Chapter 2
…
It had been nearly a week and for the first time in her life, Em couldn't wait to return to Holby, just to be able to see Connie again. She stepped out of the taxi and quickly paid before walking through the swing doors and over to reception.
"Excuse me."
"Just a minute yeah." Louise answered with an inpatient tone in her voice.
Em stepped back a little as the receptionist finished her phone call, she slammed the phone down, muttering something under her breath before turning her attention back to Em.
"Right, how can I help you?"
"I have an appointment with Dr Beauchamp."
"Oh yeah, she mentioned something about that. Your Em are you?"
"Yeah that's right."
"Wait over there and I'll tell her know you're here."
She did as instructed and took a seat in reception as she waited patiently. Connie was in her office that she shared with Zoe when Louise walked in, a frown on her face.
"Dr Beauchamp…that young woman you were expecting has arrived."
"Wonderful, I'll be right there. Thank you Louise."
"Eh, what young woman is this?" Zoe asked.
"Oh Em, the girl with the hair line fracture to her arm. Remember the roof fell in on that wedding reception last week."
"Right and why is she seeing you, she ought to have been referred to her GP?"
"She asked if I'd carry on treating her, I didn't see the harm."
"It's a bit unorthodox."
"Well, I've never enjoyed following in other people's footsteps much…If you'll excuse me."
…
Em looked up when she heard the clicking of heels on the hard floor approaching her; she gave a warm smile as Connie approached her.
"Hello Em, nice to see you again?"
"Hi."
"Do you want to come through?"
She followed Connie through to the cubicles and took a seat on the bed as Connie began examining her arm.
"So how have you been, are you being careful?"
"Yeah, itches though."
"They always do, a spoon is always good to get to the itch. Whatever you do, don't use a knife…I had one patient many years ago try that, cut his arm open."
"Oh my god really, I'm not that daft." She joked.
"No, I don't think you are."
Connie stood staring at her for a few minutes; there was something about this young woman she couldn't get out of her mind. It wasn't a mothering feeling that she was aware of, she couldn't quite pin point exactly what it was.
"Are you okay?" Em asked.
"Sorry, oh I'm fine…I was miles away. Well, your arm seems to be healing perfectly, I shouldn't need to see you again until it's ready to be removed."
Em's face fell at the thought of not being able to see her again for at least another 4 weeks. Connie helped her put her jacket on, offering a small smile as she did so. She escorted Em back through to reception, and gave her farewell. Em was about to walk away when something inside her stopped her.
"Dr Beauchamp…"
"Connie." She smiled.
"Connie, I don't suppose you'd like to meet up later for a drink or something. Just a thank you for helping me and continuing to look after me?"
"Oh, well I…."
"It's fine if you don't want too or if you're not allowed too."
"No, I'd love too. I finish my shift at 8pm, why don't you meet me over the road then."
"Okay, I'll see you then."
Em walked out of the ED feeling happier than she had in quite sometime.
…...
Connie was in her office, applying some lipstick when Zoe walked in with a handful of files she instantly dumped on her desk.
"If you don't want to do those, I'll do them tomorrow if you like?" Connie offered.
"Really, you don't mind."
"I enjoy paperwork."
"Right, well thank you. Are you off somewhere nice?"
"Just over the road, I'm meeting Em for a drink."
"Em? Wait, the young woman you're treating."
"I wouldn't sat treating, just checking up on."
"And you're having drinks with her?"
"I am." She replied, sarcastically.
"What are you playing at?"
"I'm sorry, I don't quite follow."
"Can't you see that this woman's attached herself to you, she made you feel sorry for her so that you'd carry on treating her?"
"Look, she's a young woman who was scared and for your information, the reason she didn't want to go to her own GP is because she doesn't like him."
"Oh well if that's the case then we…."
"Dr Richard Harlem, need I say more."
"Oh him, he is a bit of a creep actually but it still doesn't give you any reason to continue treating her, you could have easily have referred her to another GP."
"Zoe, she's a lovely person, she was feeling down and I saw no harm in trying to lift her spirits. If she feels happier with me treating her then, I'm doing it."
"Okay fine, but don't say I didn't warn you."
Connie gave a short eye roll as Zoe left the office, Connie quickly grabbed her coat and bag before setting out to meet Em.
…
To Be Continued…