Page 35 of Doc Defence

“I’m alright. I don’t think reality has hit yet.” She sat down at the breakfast bar, raising an eyebrow as Gloria began pouring the champagne into two glasses. It was nine in the morning!

“I’m making mimosas. Remove that shocked look from your face, young lady,” Gloria chastised her gently.

That was another thing they all liked about Gloria: she loved to mother people and had semi-adopted all the doctors, especially the ones who didn’t have any family nearby.

Gloria topped up the glasses with orange juice and handed one over to Hel, who glanced at the bottle of champagne and blanched. It was a very expensive bottle of wine.

“Have you been raiding Taylor’s wine cellar again?” Hel asked as she took a sip.

“I will neither confirm nor deny the accusation,” Gloria said with a wink.

“Right.” Hel chuckled and took a bigger drink. Then she thought about things for a moment. “You know what, I don’t have to work today, and I had a bloody awful night last night. Can I have a proper glass of champagne?”

“Absolutely.” Gloria grinned broadly and grabbed them both another glass. “I’ll join you. It would be rude not to.”

By the time Clara woke up, Gloria had poured them both a second glass, and Hel was much more relaxed about being homeless.

“Gloria, you’re a bad influence,” Clara muttered when she saw the two rosy-faced women drinking and giggling.

“Thank you, my soon-to-be daughter-in-law. I will take that as a compliment.” Gloria raised her glass to Clara.

“You’re a menace.” Clara walked over and kissed Gloria on the cheek, giving her a quick hug. “If I didn’t love your son, you would be out on your ear.”

Gloria waved airily. “No, I wouldn’t. I am fabulous company.”

Hel covered her mouth so she didn’t laugh as the two bantered. They were always like this when they were together, and Taylor would roll his eyes and smile indulgently at the pair of them.

“What time do you need to go back to the house? I’ll drive you.” Clara eyed the bottle of champagne.

“You don’t need to. I’ll call a taxi,” Hel offered quickly.

“Nah. You’ll never get a taxi to come out here. I’ll drive you, it’s no problem. I can have a glass when we get back.” She turned to Gloria, a stern expression on her face. “That is a hint that there had better be some of Taylors good wine left when I get home!”

Gloria saluted. “Of course, darling. I’ll nip to the cellar and grab another bottle.”

Clara rolled her eyes, as that was obviously not what she meant.

“Knock, knock.” A voice called from the door before Sadie let herself in without waiting for a response. She had a shopping bag clutched in each hand.

Hel looked in question at Clara, who supplied. “I texted her.”

Sadie dumped the bags by the door and rushed across, pulling Hel into a hug. “I’m glad you’re alright. I drove past your place on the way over.”

Sadie pulled back as she said it, and Hel knew by the expression on her friend’s face that it wasn’t good news.

“The house is gone?”

“Yeah. There’s only rubble left. I’m sorry,” Sadie said sympathetically.

Hel murmured, “I hated living there.”

Clara jumped on that. “Why didn’t you say anything? You could have lived in my house.”

“I couldn’t afford the rent,” Hel muttered, looking at her feet. She huffed deeply and finally confided in her friends about her financial issues. “Dad needs back surgery, and the public won’t do it, so I’m saving for him to go private, and I send money each month to Mum and Dad as well. It doesn’t leave me with enough to rent on my own.”

Sadie’s arms were back around her, and Clara joined the hug.

“You wouldn’t have needed to pay me rent,” Clara told her.

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