"Rita, can I have a quick word?"
The clinical nurse manager immediately detected the urgency in Zoe Hanna's voice and stopped in her tracks. She had been about to head back to resus to collect Connie to take her home, but she sensed that whatever it was that Zoe wanted, it was not going to wait.
The blonde turned on her heel and dragged herself in the direction of the empty staffroom where Zoe had positioned herself, holding open the door. The look on Zoe's face made Rita feel uneasy, like she was about to say something that was not going to fill Rita was joy.
"Can we make this quick Zo, I just want to get Connie home and settled" Rita complained, frustrated that her time was being taken up with idle chit chat. All she wanted was to get back to Connie's, snuggle on the sofa with said brunette, watch the soppiest movies possible whilst extending her waistline with popcorn and sweets.
"Connie is exactly what I wanted to talk to you about actually…" Zoe's words trailed off as she bit down on her lip, sensing that what she was about to say was going to either come as a surprise, or just deeply concern her.
Rita looked at Zoe slightly perplexed, she was being very cryptic with her words, not giving away anything.
"If this is about the baby…" Rita evoked.
"It's about the generous amount of alcohol that Connie apparently consumed before her admittance. The paramedics could smell it from the moment they stepped in the house. She was drunk Rita!" Zoe reported. She watched as Rita withdrew a breath, quite a large one, and shut her eyes. Clearly the blonde knew more than she was letting on.
"Did you know she was drunk?" Zoe exclaimed, a hint of annoyance in her tone. Her eyes were wide, completely outraged by the entire idea.
"No! Of course not! This is the first I've heard of it! Why wasn't I told when she was first admitted?!" Rita wailed.
"Confidentiality… we didn't know you and Connie were…" Zoe failed to find a word that could summarise what she felt the relationship was.
"Were what? Sleeping together? Starting a family?" Rita spat.
"Rita…"Zoe said with concern, her face falling to a frown.
"I know she has a problem with alcohol, I know she's a mess, but I can't quite understand what it is you are getting at?" Rita cried.
"I am worried about you Rita! Connie is clearly unstable, are you sure that this is what you want?" Zoe questioned.
"I love her Zoe, whether she is drunk, sober or screaming at me in resus. Right now she needs me, and I am damn sure that I will be there no matter what situation she finds herself in" Rita all but growled.
"Well if you're sure…" Zoe said feeling slightly defeated.
"110% sure. I honestly do not see what everyone's problem is. At least Charlie's mind is broader than the rest of you" Rita felt her words come out angrily. She knew Zoe didn't mean any harm, she was just concerned about her, and Connie in a sense, but she wished that those around her would keep their noses out.
"If you're sure" Zoe commented reluctantly, sure that anything she said would just wash over Rita's head. She was worried was all, she didn't mean any harm or to sound in anyway homophobic. Some of her closest friends were gay. It had nothing to do with a same sex relationship. It was to do with the fact that Zoe liked Rita. She cared about the nurse and knew the history between Rita and the clinical lead. It hadn't been the healthiest of relationships since the word go. Rita had framed Connie for murder, something that the pair had both seemed to have forgotten. She just didn't want it to blow up in Rita's face. She could picture arguments, Connie throwing the whole Alfred situation back in Rita's face. After all, Zoe knew Connie.
"Positive, and I'd appreciate it if you, and everyone else, would keep their noses out. This is serious no matter what you all think" Rita spat before giving Zoe one final stern look and departing.
Zoe groaned as she fell back against the breakfast station, her hand falling to her temple, giving it a quick massage. Personally she couldn't understand Rita's reasoning, it made no sense to her. Connie and Rita? It had come from nowhere.
"What's up?" A soft voice called. Zoe looked up and smiled half-heartedly. Max had appeared, his face his usual cheeky grin. Zoe ran a hand through her hair and allowed Max to wrap his arms around her.
"I'll tell you later"