Caitlin was walking home, with Ronnie, when a car drove past, splashing her in yesterday's rain, which had fallen on the kerb
"Oi you. Are you blind?"
Barry opened the door and saw the angry young girl, in front of him
"I'm sorry. I didn't see you"
"That's obvious"
"I said I'm sorry. What do you want me to do?"
"Sorry? You think sorry is enough? Because of you and your carelessness, we are soaked"
Barry turned to Ronnie
"Please get her checked out. I don't think she's with it"
"Me? Why I oughta.......", began Caitlin as Ronnie held her back
"Look, you had better go. I can't control her when she's like this"
Barry got into his car and drove away
"This isn't over", Caitlin yelled
Caitlin opened her eyes as the plane landed. She felt hot and sticky. It had been a horrible and long flight, filled with turbulence. Ronnie helped her up and out of the plane. She sat down and hurriedly drank her water, which Ronnie had brought for her, and watched as Ronnie got the suitcases. They walked out of the airport and to outside. Caitlin breathed in the fresh air and clung to Ronnie
"I can't do it, Ronnie. I can't go back"
Ronnie took Caitlin by the shoulders
"Caitlin, listen to me. You are a doctor. What's your first priority?"
"A duty of care to my patients"
"Right, and that patient needs you. We've flown here for them. So are you going to let them down because of something that happened in the past?"
"Ronnie, you make it sound like it was nothing. The accusations ruined my life. It also cast doubt on our relationship. So it was not something. It was a big thing that happened to me. How could you forget?"
"I haven't, and I can't begin to understand how difficult it must have been for you. But you and me both know it was lies. So don't let this ruin your life because your patient needs you"
Caitlin took a deep breath
"Let's go. I can't let it ruin me or ruin anything for me, anymore. I haven't forgotten what they did, but I'm moving forward with my life. I can't keep letting that incident define me. I have a job to do. My patient needs me"
Ronnie smiled as Caitlin walked ahead. He was proud of her, and how far she had come in her life. Of course he knew, how much she missed Barry, and how she was still scarred after everything, but she was moving forward in her life, and trying to put everything behind her, and he was proud of how she had rebuilt everything in her life and just kept going, despite everything. Of course as her elder brother, he knew what he had to do and was just waiting for the right time
They got into the car, which had been sent for them, and drove to the flat, that had been given to them. Caitlin got busy unpacking hers and Ronnies things. She started cleaning and decorating the house, whilst Ronnie kept telling her to slow down
"I can't Ronnie. I start at the hospital tomorrow and you know I hate mess, so I'm trying to do as much as I can today"
"I know, but take it easy Caitlin. You don't have to do everything at once. You can continue it, over time"
Caitlin climbed into bed, and tried to sleep. She was excited for tomorrow, yet also nervous. Who was this patient and what was wrong with them, that they had to call her, from another country? She wondered if she would ever see Barry again, considering that they were in the same town, but it was really big, and she doubted it. But then she scolded herself. Why was she thinking of Barry? Had she forgotten what had happened? How Barry hadn't stood up for her, and had just let the accusations flow? Caitlin looked at her ring. He was her future. Nobody else
The next day, Caitlin took a deep breath and entered the hospital
"My name is DR Snow. I'm meant to start work here today", she told the bored looking receptionist
The receptionist picked up her phone and rang someone
"She's here"
Caitlin didn't know what to do, so she nervously just stood there, and waited for someone to come and collect her. Finally, a senior looking doctor approached her
"DR Snow, lovely to meet you. Sorry for the wait, we are very overwhelmed at the moment. Please, come through to my office"
Caitlin followed the doctor down the corridor. She looked around at everything and everyone. She paused as she thought she saw something familiar. It couldn't be, could it?
"DR Snow", interrupted the doctor, waking her from her thoughts, "we're in here"
Caitlin took one last look and followed the doctor in. If she was right, things could get very interesting
Duff, duff, duff. What has Caitlin seen? As always, feedback appreciated
