Happy New Year!

I edited the last chapter slightly as I realised I'd implied Louise was a nurse when she's still a receptionist, but it doesn't make any difference to the story. Or even to the paragraph really.

Bonnie Sveen Fan, I think Louise probably loves the idea of taking revenge on Cal! Rita will probably be a lot more cautious. There won't be any revenge any time soon, but you never know! I'm sure Alicia is glad to have some support. It's a shame she didn't have more in the series. Thank you for your review.

Tanith Panic, thank you for your review. Lily won't be at her best in this story as her Grease character isn't very nice to Sandy, but I hope she'll learn from her mistakes. I meant Louise to be concerned Freddy was messing Rita around rather than exposing her fantasies, but I think the scene works either way! And the shoulder reduction could still happen.

Alicia grasped the patient's hand with one hand, pressing hard on the dislocated shoulder with the other. Lily stood on the other side of the bed, providing countertraction and giving instructions. Cal was standing distractingly close to Alicia, but he seemed content to let Lily take the lead.

Alicia was glad. It was hard enough coping with Cal's presence without having to hear his gorgeous voice as well.

It was also hard using the Matsen's technique. Alicia wasn't very strong and she simply could not make the humeral head pop back into place.

"Right, Alicia," said Lily. "With the Matsen's traction technique, you need to apply the most force-"

"Please, can we try something else?" Alicia was breathless. She often was when she was near Cal, but on this occasion, it was mostly caused by her exertions.

She had reduced dislocated shoulders before, but she'd never been strong enough to use the Matsen's technique. She'd explained this to Lily, but Lily… Lily had a little too much confidence in her mentee.

Lily's voice hardened. "I think it would be more appropriate to use the technique I've suggested."

"I know, but… it's hard!" said Alicia. "It takes a lot of brute strength."

"She's not wrong there," admitted Cal. "Let me put this down." He took the arm from Alicia's grasp and slowly lowered it onto the bed.

Alicia was grateful for his understanding. She knew it couldn't be easy for him to support his ex over his current girlfriend. She turned to Lily and tried to speak assertively but politely. "I know you have your own way, but on my last rotation in orthopaedics, we used the Spaso technique? It's a much more gentle-"

"We use the Matsen's traction technique," said Lily, her voice flintlike, as Charlie joined them.

"But… I can't do it," whispered Alicia.

Lily looked back at her, unblinking.

"Look: I could show you the Spaso technique," said Alicia. "I've seen it done lots of times before-"

"You're here to be mentored by me. Not the other way round," said Lily coldly.

Cal spoke mildly. "I'd like to see her try it."

Alicia felt warm inside. Maybe Cal wasn't so bad. Maybe he hadn't meant to hurt her.

Lily switched her glare to Cal.

"I mean, if it works and it causes less pain, I don't see why not," said Cal.

"Well, it can't hurt just to see it," said Charlie. He turned to Lily and spoke quietly. "Can it?"

Lily turned back to Alicia. Alicia looked at her anxiously; pleadingly. She so wanted to show Lily she could reduce this dislocation.

Lily's face didn't change, but she gave Alicia a brief nod.

Alicia's nervousness rose as she felt three pairs of eyes upon her, but she knew she couldn't let her fears conquer her. "Great. Okay. Right, so, we start with the patient in a supine position." She placed her right hand on the patient's shoulder. "You grasp by the wrist and lift vertically, applying gentle traction. And the shoulder is externally rotated and reduction usually occurs spontaneously."

Reduction failed to occur. The patient's pain was clear on his face. Lily looked away, but Alicia could see a slight smile on her face.

Why does she hate me? Is it because of Cal? But he's her boyfriend now.

"Um… sometimes pushing the humeral head back into position should…" Alicia pushed. The patient grunted with pain and the shoulder slotted back in with a click. Alicia turned to Lily, a smile of genuine excitement on her face. She'd done it! "And voilà! Back in place."

"Yes," said Cal. He was smiling. "Nice moves." He took hold of the patient's arm and gently lowered it. "I think all our doctors should be reminded of this technique."

Lily hadn't spoken. Charlie looked at her expectantly. Alicia hoped she hadn't upset Lily. It must be horrible when your mentee knows something you don't, but Alicia had needed to prove she could treat this injury.

"Yes," said Lily, sounding slightly bored, but there was strain in her voice. "Interesting." Rather offhandedly, she added: "Well done." She turned away.

Alicia tried not to feel disappointed.

Cal offered Alicia a smile. "Yeah. Well done."

Lily walked away from Resus, trying not to feel upset. If Cal wanted to take her side over Alicia's, perhaps he wasn't the man for Lily after all, but there were plenty more doctors in the hospital.

Ethan Hardy, for example, thought Lily, as she saw Cal's younger brother walking towards her. He was actually much better-suited to Lily in terms of intelligence, personality and prospects.

And, thought Lily defiantly, he's better-looking than Cal too.

As Ethan came closer, a frown came to his face. "Lily, are you okay?"

"I…" Lily was about to say she was fine. It didn't do to bring personal matters to work, after all. But she was really hurt by Cal's disloyalty and Ethan was a kind man. "No."

Ethan put his hand on Lily's arm, leading her to the staff room. He sat beside her on the sofa. "What's happened, Lily?"

Lily told herself she wouldn't cry at work, but it was difficult. It was true that Cal wasn't the most serious or the most intelligent of the doctors, but he was handsome and charming and he'd made her feel really special. "I had a difficult time in Resus."

"Did you lose the patient?" asked Ethan sympathetically.

Lily shook her head and told him about Alicia and the dislocated shoulder. "I feel so stupid. So inadequate. How can I possibly be a good mentor when she knows more than me?"

Ethan took her hand. "Lily, Alicia knows more than you about one procedure – a procedure you've never needed to use because you have the necessary strength to perform the Matsen's technique. You can't be expected to know everything and you know so much more than Alicia on every subject. Your medical knowledge and your memory are incredible. I feel completely overawed and while I certainly mean Alicia no disrespect, she – along with almost every other doctor – can only dream of getting your MCEM scores. You're a wonderful doctor, Lily. Please don't forget that." He smiled.

Lily smiled back. "Do you like frittatas?"

Ethan looked startled. "I… I think so."

"My place. Tonight," said Lily. "Seven-thirty."

"Oh, um…" Ethan looked trapped. "I actually promised to help Cal to study tonight. Sorry, Lily."

Lily didn't tell him Cal would probably be with Alicia tonight. It was too humiliating.

"Right," said Louise, taking Alicia's hand. "Come with me. Time to talk business."

"Business?" said Alicia, clearly confused.

"Our revenge!" said Louise, thinking Alicia was quite stupid for someone with a medical degree. "On Dr Knightmare!"

"Oh, no," said Alicia, looking quite shocked. "I don't think we need to take revenge on him. I think he just misunderstood the situation. That's all."

Louise looked at her in disbelief. What has that silver-tongued devil been saying now?

Though someone with a silver tongue probably wouldn't be a very good kisser.

"He let me reduce a dislocated shoulder for him today," said Alicia. "I couldn't use the Matsen's technique because I wasn't strong enough and Lily was wary of letting me use the Spaso technique because she'd never... used it herself."

Louise couldn't help smiling. "So, the great Dr Chao hasn't done everything."

"How could she have?" said Alicia. "I'm sure even Mrs Beauchamp hasn't done quite everything. Besides, Lily wouldn't need to learn the Spaso technique because she's strong enough to use the Matsen's technique."

"So what did Cal do?" said Louise. "Sweep in like a knight in shining scrubs and talk Lily into letting you try it?"

Alicia nodded, smiling. "That's exactly what he did. And I did appreciate it. Lily is his girlfriend and he actually took her side against mine!"

Louise sighed. "That doesn't mean he's going to break up with Lily and get back with you?"

"I know that," said Alicia, her smile dimming slightly. "But maybe he's not as bad as I thought before. Maybe I misunderstood him. Maybe he was trying to let me down gently and say he was happy to be friends, but Lily interrupted before he could get to that bit."

Louise couldn't help thinking Alicia was really naïve if she believed that – but if it made her feel better, Louise wasn't going to interfere. "I'm sure we can find someone in the ED who's just right for you."

"And for you!" said Alicia eagerly. "You're so beautiful, Louise, and you've been so kind to me. I can't believe you're single. Noel likes you: I've seen him staring at your… your, um, legs."

"Ew!" said Louise. "Noel's a good mate, but he's old enough to be my dad and everyone knows him and Big Mac are meant to be."

"Is there anyone you do like?" asked Alicia.

Louise sighed. "There's one guy I quite fancy. But I can't be with him."

"Why not?" asked Alicia. She touched Louise's arm. "Oh, is it Sebastian?"

"Of course it's not Sebastian!" Louise looked so horrified, it was almost funny. "It's not his orientation that's the problem. It's his personality! I reckon I'd strangle him before the end of the first date. Assuming he hasn't walked out on me first."

Lily evidently though she was alone in the staff room. She walked in, made her way towards the sofa and sat on it, her head in her hands. David froze beside the lockers, unsure if he should stay or go. Lily might prefer it if he sneaked out and closed the door behind him: she'd obviously wanted a moment alone.

But what was equally obvious to David was that Lily was upset.

David walked slowly over to her. Lily didn't seem to notice his presence. David sat beside her and placed his hand on her shoulder.

Lily jumped. She started upright and turned to stare at him. Her eyes were wet.

"You don't have to tell me what's wrong," said David gently. "I know some things are hard to talk about, even when you're a confident speaker. But sometimes it helps to know someone's there."

For a moment or two, Lily remained where she was. Then she slowly sat back against the sofa.

"I won't say anything else," said David.

They sat in silence. Time passed. Neither of them spoke or even moved.

Then Lily turned to face him. "Thank you," she said.