Sally and Dan stood waiting for admittance into the CEO of the hospital's office. She buzzed them in and they were escorted into her office anxiously. Pippa was being quiet and just lay asleep in Sally's arms content not knowing that her father had abandoned her. "Mrs. Saunders?" the CEO asked rather abruptly. "Yes," Sally replied. "Please call me Sally," she said softly.
"Fine, Sally. What brings you here?" she asked noting the tear-streaked cheeks and the red eyes. "Excuse me? May I speak?" Dan asked when Sally's eyes had spilled over with fresh hot tears.
"Of course," the CEO said her eyes questioning.
"Flynn Saunders," Dan said beginning taking a deep breath.
"What about him?" the CEO asked.
"He's become romantically involved and is leaving his wife for a patient at the hospital. The patient he botched the operation on. Leah Patterson," Dan said bluntly.
"What?" the CEO asked baffled.
"Mrs. Saunders? Are you alright?" she asked gently.
"Not really," she said weakly and Pippa began to wriggle and make noises.
"Shh, darling," Dan said tickling her feet. The CEO's glance went from Sally and Dan to Pippa her eyes narrowing. "So Flynn is romantically involved with a patient?" she asked.
"Yes," Sally confirmed willing herself to stop crying. Dan's expression was unreadable but the hurt in his eyes said it all. "I can't believe that Flynn would do this after what happened before," she mused. "The evenings certainly took its toll on our marriage. I think ultimately that's what made Flynn's choice. Leah is much more accommodating than I am. She has a flexible schedule as well so she could work her schedule around him and not miss him so much. Me I'm stuck at home all day long," Sally said miserably.
Dan smiled sadly at Sally. "Maybe I pushed Leah too much. I came on very strongly," he admitted. "You love her," Sally said. "What's wrong with that?" she demanded.
Rosemary de Voice looked at them inquiringly. "We will definitely have to talk to Mr. Saunders to reconsider his employment at our hospital and it's quite likely he'll be sacked. You two could press charges against the hospital," Rosemary said wearily.
"We won't," Sally said. "But if this becomes public and I'm made to look like a jealous wife then I will sue," Sally said.
"Don't worry. We'll be very discreet," Rosemary promised her grey eyes thoughtful and serious. "Can I get you a cup of tea or coffee?" she asked.
"Tea would be fantastic," Dan said. Sally shook her head adamantly.
"I think I'll be heading home," she said weakly. "I need to call a lawyer, probably Morag, to help sort through his," she said heavily.
"Then I'll decline the tea. I'll drive you home and help you get Flynn's clothes together," Dan said. "Okay," Sally agreed. They went through the corridors and saw Flynn and a recently discharged Leah sitting outside on a wrought-iron bench anxiously waiting for Dan and Sally to emerge from the hospital. When they saw them Flynn's tentative smile made Sally want to dash back inside and away from this stranger.
Leah had obviously been crying but it didn't make Sally feel any different about her choice to completely cut the two of them out of her life. She put her head high and rearranged Pippa. Dan held her carry-bag and pushed the stroller which Pippa didn't like being in, in the heatwave that was sweeping over the bay.
Pippa didn't even look at her father or reach out to tug his hair as she usually did. It was if she had sensed her father had abandoned her. Flynn ran to catch them up while Leah walked alongside him quite easily. "Sal! Dan!" he called. Sally revved the engine on her new black Astra convertible. She pulled away from the curb and sped away leaving Flynn and Leah staring helplessly after them.
