Lazarus in the Room – part 25 – 1.0
By Veganpepsibaby
January 2022
Somerset: Something New
“All right, Campbell?” Bernie asked as she turned off the car engine.
“Never better. Looking forward to seeing it. All a bit sparse on our last visit.”
As they approached the main entrance, Bernie reached for Serena’s hand. Six years on, there was no refusal to take hold of it. The hospital board and the staff of their unit knew their relationship status. Serena entwined her fingers with those long, strong ones of her best friend and the love of her life. New hospital, new start. Gossip be damned!
With lanyards around their necks and masks over their noses and mouths, the couple transformed into co-leads as they entered Hale City’s reception. It was void of activity except for the lone masked thirty-something, bleached blonde white female, who sat at the welcome desk.
“Hello, Ms. Campbell, Ms. Wolfe!” came a cheery call from behind the face mask and Perspex screen.
“Good morning Leanne. Happy New Year. How are you?” asked Serena.
“Oh very well. Did you both have a lovely Christmas and New Year?”
“Yes, thank you. And you?”
“Hmm, it was great until my Tony brought home a rescue puppy on New Year’s Eve. Then all hell let loose. Three kids all under ten wanting cuddles with it. While Muggins here was left to clear up after it…,”
“Ah, well dogs do require a lot of work and care,” interjected Bernie impatiently, wondering where Antonia Abbey was. The receptionist was excellent, but in Bernie’s opinion could talk for England given the chance.
Serena sensing her partner’s irritation, diverted the conversation.
“Is Ms Abbey on her way?” she asked.
“Oh, yes right on time.” Leanne pointed with her pen towards the woman stepping out from a lift.
“Ladies, punctual as ever. Shall we?”
Antonia led the way through to the staircase for the first floor. AAU and the Trauma Unit had been designed to sit directly above the ED, with all units linked with a lift to the helipad. The Deputy CEO cut a commanding figure in black heels, and a grey pinstriped fitted jacket, with a matching knee-length pencil skirt. Her long auburn hair was tied back into a soft French braid.
“Stairs okay with you both? I need to get my steps in today,” laughed Antonia.
“Fine with me,” chirped Bernie.
Serena shrugged her shoulders and glanced at the two pairs of eyes staring at her.
“Lead on, Macduff! Might as well start getting into the swing of things. Though next time, I’ll make sure to be in my sensible shoes,” chuckled Serena.
She had decided to wear her velvet leopard print kitten heels which Bernie had discovered among her belongings in the storage unit. She was thrilled with the reaction from her lover that morning when she sauntered around their bedroom with them on, adorned in only her underwear and a pair of black hold-up stockings while trying to decide what to wear for the day. Bernie had blushed profusely, as Serena caught her staring. She finally settled on black slacks, a black blouse, and her trusty leopard print scarf to accompany the shoes. A new black wool coat finished off the outfit.
As the three women approached the double doors of AAU, Serena reflected on Bernie fretting as she dressed that morning, opting for her Hobbs navy blue slim-fit trouser suit, with a pale green striped Oxford shirt, blue patent brogues, and her charcoal coat. The once-assured trauma surgeon sat on the edge of the bed with trembling hands, struggling with her shirt. Serena leaned forward, kissing lightly on a soft mouth, while gently buttoning up the top and carefully straightening the collar. She felt thin lips move into a smile, while arms wrapped around her waist. My strength was whispered into her ear.
Antonia swiped her ID card to open the AAU door. Serena placed a hand on her partner's back. “Ready?” Her eyes sparkled towards the blonde’s as the woman’s head turned to face her.
“With you by my side - absolutely.”
The doors opened into a pristine ward, a clinical newest hitting the senses. The co-leads team was gathered around the centrally placed circular nurses' station, accompanied by the CEO and various members of the hospital board.
“Good morning Ms. Campbell, and Ms. Wolfe. Due to prohibitions of an opening ceremony and the fact you shall be jumping straight into the saddle when AAU and the Trauma Unit officially take in its first patients on the fourteenth of March, I thought it would be good form to gather everyone here today before you go to Spain,” announced the CEO Charles Clarence.
“And, we would all like to wish you well with your forthcoming wedding. Congratulations!”
As staff applauded, Charles stepped forward with a gift-wrapped bottle of Laurent-Perrie Cuvée Rosé Brut Champagne.
Bernie and Serena both gasped while turning to each other. They had been informed that they were only meeting in the ward with senior management and the board that day. The blonde grinned and then nudged her partner.
“Well, umm, what a wonderful and deeply appreciated surprise. I think I can say on behalf of both Ms. Wolfe and myself that we truly look forward to working with you all at the coal face, as it were. Hale City’s AAU and Trauma Unit will become exemplary facilities that will be the envy of all other NHS Trusts.” Serena smiled as she received applause. As it faded she returned the nudge to prompt Bernie into speaking.
“Oh…, [cough]… thank you. In Arduis Fidelis, - Steadfast or Faithfull in Adversity. This is the motto of the Royal Army Medical Corp, but I think you will agree that working within the NHS brings many challenges and adversities too.” Bernie paused on hearing a few knowing chuckles. She smiled, as some of the tension in her body eased, “but we have a great team of people here. We will give outstanding care and save lives. And I for one, can’t wait to get my hands on that trauma equipment!”
More applause ensued. Staff carefully circulated the floor, examining the space. Bernie grabbed Serena’s arm in eager pursuit of the Trauma Unit located at the far right of the ward.
“Serena Campbell and the Werewolf. I was hoping to see our new stars!”
Both women stopped short and turned around setting eyes on the short red-head with the familiar voice.
“Fleur? How?” quizzed Serena.
Antoni Abbey marched over to the group just as Serena was about to question Fleur further.
“Meet our new Head of OBS and Gynae, Ladies,” she announced proudly.
Bernie sighed and rolled her eyes in disbelief. She received a gentle kick from her partner, who patted her friend on the arm in congratulations.
“Oh, no hug?” chided Fleur with a cheeky wink.
“Safety protocols, Ms. Fanshaw. My fiancée and I want everything tickety-boo for our holiday and wedding.” Serena laughed.
“I'm sure you shouldn’t be flirting in front of your gir…,”
“Ms. Wolfe, please keep your voice down. That is still a private matter,” interrupted Antoni sternly.
“Oh, umm, apologies. Didn’t realise it wasn’t common knowledge,” replied Bernie as she stuffed her hands in her coat pockets while wishing she could escape to investigate her Trauma Unit.
“The Board and HR are aware, but we are being cautious about making it general knowledge while Ms. Fanshaw settles into her new role.” Antonia smiled through her mask.
“When did this all come about? I can’t believe you kept this from me Fleur?” asked Serena.
“The department head suddenly decided to take early retirement. Ms. Fanshaw starts with us next week and then it is farewell Ms. Weatherbottom,” explained the Deputy CEO.
“Bit of an unfortunate name,” scoffed Bernie.
Antonia chuckled, “Indeed, but she was an excellent doctor, very well respected.”
“Big boots to fill then, Fleur?” teased Bernie.
“Am I detecting some prickliness over my appointment?”
“What? Me, no of course not. It’s just a surprise.” Bernie rocked back and forth on her heels, “thought you were happy at Holby?”
“I was for quite a while, but the infernal politics and uncertainties of the place…,”
“Well, I for one, am extremely pleased to have you here with us, Fleur,” Serena gazed over to her belligerent partner, “we both are, are we not, Bernie?” she stated with a firm voice.
“Ah, yes…, yes of course. Congratulations Fleur.”
“Thank you.”
“The Board was impressed with Ms. Fanshaw’s CV. She is an excellent addition to our hospital,” Antonia stated fondly.
“I bet you think that,” murmured Bernie, as she slowly wandered off in the direction of her Unit.
“Is the Werewolf all right?” asked Fleur.
“Oh, oh yes. Just a little anxious this morning. Comes and goes as you are both aware. Please, please don’t mention it to her,” requested Serena.
“We have every faith in her, in both of you. Nothing goes beyond this conversation.” Antonia rested a hand on Serena’s shoulder and squeezed it, “I shall take my leave Ladies, and accompany Ms. Wolfe in her inspection of her baby!” laughed the auburn-haired woman.
Fleur linked her arm through Serena’s, “Now the girlfriends are out the way,” the redhead whispered, “shall we arrange our night out in Spain, you naughty minx.”
Serena chuckled. She was very pleased that her friend was joining Hale City Hospital.
Somerset: Something Borrowed
“Wait!” shouted Charlotte, running down the cottage staircase.
“Blimey! Charlie, what’s up?” Bernie questioned.
“You both need to wear these,” Charlotte opened the lid of a small jewellery box containing a pair of silver brooches with Celtic knot designs.
“These are charming. Where did they come from,” questioned Serena.
“Auntie Hester discovered them in a drawer that she managed to unlock in Granny’s writing bureau recently after she found the missing key. She gave them to me when we all went down to visit before Christmas. We thought that you should both wear them at your wedding.”
Charlotte looked up from the box and was met by stunned expressions.
“Oh, crappy cakes! Have I done the wrong thing? I, I can put them back upstairs.”
“No, no Charlie love. This is so thoughtful, isn’t it Serena?” Bernie held her hand out to her daughter for reassurance.
“It covers something old and something borrowed,” added Charlotte.
“It does indeed, darling. Will you help us pin them onto our coats?” asked Serena, with shining eyes.
“Can we wear them at our wedding in Spain too, love?” asked Bernie.
“What wedding 2.0!” joked Simone as she assisted Serena with one of the brooches.
“Bloody cheek!” replied Bernie with a grin.
“Who has two weddings? Just plain greedy and showing off,” chuckled Charlotte.
“You know very well, that our only option to marry legally in Spain was to fly down to Gibraltar and that wasn’t what we wanted,” Serena retorted.
“Not officially part of Spain, not where our house and friends are…,”
“Yes, we know all that Mum. Calm down,” laughed Simone.
“Well, I am happy to be with just my step-daughters today for the Registry Office. This is very special,” Serena choked out.
“Mama S, you are the biggest sweetie,” Simone hugged her soon-to-be step-mother-in-law.
“Have you got something blue on?” winked the younger woman, as she stepped away from Serena.
“We both have, but I cannot divulge where,” smirked the older woman.
“That’s quite enough of that. Now who is driving?” laughed Bernie.
TO BE CONTINUED