There's just one more chapter to go after this.

Tanith Panic, I'm afraid there will only be two more chapters of this, so not quite thirty-nine! I hope you'll enjoy them. It won't be easy for Rita to go back, but I think she needs the ED and the ED needs her. With Rita and Lofty coming back, there might not be a permanent job for Amira, but she's got a lot more involved in this version of the story so it might not be easy to walk away from these people and never see them again. Thank you for your review.

Guest, thank you for your review. Zoe is going to tell Max all about Edward in the first section of this chapter and you'll get to see Max's reaction too. So you'll know very soon if there's a reason to worry or not!

Bonnie Sveen Fan, for all Zoe's faults, she's a good doctor. Any hospital would be lucky to have her. This story takes place on Alicia's first day back at the ED - Cal is a fast mover, but not even he's had time to get her pregnant! I'm not sure Cal would cope if he lost Matilda again. Thank you for your review.

InfinityAndOne, the staff have had the chance to see Rita at her best over the past few hour - that can only help her. Things could get very awkward for Cal and Alicia. They'll both be unhappy and so will Ethan - hardly a match made in heaven! Ethan really loved Matilda. Thank you for your review.

totti10, thank you for your review. The ED did fail Rita, which is really sad as they have been so amazing in the past when one of them has needed support. They gave her no personal support and were also very unprofessional - I hated that scene when she was trying to do her job and everyone ignored her.

"Who is he?" asked Max. His voice trembled, but he tried to stay calm.

"He's my clinical lead," said Zoe.

Max said nothing. He was sure he was a whole lot more than that.

"It's not what you're thinking," said Zoe. "He's much older than me – well over sixty. He's much more a father figure than anything. But I admire him so much."

Max remained silent.

"I've been a mess all my life," said Zoe. "Luckily, I've never messed up my career too badly, but I knew I hadn't reached my full potential. I arrived at my new job and Edward was waiting to welcome me and the things he said … no, it wasn't unit. They welcomed me and helped me... I felt alive in a way I hadn't felt for years – at least not when I was working. Working for him was incredible. I've never felt so challenged. even that. It was the way he said it. He told me about the hospital and his plans for the future. Straight away, I wanted to be part of it and I love being part of it. But then, last month, Edward called me into his office and said he wanted to retire in five years' time. He wanted to spend part of that time ensuring the hospital was left in good hands. He wants me to be the next clinical lead."

Max stared at her for a moment, then he pulled Zoe into a tight hug. "That's brilliant! I'm so proud of you. Are you going to accept?"

Zoe nodded. "I want to do it for him; to keep the hospital at the very best it can be. But also for myself. I feel so different when I'm there, Max."

"I understand," said Max softly. "I would never want to stand in the way of your career."

"I know you wouldn't," said Zoe. "And that's just one reason why I love you. When I got back here and saw you again, I did think about staying. But within a few minutes, I could feel myself turning back into the old Zoe. All my doubts and insecurities came rushing back. All my reckless behaviours. I'm so sorry, Max, but I don't want to work here anymore."

"Then you mustn't," said Max, still holding her.

Zoe moved away just enough to look into his eyes. "There's only one way we can be together, Max. And that's if you come with me."

"So, when are you coming back?" asked Robyn eagerly. "Are you staying for good now?"

Lofty smiled. "I'll have to go back to pick up my stuff – and obviously find a place to live."

Dylan cleared his throat. "You could-"

"You can have my old room!" said Robyn. "I've moved in with Glen. It'll be you, Max and Jez. You'll have a great time! Though I wouldn't like to see the state of the house after you lot have been living t3here for a month!"

"That sounds really good," said Lofty, smiling at her. "Though I would like to check with Max and Jez first – and obviously my dad. He might already have someone lined up."

"Who else would want to live there?" said Robyn. "Well, Alicia might, I suppose, but she must have a place to live if she's locumming in the area. And that's even more reason for you to move in: she used to be really sweet, but she's been a bit funny today."

Lofty spoke gently. "It must have been really difficult for Alicia, coming back here. She had such a terrible experience last time. She and Lily really weren't a good fit and Lily had just lost her father. Grief is such a powerful, overwhelming emotion."

Robyn looked guilty. "You're right. I shouldn't judge either of them."

"It's better not to judge anyone," said Lofty, "but it's almost impossible not to sometimes. Don't worry."

Dylan decided to try again. "It sounds like you have a home already, Ben, but if it doesn't work out, I have a spare room. My sister Rihanna sleeps there occasionally, but I can always move the cot into my room."

"Thanks for the offer, Dylan," said Lofty, his face lighting up. "It's really good to have two options. And I can't wait to meet Rihanna. If you'd like me to meet her, I mean."

Dylan felt slightly surprised, then proud. "I'll introduce you to her soon. I'm sure she'd like to meet you too."

Iain took Rita's hands in his. "I'm sure they'll want you back, Rita. You've done well today and everyone appreciated your work – and considering what's happened to Connie and Grace, Jacob might not be able to take up his new position for a while. You'd be the perfect choice."

Rita couldn't stop smiling at Iain's words. She knew he wouldn't have said it unless he meant it. "I don't want to take advantage of what's happened to Connie and Grace."

"It'll be more like the hospital's taking advantage of you!" said Iain. He spoke gently. "But it is Jacob's job now, Rita. You're a hundred times better than he could ever be, but it's his job."

Rita nodded in agreement. It was sad to think the job she'd once done well was no longer hers, but she agreed with what Iain was saying. The hospital board – and Rita – had to be fair to Jacob. He'd got the post on merit and didn't deserve to lose it. "I'd really like to help if I can. It would be easier to give the interim job to someone who already knows the hospital and the personnel."

"And I'm sure they'll be happy to give the interim job to you," said Iain. His voice softened. "I'm not saying it will be easy, Rita. You will need to adjust. But you don't have to go through this alone. I'll be there. And you're going to have a very difficult job getting rid of me."

"Text him," said Amira.

David ducked his head uncertainly.

"I'm serious," said Amira. "Just text him. He'll be glad to hear from you. "

David said nothing.

Amira's voice was gentle. "David, I know it's scary. It's like jumping into a big hole and not knowing what's at the bottom. But some things are just so important."

David couldn't argue with that. Today had reminded him of that.

Amira smiled. "So phone him. Seize the moment. Follow your heart. Or I will keep spouting clichés at you."

To his surprise, David smiled. He took his phone out of his pocket and dialled the number he'd never forgotten. It went to voicemail. "Oliver, it's Dad. I know it's been a long time, but I've spent so much of that time thinking of you. I love you and I want to be part of your life. I know I messed up, but you're too important for me to let you go. Please call me."

Alicia didn't want to hurt him. She didn't want to hurt anyone. Not even Lily. Not now.

But she didn't want to date him. He was too loud; too flirtatious; too aware of his own good looks. She didn't want to be with someone like that. She wanted to be with someone who was gentle and kind; someone who didn't even know he was gorgeous. Someone who would always take care of her – and would allow her to take care of him.

"I'm okay," she told Cal. "How are you?"

"Yeah, I'm good," said Cal. "So. I hear we're going on a date."

Alicia tried not to flinch. "Cal."

"Yeah?" said Cal, his eyes on Matilda again.

"About our date," said Alicia.

Cal lifted his head and regarded her warily. "What about it?"

"I'm so sorry," said Alicia. "I don't want to hurt you. But I've had so much to deal with lately. My parents are fighting; being a locum hasn't always been easy; working with Lily again… it's going to be tough. And now I'm a patient in ICU. I don't think I'll be here for long, but I don't think I can cope with a relationship too."

Cal closed his eyes and let out a small sigh. It could have been relief, but that didn't seem likely. "Alicia, I think that's a good idea. I'm going through a lot of changes too. I've got my daughter back and it's going to be tough for me too. I don't think I'm ready for a relationship either."

Alicia's eyes moved involuntarily to Ethan. His face was calm, but his eyes seemed to sparkle. Alicia knew she'd probably imagined it, but it gave her hope she wasn't doing the wrong thing.

"I'd still really like to be friends though," said Alicia.

"Of course we can be friends," said Cal. "I'd like that."

Connie didn't know what had happened. All she knew was that her chest hurt; her arms hurt; her legs hurt… her whole body seemed to be a mass of bruises and pain.

She listened to the beep of the monitor and tried to remember what had happened.

Grace's friend had been brought into the ED. Then they were driving. Then nothing.

Jacob took her hand and use his other hand to stroke her hair. "How are you doing?"

"How do you think?" snapped Connie. "Where's Grace?"

"She's, um, not in this part of the hospital," said Jacob awkwardly. "But she's in very good hands."

Connie's hand tightened on Jacob. "What's that supposed to mean? You can't keep me away from her! You can't!"

"Connie, you've been in an accident," said Jacob. "You need to take it easy."

"But what about Grace?" moaned Connie. She longed to get out of bed; to find Grace; to know she was completely and utterly in control of everything.

But she couldn't control what had happened to her daughter. "I have to see her!"

"I'm so sorry, Connie," said Jacob. "But we can't take the risk now. What would you say to a patient in your situation?"

Connie hesitated. She knew what she would have replied once. "I would say I understood perfectly and they should do whatever they need in order to feel they were doing as much as they could for their child. I want to see Grace, Jacob. I want to see her now."

The fire disappeared from Jacob's eyes. He nodded once and went to the other side of the bed to disconnect Connie from her machines. Connie was relieved and grateful, but she also felt slightly guilty. She didn't want to get Jacob into trouble, but as a mother, what other choice did she have?

Jacob was helping her up from the bed when the doctor arrived. Jacob apologised and attempted to ease Connie back down onto the bed, but Connie was having none of it.

"I'm going to see my daughter," she said firmly.

The doctor must have noticed that the monitor was no longer showing Connie's heartbeat, but he said nothing. He came closer to the bed. "Mrs Beauchamp. I have news about Grace."