‘Not necessarily this hospital. I might apply to Belfast. But A&E is definitely where I see myself long term.’
Belfast? Where did that come from? I sort of assumed if we weren’t here, we’d be heading back to Huxley Castle. Back to my cabin. Back to the twins. Back to her family, the family I’ve chosen as my own over the years.
Jen, one of the nurses I’ve come to recognise from the ward, approaches the coffee machine and we step back, allowing her to get her caffeine fix.
She shoots me a curious smile before turning her attention to Victoria. ‘Are you coming for the leaving drinks tonight? We can’t send you off without a cocktail or two for the road.’
Victoria downs the remaining coffee from her cup before dumping it into the recycling bin. ‘Absolutely. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.’
‘Brilliant.’ A smile light’s Jen’s face all the way to the corners of her eyes. ‘I’m going to miss you so much.’
Victoria links her arm through Jen’s as they turn in the direction of the ward. I follow with the realisation it could be a long night.
And another one without any intimacy.
The drinks takeplace in a bustling old pub called Doctor’s, not far from campus. It’s one of the bars the medical students regularly frequent. Do they go there because of its name? Or did they name it Doctor’s because it’s always been popular among the medical students?
Several dusty-looking chandeliers hang from the red painted ceiling and cast a low light on the otherwise dingy room. In contrast to the sunny summer evening outside, the place is dull. Mahogany wood lines the walls and bar top like so many of these Gothic-themed establishments in Edinburgh.
Victoria’s changed into a pair of wet-look leather leggings and a black off-the-shoulder top revealing the lace strap of her bra. She may as well get a megaphone and invite every creep in the place to cop an eyeful of her lingerie. At least tonight the house alarm is on.
From my position in the corner, I pull up my phone and check the cameras at home. It’s all quiet. This time of year, though, the nights are bright until after eleven. Someone would have to be off their head to think they could get away with creeping around Victoria’s house without being spotted. Mind you, they’d have to be off their head to want to.
But Victoria does have a way of enticing men to do things they wouldn’t normally do. Myself included. I’ve never fucked a ward in my life, let alone fallen in love with one.
Ryan’s comments the other day hit hard. ‘Don’t be ridiculous, Archie’s a professional.’
What will he say when we come out as a couple in a few weeks?
Will he be disappointed in me? Or will he finally stop seeing Victoria as a girl when she graduates?
With her talk of Belfast earlier, will we have anything left to announce?
Clearly, her plans are different from mine. Things were supposed to get easier after graduation. I’m beginning to realise I might have been wrong.
Libby and Mel arrive, both having finished their respective placements. The number of patrons double, bodies squashing everywhere. I move in closer to Victoria, who’s deep in conversation with another student doctor, Ally, a quiet girl from Inverness.
Jen arrives with Doctor Dickhead in tow. He looks equally smarmy out of his white coat, wearing an ill-fitting suit and striped tie. Black bags linger beneath his eyes, and he looks as though he’s lost about half a stone in a week. Brushing his body against Victoria, he makes a beeline for the bar.
‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to knock into you.’ His hand drops to her waist and his eyes drop to her bra strap. ‘Can I buy you a drink?’
‘No, thank you. I just got one.’ With a quick, polite flash of teeth, Victoria resumes her conversation with Ally.
A flicker of annoyance flips over Doctor Dickhead’s face, but I don’t have time to analyse it because Harrison stalks over. From his bloodshot eyes, I gather he’s already well lubricated.
‘Victoria,’ Harrison slurs, clumsily shoving Ally to one side.
I step in front of the women, shielding them with my body.
‘Get out of my way, dog. We both know you’re not going to assault me in front of all these witnesses.’ His breath reeks of whiskey.
‘Don’t push me or you’ll find out.’ My heel presses over his tan leather loafer, pinning him in position.
‘You’re fucking him, Victoria, aren’t you?’ Wild accusatory eyes peer past me, round me and over my shoulder as he tries to read my girlfriend.
Is there any need to completely deny it now she’s finished her hospital placement? These people are no longer her colleagues and mentors as of today. There’s no reason to care what they think. She could give him enough, without actually spelling it out.
‘I saw the pictureThe Sunprinted of you both on the Royal Mile. Your lips were all over his face.’ Harrison’s features screw into an ugly ball.
