"Mrs Beauchamp?" Eliza repeated, her voice trailing off, as if falling into a deep abyss. How on earth had Connie found her- No. It couldn't be possible. As far as she knew, there was no trail left of her from Holby City. There was no possible way that-
"Eliza Walker, you know perfectly well who I am." Connie replied, starting to loose her patience. The girl shakily took a breath, scared that in a few moments, she would pass out from sheer shock.
"How...how did you get my new number?" She asked, trying to work out the result in her head. She very much doubted that Connie went to great lengths to find her, when she could get a new nurse in at any moment she wanted. But if she had, found out where she stayed in a Hotel, the route she had taken, she probably wasn't as invisible as she thought she truly was. Sighing, she answered her question, by saying. "Don't worry. Don't answer that." She paused for a moment, before continuing. "How can I help you?"
Connie began to talk again, her icy, cold voice somewhat smoothed. "There is a problem at Holby's ED. Doctor Kieogh-"
"Dylan? Is he alright?" Elsie shouted, cutting off the voice of her previous boss. Hearing a sigh from the other side of the line, one which was learning the hyper activeness of a Walker once again, she stopped talking, waiting for a response.
"Dylan is suffering from what we suspect to be the first stages of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder." Connie said.
"What do you mean?"
"Doctor Walker, you know I don't discuss personal matters." Connie told. Well, there was no change with her. She was still as icy as usual. Maybe even worse. Was it something to do with Grace? Rita? Had she been sacked? Elsie was quick to release the last thought from her head.
"Well, what does Dylan's Disorders have to do with me?" The girl asked, beginning to worry about her former college.
"Eliza, we need you back here, at the ED." Connie paused. "With Dylan not stable, and us being short staffed most days, we need back somebody-" Connie never finished that sentence. Eliza was shaking horrifically now, sheer nerves getting the better of her. Go back? To Holby? What would everybody say? She thought about all of them people she had abandoned. Max. Robyn. Zoe. Cal. Ethan. Oh, Ethan...
Sensing the nerves, Connie began to try and calm down the young girl. "Eliza, please. We need you."
For the maybe third time that day, the girl felt herself crying. Her emotions were really out of shape. She needed to toughen up. Learn to fight again. After taking one shaky breath, she began to talk again. "Yes, Mrs Beauchamp." Wait, did she just say she would? What?
"Excellent!" Connie said, her voice raising to be slightly more happy than the tone had been before. "I need you to come into my office this afternoon. Sign some paperwork." She said, professionally. Well, a flight from Scotland didn't take anywhere as long as driving down. Looking over towards the infant, who was now beginning to grow restless, by throwing her food on the floor.
"Understood." Elsie said, before her thumb trailed towards the phone, pressing the 'End Call' button. What on earth had she gotten herself into? After leaving, she was going back. Well, at least she was near a hospital. God knows how many times she would be beaten up for her sudden absence. The girl glanced over to her daughter, who now was trying to reach for her discarded food, but being forcefully held back by the strong baby seat. There was no way she was leaving her daughter in care. No, she would come with her, but it would just have to remain a secret. Maybe, she could sort out care for the child.
Yes, she could do that before they left. It may not be easy, but it was possible. Sighing, the young girl walked over to her baby, who instantly lifted her arms at her presence, wanting to be taken out of the chair. Elsie pulled her out with no hesitation, holding her carefully, murmuring to her.
"Yeah, we've got to go back to Holby." She murmured, pressing a kiss to her daughters temple. "Don't worry, you'll be fine." She trailed off, beginning to carry her daughter out of the living room. She'd start by packing up her items, then Darcy's. She would have to get a Hotel the night they got down there, and hopefully be able to have their stuff sent down. If not, staying in a Hotel couldn't be that bad.
The two were soon in Eliza's room, where the elder placed the younger on the bed, stroking her forehead for a moment. In response, she giggled, used to her mother's touch. However, as she continued to stroke, pulling away after a moment, realizing something.
If she went back to Holby City, then everything would change. Ethan would be a Father, Cal and Max would be Uncle's, Robyn an Auntie, (And Possibly Zoe if they were still together.) It would be like the ending of a series of 'Eastenders,' but without the dramatic music.
From the pile still resting on the floor, Elsie began to pull out and arrange all of her clothing. Leggings, tops, jumpers, her huge makeup box, hairbrushes, and anything she would possibly need until everything else was sent down, went straight in her bright pink suitcase. Beside it, was a light purple hand luggage bag, where she would put all of Darcy's items. Looking back to her daughter for a moment, she carefully left the room, going to grab several of Darcy's clothing items and toys.
On her way to the room, she used her mobile phone to find the number of a babysitter which was located in Holby. She scrolled down the webpage, trying to find the information she needed, a telephone number. When she eventually did, she began to explain her situation.
"Hi. Yes, I need somebody to look after my daughter"
Murmur, Murmur.
"Yes, this afternoon."
Murmur.
"Okay, thank you very much. Goodbye!" After clearing up the conversation she had, and picking up several pieces of clothing that her daughter would want to bring with her, she made her way back to the other room. However, her journey was distracted by the framed photo resting on the windowsill. Her attention got more and more accurate, as she walked over to the window, her hand reaching out to grasp the photograph. As her look got closer, she realized that it was of Ethan.
Of course, she had taught her daughter who her father was. In a way, she regretted it now. If she was to see, even a glimpse of him, she would charge into a 'Daddy!' Chant. Rolling her eyes, she placed the photo on it's side, so that anybody who came in could not see it, and walked out of the room.
London. Cold, bleak, smoggy London. Even though the time which had so slowly passed on the train was now rapidly happening, she couldn't help but feel slightly forward about what her actions were about to mean. She was literally going to walk into her old place of work - no announcement, no passing whatsoever.
Darcy was now at her babysitter's house. The two adults had struck up a deal that looking after the child on most days she would be working would be acceptable. Darcy was very happy to have a new friend, and hopefully, she would be able to get used to not seeing her mother as much.
Elsie's eyes glanced up to the sign, in front of the walls which surrounded Holby's Hospital. A sudden loss of air came to her, as she tried to breathe deeply, causing herself problems. She shouldn't do it - she couldn't do it. No doubt, she would get decapitated by anybody there. She wanted to walk away again. Walk away, and never come back.
No, it was time to face the music.
A few shaky steps lead her around the corner of the wall, the sight of the car park greeting her. Amazingly, it was how she had left it, all that time ago. The car park, still filled with the silver and black cars, nearly all of them probably owned by the staff of Holby. The garden, was still under construction, and the large generator was still leaning against the building, consuming as much energy as possible. The girl carefully pulled her dark trench coat over her body, as if it was an invisibility cloak from 'Harry Potter.'
She continued walking, now regretting wearing high heels. For a moment, she looked down at her attire, realizing she didn't look anything like she had last time she was at Holby. Her long, dark ombre hair still remained, but instead of in her childish half-up half-down, it was now loose, or tied up tightly in a bun. Her childish outfits had disappeared, as well as the brightly colored coats, and was now replaced with more grown up (and let's face it, attractive) clothing. Even her old converse she would wear all the time was replaced by her paintent high heels.
So what had happened to make her change her appearance as much as she had? Simple. She was a mother. She had grown up.
She was now coming closer and closer towards the entrance of the large building, and could see three familiar figures standing a few meters away from the glass door. The first, had dark skin, a black bob haired cut, and wore professional looking dresses, a cigarette in one hand. This had to be Zoe Hanna.
The second was tall, and had a mound of dark blonde hair resting on top of his head. His grey scrubs pointed him out quite easily, as well as the cigarette rested in his hand. Caleb Knight.
The third, oh the third was the one she least wanted to see. And nothing had changed about him whatsoever. He still had his icy blue eyes, and mess of dark hair. He looked thinner, paler, but still his lovable and laughable self. The porter uniform was still so untidy, she wanted to run up now and fix it. His coffee in one hand, laughing over some terrible joke he probably made. And the laugh of her family. The one she would hear from her daughter everyday. Max Walker.
Eliza wondered if any of them would notice or even recognize her. Maybe, her own brother had forgotten her, and had moved on. Overall, she hoped he was still with Zoe.
Speaking of her, her face looked up for a moment, the grip on her cigarette getting tighter from what she could see. The second she saw the figure of the other 'Walker,' her mouth paused in conversation, her eyes locked. Caleb was quick to follow her eye sight, his cigarette falling out of his hand as he did so. Both of them seemed isolated, Cal keeping his eyes fixed on Eliza, whereas Zoe looked over to Max.
He had no problem with being frozen in his position. A look of god-knows-what fell onto his face, as he dropped his coffee onto the floor, the dark liquids inside beginning to flow freely around the floor. His fists were clenched, and he began to storm up to his younger sister, his footsteps loud and heavy.
He got to two meters away from her, before he started.
"You Bitch!" He roared, pulling out his hand and slapping her straight across the cheek. A loud 'smack' sound was heard, as skin contacted with skin, causing Elsie's head to fall to the side. Her own hand instantly flew to the attacked spot, feeling the roughness and redness for a moment. She could register sharp tears in her eyes, her gaze slowly looking up to Max, whom looked shocked by his own actions.
For a moment, there was silence. Pure and utter silence. It was if the world didn't exist, and the two Walkers were alone.
Max suddenly lunged forward, pulling his sister into a tight and breathless hug. She burst into a full fresh set of tears, whilst he hid his face in her neck, as overcome as she was. He looked up for a moment, drawing his hands across her face, kissing her forehead heavily, before they both continued crying, his head resting on her head, tears still falling from their eyes. He remained hugging her, as she hugged him, never wanting to let go.
The Walker's were back.
*Sigh* Honestly, I am so happy that Elsie and Max are reunited. I felt that I needed to place Max's reaction alone, so they would be able to calm himself down during her and Ethan's meet up.
OH MY GOD! YOU ALL LOVED CHAPTER 1 SO MUCH! Thank you so much for all of your lovely reviews, and I hope you enjoy this Chapter just as much. Once again, I will be replying to comments in this section.
Smish123 - Congratulations for being the first to comment on this book! I'm glad you enjoyed 'Not What It Seems' and the beginning of 'Face The Truth.'
ETWentHome - Thank you for understanding. I know Elsie will have to face Ethan extremely soon, but let's just wait. She's seen his brother, but, i'm glad you liked part 1, and the introduction of Darcy!
Crimesolver - Hehe, thanks! I've missed writing.
BeckyBoogle - I'm glad you enjoyed this part! I think I saw you back on 'NWIS...?' If not, then welcome! If I did, then HEY :D!
Sweeet-As-Honey - Ahh! I know you! I'm glad you think it is as good as 'NWIS.' I had fun describing Elsie - and Darcy! Yeah, I like to think the two would of been close friends, too. And, at least your cliffhanger has been answered!
-Jodie Rose Xx
