I'm only here for the Bernie gifs 😂

She frowned again and hit dial, sitting down at the small desk in the treatment room as she waited for Iain to answer, “Rita” he answered after just two rings and her curiosity quickly turned into concern when she heard him say her name, the quiver in his voice giving away the fact that he’d been crying.

“Iain, what's wrong?”

“It's Cal” he got straight to the point, “he erm, fuck, Rita he got stabbed, he… he’s dead.” Rita felt as if the world had fallen from under her feet, her stomach twisting and her heart stopping as her mind repeated those words over and over. “Are you still there?” Iain asked a few seconds later as he sat on the back step of his ambulance.

“Yeah I…” she swallowed hard, trying to compose herself, “when did it happen?”

“About…” Iain felt a lump rise in his own throat, “about an hour ago, I, I thought you’d want to know and I didn’t, couldn’t expect Ethan to call you.”

“No, no, thanks, I… how are you holding up?”

Iain shrugged despite the fact Rita couldn't see him, “I don't… it doesn't feel real.”

“Yeah, I, I know what you mean.”

“I need to go” Iain sniffled slightly, “I just thought you’d want to know.”

“Thanks, when you…” Rita took a deep breath, unable to believe what she was about to ask, “when you know about the funeral will you let me know?”

“Yeah, course.”

“Thanks. You erm, you look after yourself yeah?”

Iain nodded, “yeah, you too.” He said, ending the call before Rita could say anything else, not wanting her to hear as once again he began to sob.

“Leave it please” Iain batted at Lily’s hand as she fiddled with his tie for what seemed like the 50th time that morning.

“Iain, you've been asked to be a pallbearer, that’s a position with great responsibility, it’s important that…”

“My best mate’s being cremated” Iain interrupted her, taking a step backwards out of her reach, “everyone here has lost a friend, Ethan’s lost his brother, nobody’ll care if my tie isn't perfect” he snapped before walking over to Ethan, gently squeezing his arm, not knowing what to say, Ethan nodding in response, it was the best he could do.

Iain glanced around, his heart skipping a beat when he saw a familiar figure getting out of a taxi, he’d sent Rita a text with the details and she’d replied to thank him, telling him she’d try and get the time off work but he hadn't replied and she’d not let him know either way. He took a good look at her without her realising. She looked well, her skin was slightly tanned and her hair, pulled back from her face was longer and lighter than he’d ever seen it. Her shift dress clung to her curves her heels emphasised her slender legs, she looked healthier, happier than Iain had seen her in a long time. She smiled slightly, he knew it was forced, and nodded in acknowledgement, when she saw him looking at her, an action that he returned, but she didn't come any closer, lingering at the back of the small crowd waiting to go into the crematorium.

He didn't see her again until after the service, but unfortunately Lily had seen her too, “what is she doing here?” she sneered as she looked over at Rita who was hugging Ethan, tears rolling freely down both their faces.

“Probably the same as the rest of us, paying her respects to a colleague and a friend” he said, knowing Lily would never ever find out just how close both Rita and he had been to Cal.

For the second time that day Iain walked away from Lily, this time heading over to Rita who was now talking to Charlie, the older man leaving them to it when he saw Iain coming over. “Hi.”

“Hi” she forced another smile, “how are you doing?”

Iain shrugged, “just have to keep going I suppose. You?”

She nodded, “trying to keep busy” she wiped at her eyes as she felt herself tearing up again, “trying not to think about it.”

“I keep looking for him at work” Iain admitted, pushing his hands into his pocket to stop himself pulling her Rita his arms, “it’s not...it doesn't feel right.”

“I bet it doesn't” she reached out to stroke his arm, knowing he was close to tears.

“Iain” they were interrupted by Lily, Rita’s hand falling back to her side “are you ready to head back? You know I have work soon.”

Rita raised an eyebrow as Iain told her he wouldn't be a minute. “Are you and her…”

“It's complicated. Are you coming back? We’re having a bit of a thing at the pub, y’know, sandwiches, sausage rolls, that sort of thing.”

Rita shook her head, “just a flying visit, literally, I need to get back to the airport, my flight home’s at 3.”

“Your flight?”

“Yeah, I'm living in Spain, working in a tourist clinic, it’s a lot of sunstroke and alcohol poisoning but it pays the bills. I erm, I've got a spare room if you ever need a break” she told him as Lily shouted him again.

“Yeah” he smiled, “I might have to take you up on that.”

“Well you’ve got my number if you need me” she kissed his cheek, “look after yourself Iain.”