Night drew in around Bristol and the Holby General Hospital. The staff were changing from the day-shift to the night-shift nurses. In his office a middle-aged, brown-haired, weary man was trying to concentrate on the paperwork in front of him. He scribbled a sentence or two but then hastily drew a long line through the lot. He threw his pen down and sat back heavily in his chair, sighing deeply. Recent events meant that he had a lot of extra work to do around the hospital. A good friend and trusted employee of his had been sent home because of her health. Another employee had been sent away permanently because of accusations he had thrown around. The weary doctor's decision was one he stood by, but still regretted a little as the hospital was short-staffed as it was. Much as he disliked what he had been accused of, he now wished that they had an extra pair of hands on in the Emergency Department, even if they were Guppy Sandhu's. Now with two workers gone the work-load was increasing and putting a great strain on everyone, especially the boss.

Harry Harper stood and made his way across his office and opened the door. He turned and headed down the corridor. He heard the sound of an ambulance approaching. Soon enough he saw Luke Warren and Comfort Newton wheeling a patient towards him.

'What have we got here?' Harry asked, taking in the bloody features of the young girl.

'This is Cara, aged 13, hit and run. She's not KOed.' Comfort reeled off the information to the consultant.

'Right, Maggie. This one's yours. I would stay but unfortunately I have some important work to do.'

'OK, Harry. I'll take it from here.' Maggie Coldwell helped push the trolley down the corridor and around the corner.

Harry returned to his office and resumed the paperwork. He tried to concentrate but found his eyelids were too heavy. He closed his tired eyes, thinking to himself that he would only rest for five minutes and then carry on with the work. As soon as his eyes were shut however, he fell asleep, utterly exhausted.

He awoke to the sound of someone saying his name urgently and he felt his shoulder being shaken.

'Harry! Harry, wake up! We need you in Resus! Harry!'

'Huh? What? Abs! What's happened?'

John Denham (known as 'Abs') stood next to Harry's chair, white-faced and shaking. 'It's… it's Guppy.'

'Guppy? What's wrong?' Harry stood up and placed a hand on Abs' shoulder and looked him in the face, studying the pale and sweaty nurse standing in front of him.

'He's been attacked… stabbed… it's serious, Harry.'

'Let's get to him, then. How long ago was this?'

'He was found about ten minutes ago in the lift. Maggie's treating him, but she said she really needs your help.' Abs answered as he and Harry ran towards Resus.

'Is he unconscious?' Harry asked.

'No, he's awake and talking. He's in a lot of pain. I hate seeing him like this. He's always so… well, you know him too, Harry.'

'Yes.' Harry pushed the door open and rushed to where Guppy lay on a trolley surrounded by various staff members. 'Maggie, Abs told me what happened. How's Guppy doing?'

'As well as can be expected, I think, but he's still in a lot of pain and he's terrified.'

Harry moved so that he was as close as he could be to his wounded employee. He placed a hand on Guppy's shoulder and squeezed it gently. He bent close to Guppy so that the scared young man could hear him and he whispered, 'Guppy, it's Harry. Don't be afraid… you're safe with me.'

Guppy spoke slowly and quietly. His words were barely audible through the oxygen mask he wore. He said, 'Harry…' and then slipped into unconsciousness.

'He's out cold,' Harry said loudly so that the assembled team could hear him. 'Maggie, Charlie, Abs, let's get moving!'

Charlie peeled a bloody dressing from a wound on Guppy's abdomen. Harry inspected the hole carefully. It looked familiar to him. He redressed the wound and straightened up.

After what seemed an age, Guppy was wheeled away to theatre. Harry stood with Abs in Resus. He had a blood-stain on his sleeve. This, too, was familiar. After a moment of silence he turned to Abs and spoke.

'First Selena… now Guppy…' he said, thinking out loud.

'What?' Abs looked bemused, 'Do you think these attacks are connected?'

'No, I don't.' Harry said. 'I'm sure this stabbing wasn't directed at Guppy. He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.'

'I hope he's all right…' Abs mused.

'Of course you do. And so do I. So do I.' Harry gave Abs a reassuring pat on the back and walked out of the large Resuscitation room. Abs followed shortly and turned the corner.

Harry returned to his office and sat down. He was about to write up the notes on Guppy's attack when he saw a scrap of paper on his desk that hadn't been there before. He picked it up and read its scrawled message:

This is the first, but it won't be the last.