They sat, quietly, enjoying each others company. They were both exhausted, both emotionally and physically, yet their day was not over, for they had a partners meeting to attend when they were ready, a meeting to discuss the hospital's future, a topic which Jill had encountered many times before. A topic which had come up with many solutions, from the solicitor saying it would forever remain in the Middleditch family, to the Middleditch bequest. A topic she knew all too well.
Inside, her head was spinning, dwelling on the events that had occurred over the last few hours. She'd been in that kind of situation before, yet it never got any easier. The adrenaline, the fear, the uncertainty. Yes she broke the rules, but in the end she'd saved a life. She did her job. Nothing more. She could do no more. It was up to Gordon and Mr Rose now.
Gordon. The one person who could bring her comfort and reassurance, yet he barely acknowledged her return. Never asked after her, enquired as to how she was. The one person she so desperately wanted.
He'd got up, and walked over to her, having stayed so loyally, sitting in the chair opposite, where many people, including Gordon, had sat before, looking up at her, trying to work out how she was. A task which proved impossible. Her tea now cold, her hands barely strong enough to lift it any higher, just enough strength left to place it on her desk, away from the edge, preventing a spill she could do without. He noticed her slightly pale complexion, the steady flow of tears which slid silently down her cheek, secretly wishing that he couldn't see. Handing her a tissue from the open box on her desk, she quickly wiped them away, only to be replaced by new, fresh tears. Tears of sadness, or of relief.
"Jill... Are you ok?" He asked, not wanting to intrude, or offend, for he felt he didn't know her well enough, and didn't want to upset her even more. She shook her head, somewhat awkwardly, her neck still aching slightly, not helped by the situation she'd found herself in, where her distress made things seemingly worse.
"Allow me..." He looked at her, his eyes softening, warming towards her, desperately wanting to help her somehow, but wanting to keep a respectable distance. She remained deep in thought, the tears still flowing freely, there was one thing he could do, or try at least.
"Would you like me to find Gordon? See how long he'll be maybe?" His suggestion proved tempting, and Jill looked up, if only briefly, thinking about Ralph's kind suggestion.
"I can ask Lizzie to put his lights up, he'll respond, he always does." He paused, only for a moment, allowing her time to gather her thoughts, think a while longer.
"He might be in theatre still. Not sure how long he'll be." Ralph smiled, using his schoolboy grin to lighten the mood. "Then we'll wait." His words brought some comfort, yet she wished that it was Gordon sitting opposite, holding her, comforting her. Managing a weak, half hearted smile, she looked up.
A few moments passed, during which Ralph had kindly asked Lizzie to put Gordon's lights up, and, after a few minutes, he responded, as expected. He knocked before entering, a knock only Jill recognised. Ralph filled Gordon in, enlightening him as to why Jill was so distressed.
"...I noticed she was a bit wobbly earlier, she's exhausted..." Jill listened into their ongoing conversation, only getting little pieces of their conversation, which ended with both men being full of praise for her, her efforts having not gone unnoticed. Gordon strode over, placing both hands on her weary shoulders, a comfort she'd been searching for, allowing the floodgates to finally open. Ralph made his exit, having been thanked by both Jill and Gordon, words escaping her when spoken to by Gordon. She leant into him, resting her head on him, removing the weight that had been placed on both shoulders, her attempts at staying strong and together finally breaking down. After several minutes of consolation, Gordon spoke, his suggestion being the best thing she'd heard for the entire afternoon.
"Come on. Tom and Katie are at a friends, I'm sure Jonothan and Aisling are settled. Let's go home..." With his support she stood, somewhat unsteadily, Gordon draping her dusty coat around her shoulders, the pair of them leaving, closing the door on another day at The Royal...