Look Beneath The Skin Chapter One - The Consideration
The Mill Health Centre is a busy place to work, especially now with being two doctors down. Julia had called an early partners meeting in her office this Friday morning. This was not what Lily wanted to do after being on a late police shift the night before.
Heston, Lily, Zara, Daniel and Julia were all sat in the office. Julia at her desk as always opposite Lily. Heston hiding towards the back as he and Lily were still not really talking. It had been months since they had split up again. Heston had and always will have feelings for Lily, I mean who wouldn't Lily is an individual of great personality, professionalism and potential. Lily however had moved on. She never gave up on fostering and was a very proud of that. Today however, Heston was not in the greatest of moods. Zara sand Daniel you could tell were all over each other in their heads, the looks the subtle smiles, it was all visible for all to see. But there were more pressing issues to sort out first. They needed more pairs of hands to help deal with the staffing issue.
"So, I would appreciate it if you could all have a think, put your ideas into an email or come and talk to me about how we should go about the recruitment process", Julia asked the team.
"But surely with Emma not having FME shifts and Melody being fully signed off we should be able to fill the gaps", Zara was being her usual push it a side attitude as Daniel was clearly taking up more of her brain cells.
"Yes I understand that and I have. talked to Emma and Melody about that, they are happy to take on the normal work load then same as all of us. But we are still short.", Julia was annoyed with Zara. Daniel just agreed with Zara.
"Well, if there is nothing else. Thank you", Julia closed the meeting. Heston could not get out the door quick enough, Zara and Daniel practically chased each other to their consulting rooms but Lily stayed seated.
"Julia", Lily waited.
"Everything alright Lily, you seemed quiet in all of that. Don't tell me you and Heston have fallen out again?", Julia looked up from her paperwork.
"No I'm fine thank you. It was about this staff shortage. I know someone, a doctor who maybe interested", Lily looked at Julia.
"Then why didn't you say so, it could save us a whole load of paperwork", Julia laughing slightly,
"She's... sensitive, been through a lot and is well...", Lily paused,
"Well what...", Julia was on a little shorter fuse today
"Private. It would take her time to adjust but...she's a highly rated doctor with a wide range of experience",
"Well I hope we are a friendly bunch who support each other. I suppose there is no harm in asked",
"Ill ask her tonight, after work. But I can't promise anything", Lily got up to walk out.
"Thank you Lily I will consider anything right now to sort all this mess out". Julia and Lily smiled at each other and went back to work.
It had been a long day at The Mill, the staff were getting ready to leave, Lily brought her patient notes box back to reception, bag on shoulder and coat on about to walk out when Julia caught her.
"Oh Lily I'm glad I caught you. There was something I wanted to ask you", Julia came round from the staff room into reception.
"About what..." Lily had had a long few days and wanted to get home,
"Well, about this doctor you know. I was just wondering if...when you ask her...we could employ her as a locum, see how things go and then if it works out offer her a full position".
"Julia, locums are expensive and as I said she is a private person, she may not want the position. Just let me speak to her when I get home and I'll let you know Monday", Lily smiled and walked out to go home.
"Okay. Thanks Lily".
Lily had finished her day, pulled her black ford focus on the drive and walked through the door of her house. The sweet smell of something lovely being cooked ran through the house.
"Something smells good", Lily called as she walked down the hall, turned left, then right into her kitchen.
"Well, I thought I would cook for us tonight", Emilia was stood by the window stirring the pasta on the hob..
"You know you don't have to cook for me every week. My cooking is very good", Lily was offered a glass of wine and took it,
"I know, there is nothing wrong with your cooking. It's fabulous but..." Emilia paused her gaze drifting off from Lily.
"...Go on", Lily waited.
"Well, you have helped me so much the last for years, and lately with your police work, I know the last case hit you hard so I wanted to say thank you, and for you to have some time for yourself. I know you have been waiting for the right time to organise your fossil collection", Emilia smiled at Lily who smiled back.
"Thank you". Lily took herself off while food was being made. It was not long before dinner was ready, the table was laid and Lily and Emilia were at eating.
"How was your day? anything interesting happening at the moment, any different cases?", Emilia ate,
"As it happens The Mill is looking for a new GP, we have a staff shortage", Lily looked up,
"Oh I can see where this is heading", Emilia laughed slightly,
"Meaning", Lily smiled and drank some wine.
"No nothing. Come on then spill", Emilia ate some more.
"It would be regular work and you could fit it around midwifery and ED shifts". Emilia considered the idea.
"So, what would I gain from this. Other than spending more time with the most fantastic doctor in Letherbridge", they both laughed
"Yes apart from that. You would get your own consulting room and you can build your support groups up too, as well as treating patient of course",
"It does sound interesting. I'm just not sure if I have enough confidence to be a GP, I prefer a specialism you know that", Emilia sat back
"Yes. Something else which might interest you is the practice manager is female, Julia, she is very supportive and easy to talk to. it might just be right to build that confidence back again". Lily observed Emilia, she could see the idea was being processed.
"If I was to say yes, what would be the process? I assume I would be interviewed?"
"If you want me to I can ask Julia but from what was said in the meeting we are looking for someone to start right away. shall I see what she says",
"Yeah okay, it sounds a good opportunity". Lily and Emilia smiled, cleared up from dinner then sat in the living room. There was a new series of Time Team starting that evening. Emilia was not necessarily into all the archaeological but there was something about sitting next to Lily with her usual hot chocolate, tea in hand watching Time Team which felt homely, it took her back to her childhood.
Monday morning came around too fast as always. Lily had another police surgeons shift and Emilia seemed to be lumbered with the chaos of Saturday evenings at the ED, but she did not mind too much as there was a great team supporting her and she got on with the clinical lead.
Lily was in early as she had some partnership paperwork to do and wanted to get a heads start. She was in her office and saw Julia's car pull up in the car park. It was right outside Lily's window. There was a knock at Lily's door.
"Come in" Lily was typing on her computer.
"Morning Lily", Julia came in,
"Julia. Morning". Lily suspected she knew what this was about.
"So, what did she say? Did you ask her?", Julia was keen to know.
"Yes I did, she is interested in the idea. There are other commitments she has such as her district midwifery duties and shifts at the ED. She was a little concerned about how the rota will work, but overall she is happy with it".
"Good, that's excellent", Julia nodded with relief.
"In fact, she told me to tell you she can be free anytime to come and have a chat or she can start straight away".
"Well, then I will sort all the paperwork and she can start on...let's say...first thing next week?", Julia went to walk out but Lily hadn't finished.
"Wait Julia", Lily stood up and met Julia, "I would be cautious about announcing anything about her starting. Dr Thompson isn't one for attention. I wouldn't want to say much more without feeling I was overstepping her privacy. Just wait until you meet her", Lily stopped and looked at Julia.
"Lily is there something I should know about this Dr Thompson?", Julia frowned,
"No, she will be good for the practice".
"Right, email me the details will you". Julia left Lily's office. Lily paused for a moment before shaking herself together and carried on with her paperwork.
Later that day, an email had been circulated detailing in only a few sentences that there was a new doctor joining the practice. Lily was in her office still working on her report when the email comes through. This is how it read
Good Morning all,
Just a quick announcement to let you all know Dr Thompson will be joining us next week from Monday. Please make her feel welcome and show her we are a brilliant team who are caring, supportive and offer help where needed.
Any questions my office is always open
Regards Julia.
Lily was happy with the email. She knew Emilia could be easily spooked about things.
It was getting towards lunchtime when Lily came into reception to collect another patient. Karen was on reception and was the first to pounce on Lily about the new doctor.
"Oh Lily, I bet you and Heston have worked with so many doctors over the years, do you know who this Dr Thompson is? They better be good as there are some big boots to fill, and there can be difficult patients sometimes, or the ones who just want to come in for a chat becuase they are lonely, like Miss Croply.." Lily had one hand on her hip and the other on the counter.
"Karen",
"Yes", Karen looked a little confused
"I would appreciate it if you would spend less time being involved in idol gossip and concentrate on sending the correct patient notes. Three times I have had to find them myself. Mr Jackson, would you like to come through", Lily went off with her patient leaving Karen sulking. Heston came into reception also collecting his next patient. He was not in his usual bright happy self.
"Heston, do you know who Dr Thompson is, Lily won't tell me a thing, she practically bit my head off about it when I asked her", Karen looking hopeful again
"No Karen I have never heard of her". Heston went off with his patient.
The rest of the day moved along slowly as it sometimes did. Heston and Lily still not speaking to each other. But there was a lot of talking here and thee about who Dr Thompson was, though no-one seemed to know anything. Lily was not going to be waying anything, it almost felt as if she was going being Emilia's back, even though she in herself knew it was not. She just knew Emilia was a sensitive person, a private soul who had been though enough, struggled enough. It would not be fair to go behind her lie that. Surgery ended, everyone went home, but Lily made a little journey on her way home. She knew she would be the first home and had time before Emilia finished her 13 hour shift at the ED.
Lily had had a bath and was sat on the sofa in the front room with some opera on in the background. There were two glasses and a bottle with a card inside an envelop on the coffee table. The sound of the door being unlocked put a smile on Lily's face.
"Hello, sorry I am late, got caught in another emergency", Emilia came through the living room door wearing turquoise scrubs and a navy blue Holby City hoodie on. She kicked off her trainers, threw her bag on the other sofa and sat next to Lily, tired and worn out.
"That's okay. Your home now", Lily hands Emilia the envelope.
"What's all this?", Emilia noticed Lily had poured her a glass of non-alcoholic wine.
Emilia opened the card. it had 'Congratulations on your new adventure' in bold letters on the front. The card read;
To Emilia
Welcome to The Mill. Congratulations. Be yourself and the right people will come to you.
All my Love Lily.
"What? I got the job?" Emilia slightly bewildered, a happy shock on her face.
"Yes. Welcome to The Mill", Lily and Emilia smiled and tapped their glasses together in celebration.
This was a new chapter in both their lives, but more so for Emilia. It was something different, the unknown, a journey of complete surprise. But deep down they both knew Emilia was capable. She just needed to build her confidence.