Page 8 of The Game

Shade murmured understanding, and we got off the call.

My phone beeped with a reminder of my meeting, and I trudged back into the hospital and up the stairs.

I couldn’t think what the care board wanted with me today. My job was secure. The promotion to consultant I dreamed about was a few years away at least, dependent on one of the older people in that job retiring. Only last Christmas, at our surgeons’ party, everyone I’d talked to had confirmed they had no plans to leave soon.

I hadn’t minded until this moment. I’d been content to wait, racking up the years of service. Now, I just wished one of them had developed a sudden love for travelling or family. Anything but keeping their career.

In the office suite on the executive floor, high above the patient rooms and surgical wards I practically lived on, I settled my disappointed soul and pulled on the professional exterior I needed to get through the meeting.

In the conference room, Abigail Pearce rose from behind a table and offered a hand for me to shake. She’d been part of the commissioning board which had given me my position here at Deadwater Hospital, and now she was chairwoman.

It was odd that she was here alone.

“Doctor Pearce, congratulations on the promotion,” I greeted her.

The woman, in her sixties with a tidy blonde bob, inclined her head. “Abigail, please, and thank you. I have an opportunity to present to you today, one which has come around earlier than expected. Are you aware of Doctor Manley’s retirement plans?”

I stared at her. “Doctor Manley is retiring?”

Her lips twitched. “The commissioning board has been informed of Doctor Manley’s intention to retire. Somewhat earlier than anticipated, though she assures us her reasons are good ones. Just this week, she gave us her three months’ notice. We are now looking for a new candidate to take over.”

My breath caught. Doctor Manley’s job was one I’d had my eye on ever since my placement in Deadwater had started. I’d worked tirelessly to be in the running for a consultancy post. It changed everything. It would give me the office hours I craved. A normal routine with emergencies being picked up by other surgeons and a manageable caseload.

This was everything I wanted.

At least everything that hadn’t been eclipsed by Malachi Hunan-shaped desire.

My pulse quickened and sped like I was in a race.

The offer of a consultancy post also came with an added bonus. Generally, between positions, it was permitted for doctors to take time off. I’d heard of surgeons taking a month and using it to settle life issues like getting married or moving house. It was often granted with little notice to enable them to be present for the last working months of the consultant they were replacing.

With that time, I could commit to the game after all. Damn. If I hadn’t already lost my chance for good.

In a rush, my hopes and excitement returned. Urgency, too.

Abigail’s kind gaze brightened. “I see you are picking up what I’m laying down. The board met this morning and created a shortlist of candidates. I’m very pleased to say that you were top, Doctor Watts. I’m pleased to offer you the consultancy position you’ve worked tirelessly toward. What do you say?”

“Yes! I mean, I’d be delighted. I’m so grateful for the consideration and the offer. You have no idea how much this means to me.” I held down an urge to hug the woman. “There is one small matter I’d like to discuss.”

Something I almost couldn’t dare voice, but so much rode on it.

Abigail heard my request for leave and nodded. “May I ask what you intend to do in that timescale?”

I exhaled shakily. I was insane for even saying the words. “Get married.”

It’s what Shade had said. Couples committed within that thirty-day timescale. They didn’t break up after. It was as good as a marriage and the best way I could explain it.

She smiled broadly. “Every good surgeon needs someone at home looking after them. I will make the arrangements.”

In absolute happy panic, I stepped from the room and stabbed at my phone to dial the last-called number, begging it to be answered.

Chapter 5

Malachi

A pulsing beat vibrated across the car park to where I sat in my car with the lights off, trying to stay undetected. Ahead, a mob of partygoers surrounded the warehouse. More arrived, some with passes on their phones, being allowed inside, most not. It didn’t seem to deter them.

Shade had told me how the game created a festival atmosphere. He’d actually used a slightly expanded term. A fuck-fest of people here to watch others dick down. From the whoops and hollers, the party had already started.

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