Chapter Text
Chapter One
Serena glanced down at her watch and saw the time, a brief flash of panic was in her eyes as she knew if she didn’t get a move on now she would be late and as the clinical lead of AAU at Holby City, it wasn’t the best example. She located her bag in the kitchen and hurried over to the door where her shoes were and put them on. As she straightened herself and made sure she looked presentable, she called out for Jason.
“I’m here Auntie Serena.” Jason said emerging from the living room.
“Oh, you’re ready. Come on then!” Serena said hand on the door handle.
“I was ready an hour ago and this is the third time you are going to be nearly late.”
Serena sighed, she knew why she was sleeping in later than usual. She was exhausted, the hospital had been understaffed for a week or so which meant she had been doing longer hours and earlier mornings.
“I know Jason, after today though I’ve got a few days off and I’ll be able to get back to normal.”
Jason just nodded and they left the house, when they were in the car and on their way to the hospital, Serena turned the volume down on the stereo.
“I’ve been thinking about the house needing a spruce up, get it back to looking like it did. It looks so dull right now, what do you think?” Serena asked.
“Oh, I think that’s a wonderful idea! Can I join in with the painting?” Jason said cheerfully.
“I was thinking about getting a professional in to do it, after all we would be busy during the day, what with work we would never get it done! Though I’m more than sure they’ll be something for you to do. That sound okay?” Serena asked, hesitating slightly. She didn’t want Jason to think that she was limiting him from doing something.
“I think that is acceptable.” Jason said with a smile and Serena breathed a silent sigh of relief.
They got to the hospital with minutes to spare and as Jason got out of the car, Serena followed him into the building. After grabbing a quick coffee and an orange juice for Jason, they got the lift to the ward AAU.
Serena watched Jason get to work as the hospital porter, she had been so proud of him when he first started and she still was now. At first she wasn’t sure if he could do it but he proved her wrong and she couldn’t have been prouder. Taking a sip of her coffee, Serena made her way to her office and she put her bag down beside the desk and coffee on the side then hung her coat up. There was a knock and Serena looked towards the door.
“I’ve got a patient coming in, severe leg injury.” Fletch said and Serena nodded.
“No rest for the wicked!” She said.
The patient required surgery, it was a complicated, long procedure though Serena had done it before and she was confident she could do it again. Hours later found Serena leaving theatre with a smile on her face, the procedure had been successful, the leg was saved. As Serena walked through AAU, as the clinical lead she had the duty of making sure everything was running smoothly and she slowed down a little, eyes on her staff. Serena smiled, it was a family here on AAU, Fletch, Raf, Morven all dear to her and all hard workers. It was a rare occasion when something came up and when it did, it always managed to get sorted out.
“Auntie Serena!” Jason shouted, rushing over to her with a newspaper in his hand.
“Jason, slow down please!” Serena said watching as her nephew narrowly missed a trolley, he stood in front of her and waved the newspaper in her face.
“What is this?” Serena asked taking the newspaper from Jason’s hands.
“I’ve been looking at professional decorators; look I’ve circled some of them.” Jason said proudly.
“Well, thank you very much. I shall have a look at these a bit later on? I’ll keep it safe in my office.”
“Okay!” Jason said, going back to work.
Serena went back to her office and smiled, he always wanted to help out. He was wonderful, hard work on occasion but she wouldn’t change it for anything. She sat down and had a closer look at the newspaper and reached out for her coffee and drank some then grimaced. She forgot how long she had been in theatre; the coffee of course was now stone cold. Pushing the coffee to one side, Serena glanced at the ads. ‘
Make your house a home!’
‘CHEAP, reliable service!’
‘Professional painter and decorator ready now!’
Nothing really jumped out at Serena and in all honesty, they seemed like cheesy lines. Serena sighed and leant her chin on her hand, maybe she was just being too picky? She hadn’t even rung for a quote yet; she wasn’t even sure of all the colours. This needed a lot of planning before anything was decided. A knock at the door again.
“Come in!” Serena called out and Dom entered, he worked on another ward in the hospital, the Keller ward as a CT2 and although they didn’t cross paths often, they were still good friends.
“Drinks tonight at Albies? We’re celebrating Jasmine getting a permanent position here.”
“Who?” Serena asked.
“Jasmine Burrows, she’s been working on the different wards, helping out because we’ve been understaffed. She got Mr Griffin into- “
“A lot of trouble.” Serena finished for him and she smiled.
“Well, I never say no to a nice Shiraz do I?”
Dom laughed.
“See you later then!” He said with a grin before leaving.
Serena looked to the side of her desk, the mountain of paperwork staring back at her.
“Hmm, you will if I get this done.” She muttered to herself and picked up a file.
Serena was now more than halfway through the paperwork, she hadn’t taken a break nor had she been interrupted and it was tedious but she wanted to finish it before taking a few days off, she looked at the time, a few hours left and glanced the few files left. She’d have no trouble in finishing off the paperwork.
“Job well done.” She said to herself as she leaned back in her chair.
Time seemed to fly by, Serena had finished the paperwork and with free time to spare she started searching different shades of colours on her laptop, hoping to come up with some inspiration. Did she want new colours completely or just the same colour? It was the end of shift and Serena shut her laptop, she still hadn’t decided on what colours but she had a vague idea on most of the rooms. Jason was waiting for her outside of her office and she grabbed her belonging and stood next to him.
“We’re going for a quick drink at Albies, a celebration for a new staff member.”
“Miss Burrows.” Jason said. “I’ve met her before, she’s nice.”
“Oh, okay well I promise it will be a quick drink then we can home and I’ll get supper ready.”
“Shepherd’s pie night!” Jason said excited.
Albies was across the road from the hospital, the go to pub when everyone finished their shifts, it was a nice pub, could get a bit rowdy sometimes but Serena liked going. The two walked through the door and Dom saw them straight away and motioned for them to come over to the table.
“Shiraz?” Dom asked and Serena nodded and Dom looked at Jason.
“I’ll have a lemonade, thank you.”
Dom went to get the drinks and Serena said hello to the others, Sacha was here with Essie and she saw Ollie and Zosia at the bar and Jasmine was sitting quietly next to Essie.
“You must be Jasmine, I’m Serena Campbell.” Serena said extending her hand and Jasmine shook it.
“I’ve heard a lot about you.” Jasmine said and Serena laughed.
“All bad I bet!”
“50/50.” Jasmine replied and Serena laughed.
Dom came back with the drinks and quiet conversation filled the table, Serena was talking to Dom when Jason interrupted.
“Auntie Serena, did you look at the newspaper I gave you earlier?”
“Yes Jason, I had a look, I’ve been thinking about what colours the rooms should be first before hiring somebody.”
“What’s this?” Dom asked.
“The house is looking a bit dull, I’ve been thinking about it for a while now, getting a decorator in to make it look a bit brighter.”
“And I’m helping!” Jason said happily.
“Yes Jason is helping.” Serena said smiling at Dom.
“So you’ve not hired anybody?”
“Not yet, why?”
“I know somebody who’s a painter and decorator, she’s a family friend and she did my parents’ house. I’m more than sure if I give her a ring, she’ll be happy to help you, can even get a discount for you.”
“I can’t say no to that then can I” Serena said. “She is good though?”
“Very talented, I’ll give her a ring now if you want.”
“Um, yes okay but I’m not sure when I’ll need her though if I had to take a rough guess, in the next few weeks.”
Dom was already searching through his contacts and he clicked call when he found the name he was looking for and Serena left him to it and turned her attention to Jasmine who wasn’t looking too happy.
“Holby not what you want?” Serena asked.
“Hm? What? Oh no! Sorry I was miles away; I was just thinking where they’re going to place me.”
“Anything catch your interest? I haven’t seen you on AAU yet.”
“Well, um, that’s actually where I’d like to work Ms Campbell.”
Serena looked at the young girl, she could see how nervous she was in giving away this information and Serena was always one to give another person a chance. There was a time when she was the steely, hard face surgeon but after some time, some life lessons that all changed.
“I’m off for a few days but you’re more than welcome to have a few shifts on AAU, I’ll let the other staff know and they can fill me in with how you’ve been doing when I return.”
Jasmine’s eyes lit up. “Thank you! Honestly, that means a lot and I won’t let you down.”
Serena nodded and looked at Jasmine with warm, soft eyes and then she finished the rest of her wine. She turned to Jason who had already finished his lemonade and she knew they would have to leave pretty soon to have supper on time. She waited for Dom to finish on the phone first.
“Good news, you’ve got yourself a painter and decorator.” Dom said and Serena gave her thanks.
“She just said to give her a call when you’ve decided on what you want.”
“I really appreciate this.” Serena said sincerely.
Dom gave Serena her number and as Serena typed it into her phone, she glanced at Dom and asked what her names was.
“Bernie Wolfe.”
After saying thank you again, Serena stood with Jason and they said goodbye and left the pub.
“Supper then?” Serena said linking her arm with Jason.
“Yes Auntie Serena, I’m starving!”
Serena chuckled and they made their way back home.