TheBeautifulNerd: Thank you for your review. I thought I would leave a lot of unanswered questions for everyone as they could realise just how little they knew about Lily and her favourite things, especially when this chapter ends. I hope you'll enjoy this chapter.


Chapter Seven

Connie forced herself into work. The idea of leaving Grace on her own worries her. At any moment, she could easily make a phone call to the police and own up to texting whilst driving. Well, that's what Lily and Iain were both telling her as she walked all the way into work.

"She was reluctant to lie to the police!"

"Could you really trust her on her own?"

"I'd give it five seconds before she goes back to the police!"

How much longer can Iain and Lily go on tormenting her? What does it have to take to get them to stop? Why can't they see the damage that they are causing her?

Connie tried to remember how long it took for her to walk home from work the previous day. Two nights ago, there was a slight drizzle of rain which subsided the moment she reached her estate. Two nights ago, it was bitterly cold, giving her body an opportunity to warm up halfway through. Two nights ago, she was planning on driving it home, but then the crash happened.

Connie was desperate to see how much the impact of the crash was having on everyone. She knew that Gem would be off work. She knew Ethan would be getting discharged tomorrow. She knew that there will be a memorial in place for Lily and Iain, waiting outside of the entrance.

This was going to be a long walk before Connie turns to see a car pulling up beside her. Connie watched as the window opened.

"Need a lift Mrs Beauchamp?" Connie turned to face Jan at the driver's wheel, "I'm aware you walked it home after the crash. I couldn't blame you."


"How was Ethan last night?" Ruby asked Alicia, handing her a coffee in the kitchen.

"He was still in shock," Alicia whispered, "I don't think he'll recover from this."

Alicia knew she had to keep her voice down. Gem hadn't left her room all day yesterday. She showed emotion, but she hadn't said a word since the three of them walked home. Going into the car wasn't as option as Gem envisioned the crash. Envisioned her brother's face going through the crash. Envisioned how he would have taken Lily's death.

Alicia was terrified about how Gem was coping. When she saw her last night, she showed little to no emotion towards anyone. Apparently Ruby was able to relax her and let her emotions come out. But it was only temporary.

"He did feel guilty about surviving the crash," Alicia whispered, looking at her drink, "The morning of the crash, Ethan mentioned Lily stealing bacon from Iain's plate. He was annoyed but was laughing with her."

Ruby's eyes widened at this. She only knew Iain for a short while, but she did learn one thing about her late colleague. Iain was always strict when it comes to food and often got irritated when someone nicks even the smallest item off his plate. Jan and Sam both warned her against doing exactly that, unless she wanted him to moan at her for the rest of the shift. The memory of him sulking because Lily nicked a breakfast biscuit still played on her mind, so she knew there were no exceptions to the rule.

So why was Iain laughing when Lily nicked that piece of bacon?


Once again, Charlie was called by Noel to reception. Once again, it was at the worst convenient time. Once again, there was a journalist, trying to gain insight into the crash at Harrington Road.

"Not again," Charlie groaned, walking over to the journalist.

"Good morning Mr Fairhead," the young woman greeted, "My name is Yvette, I'm with the Holby Gazette. I was hoping to have an interview regarding the crash that took place a few nights ago."

"I'm sorry," Charlie sighed, "But we're an extremely busy department. We've got a lot of staff off today and we also cannot provide confidential information at this time. Especially without the permissions of the victims' families."

"But can I ask a few questions still?" Yvette asked, "I know one of the victims was a doctor here and the other was a paramedic. I just want to know how the atmosphere here is."

"No comment," Charlie glared at her, "And I'd suggest you leave now, before I call security, and have you removed. There are too many people affected and I do not want the team to relive the events that happened so soon. Now go."

The journalist turned to Noel and back over to Charlie before turning around and walking out of the department.

"I don't understand the press sometimes," Noel sighed, "Not an ounce of respect was shown. All she was interested in was the story about what happened."

"I'm going to contact Holby Gazette," Charlie folded his arms, "How are we supposed to support the team when people are forcing us to relive the day?"


"And in other news, police are still investigating the crash on Harrington Road which killed two people on…"

Sam quickly turned off the radio. Suddenly the local news was becoming her least favourite thing to read about, watch about and listen about. The first story she heard had been about the accident. That horrid accident. That horrid accident that had killed her best friend and the girl he was going to ask to marry him!

This was supposed to be Iain's first shift back after the weekend away. As well as Lily's first shift back. But because of the events, they're overworked, they're stressed out, and some of the team were needing some counselling to help support them throughout their loss.

Sam felt loss, looking at the benches. She tried to envision Iain there, flirting with Lily. In a post engagement bliss. Holding hands. Lily clutching onto Iain's shoulder as he tickled her neck with his lips. Iain lifting Lily up in his arms, swinging her around.

No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't envision them at all.

All because of some irresponsible brat, probably not paying attention to the road or drunk or both.

Sam watched past the doors noticing a young woman wearing pink jacket and black trousers with her brunette hair tied up. Yesterday, she watched as Charlie had chased away three journalists. How many more would turn up today? This week? This month?

Sam tried to look away from the woman, to make the two mugs of coffee when she saw the notice boards. That's when the tears started to form.

Iain's name had not been taken off the notice board yet.

Sam fell to her knees, unable to stop herself from crying. How could she have gotten this upset over Iain's death? When she first returned, she hated him, blaming him for nearly wrecking her potential marriage to Tom? But they became close again. Especially after Sam managed to help him patch things up with Lily.

Now she's saddened to know that he was no longer here.


"Thank you for the lift," Connie smiled, exiting the car, "You didn't need to."

"I needed to get back into a vehicle," Jan sighed, "I couldn't step anyway near the car Monday. But I still have a job to do. What would Iain had said?"

Connie placed her hand on her mouth. Jan realised that she may have touched on a sensitive topic.

"Mrs Beauchamp," Jan looked away, "I'm so sorry. I know how much Lily meant to you."

"Oh Jan, you have no idea how wrong you are about that!"

Connie ignored Iain's voice, turning around to see if she could spot him or Lily hanging around, following her every move. Surely, they wouldn't bother her in front of anyone else, especially Jan.

"Are you okay?" Jan asked her, "Charlie told me what happened about Grace's car. If you want to head home, I could let everyone know."

Connie was about to object, but then she caught a glimpse of Dylan walking towards the two leads. He looked frantic, almost as if he needed to tell them something.

"You've let me down Mrs Beauchamp. You're going to let someone else down too?"

Connie ignored Lily's voice as well. She may not be able to see either of them, but she knew the two were there. Looking at Jan, Connie knew straight away that she was the only one who could hear the two, maybe even see them as well.

"Mrs Beauchamp!" Dylan called walking over to her and Jan, "I'm glad you're both here. I was wondering if we could have a chat later. I've found something but I don't know what to say. I'm worried if it comes out, then."

"Dr Keogh," Connie looked at him, "What did you find?"

Dylan looked around the area, he witnessed that there were a few people coming into the ED, as well as walking into the ambulance bay. He suddenly had visions of Iain grabbing Lily around the alleyway, knowing that they would have took the opportunity to kiss goodbye before they both start their shifts. But then he remembered, they're no longer here.

All because of some irresponsible teenager.

"My office is free Dylan," Jan sighed, "We'll talk in there."


Ruby and Alicia watched as Gem's door opened. The pair watched as Gem walked out of the bedroom and onto the sofa, still in her pyjamas. Cautiously, Alicia and Ruby both walked over to Gem, noticing that she was just as quiet as she was yesterday. Still no emotion was shown.

"Gem?" Alicia whispered, "Could I get you some toast? We've still got orange jam, your favourite?"

"It's okay," Gem whispered, "I don't mind getting it. I'm sorry for being distant with you both. You've been so nice; I don't deserve it!"

"Gem," Ruby stroked her back, "Please don't say that. Is there anything you need?"

Gem looked at the screen of the television. Alicia managed to change it to some documentary about polar bears, diving into the sea in order to hunt for their food. She was desperate to change the channel to avoid turning on the news. If the news started, then the likelihood is that the local news will start showing footage of the accident again.

Alicia and Ruby both agreed that Gem doesn't need reminding of what has happened.

"I need to contact Iain and Lily's landlord," Gem whispered, "They need to know what has happened."

Ruby closed her eyes. Of course, other people will need to be informed of the tragic events that took place. The landlord will need notice for the people to vacate the property. Clear their belongings. Collect any outstanding rent money.

But it would mean that someone else would need to go into the flat to clear it out. This would mean collecting some treasures and furniture that would be too valuable for Iain or Lily to throw out. Normally if a tenant would give notice, then it would be thirty days for them to vacate the place, before packing their things ready to move to the next home.

What about now? In these circumstances?

"Gem," Ruby whispered, "I don't mind doing that."

"No," Gem shook her head, "Iain's my brother. It had to be from me. I have to do this for him and Lily as well."

Alicia and Ruby looked at each other, nodding to Gem as they watch her pick up the phone. Both were unsure whether to leave her to it or stay with her.

"You can stay," Gem whispered as she dialled, "I don't know what to say to them."


"Another one?" Robyn threw her notes onto the desk, "It's too soon! Iain and Lily's identities haven't even been released to the press yet!"

"It'll be a matter of time of that happens," Duffy pointed out to the team in the room, "Charlie has already had a word with the Holby Gazette. We won't be hearing from them for a while."

"When did that stop the press before?" Louise looked at her, "Remember the strike? The moment Lily was brought in, they waited and hounded everyone."

Louise instantly stopped when she noticed Robyn was closing her eyes, choking up. Oh, why did she have to bring that up? It's the last thing they all needed to hear, after everything that had happened recently.

"Robyn," Louise gasped, "I'm so sorry. Trust me and my big mouth!"

"Please don't apologise," Robyn rubbed her eyes, "I can still see Lily and Iain walking around."

"The feeling is still raw," Charlie nodded, "Which was why we've told the Holby Gazette that we will not welcome anyone into our doors at this moment."

"Is that really going to hold them off?" Jacob frowned, "If it's not them, it'll be someone else."

"Jacob's right," Duffy whispered, brushing her hand on Robyn's back, "It won't hold the press off. But as soon as Iain and Lily's names are released, then this will be public interest. We do need to make everyone aware that you don't feel ready to talk to the press, you can decline to comment. If you see a colleague in that position who doesn't want to be badgered, then get them away from the eyes of the press."


"How did the call go?" Ruby asked Gem.

"They've apologised for the loss," Gem whispered, "Normally, they would request a month's rent to move out, but they have said they'll give me three months to clear the flat out. I've got three months to remove Iain and Lily from the flat. All traces of the flat. Three months?"

"It won't be removing them," Ruby whispered, stroking her hair, "We can store their belongings here as well. Anything of theirs you don't want to get rid of, we can look after them."

"I know," Gem whispered, "But there would be things that they won't want to get rid of. What about them?"

Ruby couldn't find the answers to the question. No one could have been prepared for what has happened these past few days. Ruby wasn't even sure if Iain or Lily could have anticipated what could have happened?

They must not have realised what would have happened. They mustn't have, otherwise they wouldn't have been laughing, acting like a normal couple, joking around the day they died.

Ruby and Gem looked up to notice Alicia walking into the room with her phone in her hand. Gem suddenly remembered that while she was struggling with her grief, she's forgotten that Ethan was also in the car when the car when it crashed. How was he coping with everything? How was his arm doing? How long must he be living with the broken arm for?

"How's Ethan?" Gem asked her, "Do you know when he'll be out of hospital?"

Alicia looked nervous. What can she say to Gem?

"It's okay," Gem whispered, "I don't mind."

"It was the hospital," Alicia whispered, looking at her phone, "He's being discharged tomorrow. Only, they've mentioned it'd be best if he wasn't alone. His arm's will take a few weeks to heal. But he won't be able to move with it for a while. So, I'm going to stay with him for a few weeks. Just until his arm heals."

Gem nodded at Alicia, looking away from her. How did she not think about how scared Alicia must have been when they heard about the accident? How scared Alicia must have felt when she heard Lily hadn't made it? Iain? How heartbroken she must have felt as Ethan struggled to cope with the news?

Gem understood how Alicia must have felt.

They were both scared that they would lose their loved ones that day.

Only for Gem, it happened.


Connie and Dylan walked into Jan's office. Looking at the corner, Connie flinched as she saw Lily and Iain waiting there. Lily was sat on the chair in front of the computer, Iain was perched over at the table, reaching over to stroke Lily's brunette hair. But she noticed that neither Dylan or Jan noticed that Iain or Lily were both sat at the corner.

More confirmation that they were gone.

They weren't coming back.

Never.

"What's wrong Dylan?" Jan asked, snapping Connie's thoughts away, "You said you wanted to speak to us."

"Yeah," Dylan looked at her, before turning to Connie, "You're okay? You're staring into an empty space."

Connie suddenly realised that her behaviour would appear strange.

"Just tell them!" Iain shouted out to her, "People would think you're going funny otherwise."

"Sorry," Connie sighed, "I don't know if you know. Grace's car was stolen a few days ago."

"I've heard," Dylan mentioned, "How is she?"

"Shook up," Connie answered, "She had nightmares about it still. I was nervous about leaving her at home."

"I wonder why?" Iain asked behind her.

"Mrs Beauchamp, please," Lily shouted, "Just stop playing that lie! Think about how many people you'll hurt when the truth is out!"

Connie ignored their voices. Have they not realised that there are others in the room when they're tormenting her? Why are they making things so difficult for her? She treated them both well when they were alive? She could even picture Lily one day running the ED!

"Anyway," Connie inhaled, then exhaled, "Dr Keogh, what was it you wanted to tell us?"

Dylan felt nervous. He set the box that he found in Lily's bag on the table. When they got Lily out of the car, he noticed that the box had fallen out of it. He didn't want to open the box; he didn't want to invade Lily's privacy.

But when they called time on Lily's death, and then Iain's, Dylan realised it must have been important and he opened it up.

"I wished I've never opened the box," Dylan sighed, "I don't anybody else should know about this. But it's tearing me apart, I don't even know if Iain knew about it. But if everyone else knew, I don't know how they'll take it. I feel guilty not being able to save Lily and if Iain had known about it."

Connie started to become nervous. Surely Lily couldn't?

Looking at the box, she slowly placed her fingers on the lid, ready to open the box.

"Three, two," she heard Lily declare in the background, "One."

Connie took a quick look, but after seeing what was inside, she gasped as she quickly closed the box.

"Mrs Beauchamp?" Jan asked, "Are you okay?"

Connie turned to the corner, noticing Iain moving to the computer chair as he wrapped both his arms around Lily as she started to cry into his chest.

"Look in the box," Connie whispered, as she watched Jan open the box, gasping as she saw the contents.

"Oh, my goodness," Jan gasped, "I don't believe this!"

Connie tried to block out the vision of what she just closed away five seconds ago! She couldn't believe what she's learned now. Iain and Lily, they've had their whole future planned out together. Only now it's been taken away, because of an accident.

Closing her eyes, she's tried to block the voices again.

"Grace didn't just kill us," Iain lowered his voice at Connie.

"She killed our baby as well," Lily's broken voice croaked out.


I only had this idea when I was writing the first chapter. It would have been shocking and shown how easily lives could be ruined because of someone using their phone while they were driving.