Amongst the boxes of medical supplies and food was a box containing items Zoe had brought from home, inside were a selection of dressings, disposable surgical instruments, masks, sterile gloves and five sets of scrubs. Nick grinned as he held one up, the familiar logo of an incomplete circle and the words Holby City Hospital struck him as strangely comforting. The selection of things Zoe had brought with her were exactly what they needed in this outpost, and Nick was relieved to see that her own possessions included a sleeping bag identical to the one he had bought and a large box of water purification tablets. Zoe was often the most impractical person he knew, but she had obviously taken note of the things he had said on their last shopping trip.
They were in the basement of the hospital, a series of tiny cramped cave like rooms linked by a narrow corridor accessible only via a trapdoor concealed in a storeroom at the back of the collection of buildings. The small underground complex had been used by the US military whilst their troops were in this valley and it was still furnished with the camp beds and other items they had left behind. Although it was the only hiding place they had, Nick found it very insecure as he guessed the local Taliban would already know of its existence.
The caverns had one permanent resident, the blond haired, blue eyed, Doctor Joanne Rhodes, Nick's second American colleague who had been badly injured in the bombing of the other hospital weeks earlier. Dr Levine had done his best with minimal facilities and kept her alive until they had reached this sanctuary, Nick and Meyer had operated to save her leg which was still encased in a skeleton plaster cast.
She seemed less than pleased to welcome Zoe as a room mate, something the look she gave Nick sparked a stab of jealousy in Zoe as they were introduced. Zoe would much rather have squeezed her camp bed into the cramped cave occupied by Nick, Mayer and Andy Levine, but she had to accept Nick's insistence that it was not practical to do so.
Darkness was falling over the valley as they ventured back up the metal ladder. Nick took Zoe's hand and helped her up the last few rungs, pulling her close against him as she reached the top. His arms looped about her and he dipped his head to kiss her.
"Let's try and get some time alone after supper." He whispered in her ear before releasing her.
"Please." Zoe pleaded, the events of the day had struck her with a deep terror, the thought that the hospital compound along with its occupants was under observation by those intent to cause harm was the most unnerving feeling she had ever experienced. Nick gently lifted the light fabric of Zoe's head scarf to cover her hair, looping the trailing end over her shoulder to be easily accessible should the need to cover her face arise.
"You'll soon get used to this place." Nick told her as he led her out into the hospital corridor. "I'm afraid you'll have to treat me as is their custom, when we are up here." He told her. "Walk behind me." He whispered as she frowned in confusion. "Fancy doing a ward round with me?"