"Is she there?" Gordon burst through the doors of reception, stopping in front of Matron as she replaced the telephone receiver.

"No, your au pair said she hasn't been home."

"Okay, okay..." He breathed, thinking quickly. "I'll have a drive around, see if I can find her." He strode back out the hospital before Matron could reply. He was almost at his car by the time she caught up with him.

"No. You've been drinking. Ken arrived not long ago, I'll ask him to drive us in his van. Wait here."

He watched as she walked through the ambulance bay, into the hospital gardens. With nothing for him to immediately do, he shifted agitatedly from foot to foot, a thousand scenarios running through his mind. He couldn't even contemplate what he would say when he saw her, his immediate concern was her whereabouts. If she was as upset as Matron said she was... He couldn't consider it. A rush of anger suddenly took over him. He kicked his car tyre in frustration. How could he have been so stupid?!

"Doctor."

He turned at Matron's voice, embarrassed at being caught displaying such anger.

"Ken's just starting the van up." Sure enough, as she spoke, there came the sound of an engine springing to life, and moments later the grey van pulled up next to them.

Matron climbed up next to Ken, and Gordon next to her, sliding the door shut after him. "Thank you Ken." He said sincerely, touched by his both his colleagues' willingness to help them.

"Anything I can do to help doc. Now, where do you think she is?"

"I don't know. Anywhere I suppose."

"Well even if she's not home yet, it doesn't mean she's not heading there." Matron supplied.

"That's true." Gordon replied. "Can you drive towards our house please Ken."

"Right ho doc." He drew the van out of the car park and onto the road.

All occupants of the vehicle strained to catch a glimpse of Jill as they passed through the streets of Elsinby. There were numerous times when Ken slowed, one of them thinking they'd seen the young doctor in the dim light, only for it to be someone else.

After about 10 minutes, they reached the beach. Ken slowed. The tide was out, there was such a vast expanse of beach to search, along with the footpath opposite it. Gordon studied the beach while Matron the path. Luckily it was fairly deserted, but the distance from the streetlights hindered the identification of any figures. His eyes fell on the third person they passed, walking close to the sea.

"Ken, stop a minute."

As the van drew to a halt, he strained his eyes further. It was impossible to make out any features, given the distance and darkness, but he could make out the form. The build, the stance, the way the figure held themselves, it was unmistakable.

"I think that's her." He breathed, scarcely believing it, yet already jumping from the vehicle, waiting for no reply from his colleagues. He dashed across the road, down the concrete steps and onto the beach. His feet pounded the sand, which was luckily wet from recent rain and the retreating sea, aiding his progress. As he closed the distance, he became more and more confident, and finally certain the lone figure was his wife. As he neared, he slowed to a walk, both to catch his breath, and so as not to startle her. She still hadn't seen him.

She stood, her back to him, facing the vast expanse of water in front of them. He stopped a few feet away, unsure what his reception would be when she became aware of his presence. He said nothing for a few seconds, content just to watch her. Even from this distance, he could see her trembling, from coldness he presumed. He heard a sniff, and saw her hand rise up to her face. She was crying, he realised. And knowing he had caused this, his spoke, determined to put right everything he'd done wrong. "Jill."

She turned, startled, though her expression turning to shock as she saw who it was. "Gordon."