We ran into Liz and Claire as we were arriving the next morning. "Hi, you two."
Liz smiled. "Hiya. How did it go yesterday? What ward did you get?"
"Male surgical," Alice supplied, and Claire chuckled. "Some people have all the luck. We drew gynae, which is... interesting, but -"
"But we'd much rather have a bunch of dishy guys who are maybe feeling a bit lonely, vulnerable, just begging for the company of friendly nurses," Liz finished the sentence for her.
"I hear you," I laughed. "Shall we see what Matron has for us?"
The lectures today moved on to nursing techniques, and I rapidly scribbled notes. "Any questions?" Ms Baines asked in conclusion.
I raised my hand, trying not to feel self-conscious. "What's the specialty you most like?"
She looked mildly surprised. "Actually, Ms Oakes, I spent a large part of my career in post-op, what's now your Ward 97. It can sometimes be a little more dramatic than I think you and Ms Hannigan found it yesterday."
"Wow," whispered Alice. "Has she really been round and checked how we all got on, and she can remember where everyone is?"
"Wouldn't surprise me," I agreed.
The afternoon was easier this time - the patient who'd been rude to Alice had obviously been discharged - and when Tim picked us up, we were talking animatedly about what we'd learned. "Hi, you two," he grinned. "All OK?"
"Mmhm."
"And how was your pet patient?" Tim queried, raising one eyebrow.
"Phil? Oh, he's a sweetie. He's going home tomorrow, so he got us a thank-you card even though we've not really done much for his treatment."
"I think you did a lot for his morale, anyway," chuckled Tim.
We reached the flat, and as I opened the door an appetising aroma floated down the stairs. "Is that...?"
"Yep," Tim grinned. "I didn't think you'd want to wait till Sunday, so I've done a roast, all the trimmings. I just need to steam the veg, put the Yorkshires in, make the gravy. So, twenty minutes?"
"Just time for us to take a shower," I nudged Alice.
"Don't get too wrapped up in one another," teased Tim.
"We'll wait till after dinner," I promised.
Despite our best intentions, Alice and I did get a little distracted as we helped one another wash, and Tim was sliding heaped plates onto the table as we arrived in the kitchen, dripping and giggling breathlessly. "This is new," Tim chuckled. "Two gorgeous young women, naked as the day they were born and soaking wet, and apparently all I can think of is that the gravy will make my Yorkshire puddings soggy."
"Is that some kind of euphemism?" Alice wondered aloud.
"Just eat your greens," I laughed.
The meal lived up to its promise, and Tim brought bowls of chocolate ice cream for dessert. "You're really spoiling us," smiled Alice. "Is there any more of that ice cream?"
"Greedy," he teased. "I gave you two scoops."
I shook my head. "He doesn't get it, Alice."
"Don't worry - I'll find it when we need it."
Tim looked mystified, then shook his head, smiling. "Whatever you two are up to, I'm sure it'll be fun, so - lounge, or...?"
"Bedroom, definitely," I nodded. "Oh, and we'll do the dishes later, it's only fair."
We walked through to the bedroom, and Tim laid back on the bed. "OK here?"
"Mmhm." I joined him, resting my head on his shoulder, my breasts pressed against his chest, and Alice did the same on his other side. I reached across to rest my hand lightly on her bottom, and she turned to smile at me. "Mm, nice."
Despite our teasing, I felt my eyelids beginning to droop, and the last thing I remember was Tim's fingers stroking my hair softly, then a kiss. "Goodnight, sleepyheads..."
It was early morning when I opened my eyes again, and Tim stirred. "You feeling rested?"
"Mmhm. Halfway through the week now, anyway."
My fingers were still resting on Alice's soft skin, and I felt her move. "Mmf. Time to get up already?"
"More or less. Shower with me?"
A hot shower woke us both up, and Tim had bacon sandwiches ready for us. "Got to send the troops into battle well fed," he grinned.
When we got to the ward later that day, Dr Patel was waiting for us. "Ah, Alpha and Bravo. I hear you're on nights next week, so you'll have the pleasure of my company on call should anything happen."
Alice glanced at me. "How does that work with class?"
"No class next week," the doctor nodded. "Everyone's on nights. But you're still expected to do some reading."
"We can catch up on that dictionary," I chuckled. "And Tim will just have to tiptoe around while you're asleep."
I caught Alice's wink, and flashed my eyebrows at her. "That also means we have Monday free until our shift starts, right? Maybe Tim'll take us shopping or something."
"Mmhm."
When we got back to the flat, we explained to Tim about our shifts. "Do you want me to make up the bed in the spare room?" he queried.
I shook my head, grinning. "We'll have had all night to let our imaginations run away with us - it can't be that busy on our ward, right? - while you've been sleeping, so when we come in, we wake you the best way."
"Then we kick you out of bed so we can sleep," Alice added.
Tim chuckled. "Sounds like you've got this all worked out."