Missing

Return to the ED

Connie maintained a confident stride as she and Jacob made their way across the carpark and approached the hospital doors.
Her feet were already beginning to ache from her heels. She had felt obliged to wear her infamous Louboutin heels for her long over due return to the department, despite her feet now having become accustomed to barely wearing any shoes at all for so long, never mind her towering heels.
Connie watched two paramedics leant against the parked ambulance chatting and laughing, she didn't recognise one of them, a very young looking male stood beside Iain.
"Jez" Jacob informed her quietly.
Both men stopped talking when they realised who it was and turned to look at Connie as she passed by. Iain gave her an awkward smile before mumbling something to a puzzled looking Jez.
Jacob took hold of Connie's hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze before they stepped through the sliding doors together.
It was busy, as you would expect an emergency department to be, people filled the waiting area seats, creating a overwhelming commotion of laughter, crying and chatter.
Jacob retained a tight hold of Connie's hand as they slowly walked through the reception.

"He's still here then." Connie muttered under her breath in reference to Noel, who had clocked her entrance from the reception desk and now turned to gossip to the man seated next to him. "And still his usual nosey self I see."
Jacob gave a small chuckle as they continued in the direction of the department.
"Good morning Jacob!" An very enthusiastic voice caused Connie to look back in the direction of the reception desk, where the unfamiliar man was now grinning at them.
They stopped walking and Connie looked at Jacob with a frown. Who on earth was this eccentric male?
"Jack...new receptionist." Jacob mumbled before giving a friendly nod to Jack in reply.
"Is this the Mrs Bee-choo?!" He shouted.
Connie raised an eyebrow. "Mrs Beauchamp." She corrected slowly.
"Well Mrs B, I heard that you got kidnapped and locked away in a cave in Australia. I think I once saw a film like that...was it all dramatic like the movies??"
Connie's stared at him in disbelief, not sure how to answer that one.
"You shouldn't believe everything you hear." She retorted plainly, before resuming her journey towards the department.
Jacob gave a light laugh. "You'll get used to him." He said quietly.
"Hmm." Connie replied, unsure about the seemingly unprofessional nature of this man.

The physical appearance of the department hadn't changed much in Connie's absence, as she looked around, everything looked just like it used to.
She felt immediately comfortable being back in this environment and a small smile formed on her lips.
Jacob stood awkwardly beside Connie, where she had paused to look around. She seemed to be oblivious to the many sympathetic glances being given to them, which Jacob returned with small smiles.

They began to walk slowly around the department.
Familiar faces soon began to appear.
Dylan and Rita stood together at the nurses station, looking rather unsure how to react when they spotted her, eventually giving her a smile as she passed. Robyn approached from the opposite direction, bearing a huge smile, followed by Lily a moment later.

"You must be Connie! Hi, I'm Elle!" A voice that Connie didn't recognise sounded from behind them, and Connie turned to find out who it was.
Connie looked down at the outstretched hand being offered to her by the woman and paused before tentatively taking it in her own and giving it a light shake.
"Mrs Beauchamp." Connie gave the unfamiliar woman a tight smile.
"I have heard so much about you! It's lovely to finally meet the famous Mrs Beauchamp."
Connie was taken back at the very excited tone in Elle's voice and the huge smile that was still plastered on her face.
"It's er, nice to meet you too." Connie said hesitantly, with a small smile.
Connie glanced at Jacob and raised an eyebrow in question.
"This is Elle, clinical lead..." Jacob added, giving Elle a friendly smile.
"Ah yes! I didn't introduced myself properly did I?" The woman laughed.
Connie forced a small smile and nodded slowly.
"I'm so sorry to cut this short, but I should be getting back to resus!" She announced, the big grin still on her face. "Feel free to use my office while you're here, it's unlocked! And if you have any questions, just come and find me."
"Thanks." Connie replied, waiting until Elle had walked away before letting her smile fade.
Jacob bit his lip to stop the smile that had been threatening to show throughout their encounter.
"She seems lovely." Connie said plainly, with no enthusiasm in her voice, her eyes still following Elle.
"Connie." Jacob said.
Connie turned to him and gave him a questioning look. "What?"
"Play nicely." He joked. He could sense that Connie hadn't taken well to Elle, understandably as this was the woman who had taken over Connie's role.
Connie sighed and turned away.
"She's a good doctor Connie and she's a great clinical lead. Everyone loves her, and once you get to know her, you will too." Jacob added with a smile.
"Great." Connie replied sarcastically.
Jacob gave her a disapproving look. "Did you really expect us to just not have a lead for five years, waiting around for you to return, with no guarantee that you would?" Jacob raised his eyebrows at her.
"Ok ok. I get it." Connie gave him a small smile.
Jacob nodded. "For now, you just need to get used to the ED again. You may not be clinical lead anymore, but you're just as good as a consultant."
"I know. I might just be a bit jealous." She admitted.
Jacob wrapped an arm around her and pulled her towards him. "Don't be, she's nothing compared to you." He whispered.
Connie rolled her eyes but allowed her smile to show.
"Besides, if you're not clinical lead, it means you have a lot more time for me..." He added.
"That's true." Connie smiled.
"Right, I actually have a job to be getting on with today" Jacob said. "What did you want to do while I'm on shift?"
Connie thought for a moment as she watched the busy going ons of the department.
"I think I might take up Elle's offer and sit in the office." She smiled.
It would be quiet in there and give her chance to process everything today.

Jacob walked with Connie to the office, where she let herself in and sat down on the sofa that still sat in the room.
"I'm finished in a few hours." He smiled from the doorway. "Do you need anything?" He asked.
Connie shook her head. "No, I'm fine. Now go." She smiled.
Jacob began to close the office door, but stopped before it clicked close. He pushed it open and quickly made his way over to Connie so he could give her a gentle kiss goodbye. "I love you." He smiled.
"I love you." Connie whispered as he finally made his way back into the department.