Behind Closed Doors

Chapter 19

Lana's POV:

"You're with Nurse Bucket today." Dr Hanover informed Lana as she clocked into work.

The brunette tried to suppress the disappointment that weighed heavily on her shoulders at not being with Mildred, shooting the older woman a deploring look which was greatly reciprocated. "And why isn't she with me today?" Mildred asked the doctor who instantly cast a fiery glare at her. What is it with these two?

"Because last time I checked I'm the boss and what I say goes. Don't like it there's the door." Was Dr Hanover's cold response, and there was a moment between doctor and nurse where not a word was spoken as they embarked on a silent stand off. Seriously, what happened between these two?

Dr Hanover was the first to break their staring match, swiftly turning on his heel and stalking his way down the opposing corridor. "Ok, what is it with you two? I feel like I'm watching a continuous battle between you both."

"He's a man." Was all Mildred said and there was a flash of something in her eyes that Lana couldn't quite interpret. "He's had it out for me since the moment I got here." She mumbled and Lana wondered if that comment was a response to her question, or if Mildred was just simply thinking out loud.

"Then why did he hire you and appoint you head nurse if he dislikes you so much?" Lana wondered, more to herself than Mildred, but the older nurse disregarded her comment anyway with a nonchalant shrug.

"You best get to work, don't want to keep Nurse Bucket waiting." There was a hint of amusement to her voice, reminding Lana of that day in the bathroom when she was sick- or rather hungover, the first time Mildred had shown any ounce of kindness towards her. A fond smile teased her lips at the memory before she rolled her eyes at the thought of being stuck with Nurse Bucket all day.

"That woman is the human equivalent of a splinter." Lana groaned. Her and Oliver would be a match made in hell.

Mildred chuckled at Lana's choice of comparison before ushering her out of the room. "Go. You're already," she lifted her wrist to check her watch. "Two minutes late, Nurse Bucket will not be impressed." She lightly chided which drew a small giggle from the brunette.

"Is she ever impressed?" Lana retorted, rolling her eyes as she exited the room, giving Mildred a small wave as she did so.

♡ ♡ ♡

Lana had made her way to the department where Nurse Bucket was usually stationed but couldn't seem to locate the older nurse anywhere which coaxed a growing fear to settle upon Lana's shoulders. Her shift started almost 10 minutes ago, and Nurse Bucket was already an impossible woman to deal with without giving her a reason to punish Lana for her unintentional tardiness. The brunette hadn't really had any disagreements with the older nurse but she'd seen firsthand how she treat some of the younger staff members, and Lana would rather stay on her good side, if she even had one.

"Excuse me, where can I find Nurse Bucket?" Lana asked a passing nurse who happened to be wheeling a patient back to their room.

"Uhm, last I saw she was heading to Dr Hanover's office."

Oh crap, she's probably gone to complain about my lateness and try to get me fired. Great, well done Lana. Although it's not my fault I couldn't find her. "Great. Thanks." The brunette muttered before hurrying off in the direction of Dr Hanover's office.

"She is a liability.." Lana heard Nurse Bucket's voice as she rounded the corner to Hanover's office. "You know that as well as I do and yet she's still here?" Lana tensed as she crept closer, not wanting to interrupt the conversation that clearly intended to be private, but also not appreciating being spoken about behind her back. Lana assumed that she was the 'liability' Nurse Bucket was referring to because who else could she possibly be talking about?

"Nurse Bucket we've already discussed-" came Dr Hanover's terse response before he was abruptly cut off by the old nurse.

"I should be head nurse not her! I practically run this place!" There was a slight pause and Lana assumed that Dr Hanover must have given Nurse Bucket a look of disapproval because she quickly added in a more calm manner, and her usual vivacious tone reserved specifically for him. "After you of course." Lana quickly realised that they weren't discussing her but Mildred. She shouldn't be eavesdropping but she just couldn't help herself.

"After what she did, her carelessness.. a patient died because of her. I would have thought that was enough to strip the title of head nurse from her. She should have been fired immediately!"

A patient died because of Mildred?

There was a long pause before either one of them spoke again but Lana was sure she'd heard enough. The brunette inched closer until she was now stood in the doorway. "Nurse Bucket there you are! I've been looking all over for you!" Lana plastered a friendly smile onto her face, like she hadn't just been listening in on their private conversation. Neither one of them seemed the slightest bit fazed by the sudden interruption. Although, a mild look of relief flashed across Hanover's face.

"To be continued.." Nurse Bucket mumbled, swiftly turning on her heel and sauntering out of the room, not once acknowledging Lana's presence. Reluctantly the brunette traipsed after the older nurse and she couldn't help but wonder what else would have been said if she hadn't interrupted their conversation, and should she tell Mildred what she overheard?

—
Ok so at this point I'm just making this up as I go along. I do have a plan but it's all very.. complicated so just bare with me.
~T ♡~