Open when you are being driven crazy by Elinor…
She bangs her head against the desk, loud enough that it's probably audible to Elinor on the other end of the phone, though that may not be a bad thing right now. She's told Elinor five times already that she is at work and that no, she CANNOT drive up to Brighton to pick her up because she's had a falling out with the friends she's gone away for the weekend with.
"No, Elinor, I'm working right now and tomorrow, and actually for the next three days. Unfortunately, despite being your mother, I can not drop everything just for you. I have a hospital ward to run, and I don't think losing my job because I've left work to come and pick you up would look too good. What about your father? Can't he come and get you?"
That was clearly the wrong thing to say because she gets an earful from her daughter about never mentioning her dad to her again because his new wife is SO much more important than his daughter is. And as much as Serena hates to say it, she agrees with Edward on this one. Not that Elinor should come in second to yet another new love interest of his, but that Elinor needs to fend for herself and learn that the world can't just drop everything when it suits you. If the world did that, she'd have Bernie here right now. The ward is crazy and Raf is on holiday and Morven and Jasmine are ill so she's been left with a bunch of F1s who, despite having the initial five years of med school training under their belt, still have so much to learn and still need so much of Serena's support and expertise. The only saving grace is that Dom has come down from Keller to lend a helping hand.
And just as she's thinking of Dom, he's there knocking on the door, "I'm sorry, Miss Campbell, but we have an emergency being brought in in the next ten minutes, just wanted to give you the heads up." She nods her acknowledgement at Dom before returning her attention to Elinor.
"Look, Elinor, I've got to go, I've got an emergency coming in at work. Looks like you are going to have to find a way to sort out your differences with your friends. I love you, and I'll speak to you once you're home."
Serena doesn't give Elinor a chance to reply before she hangs up the phone down with a sigh. She really does try with Elinor but sometimes she can't help but blame Edward for raising her to be so spoiled.
She goes into surgery still stressing about the situation with Elinor, glad that she is able to do the liver repair surgery with ease. She lets Dom do a lot of the work, knowing that getting to work on a few trauma surgeries will do him some good professionally too. She doesn't get back into the office until much later that evening. When she does, she picks up her phone to move it off some paperwork she needs to complete before she can call it a day only to realise there are fifteen missed calls and even more text messages from her delightful daughter.
She scans them quickly, none of them too polite, all blaming her for every problem the two of them have ever had, telling her she always cares about work more than she does Elinor. She sighs and throws her phone on the desk, not bothering to reply to the childishness.
She loves Elinor dearly but sometimes she drives her crazy.
It's then that she remembers seeing an envelope from Bernie holding exactly the same words. She's got paperwork to do, but heaven knows she's not going to get it done while she's feeling like this, so taking time to read a letter from Bernie isn't going to hurt.
Serena – Open when you are being driven crazy by Elinor…
My Dearest Serena,
Take a breath! We all know how crazy Elinor can make you, but stop, pause and just give yourself a second. Yes, she drives you crazy, but you love her and you wouldn't have her any other way. And sorry to say it, but she got some of her fierceness from you.
I don't know what she has done or is doing to drive you crazy but just take a step back and think. Remember how much you value your relationship with her, how much you love being able to go and watch her performances. Remember all the good times you've had with her and remind yourself why you wouldn't have her any other way.
Better? Good, now go and speak to her or call her or text her or do whatever it is you need to make her realise how much you care about her. This is time for the two of you now so I'm going to say I Love You and I miss you, and let you go.
All My Love, Bernie,
Your Big Macho Army Medic x
Serena is so thankful for Bernie at this moment. She knows how hard Bernie finds it not really having a relationship with her own daughter, but she always supports Serena's relationship with Elinor. She will do anything to make sure Serena knows why it's so important to maintain her relationship with Elinor. Serena takes a breath and picks up her phone from the desk, composing a new message to her daughter.
Elinor, despite what you might think I do love you and care about you. Unfortunately, you are a 22-year-old college student and I can't just drop everything to come and pick you up, no matter how much I want to be there to support you. Part of adult life is working through disagreements so unfortunately you are going to have to do that this time. Once again, I do love you, message me once you're home and we'll arrange a girly day out.
And if, when they go out for their girly day, Elinor inquires about how Serena is doing without Bernie and if Bernie is okay, she will totally take that as progress.