Georgy-Girl, thank you for your review and for saying you liked the way I wrote the last chapter. I'm sad about Rita too! Rita isn't one of my absolute favourites, but she's definitely not one of my least favourites.
Tanith Panic, I know you wouldn't agree with Lofty just out of loyalty - I've seen you smack his hands before! I had a feeling Lily would struggle with trying to break the news gently and that gave me the idea for the chapter. Thank you for your review!
CBloom2, thank you for your review. I really didn't want Lily to seem cold and inhuman when she broke the news, which she can do sometimes, and I'm really glad her struggle came across. I hope you enjoy this chapter - Cal and Ethan are in it.
Angel2021, thank you for your review. There's an update on Cal's condition in this chapter. It is sad about Rita - I should probably include something about her funeral, which means more sadness.
ETWentHome, thank you for your review - I really appreciate your kind words. It was difficult getting into all the characters' heads at such a scary moment, but it was fun! It's great to know that you and others liked it.
Tato Potato, I'm really sorry, but I'm afraid you're going to be disappointed. A couple more things are going to go wrong... and that's just in this chapter Thank you for your review - I hope you enjoy the next chapter, despite the sadness!
littleboots1966, thank you for your review - it's great to have a new reader and lovely that you have read right from the start. Thank you so much for your kind words. There's a Zoe and Max scene in this chapter - I hope you enjoy it.
beckyboogle, thank you for your review. It wasn't an easy chapter to write, so it's really nice to know you think it's well-written. It wasn't easy for Lily at all - but luckily, supporting each other is something the characters do well.
Dylan didn't miss Lofty's reaction to the news. He also didn't mess Lofty's uncharacteristically fast exit. Dylan waited for a moment or two and left the room in search of him. He eventually found Lofty outside, breathing deeply and clearly trying to calm himself down.
"I was – concerned," said Dylan awkwardly.
Lofty turned to face him, his eyes dry but sad. "I'm okay. Sorry I ran off like that. I'll go back now."
"No, you're too upset," said Dylan. "Stay out here, take as much time as you need and then come back in."
Lofty nodded and blinked back tears. "Thanks, Dylan. I won't be long." His voice quivered and he brushed a hand under his eye. "I'm sorry. It's just a shock. I mean… Rita. It's awful, but I forgot she was even hurt. I just kept thinking about Charlie, Cal, Zoe, Max…" He raised guilty eyes to Dylan's. "How could I have forgotten? She's my manager. No, she's more than that: she's my friend."
"I suppose she's just not the kind of person you'd expect to die," said Dylan. "Charlie's old. Cal, Zoe and Max can be stupid and reckless and you'd expect them to go running into trouble. But not Rita."
"No," said Lofty. He met Dylan's eyes for a moment, then looked away.
Dylan hesitated, then sat beside him. "If you feel… guilty… for… finding this difficult, there's no need. You reaction is… understandable. Natural. I'm sure, later, you will be able to… continue as normal."
The tears began to flow down Lofty's cheeks. "Sorry, Dylan."
"No. I'm sorry. I'm… not suited to comforting. I clearly made it worse." Dylan stood up. "I'll… leave you in peace." He turned and started to walk away.
"Dylan!" said Lofty.
Dylan turned. Lofty's expression was pleading; one hand half-held out towards him.
"Please stay," said Lofty. "Just for a few minutes. Just till I'm ready to go back inside."
Ethan sat, one hand in Cal's and one in Honey's. Cal was in a natural sleep now and could wake at any time. The relief Ethan had felt when he'd heard had nearly made him cry again, but he was determined there would be no more tears. Cal was alive. Ethan still didn't know what state he was going to be in, but he was alive. He would stay with his brother until he awoke and then he would do everything that was needed to look after him.
"He'll be okay," said Honey.
Ethan took his eyes off Cal very briefly to smile at her. "Yes. Thank you, Honey. Yes, he will."
The door opened. He thought it would be the doctor and didn't bother to look up, but Honey squealed when she saw who it was. "Dad!"
Noel hurried over to his daughter and hugged her. "Honey, are you all right?"
"Yeah, I'm good," said Honey. "I've been looking after Ethan. He's been crying loads."
"Cal is his brother," said Noel, and patted Ethan's shoulder lightly. "I'm sure I'd be crying loads if it was you lying there."
"Really?" said Honey, her voice soft.
"Of course," said Noel.
Ethan was just recovering from his embarrassment when another voice spoke.
"Dr Hardy, how is Dr… I mean Ethan, how is Cal?"
"He's much better, thank you, Lily," said Ethan. "He's asleep. A natural sleep."
"I'm glad," said Lily. She stood there for a moment, indecision in her eyes.
Ethan realised she probably hadn't come all this way just to check on Cal. Foreboding curled around his heart, but he ignored it and stood up, offering Lily his chair. "Lily… um, why don't you sit down."
"Thank you. I prefer to stand," said Lily.
Ethan stayed where he was, one hand on the back of his chair.
"I need to tell you something," said Lily.
Ethan felt his knees wobble, but he didn't sit down. He could cope with this. Whatever Lily had to say, it wouldn't be as bad as being told he could lose Cal.
Honey gasped. "Oh my God, Lily: someone's died, haven't they?"
"Honey, let's not jump to conclusions," said Ethan. He quickly sat beside her and held her hand. It was for his sake as well as. He forced himself not to think. It wouldn't help matters. It would only make him more agitated when he needed to be calm. Unflappable. He could do unflappable.
"I am very sorry, but we have lost a member of our team," said Lily. "Rita was taken to St James' with head injuries. They tried to save her, but here injuries were too severe. I'm very sorry."
Honey made a sound not unlike a squawk. "But I liked her!" She began to sob loudly.
"Honey, I'm sorry." Ethan held her tightly. He was upset too. He wasn't close to Rita, but he liked and respected her. "Thank you for telling us, Lily. It's very sad news, but we needed to know."
Noel came over and rubbed Honey's back. "Lily said she wouldn't have suffered."
"I'm sure she didn't," said Lily. She stood stiffly in the doorway, looking uncomfortable but completely in control.
"But how do you know?" cried Honey. "How could anyone know? She might have suffered horribly!"
"I… I don't know," said Ethan quietly. His resolve not to cry was weakening. Honey was right. They couldn't know there was no pain. Ethan had said the same words himself and never questioned them, but Honey was right. In the end, it was just guesswork – based on sound and scientific reasoning, but it was something they couldn't really know for sure.
"This speculation helps no-one, Honey," said Lily.
"Why couldn't it have been someone I don't like?" wailed Honey. "Like Dylan or Mrs Beauchamp or-"
Ethan broke in quickly. "Honey, I really don't think…" He stopped himself. "I'm sorry. You're upset. I understand that. It's all right, darling."
Out in the corridor, he heard footsteps. Quiet, heavy, deliberate footsteps. They stopped outside the door, but Ethan didn't look up. He was too busy trying to comfort Honey whilst keeping an eye on Cal. It was probably the doctor.
"Can I help you?" said Lily. Judging from her tone, their visitor was not welcome. But Ethan still showed no interest.
"I'm looking for Dr Ethan Hardy."
Ethan turned without letting go of Honey. In the doorway stood a policeman. "I'm Dr… Dr Hardy," he said unsteadily.
"Ethan Hardy. I am arresting you on suspicion of assault."
Zoe looked miserably at Max. "You don't need to know, Max. It wasn't important. Why can't we just forget about it and go on as we are?"
"Because I don't know what you did, Zoe!" said Max. "Can't you see that? If my wife has done something to hurt me…"
"How do you know I did something to hurt you?" said Zoe, too quickly.
"Robyn told me," said Max, his eyes boring into hers. "And Robyn wouldn't lie."
Zoe tried to smile. "She might, you know. She really doesn't like me."
"Robyn wouldn't dislike anyone unless she had a very good reason!" said Max.
Zoe saw an opening and grasped it. "She… she does have a good reason. She's the person I hurt. Not you. You know I love you. I'd never hurt you." Even as she said the words, she wished she could call them back. She was lying to her husband. Lying to him. She hated to lie: if only she was better at that, they might be happily married.
"What did you do to her?" said Max.
"I can't tell you," said Zoe. "It's confidential. In-house."
Max's eyes darkened. "That's very convenient. But I'm sure Robyn would have told me about it, so you might as well tell me."
"She hasn't told you," said Zoe quickly. "She hasn't told anyone. We agreed it would stay between us. But Robyn hates me, Max. She would do anything to keep us apart." It was almost a relief to say the last two sentences The last two sentences was true. Robyn did hate her, and the more Zoe lied, the more she felt she deserved it.
But she couldn't stop. She'd already lost Max once. She couldn't lose him again.
He seemed to have forgiven her earlier. At least enough to take her in his arms and make love to her as though nothing had happened. But had he really forgiven her or just given in to the lust that was all that remained of their relationship; of their marriage? Zoe knew she couldn't take the chance.
"Max, I wish I could tell you," said Zoe. "But I really can't. I can't betray Robyn no matter what she does to me." What am I doing? Why am I saying this? "I'm sorry, Max."
Max looked at her for a long moment. "Zoe, you know if you're lying to me, I will find out? These memories might not be gone for good. They could come back at any time and then I'll know."
"It… it doesn't matter if they do come back," said Zoe faintly. "I mean, I want them to come back. I want you to remember our wedding. I want you to remember how happy we are."
"So do I, Zoe," said Max. "So do I."
Zoe forced a laugh. "You can't think we've broken up or anything like that. Look: I'm wearing my wedding ring. You're obviously not wearing yours because your hands were trapped. It had to be removed in case of swelling. And you know what condition we were found in. Naked in my office! That doesn't sound like a married couple with a problem, unless our problem is uncontrollable lust!"
She saw some of the worry fade from Max's face and then his familiar smile returned. The smile she hadn't seen for so long. "So everything's cool, Zoe, yeah?"
"Everything's cool, Max," said Zoe. "And I love you."