Chapter Text
“Fuck.” Exclaimed Serena Campbell, noted vascular surgeon and head of AAU. “It was not supposed to snow this week.”
Her colleague, equally-noted Trauma Surgeon Berenice Wolfe raised an eyebrow. “Come on, now Serena. Doesn’t it look very Christmassy? And besides, we’re almost at the venue.”
Serena puffed her cheeks out and sighed. “Fine, but I still maintain that the week before Christmas is an idiotic time to send both of us to a two day conference.”
Bernie laughed at this. “You’ll get no argument from me on that. Whose idea was this, anyway… I must remember to send them a Christmas card.”
Serena snorted with laughter, even as she was leaning forward to see better through the snow, suddenly glad they had opted to take her car rather than Bernie’s sporty little number. It had been some time since she had driven in snow and she wasn’t the world’s greatest fan of it- she couldn’t imagine being a passenger in Bernie’s coupé in this weather. She glanced over at Bernie, who seemed to be enjoying the sight of the snow. Serena supposed it had been some time since she’d had a Christmas at home, let alone a white one. Serena smiled softly at the child-like wonder on Bernie’s face.
“I think this is our junction,” exclaimed Bernie a few minutes later, pointing at a sign looming out of the near blizzard conditions. Serena nodded her agreement and glanced at her sat-nav which agreed with Bernie.
Coming off the A1 felt like a gamble. At least one of the country’s major roads was gritted and remained reasonably clear. This B road they found themselves on was significantly less clear, and Serena tried to ignore the slipping of her tyres on the asphalt.
“I must say, I’m extremely glad that we’re only about half a mile away now” Serena gritted out. “This driving conditions are something else…!”
“Mmm, I haven’t seen snow like this in ages,” agreed Bernie. “I always forget that it looks like much more fun than it actually is when you have stuff to be getting on with. Oh, but look- there’s a sign for the venue.”
“Thank god for that!” Exclaimed Serena, glad that the long driveway to the hotel had at least been gritted and cleared, though with the rate the snow was now coming down, she wasn’t sure how long that would make a difference for.
On the margins of the long sweeping driveway, the snow glittered like mica in the car’s headlight beams, and Serena had to admit it was rather lovely. The lights of the hotel and conference venue came into view and an almost palpable sense of relief fell over both of them.
“Let’s just go and check in first, and then we can get our bags,”Serena said, winding her scarf around her neck and stepping out into the snow.
“Good idea,” she heard Bernie call after her, but she was already halfway up the steps to the main door.
Bernie jogged to catch up, bursting through the front door, but she bumped into the back of Serena who was standing in the middle of the entryway. She reached out and put a hand on Serena’s shoulder to steady them both, the brunette looking up with a concerned look on her face.
“What’s wrong?” asked Bernie, her had still on Serena’s shoulder.
“I have a funny feeling, Bernie…”
Bernie furrowed her brow. Serena wasn’t making any sense.
“I mean, look around us- do you see any other delegates? Or anyone else at all for that matter. There were no other cars in the car park either…” Serena trailed off as Bernie’s eye’s grew wide.
“Oh.”
“Oh indeed,” echoed Serena.
“I guess we ought to find out what is going on, hadn’t we,” Bernie said marching up to the front desk. She tapped the bell for service and leaned an elbow on the counter.
Serena couldn’t help but notice how pretty Bernie looked in her tight black jeans, crisp white shirt and grey jumper. She shoved that thought right down, it had been a number of months since their kiss and subsequent agreement to keep everything in the friend zone, and Serena reminded herself for the hundredth time that that was absolutely the right decision.
As if she sensed Serena thinking about her, Bernie turned, still leaning on the counter and gave Serena the sort of smile that brightened up any room, any situation. Serena felt her traitorous cheeks blushing as she returned Bernie’s smile.
After what felt like an age, someone appeared behind the counter, looking harried. The young woman, whose badge stated that she was the manager looked both relieved and horrified to see her guests.
“Oh!” She exclaimed. “You must be Ms Campbell and Ms. Wolfe. Thank goodness- we were beginning to get worried. We had managed to get in touch with all the other delegates to let them know…”
“Let them know what?” asked Bernie, the smile fading from her face.
“That the conference has been cancelled due to the yellow weather warning. Of snow.” She added, in case there was any doubt about what the weather warning might be referring to.
“Shit. Bernie, we’ll have to get going now if we want to make it back to the A1 while the smaller roads are still passable!”
“Oh, umm, actually, the A1 is being closed- I was just listening to the local traffic report on the radio,” interjected the manager. “You’ll have to stay here. But…”
Serena took the few steps to bring her to the desk. “But what…?”
“Well, it’s just that we’re having issues with power to the main conference part of the hotel. We won’t be able to put you up in your allotted rooms. In fact, the honeymoon suite in the main hotel here is the only one that is ready for guests. I’m sorry.”
Serena sighed. “OK, fine, whatever. At least it’s a suite. Send some wine up, would you. And charge it to Holby City Hospital.”
The manager nodded, handing over two keys. “Take the lifts here up to the top floor. We still have power and heating to the kitchen, although we only have a skeleton staff in, so we can do some room service basics. Call down if you want something.”
Serena opened her mouth to say something sarcastic, but Bernie took the keys and thanked the young manager before her friend had the chance. “OK, you go up to the room- give me the car keys and I will get our bags from the car, alright?”
Serena nodded, handing the car keys over and headed for the bank of lifts as Bernie went out to get their bags. The hotel was eerily quiet as she stepped out onto the top floor, following signs for the honeymoon suite.
Swinging the door open, Serena gasped. The main room was massive, with a super king sized four poster bed, a chaise langue and an open fire. There was also a luxuriant bathroom with an enormous walk in shower, and a sunken bathtub. Well, if she was going to be stuck in an empty hotel for god knows how long, she was at least going to take advantage.
Dropping her handbag on one of the chairs in the living area, Serena moved through the suite and flopped down on the bed groaning at how comfortable it was. At how comfortable the bed was. How comfortable the only bed was. The. Only. Bed.
“Fuck!” She shouted, covering her face with her hands. “There’s only one bed!”