A Tough Choice

Chapter Forty Two

I followed Ethan to cubicles.

"This is Miss Anderton, she was in a fire, and has second degree burns on her arms and legs." he told me.

She gasped as Ethan gently removed what appeared to be debris from the burns.

"I'll carry out an assessment, can you clean and dress the burns please?" he asked me.

I nodded and put on some gloves.

"I'm just going to listen to your chest." he told her.

"There's some crackling, probably from smoke inhalation, we'll get you some antibiotics." he stated.

"When can I go home?" she asked.

"Once we've checked you over and dressed your burns." I told her.

I gasped as I picked up a bowl and quickly put it down again.

"You okay?" Ethan asked me.

"Yeah my shoulder is still a bit sore, I forgot about it." I grinned.

He quickly walked over to me and began to palpate it.

"Ethan!" I protested as I gestured towards the patient.

"It seems to still be in place, you've probably just pulled the ligaments around it." he said.

"It's not about me at the moment." I said as I quickly turned my attention back to the patient.

I knew that he didn't mean to be unprofessional, he was just worried about me.

"Okay Miss Anderton, I'll just fetch your antibiotic injection and a prescription for your GP." he smiled at her.

"I'll get you something for your shoulder." he whispered in my ear on the way past.

I sighed as he left. I hated to be mothered, I wished that he would just stop fussing me. I knew that his heart was in the right place, but that didn't stop me finding it frustrating.

"Wow that doctor is definitely into you." she smiled once Ethan left.

"I have to clean your burns Miss Anderton, this might be sore." I told her.

"Call me Helen." she said.

I smiled at her and started to clean her burns.

"Is there anyone you would like me to call for you?" I asked, trying to distract her from what I was doing.

She shook her head sadly.

"No family, or a partner?" I prompted.

"Just a boyfriend but he is working abroad at the moment." she stated.

"I don't want to worry him, he'll only fuss." she added.

I smiled and looked after Ethan.

"You have the same problem with that doctor?" she asked.

"Yeah you could say that." I chuckled.

"Is there something going on between the two of you?" she asked.

"We're engaged." I told her.

"Oh wow congratulations!" she exclaimed.

"Thanks." I smiled.

"He seems like a sweetie." she grinned.

"He's not bad." I chuckled.

I looked up as Ethan wandered back over. I looked down as he handed me a tablet.

"What is it?" I asked him.

"Paracetamol." he told me.

I smiled at him and quickly took the tablet. I blushed as I saw Helen smiling at us.

"You guys are so cute." she stated.

I laughed as Ethan blushed and quickly shuffled away.

"I think I embarrassed him." she grinned.

"It doesn't take much." I chuckled.

"Aww bless him." she smiled.

"Okay that's your burns dressed, I'll tell Doctor Hardy that you can be discharged." I told her a while later.

"Thanks." she smiled.

I smiled and wandered over to Ethan.

"Miss Anderton is ready to be discharged." I told him.

"Cool, I'll get the paperwork done." he said.

"Do you feel better now you've had the tablet?" he asked me.

"Yeah it's fine." I smiled.

"Good." he grinned as he pecked me on the lips.

"I see you two lovebirds are back on track then." I heard Caleb say.

I rolled my eyes at Ethan and turned to face Caleb.

"Don't you have something to be doing?" I said impatiently.

"Oooh what's got your knickers in a twist?" he said rudely.

"My memories are back and I remember that you broke a promise!" I said angrily.

"About us sleeping together?" he asked.

"Keep your voice down!" I hissed whilst nodding.

"He already knows now anyway." he said.

"Doesn't mean you need to let the whole hospital know." I pointed out.

"So I guess you'll be moving back in with Emma then?" he asked Ethan.

"We haven't spoken about it yet." he answered.

"Of course you can move back in." I reassured him.

"Won't you miss being with Rita, you seemed really cozy with her the other day?" he frowned.

"I know what you're trying to do and it won't work." I snapped.

"You undermined us once before and I almost lost her, you will never come between us again." Ethan added.

I smiled at him.

"I feel sorry for you." Ethan said.

"Why is that?" Caleb said condescendingly.

"You clearly can't stand seeing me happy and that's why you have to try and ruin things all the time." Ethan told him.

Caleb glared at him.

"In future, keep your nose out." Ethan said.

I smiled as Ethan took my hand and led me away.

"Wow, you finally stood up to him." I grinned.

"That felt good." he admitted.

"I bet." I laughed.

"Let's go home, Koda will be pleased to see you." I said.

"That cat hates me." he laughed.

"Aww poor you." I pouted.

"You should have seen the glares I got when you were in hospital." he laughed.

I looked at him and burst out laughing. He grinned and joined in. We laughed all the way to the train station.