It was 9:00 when Maddy finally arrived on AAU. Her shift was supposed to start at eight o'clock. She was late, again. She walked over to Tom, Maria and Donna who were all chatting over by the nurses station. She was glad to see that she wasn't the only one that was hung over from the night before. "Hi Maddy" said Tom. "Great night last night wasn't it?" As usual, Tom seemed to be the only one that wasn't suffering. "To be honest I don't remember it," Maddy replied.
"Yeah, you were in a worse state than the lot of us." Donna teased.
"What do you remember?" asked Maria, continuing the banter.
"Arriving at the club and buying the first drink. After that its all a blur." Maddy thought for a moment. "Although I vaguely remember a certain someone having a bit too much of a good time with the barman." They all looked at Donna.
"His name was Steve" she said and marched off with her arms folded. Maddy smiled to herself. She had had her revenge. "Oh here's the boss." Tom shot Maddy a warning look as he and Maria backed away, leaving Maddy with Linden. "Thanks guys." Maddy said sarcastically, more to herself than the others. She turned to face Linden who had just walked up behind her. "Doctor Young, your late again." He looked stern but she knew that he wouldn't stay mad at her for long. "Sorry," said Maddy, looking as apologetic as possible. Linden sighed. "Maddy, this is the third time this week."
"I know," she paused wondering whether to tell him about Dan turning up or whether he'd think it was just another escuse. "Look, just get some worked done," said Linden and he walked back into his office. Maddy watched as the door shut behind him.
Dan sat in Maddy's flat, wondering what to do with himself. His conference wasn't until thursday. Today was Monday. He knew Maddy wouldn't miss work as work was everything to her. So that meant that while Maddy was in work he had some time to kill. He thought for a moment and then smiled to himself. He knew just what to do.
The end of the day was now drawing near. Back at the hospital Maddy and Tom were admiring the stillness of AAU. Earlier on today it had been busy. Maddy hardly had time for lunch because there was so much to do. Patients seemed to be coming from all over the place claiming to have some kind of illness. Even though many of them, as usual, were just being overly cautious. But now it was quiet, and Maddy in particular was looking forward to going home. "Three, two, one and end of shift" said Tom. "Drink? Donna and Maria are meeting us at the bar."
"I can't" said Maddy.
"what?" said Tom, looking confused. "It wasn't that bad last night was it?"
"What do you mean?" asked Maddy.
"You really don't remember do you? I thought you were just being playful."
"Remember what?" said Maddy.
"We kissed." He said. Maddy looked at Tom stunned.
"But we were drunk, weren't we. I mean, it didn't mean anything." Maddy said. Tom looked at her. The he stroked her hair tenderly. "Maybe it didn't" he said. Before either of them could say anymore Tom leaned in for a kiss and Maddy obliged. She couldn't resist him. They backed up, slipping quietly through the door of the nearest linen cupboard and then closed it behind them.