You could have cut the tension in the staff room with a knife, the next morning. Lucy valiantly struggled on, putting her coat and bag into her locker, as Dillon, Anna, Jack and Nikki all pretended like they weren't looking at her. Lucy longed to tell them to get stuffed, but forced herself not to. What difference did it make what they thought? She'd done the important thing. She'd done all she could to help Patrick out. No one else mattered.

The door opened and Comfort came in. She looked briefly at Lucy, before saying, "Nikki, we've got a shout, come on."

"Okay," Nikki sighed heavily. "I'll see you later, babe," she added, kissing Jack on the cheek and bouncing out after the other paramedic.

"I better get to work," Anna said. "You coming, Dillon?"

"In a minute." Dillon nodded. "If anyone needs me, I'll be here."

Anna raised her eyebrows at him. "Sure."

Jack sighed. "Guess I better get on the desk. Doubt it'll be as fun as yesterday," he added. Lucy was almost sure that was directed at her. The door closed behind the receptionist, and Lucy waited for another few seconds, before turning to face Dillon.

"I know what you think," she said calmly and quietly. "And I actually don't care. So whatever you were going to say, save it." She walked out of the room, trying to convince herself that it had been the right way to attack the situation.


It hadn't been Lara's intention to end up taking her break at the same time as Lucy Hart, but she couldn't really argue with it. Be professional, that's what she'd always been taught. She'd decided it would be better if they didn't mix for a few days. But here they were, in the staffroom at the same time.

Lucy hesitated at the door. "Look, I'll come back later," she began to say.

Lara kept her back to her, looking out of the window. "Don't go on my account," she said calmly. "No point in fuelling the rumours."

Lucy shut the door gingerly and advanced into the room. She sat down on one of the sofas awkwardly. They couldn't just stay in silence, it was ridiculous to think they could. They had to talk about something…

"That took guts what you did yesterday," Lara said suddenly, turning to face her. She looked at Lucy directly. "A lot of guts."

"Did it?" Lucy asked. She'd never really thought about it at the time.

"Of course." Lara nodded. "I'm not sure I'd have done the same." She took a swig of coffee. "Why?"

Lucy was taken aback by the question, but she knew what she was asking. She shrugged. "I don't know. I… I just felt I had to do it."

"Yes, but why?" Lara asked again. "There must have been a reason. I mean, if you wanted to dispel the rumours, that was hardly the way to do it. From the way people have been acting all day, I assume they all know nothing, still think you're the woman from hell. Didn't really up your reputation at all, did it?"

"I didn't do it for that," Lucy insisted.

"Then why?"

Lucy hesitated. "Have you ever looked at two people and thought they belonged together?"

Lara frowned and shrugged. "Not really."

"I'm sure you have," Lucy replied. "You might not have been aware of it, but… well… that's what I see when I see you and Patrick. You're both so… so the same. You're both so independent and brave and proud and," she blushed, "stubborn. You're like two pieces of the same puzzle. You belong together, you wouldn't make sense apart. And I knew that the reason you'd be apart would be me, my 'issues', as Patrick likes to call them. I just didn't think that was fair."

Lara stared at her. There was a long silence before she said, "You really think that of me and Patrick?"

Lucy nodded. "Really."

Lara could hardly believe what she was hearing. Someone actually thought that her and Patrick was a good idea?

"So are you and Patrick…?" Lucy asked cautiously. If they weren't, she'd failed.

Lara nodded slowly. "Yeah, we are. It's on the quiet though for now. Seeing as everyone still thinks he cheated on me with you." She smiled wryly. "Would be nice if you could tell everyone else what you told me."

Lucy nodded. "I know. But…"

"It's okay," Lara insisted. She put her mug in the sink. "It's not really that important." She pulled her coat on. "Right, I'm going for a cigarette. I know, I know, I shouldn't but…"

"Don't explain yourself to me," Lucy smiled. "I'm on your side." She shook her packet of cigarettes at the SHO. "Have one on me, if you like. Peace offering."

Lara took one. "I've actually run out," she admitted laughing. "I owe you one."

"I owe you more," Lucy said quietly.

Lara rummaged in her coat pocket. "Patrick asked me to give you this," she handed the scrap of paper over. "Good luck reading it."

Lucy took the paper and opened it, as Lara left the room. It read: "The REAL challenge 3: accept an invitation somewhere."