NEW CHAPTER (3)
Although he couldn't see her face, or hear her voice, he knew what she was saying. As he watched her through the glass, he knew that she would be calm, but still caring, professional, but not distant, compassionate, but not patronising: the best thing to happen to them on the worst day of their lives. They wouldn't realise this at first - they never did. They would listen carefully to her speak, absorb it, take it in, succumb to the waves of unbearable pain that her words, however well delivered, sent crashing over them. Some would sit in silence, some would cry out. Others would grow angry, resenting her - how could she have let this happen? Later came the apologies, the thanks. Later still, the cards, sometimes gifts, a token of their appreciation for everything she had done for them. Hampers, flowers, chocolates - if they knew she gave them all to the children's ward they would truly believe she was an angel. He had always been in awe of Carol's altruistic streak when they were together. Now as he watched her place her hand on the woman's knee, instinctively looking to offer comfort and support, his eyes fell upon the rings adorning her third finger: one signifying the engagement, that agonising year he spent trying to win her back; the other, her wedding, the day he finally let go and conceded realised that he had to move on.
But he had moved on. Over the past few months he had often thought of that night, of that one moment when he held another woman in his arms and, however briefly, felt something amazing. He had just lost the only person he thought he was capable of loving, and then suddenly, in that moment with Susan…she was the best thing to happen to him on the worst day of his life. But he had left the reception, headed for a bar, met Amy and the pair had never discussed that moment again. In fact, it was like it had never happened, and a small part of him was relieved that they had carried on as normal and remained friends. He had had a fun summer with Amy, and Susan had had her fair share of dates - she was always telling a funny story about a dating disaster of some kind - but it had been just that: a bit of fun. He wanted more than that, and the prospect of getting it with Susan had been weighing on his mind. As usual, Doug wished that his life wasn't so complicated.
Still deep in thought, he didn't notice as Carol headed over to the window and closed the blinds on her way out of the relative's room. She really didn't know what was going on with Doug recently. Since she had got back he had been impeccably behaved around her - friendly, but not flirty, inquiring about the honeymoon politely but not prying. In a way, she was relieved he had gotten over her, but deep down she couldn't help feeling a bit disappointed. A part of her had enjoyed being fought over by two men, but now that she was married, she resigned herself to the fact that her days of being chased were over - she had been caught. Softly closing the door behind her, she turned to speak to Doug, but he was gone. Perhaps losing two kids this morning, on top of his break-up with whatever-her-name-was (she mentally scolded herself for assuming all his girlfriends were floosies) had affected him more than she realised. But it didn't matter - they were work colleagues now, and as of seven minutes ago, she was no longer working.
In the lounge, she found Mark grabbing his wallet out of his locker.
'Leaving so soon?' he quipped.
'After only eighteen hours straight' she smiled in reply.
'Where do you think you're going?'
'I'm having lunch with Susan at Doc's'
'Sounds great - I'm starving, can I tag along?'
Mark's face dropped, and that was the only hint Carol needed to immediately withdraw her request to join them.
'On second thoughts, Tag's taking me out for dinner tonight so I'll just grab a light lunch at home'. Carol's excuse was true enough but she hadn't eaten since ten the previous night and was ravenous.
'You could just have a coffee…' Mark didn't want to seem too keen to be alone with Susan, and nor did he want to shun Carol, but his instinctive politeness really irritated him sometimes.
'No that's OK, I really should get some sleep'. Again the excuse was true but Carol knew when she wasn't wanted and she didn't hold it against Mark. She was glad he and Susan were rebuilding their friendship, but wished the same could be said about her and Doug.
'OK then, see you tomorrow' Mark said, relieved.
'Yep, it's finally the 26th' Carol beamed.
Mark looked puzzled.
'The 26th? The day we've been looking forwards to all summer?' she tried to prompt his memory, but again this drew a blank with Mark.
'Carter's coming back, so all of Benton's wrath will be re-directed at him, instead of the nursing staff'.
'Has anybody warned him that it only gets tougher with Benton?'
'We didn't want to ruin his summer vacation'
'He's a lamb to the slaughter, then'
'But he'll have a nice tan'
'See you in the morning'
'Bye'. And with that the pair went their separate ways.
