Marcie gave a grin at the tousled-haired, platinum blond who rubbed at sky-blue eyes that normally held at least some vague sparkle, but that presently simply reflected bone-weariness.
"I hate nights," came from behind hands which hid a face of delicate bone-structure and beauty most women would be envy.
"I know, Layton, but you'll get in the swing of sleep by day soon." She allowed sympathy to colour her voice. None of the attractive Registrar's patients ever saw the young man this way. To them he was always bright and chatty, cheering most with a few minutes attention over and above the necessary health check. She laughed as Layton's nose wrinkled appreciatively at the smell of coffee, certain he visibly perked at just the aroma of caffeine.
"Here you go, Doctors." A warm, soft voice heralded the arrival of the steaming brew.
"You lifesaver, thanks," Layton said, sliding his hands around the mug, seemingly impervious to its heat. He leant over and inhaled deeply. Even the smell seemed to make him feel a little more vibrant. He sipped at the ambrosia in the mug.
Marcie noticed the smile from the cleaner as Layton's antics were watched with amusement.
"So...any hot dates lined up?" Marcie asked. "Got plans for Valentine's Day?"
"No and no," Layton said, his voice holding a tinge of sadness. "It'll be the first one in two years that I'll be without Blake."
"Blake thought more of spending a year or so in Australia than he did of staying with you, Layton. He's been gone three months now. Do you even hear from him?"
"He e-mailed me to say he'd arrived safely, but nothing since. I sent a couple of messages, but he didn't answer. I thought I meant more. We had almost three years together."
"You want to settle, he wanted to travel. It's sad, but it happens, Lay," Marcie said softly. "You have to let it go and move on. There are some very nice guys here, once you get to know them. You've not been here that long."
"Long enough for a few of those 'nice guys' to proposition me," Layton huffed. "The ones I've been chatted up by seem just interested in a quick romp. I'm not a kid any more. I'm not interested in bed-hopping." He ran his hand through the platinum-blond hair, making himself look boyish in direct contradiction to his words.
"You breeze round the wards like a breath of fresh air," Marcie grinned. "All blond hair and blue eyes. You just need someone to look beneath the surface. See the 'real' you. I think half the hospital, irrespective of marital status or sexual preferences are in love with you," she teased.
"In lust more like," Layton grinned back, trying to regain his usually irrepressible sense of humour. "Even an original chat-up line would be appreciated," he added.
"Any other standing orders?" Marcie joked. "Height, hair colour? Maybe we should create Layton's ideal man."
"It's not what's outside that counts," Layton laughed. "Tall, dark and handsome or short, blond and bookish, it's the person inside that's important."
"You're as entitled as anybody else to find the right one for you, Lay," Marcie said, patting Layton's hand. She glanced at her watch and grimaced. "Up and at 'em, Dr Jones. Your adoring public await." She went to pick up the mugs, but a soft voice stopped her.
"I'll take care of those, Doctors," the cleaner smiled.
"Thanks, man," Layton smiled, adding a careless wave as he left the staff room. Marcie followed and added her own thanks.
"You're welcome," the cleaner nodded, as they vanished from sight.
****
Two nights later, a sealed flower box was waiting on the staff room table, ornately wrapped and with a hand-written card in copper-plate addressed to Layton. He elbowed jokingly at Marcie who was crowding at his shoulder to see. The box contained two individual flowers and another hand-written card.
"'My first is in rose and also in thorn. My second is in iris but not in eye'. A puzzle," Layton enthused
"How exciting," Marcie exclaimed. "Any idea who it could be from?" Her question came as two mugs of steaming coffee arrived.
"There is a Consultant who's been chatty today," Layton mused. "But I'm fairly certain he's straight ... and married," he added thoughtfully, sipping at the pungent drink. "There's also that tall, dark House Officer, but he doesn't strike me as the romantic type. He seems to undress me with his eyes whenever he sees me."
The banter was traded back and forth without any conclusion being reached. However, the sparkle was back full-force in Layton's eyes and he gave the cleaner a cheery wave as he resumed his duties.
****
The next night saw more of the same; an ornately decorated flower box, sealed and waiting for Layton's eager hands was on the table.
"'My third is in carnation, but not in button-hole. My fourth is in orchid but not in flower'." Layton gave Marcie a blinding grin.
"Any ideas yet?" Marcie demanded, admiring the two beautiful flowers.
"Nope, but you wouldn't believe it; I've been asked out twice," Layton laughed.
"That's because the other doctors...and nurses... are taking more notice of bright and beautiful Layton," Marcie laughed. "So what's your plan?"
"I fully intend to unravel the mystery," Layton said, picking up the drink that simply appeared in front of his hands. "It's the very least I can do given the imagination and effort this person's gone into. It's the most unique request for a date I've ever had." His smile lit up the room.
****
"'My fifth is in daffodil and also in Wales. My sixth is in aster but not in bloom'. There can't be many more letters now," Layton enthused.
"So where's the pansy then?" A loud, brash voice grated on both Layton and Marcie's ears.
Layton immediately closed over his box, tucking the card away safely for further consideration and picked up his drink.
"Milk, two sugars for mine," the brash voice continued. Its owner, a dark-haired, well-built but running-to-fat, male flopped next to Marcie and leered at her.
"What do you want, William?" Marcie asked, exasperation evident in her voice. "You don't normally hang out here."
"I heard that Blondie here was getting pretty flowers. Some big mystery over who's sending them. I just came to look at the pansy,"
His leer made Layton shudder internally as the blond sought not to let the other man visibly disconcert him.
