Here's today's update! I was going to do the driving lesson one but I couldn't get into it, so I wrote this one instead xD If you need a bit of a refresher, this is based around the text Connie received in Chapter 21 when she collapsed, so it would probably be a good idea to go have a quick read of that first :) Thanks to RidiculouslyOverObsessed for the reminder, I'd completely forgotten about that incident!
Hope you all enjoy and reviews would be lovely! -Sophie x
P.S- Sorry I didn't update last week- I went shopping for my birthday then I went to see the Minion movie xD
"Lofty- Lofty cubicle 4 still needs their discharge forms! And Tess I think the elderly lady in resus is ready to be moved now. And Robyn why aren't you dressing Mr Warner's burns?"
Rita was extremely stressed that morning, probably something to do with how understaffed they were. She had Robyn, Tess and Lofty and that was it- Chrissie, Steve and James had all called in sick and the agency nurses hadn't arrived yet. It didn't help that there were less doctors than usual either; Lily, Ethan and Cal were all taking their fellowship exams and Dylan was off on a training course. That meant that the nurses had extra pressure put on them, especially by Connie who had developed a cold and was in a horrendous mood.
"For god's sakes Rita, has Joan from resus been moved yet?" The clinical lead snapped as she stalked past, going to type something into the computer at the nurse's station.
"We've been otherwise engaged." The small blonde half snapped back. "Anyway Tess is on that and she's on her lunch."
"Well get her off her lunch!"
Rita's mouth opened slightly in shock.
"She hasn't eaten since 5 this morning! Do you want your staff collapsing all over the place?!"
"No I want them working." Connie spat, pausing to sneeze into a large tissue. "We've got lives to save."
"We've got lives to save." Rita mimicked as her boss walked away, and she rolled her eyes before going to move Joan herself.
…
Back in her office, Connie collapsed into her chair feeling like death warmed up.
"I need more paracetamol." She muttered, rummaging in her drawers. Her whole body ached, she had a pounding headache and a fever, her nose was constantly streaming and she had a really chesty cough.
She pulled out a packet of pills and popped two in her mouth, swallowing them quickly before she started coughing again. She suspected it was the flu; bad enough, but not so that she needed to go home.
The clinical lead opened up her e-mails, and was just about to begin a lengthy rant to Henrik Hanssen about how little equipment and staff they had recently when her door opened.
"Chicken soup for the invalid?"
Connie looked up to see Louisa beaming down at her, holding a silver flask.
"Hello sweetheart, what are you doing here?" She asked in surprise as her daughter shut the door.
"I had a half day. I did tell you at breakfast?"
The woman just shook her head.
"I only woke up when I got here, sorry. Thank you for the thought but I feel sick."
"Come on mum, just a few sips?" She raised her eyebrows in that way that Connie just couldn't resist.
She sighed and reached out for the metal tin. "Fine."
They sat and had their lunch together in a companionable silence, until that was broken by the sound of her door opening and the hustle of cubicles flooded in.
"Bit hypocritical this isn't it?" It was Rita, and the clinical lead immediately rolled her eyes.
"What do you want Sister Freeman."
"You're needed in HDC. Now." It was only then that the nurse noticed Louisa sat on the sofa, and she smiled.
"Hey Lou, you alright darlin'?"
"I'm great thanks Rita." She grinned back, before looking to her mum. "Go on, you've eaten I guess. I'll stay here."
"You're a little star. I'd kiss you but I smell like menthol." She whispered and the teenager giggled before she was left alone.
…
"Right, what am I facing?" Connie asked, pulling on a pair of gloves as the two women made their way through cubicles.
"Dislocated shoulder. She said she fell but… well, I'll let you be the judge of that." Rita muttered, opening the doors. A woman around 40 was laid on the bed, brown hair spread over the pillow. She looked tired, frown lines evident on her face.
"Hello I'm Mrs Beauchamp and I'll be treating you today." She sniffed. "Can you tell me your name?" The clinical lead made her way to the woman's damaged shoulder to take a look.
"You're Connie!" She exclaimed, her face immediately brightening. Connie raised her eyebrows.
"Yes that would be me. And you are?"
"Melanie, Melanie Chase. Well, that's what everyone calls me, I'm actually Madelyn but they say Melanie suits me better."
The consultant froze. Was this who she thought it was? Movements faltering slightly, she turned to face Rita.
"Will you go fetch the medical history and a sling please. Take your time." She waited until the smaller woman left, a small frown appearing as the door swung shut.
"Are you the lady who messaged me a few months ago?"
She nodded, wincing. "Yep. I didn't hear back from you, I thought I'd scared you away!"
"No no, I've just been busy. I'm clinical lead here, so I'm in charge basically. And I've got my girls too so my hands have been full."
"Oh, there's no need to apologise, its fine." Madelyn smiled. Unable to think of anything to say, the two descended into silence whilst Connie examined her shoulder, sniffing every few minutes.
"Cold?"
"Something like that." She mumbled, "I'll try not to breathe all over you. Well, it's definitely dislocated but it's something I can put back into place here with a bit of pain relief. Is there any other pain?"
"My hip- but I'll live." She said hastily, and Connie raised an eyebrow.
"I'll need to take a look-"
"-no really, Connie, its fine." Madelyn's voice became firmer. Deciding to press further, she crossed her arms.
"So, how did you do this exactly?"
"I fell over. Tripped over the table, I'm really clumsy." She laughed, though it was more hollow than joyful.
Upon closer inspection, Connie noticed there were bruises by her neck, just peeping over the top of her hospital gown. Her eyes were weary and she seemed to tremble, ever so slightly.
"So," Connie tried to change the subject. "Do you have a husband?"
"Yes, Derek. We've only been married two years."
"Ah. What does he do?"
"Same as me- we're both call centre employees. That's how we met- we're in booths next to each other." She smiled, though her eyes saddened. "We spend all our time together."
"You know," Connie said slowly, "that isn't very healthy. You both need time apart. Sometimes it can get too much."
"Are you trying to imply-"
The door swung open and Rita came back in, reading through Madelyn's history. She looked up and froze. Both women looked back at her.
"Sorry, did I interrupt something?" She asked. Connie went to speak but the patient beat her to it.
"No no, it's fine." She smiled, quickly glancing to the consultant who started coughing.
"Oh good. Well, I've phoned your husband and he's on his way. Connie- Connie?"
The consultant could barely breathe for coughing, her chest crackling with each inhalation.
"Connie go home!" The nurse said incredulously. The woman just shook her head and took some deep breaths.
"I'm fine." She muttered, clearing her throat. "I'm fine."
"You're not and it could spread. At least stay in your office?"
The tall brunette didn't have time to speak before both swinging doors crashed open and a man stood at the end of Madelyn's bed. Her eyes widened in fear as he moved to the side of her, face red with anger.
"What did you tell them?" He roared, roughened hands gripping her bed. "What?"
"Nothing, Derek- nothing!" She said, trying to stay calm though her voice shook.
"Sir please can you calm down-" Rita tried to take hold of the situation, reaching to escort him out. However he shoved her away with such force that she fell backwards into the medicine trolley, landing on the floor with a crash.
"Sir please leave before I call security." Connie shouted, her headache slowly getting worse. She worked through it as his eyes bore into hers.
"And who are you, exactly? Friggin' poshies, you're everywhere. Don't know when to keep your bloody noses out of other people's bloody business."
Fortunately for them, security noticed what was going on and came in to take him away. As he was struggling, Connie crossed her arms and glared at him.
"And for future reference, I'm Connie Beauchamp. Your sister-in-law and worst nightmare."
He spat at her feet and was dragged off, leaving the room to fall silent.
"So," the clinical lead said eventually, "how did you dislocate your shoulder again?"
Madelyn shut her eyes briefly before letting them flutter open.
"He pushed me."
"And this isn't the first time, is it?"
The woman shook her head.
"And you got in touch with me… for help?"
"Yes." Her voice was now a whisper. Connie nodded.
"Right, I thought so." She took a tissue from her pocket and blew her nose. "I can help you, but only if you co-operate with me and be truthful. Is that ok?"
She smiled and a tear fell down her cheek.
"Thank you. I had no-one left, when dad died it was just me."
Connie reached out and rested a hand on hers. "I know how it feels."
…
It was the end of her shift soon enough, and she sat with Madelyn and they talked- about her, about their jobs, their different childhood memories with their father and everything in between. Louisa wasn't in her office when the woman went back, so she presumed she'd gone home without her.
"So, how old are your daughters?"
"Grace is 10 now, and Louisa just gone 17. I adopted her when she was 14."
"Aw, that's lovely. Where are they now?"
"Grace is at her nannas, my mother's, and Louisa-"
The door opened and a girl popped her head around the door.
"Speak of the devil." Connie smiled. "I thought you'd gone home sweetheart?"
"Nah, just talking to Robyn." The girl's eyes flickered to the bed then back to her mother.
"Oh," Connie stood and coughed slightly. "Madelyn this is Louisa. Lou- this is my half-sister, Madelyn- your aunt."
"It's nice to meet you." The teenager smiled, moving to her bed and shaking her hand. "But I thought your name was Melanie?"
"How did you-" Connie frowned but the girl waved her away.
"I read the first part of the text when you collapsed that time. No biggie."
Madelyn just laughed.
"It's what my friends call me, they say it suits better- I prefer Madelyn though. Much more sophisticated. Not as much as Constance, but near enough."
"Oh yeah." Louisa's eyes lit up. "I keep forgetting Connie's shortened."
"Alright, enough of that." The clinical lead cleared her throat. "We'd better be getting off. I'll come see you on Keller tomorrow Madelyn. You should have Sacha and Essie looking after you, I'll e-mail them and make sure you get the best possible care."
The two women smiled and said their goodbyes before parting.
"She seems nice." The girl commented, buttoning up her jacket.
"She does doesn't she." Connie mused. "I have a feeling we'll be seeing more of her too. I was thinking of letting her stay with us for a while- what do you think?"
The girl immediately nodded and her mother pulled her into a hug as they walked.
"You're a good one, you know that."
Louise just grinned. "I do."
