#serena campbell exit mood

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Sneak Peek Sunday

Suggested by the amazing @sententiousandbellicose, I present Sneak Peek Sunday. Every week I shall post a snippet from one of my WIPs, whether it’s yet to be finished or just waiting to be edited.

So, last week, I posted the opening scene from (I’ll be your) Girl for All Seasons. Since then, I’ve cycled through several different openings. Finally, I think I’ve settled on the best one. I hope you enjoy!

Monday, 03 February 2020

Hi, Serena, it's Kirsten. I had a great time on Saturday. Really hope we can see each other again soon xx

 "Someone's smiling. Good weekend?"

 Serena tried to downplay her grin; tucking her phone away as she walked through the Wyvern entrance with Donna. "Yes, thank you. A rather good night indeed."

 They shared a knowing smile – Serena's apprehension over her blind date being the focus of much conversation the previous Friday – and began the familiar walk to AAU. Whilst Donna was occupied with her own phone, Serena took another glance at hers, and the message Kirsten had sent. Really hope we can see each other again soon. Oh, Serena hoped they would. Conversation had been light, sparkling; the food and wine as rich as Kirsten's laugh. The entire evening had been intoxicating: a well-deserved paradigm shift from the previous year.  

 Serena had been glad to see the back of 2019. It had started horribly: Jason's wife, Greta, involved in a life-threatening accident, and the arrival of Bernie's son to Holby – a constant reminder of the woman she loved, yet could not be with. The year had not improved from there. Hospital drama by the bucket load; a never-ending series of bad dates and set ups. The final twist of the knife was an emotional telephone call from Edward, announcing he was to be a father again. His wife was carrying the sister their daughter would never know.

 But 2020 had all the makings of a good year.

 Smiling once more at the message, Serena tucked her phone back inside her bag. Donna beamed beside her. She nudged Serena's shoulder as they entered AAU. "It's just so wonderful to see you so happy. You should have let Fleur set you up sooner."

 "Letting Fleur think she was right seems like setting a dangerous precedent, but she certainly did well with Kirsten. When it's a little quieter here, I'll go up and thank her."

 By mid-morning, and with the help of yet another locum consultant, AAU was calm enough for Serena to pop up to Obs and Gynae. One of Fleur's previous attempts at matchmaking, Nurse Stewart, was at the desk sorting through paperwork. Two bright pink spots appeared on her cheeks as she saw Serena approaching. Their date had not gone well.

 "She's just in with a patient, Ms Campbell," Nurse Stewart said, averting her gaze. Serena hadn't managed to get the wine stain out of that particular blouse; had to chuck it in the end. You certainly haven't had a perfect record, Fleur. "She won't be too long."

 As Nurse Stewart shuffled far, far away, Serena hovered by the desk and awaited Fleur's return. A few minutes passed, and the door to a consultation room at the end of the corridor opened up. A flash of blonde hair; familiar thin nose. Serena's stomach somersaulted: her body so sure, for a single moment, that Bernie Wolfe was standing right in front of her. As the moment passed, and common sense took over, Serena realised that it wasn't Bernie, but her daughter, Charlotte. Similar hair, similar features. She was wrapped in a long coat and scarf; her eyes were puffy and red.

 Charlotte moved to brush straight past Serena: heading for the exit and the lift doors beyond. Serena should let her past: they'd only met a handful of times, and she hadn't been with Charlotte's mother for well over a year. But Serena wanted to make sure she was alright. With Bernie in Nairobi, and Marcus in Edinburgh, that only left Cameron. Not much of a support system.

 "Charlotte?" The young woman froze. Serena pressed her hand to Charlotte's arm; dark eyes (so much like her mother's) looking up at her. "Are you alright?"

 "Mm-hmm." Charlotte fiddled with her long, blonde hair, tucking it behind one ear. Her hands wouldn't stop fidgeting. "I'm fine, Serena; honest."

 From behind them, the door to the consulting room closed. Both watched Fleur approach, her expression filled with the same concern as Serena. Charlotte's head swivelled between them, unsure what was to come, what was to be said.

 Fleur did her best to reassure her. "Charlotte, sweetheart, whatever we discussed will remain confidential. But if you need someone to talk to, you could do a lot worse than Serena Campbell."

 Charlotte's gaze finally settled on her. She paused; no doubt thinking over her options. Bottle up what was troubling her, or be comforted by her mother's ex-girlfriend? Not a great choice. But after a moment, Charlotte asked: "Would that be okay?"

 "Of course! How about we go grab a coffee downstairs?" Charlotte nodded. Serena put an arm on Charlotte's back, and gently steered the young woman towards the doors.

 They didn't speak in the lift down to Pulses. There was not much to talk about, other than Charlotte's current predicament. During her relationship with Bernie, she'd only met Charlotte twice: one, at a coffee shop, where Bernie had introduced her to Charlotte over lattes and chocolate chip muffins; and again, on Christmas Day, the first and last Christmas they would ever spend with all their children together. No meetings, phone calls, and only a single Christmas card since.

 At the counter, Serena ordered them both cups of tea and settled Charlotte in a nearby chair. Charlotte added milk and sugar, before taking a sip. "Thank you, Serena. You didn't have to do this."

 "Nonsense. You need someone to talk to, and I could do with another caffeine fix. Two birds, one stone." Serena smiled, hoping to lighten the mood. It did not. "I have some idea of what's going on, but why don't you tell me?"

 "I'm pregnant."

 "I take it congratulations are not in order?"

 Charlotte sighed, her body slumping in the chair; defeated. "I-I don't know, Serena. I've always wanted a family. Sometimes it was out of spite—" Ah. It seemed as if there were some wounds Bernie could not heal. "—but I knew I always wanted kids, eventually. I had it all planned out: get my degree, get a job, meet someone, start a family."

 "No someone? Or are they someone you wouldn't want to start a family with." Serena took a mouthful of tea. "I loved Elinor deeply, but I always regretted her choice of father."

 "No, no someone." Charlotte put her weight on her elbows, leaning over the table with her head in her hands. "Oh god, this is such a mess. Mum's going to go ballistic. I've never seen her disappointed in me; never wanted to see her disappointed in me. And then there's Dad—"

 "—Charlotte." Serena reached across the table for her hand, hoping to stop Charlotte spiralling. "I can't speak to your father, but your mother will surprise you. She loves you; she'll support you in this…whatever you choose to do."

 She had hoped her words would bring some comfort. But Charlotte just recoiled, drawing in on herself. "Support me? How's she going to support me from Nairobi? I can barely get a text replied to, let alone a sympathetic conversation. I really wish I'd met your Bernie: she sounds nice." The legs of Charlotte's chair scraped across the linoleum floor. She gathered her coat, and her bag, and stood up. "Thank you for listening, Serena; I do appreciate it. I would also appreciate your discretion: I will call my mother and let her know if there's anything to know. Probably around the kid's fifth birthday, when she gets interesting."  

 Serena didn't call after Charlotte as she stormed off towards the doors. Just sat, and sipped her tea, and thought about Bernie Wolfe. She lied whenever asked: I don't really think about her much anymore; she's just a memory now, albeit a pleasant one. Serena thought about Bernie Wolfe every single day. She thought about her in theatre, and in her home, and whenever she got really drunk and logged onto the Nairobi Trauma Centre website. They hadn't spoken since agreeing to part amicably almost fourteen months before.

 She'd always liked Charlotte. But her loyalty, always, would be to her mother. Serena reached for her phone.