RP/S: Confessions of a Deveraux Psychologist

[Nicky]

"Enough that you can go to bed," Patrick replied with a small smile. "I mean it. I am sure they can have a lesson off from Islamic law and I can teach them something about living in a country where English is the main language but it isn't America."
Sian pushed open the door to the staff room. She saw her boyfriend sat there and smiled at him before she went to boil the kettle.
Ali's attention was distracted and she was looking at her rather pale best friend. She pushed back her chair and walked over to stand next to Patrick. "Not too good?" she asked her.

[Rebecca]

"I haven't been feeling too good for a couple of days. Something up with my stomach, I think," Brooke explained to Ali as she approached, "But it's all good. Patrick's going to take my class and teach them about kangaroos and koala bears."
"Hello, Sian," Kyle spoke up, smiling back at his girlfriend, "Have you met Ali yet? She's taking over from Ben."

[Nicky]

"Come with me," Ali told Brooke. "I'll just check everything is OK with you. I am sure that your class will enjoy themselves learning about kangaroos and koala bears."
"I will teach them more than that," Patrick replied with a slight roll of his eyes. "At least they will still have some sort of International Insight lesson."
"I think that I haven't met her yet," Sian said as she sat down next to Kyle and kissed him lightly on the cheek. "I am glad that Ben has gone."

[Rebecca]

"I was kidding. Thanks, Patrick," Brooke said earnestly as she smiled at him, "I'd kiss you but since I just threw up that's probably not a good idea."
She let Ali lead the way and headed out of the staff room with her, just hoping that she was right and this was nothing more than a stomach bug. After everything that had happened recently she wasn't sure she could handle being seriously ill.
"You have to meet her. She's just..." Kyle started before he noticed Ali was walking out of the staff room with Brooke, "Bugger. Never mind, maybe next time. Y'know what? I think I'm kinda glad that Ben's gone, too."

Monday, 2nd July, 2116
"I just can't believe it. It's like I hardly sprained it at all," Kyle remarked to Sian, who was sitting across the table from him as he devoured his lunch, "I've known lots of physios in my time but she has to be one of the best."

[Nicky]

Sian watched as Kyle devoured his food and kept harping on and on about the new physiotherapist. She had only been making vague noises that she had been listening to him. "She has to be the best for where we work," she commented as she sliced part of her stuffed aubergine, trying to pretend to be in a positive mood.

[Rebecca]

"Of course, you're right, but it's still impressive. I hope she sticks around in case I get any other injuries," Kyle added with a smile, "What's the matter, is everything OK? You've been kinda quiet today."

[Nicky]

"I'm fine," Sian said, trying to lie as best she could. She had sat at a table with her boyfriend just for him to go on and on about Ali. She took her glass of wine just to give her something to do instead of have to reply more to Kyle.

[Rebecca]

"Come on, it's not fine. Something's bothering you, tell me what it is," Kyle said gently, reaching across the table for Sian's hand, "Is it something at school? One of the students or something?"

[Nicky]

Sian struggled to find some sort of excuse for why she was in a bad mood that wasn't admitting that all this talk of Ali was getting to her. She thought of what she could say the reason was. "It's...my mother's birthday. Or it would have been," she said quietly.

[Rebecca]

"I'm sorry, Sian. I didn't know," Kyle replied, his smile quickly disappearing as he squeezed on Sian's hand, "Do you want to talk about it? Or we can talk about something else if it would make you feel better."

[Nicky]

"It's OK," Sian said, feeling retched that it she was using her parents like this. "I just don't really talk about it as there isn't really much that can be done about the whole thing." She looked down at the table. "It was a while ago."

[Rebecca]

"I'm really sorry, Sian," Kyle repeated, "I know it's not quite the same thing but I remember what I went through with Julie. Just let me know if there's anything I can do."

[Nicky]

Sian didn't think she was the jealous type but the mention of both Ali and now Kyle's ex-wife were making her think that maybe she was. "I just wanted to come out and have a meal and not think about it," she said quietly.

[Rebecca]

"Then that's what we'll do," Kyle assured Sian with a small smile before he glanced at the menu for the place where they were having lunch, "D'you want to try out one of their smoothies? Ali mentioned this place when I was talking to her and she said they're great."

[Nicky]

Sian's face contorted slightly before she quickly managed to stop herself. "Sure," she said quietly. She reached for the menu and used it to hide behind slightly as she got herself under control. She felt like she was fighting for her boyfriend and they were in perilous state as it was.