Bonnie Sveen Fan, I think there's a chance Sebastian might get hurt - Dylan just isn't interested! Let's hope his hurt doesn't lead him to do something really stupid. Ethan likes Honey in this story, but if Lily did ask him, I think he might be too scared to say no! Ethan's usually very sweet when someone's upset. Thank you for your review.
westlife4ever80, Seb is a silly boy! Let's just hope he sticks to sulking and pouting and doesn't do anything more drastic to get back at Dylan. Cal does need to realise it's okay for a guy to have a soft side. And not only is it okay, it's also really attractive in a man! Thank you for your review.
Tanith Panic, thank you for your review. It would be nice if things could work out for Sebastian and Jamie, but Sebastian only has eyes for one man at the moment! I won't say too much, but Cal and Alicia's story won't be following Danny and Sandy's exactly. I'm not a good author if I can't even control my own characters half the time!
Zoe told herself she wasn't upset. Why would she be upset? If Max wanted to be an idiot, it wasn't her fault.
It crossed her mind that he might not have meant the comment the way it had sounded, but what if he did? In that case, she was better off without him.
They weren't suited anyway. Anyone could see that. Max was too young for her and since when did doctors and porters make good couples?
I'm definitely better off without him.
There was just one problem. She loved him.
Well, I'll just have to get over him. That's all.
"Hey, Zoe?" said Cal.
"Yeah?" said Zoe a bit moodily.
"Are you serious about going to the awards dinner with me?"
"Of course I am," said Zoe. She might get a better offer, but she doubted it. She was beginning to think Dylan and Ethan were the only single straight men worth having in Holby, but Zoe couldn't see either of them developing an interest in her.
"Okay, then we'll go together," said Cal. "You'll have a great time."
Zoe gritted her teeth and managed not to hit him. "Not as good a time as you're going to have."
Cal nodded. "You could be right there," he said, but he spoke without overmuch enthusiasm. He sat down again, though not very near Zoe.
Zoe told herself not to look at Max. Whatever his reaction, she didn't want to see it.
Max really wanted to go back inside, but that would make it really obvious he was upset. He didn't want anyone to know how he was feeling. Why should he care if Zoe went to the dance with Cal? If she cared so little for him, he was better off without her.
But he didn't really believe that. He loved Zoe and he knew she loved him. But for all her confidence, she could feel insecure sometimes. She couldn't help wondering if Max really wouldn't be happier with someone younger.
Max knew he could never be happy with anyone who wasn't Zoe, but he didn't know how he was supposed to make her believe that.
"Max, are you okay?" asked Robyn quietly.
Max smiled at her. "Yeah, I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?"
"Well, your girlfriend has kind of got a date with someone else," said Robyn.
"She's not my girlfriend," said Max. "So she can date whoever she likes."
"I suppose she isn't anymore," agreed Robyn sadly. She patted his arm. "But you're better off without her, Max. Much better. She's too old for you anyway. And not nearly mature enough."
"Yeah, I'm better off without her," said Max sadly.
Maybe it was true. But that didn't mean he was happier without her.
Iain felt sorry for his mate, but he also felt a bit sorry for himself. He really wanted to ask Rita to go to the dinner with him, but she was all wrapped up in that stupid soldier of hers. Iain sighed: he was really starting to get fed up with Freddy. He'd never expected things to get this far. He thought Rita would have gone off him in a couple of weeks. Out of sight; out of mind. But she was just as much into him as ever.
He sighed inwardly. Rita was happy - and that meant Iain was unhappy. Not to mention single. "Max, how about giving me a lift to the awards?"
Max gave a humourless smile. "Iain, are you asking me out on a date?"
Iain laughed. "No, I'm not that desperate! I thought if you provide the car, I'll provide the birds."
Ethan shuddered at the expression, then tried to look as though he hadn't been listening.
"I'll be okay, thanks," said Max, who wasn't at all sure he'd like any girl Iain chose for him.
Iain looked a bit worried. "You are still going to go, aren't you?"
"Course I am!" said Max. He raised his voice slightly so Zoe would hear. "I've already got a date."
"Oh yeah?" said Zoe. "Quick work! Though maybe I shouldn't be surprised, considering what you're like in the bedroom."
Iain cringed for Max's sake, but Max just looked faintly surprised. He guessed the insult had been chosen more with intent to wound than because it had any basis in fact.
Though Max seemed more confused by the comment than hurt.
"Who is she then?" said Zoe jealously.
"She's…a doctor from St James'," improvised Max. "Blonde. Skinny. She's got boobs though."
Zoe glared at him and Max just about managed to stop himself from telling her he was making it up.
"I don't suppose she's got a mate I could go out with?" said Iain a bit wistfully. He wasn't convinced Max's date was real, but he did like the sound of her.
Max's smile was more genuine this time. "I'll see what I can do."
Ethan stroked Honey's arm very tentatively as she wiped her eyes. It was nerve-wracking being so close to her, but he'd resolved not to leave her side till she was feeling better.
And perhaps then, and only then, he'd finally find the courage to ask her to be his date for the awards.
He'd even risk complete humiliation by entering the dance competition with her, though he knew Honey would be much better off entering with someone else.
After all, he thought, trying his best not to blush as he remembered it, Honey had danced professionally.
She'd been doing proper dancing too. Not just posing next to the pole as Cal complained a lot of 'dancers' did.
"I'm sure Alicia will be okay soon," said Ethan. He usually forgot there were any other girls in existence when he was with Honey, but he couldn't forget the look on Honey's face when he'd tried to comfort Alicia. Poor Honey was so worried about her. "As soon as you're feeling a bit better, I'll go and check on her and let you know how she is."
But not even that could make Honey smile.
Rita tried not to feel sad as she listened to them all planning their dates. For one thing, not many of them seemed to be going with the person they wanted to be with. Rita thought about interfering, but she couldn't quite be bothered. She was too gutted about her own situation and besides, they'd probably work it out. Zoe and Max would never be able to stay apart for long and she had a feeling Honey would make a move sooner rather than later if Ethan didn't.
"Who are you going with, Rita?" asked Louise.
"I don't know if I'm going at all," said Rita.
"How come?" asked Cal. "We're all invited and you're the clinical nursing manager. You've got to be there."
"I haven't got a date," said Rita.
Cal looked surprised. "What about Soldier Boy? He hasn't dumped you already, has he?"
Rita glared at him. "Of course he hasn't. I was going to go with Freddy, but his leave's been cancelled."
"Yeah, funny that," said Louise.
Rita looked at her reproachfully. "I'm sure it's not because he's messing me around. He's just very dedicated to the cause."
"I hope you're right," said Louise. "I do mean that." She sighed. "Maybe I should stay at home too. I haven't got a date and I'm just the receptionist. I'm sure no-one really wants me there."
Cal looked shocked. "You haven't got a date either? What's wrong with the men in this place? Have they all turned gay?"
Rita shrugged. "Maybe they have. But Jacob's obviously with Mrs Beauchamp and I think Ash, Noel and Big Mac are a bit old for me. Dylan obviously wouldn't be interested and yeah, the rest are probably gay."
"Yeah, maybe none of that lot are right for you," said Cal. "But I know a couple of guys who are made for you and Louise."
Rita was instantly filled with suspicion. "You're not fixing me up with Ethan, are you?"
"Hey, what's wrong with my brother?" Cal caught himself. "I mean... you know. Apart from the obvious."
"Nothing," said Rita, but she was smiling. She loved it when Cal accidentally stood up for Ethan. "But he's not interested in me or Louise."
"No, I don't think he is," admitted Cal. "But it's not Ethan. I have other plans for him." He moved suddenly and clapped his hands on Iain's shoulders.
"What do you want?" shouted Iain.
"Sorry," said Cal. "Did I scare you?"
Iain scoffed. "Course not! Just tell me what you want."
"To do you a favour," said Cal. "Seriously. Iain, you're going to owe me big time after this. I've got you a date for the awards' dinner."
Iain definitely looked worried. "It's not… Lily, is it?"
"No, course not!" said Cal reassuringly. "Hey, Louise? Iain says he'll take you to the awards' dinner."
Louise looked at Iain consideringly. "I could do worse."
Iain looked slightly terrified. "I… um… sure. That sounds great."
"And Rita, for you, I have someone really special," said Cal. He cupped his hands around his mouth. "Dave! Over here!"
Rita hated herself for being horrified. She really liked David and he'd respect the fact she was in love with Freddy and he wouldn't dream of making any moves, but she couldn't see him as a date.
David came over to join then. "Yes, Dr Knight?"
"Dave, what did I tell you? Call me Cal," said Cal.
Call me David, thought David.
"You'd like to take Rita to the awards dinner, wouldn't you?" said Cal, his arm slung uncomfortably around David's shoulder.
David tried to look happy. Rita was a lovely lady and an excellent boss and she usually understood when he was having trouble speaking, but he hoped that didn't mean she was interested in him. "I… um… yes."
"So that's sorted!" said Cal in satisfaction. He looked around. "So, who else wants to pay a visit to Dr Knight's Dating Clinic?"
A threat like that propelled Ethan into action as nothing else could have done. "Honey, um, are you, um, allowed to go to the awards dinner now you're leaving the hospital?"
Honey stared at him in amazement. "I… um… I think so." She smiled and moved closer to him. "I will be if someone asks me anyway. Why?"
Her smile was intoxicating. So was the way she was sort of wiggling her hips and the world seemed suddenly very short of oxygen…
"I-I-I-I-I-I'll see you there then," said Ethan, and sat down abruptly.
Why was he such a stupid, pathetic little coward?