Page 8 of Deep Down
“Because your face lit up when you were studying them.” He came towards Craig, indicating that his patient should give him the sling.
Craig passed it to him, unable to hide the wince when he used his injured arm to do it.
“Would you like some pain relief? I have some in my bag which I can administer.”
“No!” He calmed his voice before continuing, “I took some before you came.”
The doctor stared at him for a short time and nodded. “Okay, let’s get this put on. Can you sit for me, please?” Dr Wick untangled the sling as Craig sat back on the sofa and attached it in place, securing Craig’s arm to his body. “Can I take you out for a coffee? You can rest your arm for a while?”
“No. Um, no, thank you. I have a great deal of work to get on with.” Craig’s heart was in his throat. “I have people waiting for me. But thank you for the offer, Dr Wick.”
“Alex, please. What is it you do?” Dr Wick—Alex—sat next to Craig and packed up his bag.
“Um…I’m a website designer.”
“Sounds artistic. Not my forte. How long have you been doing that for?”
Tension released from his body; Craig enjoyed talking about his work. “Around six or seven years. I can never remember exactly what year I started.”
Alex smiled. “You must be good to still be in business. You should redesign the hospital website…that thing is in dire need of a refreshing overhaul.” The tinkling sound of laughter was unusual in the space they were in.
Craig could do nothing more than return the smile. “If it’s not been updated in the past year, yes, it definitely could. Many things change so often that websites get outdated easily and quickly if it’s not being kept on top of.”
“I’ll pass your name across to the team. I bet you could do wonders for it.”
“How long have you been a doctor?” Craig tilted his head. Alex couldn’t be more than thirty.
“Around four years now. I had planned to go into GP practice, but once I did my stint in the wards, that was it, I’d found my calling.” Alex smiled again. “It’s fast-paced for the majority; therefore, the time flies, and before you know it, your shift is over.” He focused on his hands. “Unfortunately, it’s not all good.”
Craig felt for him. He could imagine some of the things Alex had to deal with; he bet it wasn’t pretty. “A ward doctor? I thought you worked in A&E?”
“No. I cover in there when they need someone, but I work on the wards usually.” Alex glanced up at him.
Craig aimed his face away, not wanting to see the expression on Alex’s face and caught sight of the clock. “Oh my god!” he gushed, standing from the sofa. “Have you seen the time? I have to get back to work!”
“Woah, calm down.” Alex stood, holding his hands out in front of him in a calming gesture. “It’s not been long. I’m sure you can catch up. You need a break every now and then.”
“I’m sorry. I do have to get back to work.” Craig couldn’t believe he’d been talking to Alex—Dr Wick—for so long. He’d been signed out of his work for too long; he was going to have to think of a reason to tell Darren. The truth wouldn’t work for the same reason he had not told Darren about the questions Alex had asked at the hospital two days prior.
“Alright. I’ll go. Can I ask…” Alex waited until Craig nodded slowly. “Are you being abused?”
Craig sighed. “No. Why do you keep asking me that?” Craig waved his free hand. “Never mind. I honestly have to get back to work now.” He marched towards the front door, not bothering to check if Alex followed. “Thank you for checking on me. I appreciate it.” He opened the door and stood, waiting for Alex to leave.
“Okay. Please come back to the hospital if anything happens.” He paused. “To your shoulder. Or anything.” He sounded unsure but stepped out the door. “Bye, Craig.”
Craig closed the door quietly and stood resting against it for a second, trying to get his bearings. Fuck, what was he going to tell Darren? He trailed towards his office, thinking of the different things he could use as an excuse. Instincts were screaming at him not to tell the truth about Alex—Dr Wick, he had to remember to call him Dr Wick—because it would most likely get Alex into trouble. He was sure hospital doctors didn’t usually make house calls, especially when they were not requested by the patients or at least discussed with them first.
Sitting heavily in his chair, he rested his head in his good hand before sighing and logging back onto his computer. Eyeing the time, he’d been logged out for an hour and ten minutes. It was a long time to have to explain away.
Craig got lost in his designs. He struggled with his sling on, but he didn’t want to take it off yet. He worked through his lunch, trying to make up for the lost time.
When four o’clock came around, he was tempted to continue working, no closer to figuring out an excuse why he had spent the time away from his computer but knew he had to cook dinner for Darren’s return.
Heading for the kitchen, he washed his hands and pulled out the ingredients for homemade lasagne and chips. He had made it many times now, and everything seemed an automatic gesture instead of Craig having to think about it, which meant he had more time to think through what he was going to say to Darren. No matter what he thought of, it would end up creating an argument. He was now essentially choosing between which one would provoke the least amount of reaction.
Darren entered as he was plating the side salad. He walked over to Craig and placed a kiss on his cheek, before slapping his ass and heading towards the bedroom.
“I’m going to get changed,” Darren threw over his shoulder as he wandered away.
Craig finished dividing and plating the lasagne and chips, placing the plates on the table. Darren came back, appearing more relaxed in joggers and a sweatshirt with the sleeves rolled up.
“Looks delicious.” He sat and started eating. “Anything happen today that I need to know about?”
Craig’s heart rate rose dramatically, and heat flushed his face. “No, nothing special,” he heard himself say, and he stared at his plate, fiddling with his food. He was starving but didn’t want to let on that he was. It would elicit more questions if Darren asked why he was hungry. Craig had no idea why he’d not voiced an excuse because there would be over an hour of lost working time when Darren checked later in the week. Nothing he could do about it now. If he went back and said, “Oh, actually…” Darren would know Craig had lied. He’d made his bed, now he had to lie in it and deal with whatever consequences happened on Saturday.
“Good. Love days when everything goes to plan, don’t you, babe?” Darren smiled at him, the expression on his face made him appear younger and meeker.
Craig nodded slowly, smiling in return. He was in deep shit.
