FORGIVE AND FORGET by Lisa Kennard


It's a busy day at the Beeches surgery. Alex is still in hospital after her operation, so they are a doctor short. The waiting room is full and the staff are struggling to cope with all of the patients following an epidemic of flu.

Will emerges from his room and walks over to where Carol is standing at the reception desk making appointments as more and more patients walk in.

Will: (gestures around the room) I can't believe this.

Carol: I've postponed your meeting at the Youth Centre. They weren't too pleased but I explained that you were needed here.

Will: Thanks Carol.

Will turns to the crowded room and calls his next patient, but a gasp from Carol makes him turn back. She is looking towards the entrance to the Beeches where a figure is standing in the doorway.

Will: (shocked) Oh!

Kerri walks into the reception at that moment and instantly recognises the visitor. A familiar face from her past makes her stop in her tracks, as many different feelings and emotions rush through her body. She can't believe who is standing in front of her.

Kerri: Sam!!

After a short silence, she turns and flees the room. She hears his voice calling after her, but can’t face speaking to him. Not now. Maybe never!

****

Sam is waiting to talk to Kerri, but she is refusing to speak with him. He is waiting in the reception area, but Kerri just keeps on walking past not even acknowledging his gaze. The patients recognise Sam and sit there whispering and wondering if the rumours they have heard are true.

Bridget: (placing a reassuring hand on Sam's shoulder) Give her time Sam.

Sam smiles thanking Bridget for her kindness. At that moment, Tom walks past on is way out of the surgery.

Tom: Right I'm off. See you later!

Bridget: (calling after him) Give my love to Alex!

After Tom has gone, Sam turns back to Bridget.

Sam: (concerned) Is everything ok? I was wondering where Alex was.

Bridget: Tom's just going to pick Alex up from the hospital. (she explains to Sam about everything that has happened)

Sam: Poor Alex! So, she's going to be alright?

Kerri: Well apparently the operation was successful, but they are worried the endometriosis may have caused infertility. I think she gets the final test results today.

Sam: Oh right! Fingers crossed then!
****

At the hospital, Tom has gone to visit Alex. She is propped up in bed and she looks bored.

Tom: Hello sweetheart (he leans across to kiss her, then perches on the side of her bed) How y'feeling?

Alex: I'm sick of the sight of these four walls!

Tom: It won't be much longer now, I promise. (He smiles to reassure her but she still seems down) He’ll be here with your results soon!

Alex: I sort of want to know . . . but I'm dreading it at the same time. What if . . .?

Tom reaches for her hand where it lays on the bed and gives it a squeeze.

Tom: It'll be fine! Then we can think about taking you home.

Alex smiles weakly.

Tom: Everyone at work's really missing you. It's not the same without you there.

Alex: (brightening up a little) Glad to hear it! So, what's been happening?

Tom: Quite a lot actually . . . you'll never believe it when I tell you!

Alex becomes suddenly interested - she had never been one for gossip, but hospitals were very lonely places and she just wanted to be part of something on the outside

Alex: What?

Tom: Oh, I dunno if I should say.

Alex: Go on. C'mon you can't just leave me hanging now!!

Tom teases Alex by not saying anything.

Alex: Tom! (she hits him playfully on the arm) Spill!

Tom: Oh ok! (he takes a deep breath making Alex wait just that little bit longer) . . . . . . . . . Sam's back!

Alex: What! No way! (she pauses a while to let the information sink in) How's Kerri?

Tom: How d'ya think? She's absolutley mortified!

Alex: Christ!

Tom: Yeah, he just turns up at the Beeches - no warning, nothing!

Alex: Poor Kerri!

Tom: Will wasn't too pleased either!

Alex: I can imagine. (she thinks to herself and smiles cheekily) Why do I always miss out on all the fun?

Tom: (playfully returning her earlier jab on the arm) I wouldn't let him hear you say that.

****

At the Beeches, Kerri has gone behind the reception desk to find a patients file. Sam takes his chance to talk with her.

Sam: Kerri, I'm sorry! Please talk to me.

Kerri doesn't say anything.

Sam: How are you? You look well!

Kerri: I’m fine! (feeling bitter) No thanks to you!

There's a silence. Although Kerri is really mad with Sam, she can’t help the way she feels about him. She tried fighting her love for him, but it was stronger than she had realised. When he was away, it was easy to pretend that it wasn’t there, that he had walked out on her. She found herself missing him more now he was back.

Kerri: (softening) How long you staying for?

Sam: For good Kerri. I'm not going anywhere. I was a fool to run away in the first place. It doesn't solve anything. I want to be here, with you Kerri.

Kerri: And you think things can just go back to how they were.

Sam: We could try.

Kerri: I wouldn't be able to trust you.

Sam: It was one mistake ! Doesn't everybody get a second chance?

Kerri doesn't say anything.

Sam: C'mon Kerri - I've missed you!

****

At the hospital: -

Tom is sitting on the bed with Alex, when Dr Faraday appears.

Dr Faraday: Morning Dr Redman, how are we feeling today?

Alex: nervous (she looks uneasily at Tom)

Dr F: Well I do have your results back from the lab.

Dr Faraday pauses while he thinks for the best way to deliver them. Picking up on his momentary silence, Alex's anxious feeling makes her feel sick. She closes her eyes waiting for the feeling to pass. Dr Faraday continues when he sees she is ready.

Dr Faraday: Look, I'll be straight with you Dr Redman . . .

****

Later in a quiet moment at the Beeches: -

Kerri: Sam! What are you doing here?

Sam: I thought you might be pleased to see me?

Kerri: Pleased? You steal money from the Beeches and leave me on my wedding night! While you were gallivanting off around the world, I was here Sam, sorting out your mess! I was here picking up the pieces, explaining to everyone why I wasn’t on my honeymoon! (tears are forming in her eyes and she looks away from Sam)

Sam: I never meant to hurt you Kerri . . . and I only borrowed the money.

Kerri: When you borrow something without asking Sam, it’s called stealing.

Sam: I would have paid it all back.

Kerri: (scoffs) And that makes all the difference.

Sam: Why didn’t you come with me?

Kerri: Because I realised I didn’t really know you! The Sam I knew wouldn’t . . .

Sam: I was desperate . . . I did it for you Kerri.

Kerri: Don’t Sam!

Sam: What?

Kerri: Put all the blame my way. This was NOT my fault!

Sam: That wasn’t what I meant. After the accident . . . I just felt so guilty!

Kerri: The accident wasn’t your fault!

Sam: I wanted to help you! I wanted to make you better! I wanted everything to be alright!

Kerri: Well you can’t have everything you want Sam. (she turns to leave)

Sam: Can I have you?

Kerri stops shocked. She stands in silence, her back still facing Sam.

Sam: I love you Kerri!

Kerri: (scoffs) yeah? (she turns to face him) You lied to me! (she fights the tears that are beginning to fall down her cheeks but she can’t keep them in)

Sam: I didn’t mean to! I’m sorry Kerri! For everything! Please forgive me?

Kerri: I’m not sure I can

Kerri leaves the room, slamming the door behind her. Sam is left standing alone in the middle of the room with Kerri's last words hanging in the air. . .

****

The car came to a halt, but the two occupants did not make any move to get out. Alex sat in silence just looking straight ahead focusing on nothing in particular. She had not spoken all of the way home from the hospital.

Tom: Well, lets see about getting you inside eh?

Alex: You don’t have to pretend Tom!

Tom: (taken aback) huh?

Alex: About how disappointed you are!

Tom: All that matters to me is that you are ok.

Alex: Yeah but for how long. I mean in a couple of years time Tom, will you still be happy? I can’t give you anything…(her voice trembles) I can’t give you what you want.

Tom: (confused) Alex?

Alex gets out of the car slamming the door and heads towards the house. Tom remains seated stunned by Alex’s reaction. He knew she was upset, so was he. The results had not gone the way they had hope, but they still had each other. Or at least they would have if Alex gave them a chance . . .

****

Sam and Will are talking in the meeting room at The Beeches:

Will: So how was Africa?

Sam: It was good! Would have been a lot better if Kerri was there too.

Will: You can't blame her for . . .

Sam: (cutting him off) Yeah I know. . . I screwed up!

Will: You know you could have just asked. If I'd known how bad things were . . .

Sam: Look, it's not something you like to admit. Not even to yourself.

Will: But if you had talked to me I could have helped.

Sam: I'm not one of your patients Will.

Will: I thought we were friends.

Sam: Yeah - I'm sorry. I couldn't see anyway out, couldn't think straight. It just sort of took over I guess. I'll pay it all back.

Will: Hmmmm!

Sam: I just need to get myself some work. I was hoping . . .

Will: (guesses what is coming next) No! Sam I'm sorry but you can't come back here.

Sam: But I need to show Kerri how much she means to me. I need to prove I'm serious about things.

Will: I'm sorry Sam. Even if I wanted too, we're fully staffed.

Sam: Look I heard about Alex . . .she'll be off for a few weeks, right?

Will nods but says nothing.

Sam: Well I saw how busy you've been.

Will: We'll get by!

Sam: (ignoring Will) I could help out. Make things a bit easier for you and Tom. I'm sure he'll want to spend some time with Alex while she's recuperating.

Will: (uncertain) I’m not sure . . .

Sam: Please Will - I'm asking for your help now?? I know I should have earlier, before all of this hassle. But I'm asking for it now!

Will: (long pause) Ok! But you help out as a locum, just till Alex comes back to work, right? If I trust you with this Sam . . .

Will trails off knowing that Sam has got the message. This was his last chance and he couldn't mess up. Sam nods in agreement. He feels like things are beginning to work out. At least working at the Beeches again would give him chance to see Kerri. She might be able to avoid him outside of work, but here she would have no choice. He had to make her believe he was sorry and then they could try and sort things out between them. If he could just get her to understand . . .

****

The next morning Sam arrives at The Beeches surgery to start work. He walks into the reception area and picks up some files to take upstairs to Alex’s consultation room. Kerri, who is already there watches him in shock.

Kerri: What the hell are you doing?

Sam: (matter of factly) working.

Kerri: What?

Sam: I’m helping out till Alex feels up to coming back.

Kerri: But you can’t!

Sam: Why not?

Kerri: because . . . because (she searches for a reason why but doesn’t want to say it)

Sam: because you don’t want me to.

Kerri: That wasn’t what I was going to say.

Sam: Kerri, please just give me a chance. I love you and I think you still love me too.

Kerri scoffs and looks away. Sam decides to leave it for now and walks off up the stairs towards Alex’s room. Kerri watches him go, then slams her folders dpwn on the desk in front of Carol and marches outside. She just needed to get some fresh air, some time and space to clear her head. It had never crossed her mind that he may come back to Cardale and now he was here she couldn’t help feeling so frustrated and confused. Her head was full of conflicting thoughts and jumbled emotions. Was she really still in love with him? Maybe if she just had some time alone to think . . .

****

Kerri felt guilty for walking out of surgery, but she wasn’t about to go back and apologise. She only had a couple of patients to see and they probably would have already gone home again now anyway. She was angry, at Sam for turning up so suddenly and turning things upside down when she had just got them sorted, and with Will, for taking him back on at The Beeches.

Kerri had been walking aimlessly for a while, not really going anywhere in any particular direction. She had been lost in her own little world , when suddenly a voice calling her name brought her back to reality. She looked at the voice, half expecting Sam to have followed her from the surgery.

Kerri: (relieved) Oh, it’s you Tom.

Tom: Yeah, ‘fraid so! You were miles away, everything all right?

Kerri: Yeah fine! (changing the subject) How’s Alex?

Tom: She’s a bit down, I don’t know what to do. She’s not even talking to me.

Kerri: (remembering that they would have received the results) Bad news?

Tom: (nodding) She’s taken it really bad. I’m really worried about her, but she won’t let me near. How are we supposed to sort things out if she keeps pushing me away. I don’t want to lose her Kerri!

Kerri: (moving in to give Tom a hug) Don’t worry . . .it’ll all work out fine!

As Tom hugs her back, Kerri hopes that her last works would also ring true for her, whatever she decided.

****

Kerri and Alex sat opposite each other at Tom’s house. Tom was still out and Kerri had called around to try and talk to Alex.
Kerri: He’s really worried about you y’know?

Alex hangs her head not knowing how to respond.

Kerri: Can’t you just talk to him? Tell him how you are feeling?

Alex: But I don’t even know myself. I’d never really thought about having kids until I met Tom. I get on really well with Joe and I really wanted us to be one big happy family. And . . .(trails off)

Kerri: You can still be a happy family.

Alex: But he wants more children. I know he’ll pretend that it’s ok, but . . . I’m frightened of losing him Kerri. I don’t want him to leave me!

Kerri: Oh Alex! (moves in to hug her) He wants you more that anything! You and Joe are all that matter to him. Trust me Alex – you won’t lose him, unless you don’t stop pushing him away like you have been doing.

Alex: I know – I just can’t help it.

Kerri: I understand . . . some sort of self-defence mechanism huh? If you don’t let them close they won’t hurt you!!

Alex: (smiles) Sounds like your talking from experience?

Kerri: Hmmm! I guess I am . . . but sometimes you’ve just gotta take that chance. A tortoise doesn’t get anywhere unless he sticks his neck out.

Alex: (laughing) huh? Oh wise one!

Kerri: (laughing) Sorry - don’t know where that came from. Look, are you going to be all right if I shoot off. (Alex nods) And promise me you’ll talk to Tom.

Alex: I’ll try!

Kerri leaves Alex feeling slightly different about her situation with Sam. No matter how hard she tried to hate him for what he had done, there was still something deep inside that wouldn’t let her. Deciding to head to The Black Swan where Sam was staying, Kerri pondered whether to take some of her own advice . . .

****

Kerri walked into The Black Swan feeling a lot less confident than she looked. She walked past Will and Kate, who were having a quiet drink together and went straight up to the bar. After checking it was okay to go on up to his room, Kerri climbed the stairs. She paused at the top outside the door, wondering whether to go through with it and actually knock, but before she could decide the door opened.

Sam: (surprised) Kerri!

Kerri: Ermmm . . .Hi!

Sam: Whats’up? Is everything alright?

Kerri: Yep – I just thought perhaps we could y’know talk or soemthing, but if you’re on your way out then . . .

Sam: No, it’s fine. Come in.

He moves aside to let Kerri pass. She enters the room and Sam shuts the door behind her.

****

Tom turned the key in the lock and opened the door. After his talk with Kerri earlier, he had gone for a walk to try and clear his head. Although he was worried about Alex, he had not really felt like going home, frightened that a confrontation may cause even more problems, but eventually he had to give in and go back.

Alex rose from her chair in the living room and rushed to the door when she heard him arrive home.

Alex: (worried) Tom? Where’ve you been?

Tom: I just went for a walk – I thought I’d give you some space.

Alex: This is your house Tom, you don’t need to do that.

Tom: I don’t want it to be ‘my house’ Alex. I want it to be ‘our house’ – I want us to be together all of the time, sharing the same bed every night, waking up with the same alarm clock. Sharing the bathroom, the living room, weeding the same garden.

Alex: (laughing) no, you can weed the garden.

Tom: (in disbelief) you mean you will? You’ll move in with me?

Alex: I don’t know how you put up with me Tom. I treat you so badly. I’m sorry I shut you out, it was just a bit of shock I guess and I was worried that you’ll get bored with me if I couldn’t . . .

Tom: Never! (pulling her in close) Come here you!

Alex relented in his embrace. She nuzzled close in under his neck and he kissed her forehead.

Tom: I am never going to leave you Alex. You got that?

She smiled as he leaned down to kiss her tentatively on the lips. A tingling sensation ran through her body as she gave herself to him properly for the first time. Before she had always tried to hold something back, but now she was his, body and soul.

****

Kerri sat nervously on the edge of Sam’s bed, not really knowing what to say now that she was here.

Sam: do you want a drink?

Kerri: (shaking her head in answer) I . . .I . . .need to know why you cam back? I thought you were gone for good Sam?

Sam: I can’t live without you Kerri. I sooooo wanted you to come with me, so we could start a fresh, but if you’re here, then I guess this is where I should be too.

Kerri: You mean it?

Sam: Kerri, I haven’t slept since I left. You’re are constantly on my mind, I’m wondering if you’re ok, what you are doing, if you are thinking about me???

Kerri: It really hurt you know?

Sam: I’m sorry! If I could re-write history I would. It was a big mistake and I didn’t mean to hurt you. Kerri, (takes her hands in his) I love you! With all my heart!

Kerri blushes.

Sam: Please, is there any way . . . ?

Kerri: I don’t know that I can ever forget what’s happened Sam, or even if I want to.

Sam: . . . but . . .

Kerri: There’s something inside me that won’t let me give up on this. I did marry you, "For better, for worse, For richer, for poorer".

Sam: (finishing the vows they made) "In sickness and in health."

They both laugh nervously, as Sam moves towards her for a kiss. At first she doesn’t respond, but her overwhelming desire to give happiness a chance kicks in and she returns his sweet caress. Murmuring from the pleasure of the moment and overcoming the longing she had tried to keep hidden, Kerri enjoys their intimacy.

After, the couple pull away they sit in silence for a moment.

Kerri: (admits) I have missed you.

Sam: I’ve missed you too. I promise to be entirely honest with you from now on. I’m never going to hurt you again Kerri!

Kerri smiles to herself. She still felt slightly wary about the future, but in her heart she had decided that she wanted to be with Sam. They had to give it a go, or they would never know what could have happened.

Kerri: I guess that tortoise had the right idea.

Sam: (confused by her spoken thought) Huh?

Kerri: Oh nothing!

She smiles at Sam as they dissolve into each other’s arms, entangled on the bed in the room above the pub. The moment was perfect and Kerri felt comfortable with the decision she had made. They lay holding each other, their eyes closed, both determined to give their marriage a second chance and maybe, just maybe, everything would work out all right.

THE END!