The Secret Life of Casualty.
Chapter
"I can't believe it. "
High heels clicked across the marble floor as a hand removed a pair of Gucci sunglasses, fitting them into the tote bag she carried on her shoulder, wheeling a pink suitcase behind her.
Connie approached the familiar-looking woman. "Zoe? Let's go inside my office, shall we?"
"What happened Connie?" Zoe asked as the two frienemies were safely inside Connie's office.
"Charlie had a heart attack. The pressures of working here were just too much for him. " Connie wiped away her own tears, she too had returned after hearing about Charlie's passing.
"I'll let Tess know," Zoe said, knowing that the two were old friends.
Connie pulled up an email she had from Lois, the father and son hadn't seen each other in recent years, but Louis had been with his father during the heart attack.
"Dear Connie,
Its Charlie's son, Lois,
I don't know how to tell you this,
My dad suffered a heart-attack and has died.
After coming to the end of the email, Connie closed it, her own eyes filling.
Connie and Zoe were helping Louis with Charlie's funeral planning. It had been decided that he was going to be buried next to Duffy.
The funeral was a big turnout. Former ED staff: Maggie, Toby, Tess, Ruth and Jay, Robyn, Rita, Ethan, Linda, Tom and Sam, and Adam and Jess had all turned out in respect because at some point, in their lives, Charlie had supported them. Current staff included: Rash and Paige. Dylan and Zoe. (She and Max had split up) Charlie's granddaughter, Megan with with her mother, Shona. The paramedics.
"We are here today to celebrate the life of Charlie Fairhead. A father, a brother, a grandad. A beloved member of the team at Holby City Hospital. " Stated father Bill. "As you all sit here today, its clear that Charlie Fairhead has touched all your lives, in some way. "
Lois stepped up, he was struggling as his eyes were filling.
As the service came to a close, Dylan and Iain rested the coffin on their shoulders as the team followed, heads bowed, some of the women had their partner's arms around them, as they walked towards the freshly dug hole where Charlie was to be reunited with Duffy.
"Earth to earth, Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, in
The pot of soil was passed round as Charlie's coffin was slowly lowered in to the ground.
Connie and Zoe stood behind as everyone else headed to the hope and anchor.
"At least they are back together. " Zoe whispered.
Jokes and laughter were shared at the Hope & Anchor.
Everyone raised a glass, led by Jay. "To Charlie, the greatest man ever. "
Thanks for reading. I'm sorry I didn't write the funeral service. They tend to take a while to write. I know its been ages since I updated this story.