‘BEHIND CLOSED DOORS’
By Lisa Kennard
It’s Alex’s first day back at work after her operation. She is eager to get back into a normal routine and has really missed all of her patients. Taking a deep breath, she opens the door of the Beeches and goes in . . .
Kerri: (surprised to see her) Alex!
Bridget: It’s so good to have you back.
Carol: How are you feeling?
Alex: (overcome by all the attention) I’m fine thanks and it’s good to be back. (Gives them all a hug in turn) I’ve missed you guys!
Will comes out of his office.
Will: Oh Alex, (kisses her on the cheek) everything ok?
Alex: (smiling) Thanks Will, everything’s fine!
Tom enters behind Alex.
Kerri: So do you both have something to tell us?
Alex and Tom: (trying to look confused) Huh?
Alex breaks out into a smile and waves her hand in front of everyone. On her finger is a diamond ring.
Bridget: Oh my god . . .It’s beautiful!
Kerri: That’s wonderful!
Carol: Great news!
Tom: She said yes. I am the happiest man alive.
Will: (shaking Tom’s hand) Congratulations! We’re very happy for you both.
****
Alex is in her office, leaning over some paperwork. There is a knock at the door and Tom enters.
Alex: (looking up) Hello handsome.
Tom: Hello yourself . . .you busy?
Alex: Erm, (looks down at the work in front of her) No! (She pushes it away) It can wait!
Tom: (perches on the edge of her desk) I’ve missed you.
Alex: God Tom! I’ve only been in here five minutes. I haven’t even seen my first patient yet.
Tom: I know . . .but . . .You fancy a meal at the Black Swan tonight?
Alex: Well, if it means I get out of the cooking. I’ve got to pop home after work though and get a change of clothes – I’m fed up with the ones I’ve got at your place. Just need a change.
Tom: Sure . . .I’ll drive you!
Alex: Ok . . .Now Mrs Newton is probably having kittens out there. (Alex nods towards the door)
Tom: Oh yeah (getting up from the edge of her desk he leans over to kiss her) See you later.
Tom leaves the room and Alex is left smiling as she waits for her first patient of the day.
****
Alex turns the key in her front door and lets her and Tom in. It has been a few weeks since she has been there as she has been staying with Tom since her operation.
Alex: Feels strange!
Tom: What do you mean?
Alex: I dunno . . . just empty!
They move upstairs to get some more clothes from Alex’s bedroom and when they have finished they leave. They have not noticed the red light flashing away on the answer machine.
****
In York, Alex’s dad, Peter, is trying to get through to his daughter. He dials her number again . . .but he still only gets the answerphone.
Alex: (recorded message on answerphone) Hi, this is Dr Alex Redman. Sorry I’m unable to take your call at the moment, but if you leave your name and number after the beep, I’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Thankyou!
The beep sounds.
Peter: Alex? It’s dad. I’ve been trying to reach you for ages . . . look when you get this message can you phone me back. . . It’s important! Love you!
He hangs up the phone feeling dejected, then reaches for the phonebook. Rifling through the pages, he looks for the number of the Beeches surgery.
****
In the pub that evening, Alex and Tom are having a romantic meal. They hold hands across the table until their main course is brought over to them.
Alex: (as food is placed in front of her) Thanks! Mmmm! Looks yum! (She licks her lips as she picks up her knife and fork)
Tom: Yeah . . .delicious!
Alex: I get the feeling we’re being watched. (She gestures to everyone else in the pub – Alice is standing by the bar and she is talking to Will and Kate, who have just entered.)
Tom: They’re happy for us . . .(he turns back to Alex). You are happy aren’t you?
Alex: (unconvincingly) Yes!
Tom: Alex?
Alex: (more convincingly) Yes Tom . . .I’m very happy!
Tom was slightly worried about Alex. He knew something was bothering her and he had a pretty good idea what it was.
Tom: It doesn’t matter to me you know.
Alex: What’s that?
Tom: Kids . . . I don’t want you to think that . . .
Alex: Tom . . . can we just eat our dinner and forget about this?
Tom: But . . .
Alex: Look, everything’s fine . . . we’ve got Joe! (she puts her knife and
fork down on the plate and looks at him) I love you – I’m very happy!
Tom was far from convinced but decided to let the matter drop. They continued to eat their food and the conversation was forgotten about.
****
The next day at the Beeches, Alex and Tom turn up for work. Carol is already there.
Carol: Oh Alex, there was a phone call for you . . .your dad . . . apparently he tried to ring last night as well. Sounds quite important!
Alex: Right! Did he say what it was about?
Carol: No, just that he was having a problem getting hold of you. Said he’d tried you at home, but I guess you haven’t been there much lately (she smiles cheekily).
Alex: (blushes slightly) Ok, thanks! I’ll give him a call. (She turns to go upstairs to her room)
Carol: (calling after her) Oh Alex! . . . Before you go . . . There’s a girl over there, she’s been here since first thing. Says she wants to see a female doctor.
Alex: Ok, (Looks over to where a girl of about eighteen is sitting) I’ll see her now . . .what’s her name?
Carol: Rachel Hughes.
Alex led the girl upstairs to her office and shut the door. She lowered herself into her chair opposite the girl, who remained standing.
Alex: Hello, I’m Dr Alex Redman, how can I help you?
The girl stood silent watching Alex.
Alex: (worried) Is everything all right?
Rachel: You don’t know me do you?
Alex: (confused) No, I don’t think so . . .should I?
Rachel: I’m . . .
****
Alex was speechless. She was finding it hard to take it all in.
Alex: Daughter? (stuttering) But . . .no . . . I mean, how did you find me?
Rachel: (nervous) They gave me your address in York . . .I met your Dad . . . seems like a nice guy.
Alex: Oh . . .
Rachel: And he told me where to find you . . .I don’t think he really wanted too. . . I sort of got a bit emotional . . .I think he felt sorry for me.
Alex: And you came . . .
Rachel: Of course I did. I wanted to meet you . . .wanted to find out a few things . . .
Alex: (taking a deep breath) Right!
Rachel: I’m sorry to have surprised you like this!
Alex smiled slightly. She certainly hadn’t been expecting anything like this.
****
With Rachel following close behind, Alex makes her way down the stairs to reception where Carol is talking to Tom.
Alex: I’ve gotta go . . .Tom can you take my patients?
Tom: (slightly worried) Yeah sure! When will you be back?
Alex: I don’t know.
Tom: (calling after her as she heads out of the door) Alex . . .where you going?
Alex didn’t answer. She led Rachel out into the car park.
Alex: (pausing to get her car keys out of her bag) Where do you want to go? My place?
Rachel: Maybe we could just go for a walk.
Alex: (putting the car keys back into her bag) Right!
The two set off on foot. Tom, who has followed them out of the Beeches, watches them go. He is confused, but can do nothing but wait until they get back to find out what is going on. He turns around and goes back inside.
****
Alex: So . . .
Rachel: So . . . I guess I want to know everything!
Alex: (thinks for a moment) I . . . I’m . . . I am sorry!
Rachel: Yeah?
Alex: I sort of went off the rails a bit . . . lost control for a while.
Rachel: Why?
Alex: My mother . . . well she died . . . and it sort of affected me a little. I was young and . . . well . . . it . . . ‘you’ . . . weren’t planned.
Rachel: Right! (feeling slightly put out) So that’s why . . .you gave me away?
Alex: It was for the best Rachel . . . at the time anyway.
Rachel: Did you ever think of looking for me?
Alex: (feeling guilty) Umm . . . No . . .I sort of put it out of mind. I had to . . . It was the only way I . . .
Rachel: (suddenly getting angry) Well I’m sorry I turned up and reminded you.
Rachel sets off at a faster pace leaving Alex lagging behind.
Alex: Rachel? Wait?
As they near the Beeches again, Rachel eventually slows down to wait for Alex.
Rachel: (she gestures towards the surgery) Do any of them know?
Alex: No . . . they don’t!
Rachel: (turning to hurry towards the door) Right!
Alex: (grabbing hold of Rachel’s arm) No . . .please! Let me . . . I know your angry with me, but do they need to know?
Rachel: (whirling back at Alex) Your not ashamed of me are you?
Rachel’s arm hits Alex in the stomach as she lashes out. Alex clutches her arms around her body and cries out in pain.
Rachel: What? (getting worried) What’s the matter? What’s wrong? I’ll get help! ( She runs into the Beeches to raise the alarm).
Alex felt like the air was being crushed out of her. Her body ached as she gasped for each
breath. Out of the corner of her eye she sees Tom running towards her.
Alex: (finding it hard to speak) Tom!
Alex could feel herself falling . . .
Tom: (rushing towards her) Alex?
That was the last thing Alex heard before the world went black.
****
Alex is lying on the bed in Will’s room. Will is examining her as Tom stands back watching.
Will: (Holding his hand up in front of her face) How many fingers?
Alex: (slightly sluggish) What?
Will: Your head took quite a bump . . .how many fingers?
Alex: (answers correctly) Three.
Will: Right . . . now is your stomach pain feeling any better?
Alex: (Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, she sits up) Yeah . . . it’s ok! Thanks!
Will: Look Alex, what happened out there? . . . What’s going on?
Alex: Nothing!
Tom: Did she hit you Alex? Who is she?
Alex: Tom! (She pauses while she thinks) Where is she?
Will: She’s with Kerri, she’s a bit shaken up.
Alex: What’s she said?
Tom: She’s not said anything Alex! That’s the problem!
Will: (trying to calm the situation) Why don’t you take Alex home? (Turning back to Alex) You need to get some rest!
Alex nods.
Will: Good . . .now take it easy . . . you’ve just had an operation Alex, you’ve got to look after yourself.
****
At Tom’s house, Alex is sitting on the sofa and Tom is fussing around her.
Alex: Tom, I’m fine.
Tom doesn’t stop what he is doing.
Alex: (raising her voice slightly) Tom . . . I need to talk to you!
Tom eventually listens. He sits down on the chair opposite her.
Tom: (worried) What’s the matter? Is everything ok?
Alex: That girl, Tom, I need to tell you about her . . .her name’s Rachel . . .and . . . I should have said something to you earlier. You’re not going to like this!
Tom: Alex . . . it’s all right. Just tell me.
Alex: (blurts it out) She’s my daughter!
There is an awkward silence. Tom doesn’t say anything for a long time and it is Alex that speaks first.
Alex: Tom? Say something?
Tom: It’s just a bit of a shock. I wasn’t expecting . . .
Alex: It all happened a long time ago. I wouldn’t have made a very good mother . . . it was a mistake. (Tears are forming in her eyes) I never told anyone . . .only my dad knew and . . . I’m sorry . . . (sobbing) Tom . . .I don’t want to lose you.
Tom: (he reaches out for her hand) You won’t!
Alex: You promise?
Tom: Cross my heart . . .I love you Alex. Don’t ever forget that!
Alex: I love you too.
Tom moves over to where Alex is sitting to comfort her. Alex cries as they hug. It is a relief to have finally told someone about her past.
****
At the Beeches the next morning, Carol and Tom are discussing appointments for some of his patients. Will goes over to join them, followed by Kate who has been in his office with him. Kerri and Bridget are also standing close by. They all look towards the door when someone enters . . . it’s Rachel.
Rachel: Hello . . . Is it possible to speak to Dr Redman please?
Will: I don’t know about that . . .
Tom: (interrupting) Will! Look why don’t you take a seat and I’ll go and see if she want’s to talk to you, ok?
Alex is on her way down the stairs at the Beeches and overhears the conversation.
Alex: It’s all right Tom.
They all turn to look at Alex. The girl walks a little closer.
Rachel: I just wanted to make sure you were ok. You know, after yesterday . . .I didn’t mean . . .
Alex: (smiles at her) Yeah, I know. I’m fine!
The others in the room all look on intrigued. They still don’t know what’s going on apart from Tom.
Alex: (addressing the room) Look everyone, I’d like you all to meet Rachel . . . she’s my daughter!
There were a couple of gasps and a shocked silence. Even Rachel was not expecting the announcement.
Alex: (taking a deep breath) There . . .I’m glad that’s all out in the open.
Kerri: (extends her hand to shake Rachel’s) Nice to meet you Rachel!
The others follow suit. Alex suggests that her and Rachel go upstairs to talk, leaving the others in the reception area.
Carol: Well she kept that quiet! I never knew . . .
Will: (looking at Tom) Did you know?
Tom: She told me last night. Look, Alex could really do with your support right now!
****
Alex and Rachel are talking up in her room. They are sitting opposite each other at the desk. They have been talking for a while and have enjoyed getting to know each other.
Rachel: I’ve also come to say goodbye.
Alex: What? Why?
Rachel: Uni starts again on Monday.
Alex: Oh, you’re at University. What are you reading?
Rachel: (smiles) I’m hoping to become a doctor.
Alex: (surprised and happy) Really? That’s great! So, you’re going . . . You’ll keep in touch though?
Rachel: If that’s ok?
Alex: Of course it is. (thinks quietly to herself for a moment) Look, you know Tom and I are getting married soon. . . well I’d really like it if you were there?
Rachel: I wouldn’t want to intrude on your big day.
Alex: You wouldn’t be.
Rachel: (smiles, but sounds unsure) We’ll see!
****
A few months later at the church, Alex and Tom are getting married. The whole of Cardale has turned out to see them. Alex holds onto her father’s arm as she walks down the aisle. She searches the congregation for Rachel, but she can’t see her. Slightly downhearted she continues towards where Tom is standing, when she suddenly sees her sitting near the front of the church. Alex couldn’t be happier and the wedding ceremony passes in a blur of happiness.
Vicar: Do you Alexandra June Redman take Thomas Phillip Deneley to be your lawful wedded husband?
Alex: I do!
Vicar: I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride.
Alex and Tom kiss as the crowd watch on. Alice is crying and she wipes her tears on her hanky. Leanne is also emotional as she stands at the front holding Joe.
****
Everyone is enjoying the reception, which is being held in a big hall in Cardale. Alex sees Rachel slip outside for some fresh air and she follows her. They stand for a while in each other’s company and say nothing. Then Alex breaks the silence. . .
Alex: I’m glad you came.
Rachel: Thanks for inviting me.
Alex: (thinks for a moment) I’m glad you found me!
Rachel: Me too!
They both really mean it and they share a hug. Tom has emerged from the hall where the wedding reception is being held, holding Joe. He sees the two share an intimate moment and stands back not wanting to interrupt. Alex sees them and motions for them to come over and join them.
Alex: (laughing) Come here you.
Tom and Joe walk over to join Alex and Rachel. The evening is drawing in and the group are standing against a background of partying people, balloons and streamers. Music is booming from the hall where the party is in full swing. Outside in the relative peace and quiet, Alex, Tom, Rachel and Joe share a happy family moment.
****
Later that night in a hotel room, Alex and Tom are alone.
Tom: Thank you for such a lovely day.
Alex: It was great wasn’t it? Everyone really enjoyed themselves. And I’m glad Rachel came.
Tom: She’s a lot like you, you know?
Alex: (smiling) Is she?
Tom nods
Alex: I’ve realised something today . . .I’ve finally come to terms with things. Since Rachel was born, I sort of always wanted another child one day . . .to . . . I don’t know . . . to make up for giving her away I guess. When they told me I couldn’t . . . I was devastated.
Tom reaches out for her hand as she remembers what happened after her operation.
Alex: But . . .now . . .I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. I have a proper family. I love Joe like he’s my own and now I have Rachel back too. I know it will all take a bit of time, but I feel like she’s filled a hole that I didn’t even know was there. . . (her sentence trails off)
Alex smiles to herself as she lifts her head to meet Tom’s.
Alex: And you (She pauses to look deep into his eyes) I’m so lucky to have you!
Tom: (smiling back at her) Likewise Mrs Deneley.
They both move slowly closer to each other, their lips meeting. The kiss is passionate and long. They finally break away, but continue to hug.
Tom: We are lucky to have each other!
The End!