingers.
Cal's smile faded. "Matilda, are you okay?" He reached for her hands. "You're shaking."
Dylan explained the situation briefly. "Matilda and her parents don't have a close relationship. Matilda's mum would be very angry if she knew Matilda wasn't at school."
Cal looked perturbed. "Oh God. I'm so sorry. I'm afraid I did tell her you were here. I really am sorry, Matilda."
Matilda closed her eyes. "It's okay." Her voice shook. "It's not your fault. You couldn't have known."
"I wish I hadn't said anything." Cal looked upset. "Is there anything I can do to make it better? Anything I can tell her?"
"I… I don't think anyone can make it better," said Matilda. Tears filled her eyes. "Oh, Cal, I don't know what to do."
"Hey, come here!" said Cal as Matilda began to sob. He held her tightly. "It's okay. It's going to be…" He stopped suddenly. "Matilda, I'm sorry, but I need to ask you something. Are you in physical danger from your parents?"
Matilda spoke through her tears. "No. No, I don't think so." She certainly felt safer when she was in Cal's arms. "I mean, I'm sure I'm not."
She felt Cal relax. He rested his chin against the top of her head and stroked her hair. "That's a relief. But I'll give you my number, just in case anything does happen. You can phone me or text me anytime."
"Really?" said Matilda.
Cal actually sounded slightly emotional. "Anytime, darling. I'll always be here." He didn't let go of Matilda till she'd stopped crying.
"Sorry, Cal," said Matilda.
"No. Don't apologise. It was my fault anyway, but you don't ever have to apologise for having emotions." Cal got out a tissue and wiped away her tears.
It could have felt weird, but it didn't. It felt right and so comforting. Cal would probably do that for any patient who cried, but Matilda still felt cared-about.
"There." Cal handed Matilda the tissue and Matilda wiped her nose. Cal smiled and gave her another hug.
Matilda closed her eyes. Oh, I wish my dad was more like you…
"Have you got your phone?" said Cal, once he'd almost reluctantly let go. Matilda handed it to him and Cal put his number in. "Are you sure there's nothing else I can do? If you'd like me to speak to your mum; explain what a good friend you are; what a difference it's made to Lottie and Ariana to have you there…"
Matilda gazed at him as her eyes filled again. "Thank you, Cal. But I'll be fine." She wouldn't be fine, but she couldn't bother him with this. It was all her fault for being stupid. "I'll go and see her now."