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Adrenaline is racing through me as I wander out of the room, straightening out my dress and retying my hair. I meet Susan at the doorway, and she looks at me in question. ‘Heart attack,’ I mumble.
She sighs, linking arms with me and leading us away from the bay, leaving the arrest team to continue working on Percy. ‘Good work, Izzy,’ she says when we reach her office.
‘I only went to ask his son to leave,’ I say, dropping into a chair at Susan’s desk. ‘Welcome back, Izzy.’
Susan smiles a little as she takes up a seat opposite me and pulls some papers from a tray. ‘He was fine when I checked on him. Temperature average, heart rate steady.’
‘His son was a total arsehole.’ I shake my head, as shocked by his behaviour as I am by Percy’s fast decline. ‘God, this has been the longest day ever.’
Susan nods her agreement, looking down at her clock. ‘You can go home soon.’
‘One hour and counting,’ I say, just as Pam pokes her head around the door. The look on her face tells me everything, and my heart sinks. It’s moments like this that sometimes make me forget why I love my job. ‘Thanks, Pam,’ I say on a sigh as I drag myself up from the chair. I give Susan a sad smile. ‘I need tea. Can I get you a cup?’
‘Please.’ Susan points down at her desk. ‘I’ll get this paperwork done while I’m here.’
I nod and follow my feet to the hot drinks machine, making two cups and stirring extra sugar into mine. And as I head back to Susan’s office, Percy gets wheeled past, his old friendly face concealed by a white sheet. I lower my head in respect and say a silent prayer for Percy, feeling like a complete failure.*I drag my feet through the ward at the end of my shift, stopping to check on Mable before I leave. She’s dozing, but a quick check of her consultant’s notes tells me he isn’t happy with the X-ray, her broken hip bone showing no signs of repairing without the need for last-resort surgery. It’s just one more thing to feel glum about. I was so hoping she wouldn’t have to have such an invasive operation.
I plod on my way, struggling to keep myself upright after my first long and mentally challenging shift. If I could have slept for a week this morning, then now I feel like I could hibernate for the winter. My bed is calling the loudest it ever has. Pulling the collar of my coat up and rearranging my bag on my shoulder, I round the corner on to the main corridor of the hospital, my already slow steps slowing further when I see Theo walking towards me. The sight of him resurrects me a little, and I come to a gradual stop, as does Theo, a few empty metres between us. He’s suited in grey, his brown hair a sexy mess, his stubble short and covering his jaw evenly. His bright cobalt eyes dull a smidgen as he takes me in, a worried frown marring his perfect face. Jesus, I must look a fright. The last time he saw me I was dressed to the nines before he stripped me and made my world explode into a passion-induced haze. It’s quite a contrast.
His thick thighs spread a little in his standing position, his head cocked to the side.
‘Hey.’ I barely have the energy to even speak.
‘Hey,’ he whispers, his lips pouting in thought. ‘You okay?’
‘Tough shift,’ I tell him on a deep sigh. ‘You?’
‘Let’s not worry about me.’ He opens his arms, and I walk straight into them, keeping my hands in my pockets, despite knowing he’ll be fully prepared for my touch should I wrap my arms around him. But I don’t have the energy, no matter how happy I am to see him. His big arms encase me, holding me to his solid body, and it’s without question the most comforting place I’ve ever been. His unique scent, the warmth of his body, and the feel of his lips on the back of my head. It’s all so soothing. I don’t even have the strength to wonder how he makes me feel so at home, when in reality I’m in the strangest place I’ve ever been. ‘Let me look after you tonight,’ he says above me, his big hand stroking over my hair. ‘I’ll take you home to collect some things and you can stay with me.’
‘I’m hardly lively,’ I joke, his tenderness and the feel of him so welcome.
‘I don’t care.’ He pushes me from his chest and gazes down at me, a mild smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. ‘Just stay with me.’ The pad of his finger meets my cheekbone and grazes down to my chin, and I nod, a refusal not even entering my head. I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather be. ‘Callum is waiting out front.’ Theo slides his arm around my shoulders and tucks me into his side, starting to walk us out of the hospital. His pace is slow and considerate, allowing me to take my time, my head resting on his shoulder.
