ONLY THE LONELY

Dixie and Stella sit in the café with their coffees. Stella gives Dixie a little idea of her background. She tells Dixie how Maya's father left them when she was eleven, and how they've always been close as a result. 

"I don't know what to do. Do you know what it felt like walking in and finding her with slashed wrists? She had blood trickling from her arm. I thought we were okay, she promised me she was coping, we promised each other we'd stay strong for one another since the day her father left. I don't know what to do anymore. I've stayed by her side from day one, but recently she's been much more secretive and in hiding. She hardly ever comes out of her room and these past two weeks she runs straight upstairs and we don't bond anymore. I just want her to be herself again - I miss the old Maya. I just want to listen to her. Whatever's happened to bring this on?" Stella says, trying to hold back her tears as well.

"Have you spoken to her? It's difficult looking after teenagers and they're a lot more confined in their emotions, but you two both have a bond and even I can see that. You care, love and protect your child like any other parent and I understand it's difficult for you both at this moment in time but things will get easier. Do you want me to see how she's getting on?" Replies Dixie. But before Stella can respond, Zoe walks into the café. Dixie sees her and waves. Zoe acknowledges and struts over. 

"Ah, you must be Ms Grainger, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Doctor Hanna." Zoe holds her hand out for a handshake and Stella shakes her hand.

"I just want to reassure you she's doing absolutely fine, she's also said she wants to see you. Do you want to come on through and see her?" Zoe asks Stella, who nods without hesitation. 

"Can Dixie come as well please?" Stella asks. Zoe nods her head and smiles. 

"Stella, I've also been asked to tell you something on Maya's behalf. If I could just quickly take you to my office beforehand would that be okay? Dixie may be present in the office as well if you want her too." Zoe tells Stella. Stella nods once more and the trio walk into Zoe's office.

******************** 

Cal and Rita comfort Doris and her family. They have just received the news that Doris has Alzheimer's Disease. The family are devastated and Cal and Rita console the family. Cal tells them about the support options available and Rita grabs some leaflets to give to them. 

"I promise Mum I'm going to look after you. You mean so much to me, I'm not losing you." Ruby tells Doris as she smiles, the type of smile of which someone conceals their devastation behind. She then looks at her father, Richard Purnell, and gives him a smile. He returns the smile.

"It's alright darling. We've come so far, we can do this. Life's a journey, and although we may come to a head with tough times, we need to all come together and pull through. Come here darling, let's have a group hug." Says Richard to Ruby. The three go in and hug. A tear rolls from Doris's face, and Richard wipes it away with his thumb. 

"I love you darling. Never forget that." Richard tells Doris. 

"I love you too, Dick. Now I think i want go..." Doris goes to say the last word, but she struggles to catch the word she wants. It agitates her. 

"Home dear?" Richard finishes the sentence for her, but she doesn't like it and begins to get stressed a little more. 

"It's alright lovely, come here." And he gives her another hug. He then looks to Cal and asks for a discharge form. 

******************** 

Louise walks over to Honey who is closing the café up for the day. 

"Do you want some help, Honey?" Louise asks.

"Ah yeah please." Honey replies. They work together and the job is done in minutes.

"Here, is that offer of Tarot still up tonight?" Louise asks curiously.

"Yeah sure! When do you get off? Come round mine after your shift if you want." Honey replies ecstatically. 

"Yeah sure, I'll see you there." Louise tells Honey, before walking back over to the reception desk. As she walks back her face is painted with a smile. 

********************   

Stella walks into Resus and over to Maya. She holds her tightly in her arms and they hug. 

"Maya, I'm so sorry. I didn't have a clue about all of your drama at school - I'm so, so sorry I wasn't there for you in your hour of need. I love you so much,  but we do need to have a chat about what's happened okay?" As Stella speaks she clenches Maya's fist in her hands, before leaning forward and kissing her forehead. 

"If you'd like I can book you in with a counsellor, Maya." Zoe tells her. 

"I think I'd like that, thank you." Maya replies.

"I just want to thank you both for the support. Dixie you've been great, thank you for listening to me - I really appreciate it." Stella tells Dixie and Zoe. 

"When can she come home?" Stella then asks.

"Well, I think she can go home now. The wound is bandaged up, everything else looks fine. I'll get in touch about your counselling, Maya, and it was nice to have met you both. I hope everything works itself out for you both, and keep well." Zoe says politely before leaving.

"Nice to have met you both, and again, I hope things work themselves out or you both." Dixie says as well before leaving Resus and catching up with Zoe.

"They were a nice pair those, weren't they." Dixie tells Zoe. 

"Yeah, they were. If only everyone we treated were as kind as them." Zoe replies, and they both chuckle.