I know, I know it's been soooo long and I sincerely apologise for that but I'm back and will try to update more often. I'm bringing in some of my favourite characters from the recent series because well, I need them in my stories. Em, enjoy because as always, this is especially written for you xxx
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Chapter 11
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Zoe was outside and around the corner of the ED when she heard a familiar voice behind her, turning to see her best friend looking back at her.
"Dylan."
"Hello."
"Oh my god, what are you doing here?"
"Well I was in the neighbourhood and I thought I'd better drop in and see you."
"Well I'm glad you did." She smiled, hugging him.
She laughed when she felt him tense at her touch, pulling back to look up at him.
"I see you still don't do hugging then."
"Some things never change."
"So come on then, why are you really here."
"I told you?"
"Yeah and I don't believe you, you don't come all the way down here, away from your secluded home in the country unless you really have to, so come on out with it."
"Would you believe I've become bored?"
"Bored, you…now that I can't believe."
"There are only so many classes one doctor can teach, turns out students are even more annoying than patients, if that's actually possible."
"So what, you're here for a job."
"If you'll have me, you are still running the place…aren't you?"
"Mmmm well not for much longer."
"What…why?"
"Honestly Dylan, I can't be bothered anymore. I hate being charge, always have and to be honest I think Guy Self is ready to replace me anyway."
"With who?"
"We have a new addition, her names Dr Connie Beauchamp."
"Didn't she work here before?"
"She did."
"So it's not great here at the moment."
"I didn't say that, I admit Connie and I got off on the wrong foot but we're starting a fresh, I've already made my decision about stepping down as Clinical Lead, I just need to inform Guy and he'll no doubt appoint Connie as Lead in stead."
"Oh, well that's unfortunate then. Well, I suppose I better head back then."
"Hey hang on." She smiled, grabbing Dylan by the arm. "At least pretend you came just to visit me and….before I do step down, I'll hire you."
"You will, really?"
"Well….you are one of the best and it would be a shame to miss out on your infinite bedside manner."
"Oh you are funny Zoë."
She smiled and leaned up to kiss his cheek before making her way back in to the ED.
"I thought I told you once before to stop waggling." Dylan yelled over to her.
"Yeah you did, and as I said before…stop looking."
…
Em say at the counter taking a drink of her wine as she watched Amanda looking in to the oven.
"Well, how does it look?"
"Yeah it looks good, much better with sugar don't you think."
"I can't believe I did that."
"So, aside from the cake, what else are we having?"
"I'm going simple, the only thing I actually know how to cook."
"Pasta bake?"
"Pasta bake." Em grinned.
Amanda came over and took a seat beside her, laying her head on her shoulder.
"I really am sorry about the way I behaved towards Connie, I feel really crappy about it."
"Don't be, she understands how hard it is for you. She even defends Mum."
"I'm sure your Mum will come around in time."
"I hope so, I'd hate to lose her."
"So…what's her daughter like."
"I don't know, I haven't met her yet…she comes home from boarding school tomorrow."
"Does she know about you and Connie."
"Not yet, right now I'm just Connie's friend until Connie can find the right moment to tell her."
"Well I'm glad I'm not you guys, but hey…anything you need you know I'm here right."
"I do…thanks Amanda."
…
Connie got up from her desk and stretched her legs, having been sitting in the one position for the last four hours, she looked at her phone and saw a text from Em telling her dinner would be ready for 6pm and that Amanda would be joining them. She still had an hour but decided it was time to call it a day as she was beginning to get tired. The door to the office opened and Zoe walked in, a genuine smile on her face.
"Shouldn't you be getting home?"
"I was just about to, I've got a few more reports to finish up but…"
"Well leave them, I'll do them. God knows you've done enough for me lately."
"You don't mind."
"Of course not, a clean slate remember?"
"Thanks Zoë."
"Listen before you do go, there's something I ought to tell you."
"Oh."
"I've just been up to inform Guy and felt it only right you should know, I'm stepping down as Clinical Lead."
"What, but why…not because of me I hope."
"No, no nothing like that. The truth is, it's not what I want. I just want to do my job and go home, the responsibility that comes with Clinical Lead, it's just not me…but it you and you'd be good at it."
"Me, Zoë I…"
"The truth is, I think it's more than likely the reason Guy brought you in here in the first place and that's okay, you'll be really good at this job I'm sure."
"If he does offer it to me, there's no guarantee that he…."
"He will, you know he will."
All Connie could do was smile as Zoë gave her a knowing look.
"There is one other think I suppose I ought to tell you."
"Nothing bad I hope?"
"No, quite the contrary, just before I went to Guy to step down I had a visit from an old friend, Dr Dylan Keogh, he worked with us for a few years, he's been gone about a year and he came back to ask for his old job back. Being a GP in the country side and lectures with students as it turned out isn't quite Dylan's thing."
"What's he like."
"He's a very good Doctor; he's one of the best actually. I'll admit his bedside manner leaves a lot to be desired but he does his job and he's damn good at it."
"When does he start?"
"I've just cleared it with Guy so I'm just going over to Dylan's boat to tell him."
"His boat?"
"When he's in the city he lives on his house boat."
"He's going to be a strange one, isn't he?"
"Well he's never dull, lets put it that way, enjoy your evening Connie."
"You too."
…
Connie waited for Zoë to leave before phoning Em, who picked up almost immediately.
"Hey, are you on your way home."
"I am, so Amanda's joining us?"
"She came by earlier, she apologised for the things she said. She wants to get to know you better."
"Well good, I'm glad. So all we have left is your mother to deal with."
"Mmmm, well that might take a bit longer knowing mum."
"All in good time my love."
"Yeah, so you're on your way home."
"I am, what are we having?"
"I'm not telling you, it's a surprise."
"I see, well you'd better hang up the phone so that I can get going then."
"Okay, I can take a hint. Don't be long and hey…I love you."
"I love you too Em." She smiled before hanging up.
…
To Be Continued…