Hi! So I'm back in England now, which means I'll be updating again :D Here's the next chapter- I hope you all enjoy and reviews would be lovely :) -Sophie x
An hour later and the three medical professionals sat around Connie's table, munching on their breakfast. Zoe and Charlie had two slices of toast each, cut into halves. Connie had a mug of coffee, and refused any offer to make her something.
"Today's going to be tough Connie, there's no denying it, but you need to have something inside you. Even if it's just a slice of toast, or even some shortbread with that coffee. You could end up collapsing, you know that." Zoe said gently, watching as her boss' nails tapped against the sides of her cup, eyes unseeing as she slipped from reality to her thoughts.
Charlie looked down at his plate to see one half of toast left. A quick glance at Zoe's told him she was finished too, so he stood and collected her plate, slipping his in front of Connie with a quick hand on her shoulder. Then he began the washing up, with Zoe at his side to dry.
Ever so slowly, Connie placed her arms on the table and picked up the toast. The smell alone made her nauseous, and it was now cold and very anaemic looking. She gently moved it to her lips, and took a small bite. Then another. Then another, until it was gone and only a few crumbs remained.
Charlie turned to collect her plate, only to find it empty. He smiled and picked it up.
"Well done. That wasn't so hard, was it?"
She shook her head before standing and going into the living room, hair trailed over one shoulder. Zoe watched her go, drying one of the plates until Charlie took it from her gently.
"Anyone ever told you it's rude to stare?" He asked, and Zoe blinked a few times before picking up Connie's mug.
"Sorry. It's just, she seems so different. Her lack of heels makes her smaller than you, and the lack of makeup makes her seem so vulnerable. I'm not quite sure I like it."
"Loss does funny things to people." Charlie said simply.
"I mean, I never liked her when she was shouty and arrogant all the time. Come on, I don't think anyone did to be quite honest. But I'd rather have confident Connie than quiet Connie. This doesn't seem like her at all." Zoe sighed, opening one of the cupboard door and placing the mug inside. It was only then that she realised what was on the cup- it was a photo of her and Grace, taken on a sunny beach somewhere abroad. They were both grinning, both in bikinis, and both happy.
"This doesn't seem like her because she's spent so long building up that reputation of being a no-nonsense ice queen. She masked herself with this new identity, and let this Connie be repressed until it no longer showed. But Grace's death shattered that exterior, and here she is on full show." Charlie explained, tipping the dirty water down the sink and drying his hands on Zoe's towel. She just looked at him in amazement.
"Have you ever thought about scrapping medicine and going into teaching English?" She asked, watching him grin and tuck in the chairs around the table.
"I just notice these things. You forget, I'm nearly 20 years older than you."
Zoe just raised her eyebrows and looked away, eyes sparkling.
"Well, your old man groan this morning certainly gave me a lovely reminder." She grinned, and ducked as he tried to hit her over the head with a table mat.
"Come on cheeky, let's go keep Queen B company." He said, letting his colleague go in front of him as he followed her into the living room.