Alexa wasn’t sure what to say and simply laughed.

 ‘Oh don’t lie Harry you enjoy these things just so you can grumble about everyone here.  In fact you two have medicine in common, Alexa’s just about to qualify in England and it’s possible she could be looking for an internship here,’ said Helena.

‘Is that right Alexa?’ he asked her directly.

Alexa felt a little uncomfortable.  ‘Actually right now we’re just looking at options.  I have a position lined up in England for next year, it may well not be feasible for me to relocate I expect all the intern programmes for next year here have already been filled.’

‘Well it’s true the formal deadline has passed,’ he agreed.  ‘You plan to take the conversion exams?’

‘Yes she does and she’ll have no problem, she placed second in her graduating class,’ pressed Helena.  ‘Tell me Harry does that deadline apply to friends and those with their names on the paediatric wing.’

‘Helena!’ gasped Alexa.

‘What?’

‘Well you can’t just..I mean your friend can’t be expected to just bend the rules for me like that.’

‘I’m not asking him to bend the rules I’m asking him to give you a job,’ smirked Helena.

Alexa felt a tap on her shoulder, interrupting the moment.  She turned to find Bette and Tina behind her.  ‘Alexa, sorry to interrupt but we had to come over, you look amazing,’ said Tina nicely.  Alexa hugged them each warmly, glad for the interruption and familiar faces.  ‘Excuse me for a moment, we’ll speak more about this later,’ said Harry and left them to it.

‘I wouldn’t be surprised if we had a job sorted for you by the end of tonight,’ said Helena.

‘Helena I can’t believe you just did that!’

‘What?’ asked Helena, ‘We’ve funded so much of his research, he knows he owes me.’

Alexa felt annoyance rising.  ‘I’ve got to get some air,’ she said and headed away from them towards the balcony.

‘Alexa wait,’ said Helena but Tina held her back.  ‘Let me go, leave her to cool off for a minute.’ she suggested.

 ‘Fine,’ sulked Helena.  ‘But I’ll be out in a minute, I was only trying to help her out.’

Tina walked outside to find Alexa sitting alone on an empty seat on the small terrace.