Tanith Panic, thank you for your review. Poor Ben - torn between his best friend and his boyfriend. One of your questions will be answered in this chapter - but not all!
Dylan wondered if Connie would say anything.
She'd certainly sent a few interested glances his way as they worked together in Resus, but she'd said nothing. She'd also passed him twice in the corridor with what looked like the beginnings of a smile lingering on her lips, but she'd offered him no more than an offhand: "Dr Keogh."
As soon as he had a moment, he checked his email to see if his request had been approved. His hopes soared when he found an email from Connie, only to realise it was a reminder to all staff about making their annual Christmas donation to a charity the hospital were supporting. As Dylan had already made his donation (he hadn't wanted to, but Ben had talked him into it), he deleted the email and walked back towards cubicles.
Perhaps Connie hadn't read it yet. She hadn't spent that much time in her office this morning.
Dylan checked the time. Twenty minutes until his lunchbreak began; twenty minutes, or perhaps a little bit more, until he saw Ben.
"Got an urgent appointment, Dr Keogh?"
Dylan swung round to see Connie. "Er… something like that. But not till lunchtime."
"Then you'd better come to my office now," said Connie. "I wouldn't want to cut into your newfound social life."
Dylan gave her a suspicious look, but Connie, with the hint of a smile, just turned and walked towards her office. She didn't look back to see if he was following. She knew she didn't have to.
"Sit down, Dr Keogh," said Connie. She walked slowly around the desk and sat down. "I see you've made a request to take some holiday on Christmas Day. Quite a surprise."
Dylan knew no response was required. He waited tensely and tried telling himself Connie wouldn't bother calling him in just to say no – but you never could be sure what Connie would do.
"I'm sure you can appreciate that a lot of people have asked for the day off," said Connie. "And your request really does come a little bit late in the day."
The depth of Dylan's sadness surprised him. He attempted to hide it in a shrug. "I understand. Perhaps next year."
"Oh, I wouldn't have thought so," said Connie.
Dylan got to his feet. He knew he hadn't been dismissed, but he was upset and he didn't want Connie to guess.
"Having two Christmases off in a row… it's not very likely I'd agree to that," said Connie.
"Two Christmases?" Dylan sat down again.
"Yes, if you take the day off this Christmas and next Christmas, I think that adds up to two Christmases, don't you?" said Connie.
"Look, have I got the day off or not?" Then Dylan remembered who he was speaking to. "I don't mean to be rude, but I really do need to-"
Connie held up her hand. "I think Dr Hanna and I can manage without you on Christmas Day. Your request is granted, Dr Keogh."
Dylan stared at her, not quite understanding at first, but when he saw the amused smile on her face, the full meaning sunk in. "Thank you, Connie. I appreciate it. I really do."
Connie dismissed him with a nod. Dylan stood up, smiled awkwardly, and went towards the door.
"Dr Keogh!" said Connie.
Dylan turned a bit nervously. You never could tell with Connie. She might be about to wish him an (early) merry Christmas – or she might be about to tell him his flies were undone. (It had happened once. It was Ben's fault.)
Connie smiled. "I hope you and Staff Nurse Chiltern have a lovely time."
Ben couldn't stand it any longer. He bounded up to Rita. "Have you seen it?"
"I don't know," said Rita kindly. "Why don't you tell me what you mean, and then I'll tell you if I've seen it?"
Ben gave a slightly shamefaced smile. There were times when Rita was far too good at mind-reading, but he couldn't blame her for not being able to do it every time. "I was just wondering if you got my holiday request form."
Rita touched his arm. "Sorry, Lofty."
Ben's heart sank.
"I haven't had a chance to check my emails today," said Rita. "We're run off our feet if you hadn't noticed! I'll get to it as soon as I can. I promise."
Louise looked at Robyn, an amused look on her face. "I've never seen anyone smile while cleaning up bodily fluids before. Especially as it's not even our job!"
"I wouldn't normally," said Robyn. "But it's Christmas! And I'm hoping to make a very special someone very happy!"
"Even if all my Christmases came at once, you wouldn't catch me doing that," said Louise.
Robyn just smiled. She wasn't going to let anyone's bad mood affect her. Not today.
"So, who's the special someone?" said Louise. "It's not..."
"Yep!" said Robyn. "I've got everything sorted."
"Well, I hope it works out for you, babe," said Louise.
Robyn smiled happily as the gathered up the clinical waste. "Well, I've managed to get Christmas Day off, which is the first thing. After that... watch this space! What are you doing for Christmas? Are you working?"
"Yeah, I applied for the day off too, but I didn't get it," said Louise. "Rita said I'd left it too late."
Robyn looked at her, confused. "When did you send your form off?"
"Last week," said Louise.
"But I only sent mine in yesterday!" said Robyn.
Louise shrugged. "Someone must have changed their mind then. Or maybe I just haven't been working here long enough." She turned away and started looking at something on the computer.
Robyn stood watching her, fighting with herself. She told herself it was her holiday and she'd earned it. She told herself Louise hadn't been working here that long so Robyn probably was more entitled to it. She told herself Rita would be really cross if they started switching their holidays around.
But Louise had asked first...
"Louise?" said Robyn. "If it's really that important to you, maybe…"
Louise turned round, a look of shock on her face. "Robyn, thanks so much. Really. That's really generous of you."
Why didn't I keep my big mouth shut? Robyn thought dismally.
"But I couldn't let you!" said Louise. "It's so sweet of you, babe, but it's your holiday and you shouldn't give it up for anyone." She smiled. "Besides, I did manage to get the day off for Boxing Day and my whole family's switched Christmas just for me. I never thought they'd do something like that. I've managed to offend so many of them, I thought they'd be glad to be shot of me. But it's Christmas, I suppose!"
"Yes, it is Christmas," said Robyn happily. "And it's going to be a good one. I've just got a feeling."