(no subject)

"That better not be a hangover."
Harry eyes Guppy reaching for the paracetamol. Guppy shakes his head, then wishes he hadn't because it aches.
"No, it's not. I just didn't sleep much."
"Too much excitement for you yesterday then I take it."
Good for the viewing figures. Death makes good TV
Harry picks up his pile of paperwork and turns to go.
"Harry?"
"Yes?"
"Does it get any easier watching people die over time?"
Harry looks at Guppy with a father's eyes and sees the grieving inner child inside him.
"Well," he says gently, "Claire is the sixth colleague to have died since I came to work here about three years ago. And even though we weren't that close, it still hurts. It's always harder if it's someone you know, especially if they're young. In my experience, no, it doesn't get any easier watching them die, and I did, in three cases. But you will get better at coping with it afterwards."
He puts a hand on Guppy's shoulder.
"I need you to be strong Guppy. You know Selena has MRSA, so we're going to be a doctor down again, as well as two nurses. When did you last eat and sleep?"
Guppy has to think about this, which is never a good sign.
"I did get some sleep last night, I just kept waking up again. I kept dreaming."
"Not good enough. Take a ten minute break, get some coffee down you, eat something and then get back here and get cracking, okay?"
Guppy nods, thanks Harry then goes off in search of caffeine.