Sorry for the delay, two words: winter vomiting...
It was 7pm and Harry was back by Nikki's bedside, in his gaudy orange plastic chair.
Earlier, after the doctor had left, Leo had given Harry a hard stare but fortunately he had seemed to know better than to ask Harry more questions. Harry couldn't quite make out if the look was 'I told you so, About time to, or you upset her in any way and you answer to me.' But instead Leo just peeled off some £20's and commanded Harry to get Nikki's car out of the car park before the fee's got silly, drive it back to her house and then get a cab to his own house to change. Janet had added that he wasn't allowed back until he'd showered, shaved and eaten something. And so he had done as he was told. Leo had promised to stay until he got back.
The doctors had added some aspirin to the drip Nikki had in her arm. But Harry wasn't holding out much hope.
'Hope' he thought wryly. Maybe he should try Chris's advice and be a bit more positive.
It seemed really quiet now, Leo had left as soon as he got back. The two of them had had an easy friendship before Nikki had arrived at the Lyell Centre. But nowadays they needed Nikki as a mediator. They were used to the dynamic of the three of them, all playing off each other, and with one team member out, it just wasn't right.
"Oh, someone came by and left this for you." Leo had said before he'd left, handing over a small brown bag.
Harry peered inside, there was a bottle of water, can of coke, Mars bar and a sandwich that hadn't been anywhere near the hospital cafe.
"Chris!" said Harry with a smile clutching the bag to his chest.
"Try and get some rest." Leo had said before he left.
'Ha! he was having a laugh.' thought Harry.
He rested his elbows on the bed, and looked at Nikki. It was odd seeing her so still, she was always moving, and her whole face was animated when she spoke. And when she was angry with him... What he wouldn't give now, to hear her 'put down' to one of his brilliant jokes.
"I've always been pretty good in a crisis." he whispered and kissed her hand as he held it in his own.
He rested his head in her hand as he held it to his cheek, but the minute he closed his eyes, he was surrounded by all the voices he'd heard through the day and his own self recriminations, buzzing around in his head.
'why didn't I take her to the hospital earlier'
'did you upset her?'
'Harry, stop!'
'did you hit her?'
'why didn't I see the signs?'
"Oh, Nikki, please wake up." he begged. He stroked her cheek with his finger and brushed the hair from her face.
"You, have to wake up Nikki, you can't leave me, not like this. I need you Nikki...I love you."
He leant over and delicately kissed her forehead before slumping back into his chair.
It felt good having spoken to her. He realised that despite spending the whole day talking about her, he hadn't actually talked to her at all. And even though she couldn't hear him, he had told her he loved her. It was very calming all of a sudden. He had been acting as if she had already gone. Well if he knew anything about Nikki, then he knew she was a fighter. 'Come on' he said as much to himself as to her.
"We can get through this, Niks, I know we can. And if you need any incentive I'll let you use my desk any time you want without complaining or whining, and I'll do your paperwork for a month but you have to wake up. You can do that for me, can't you!"
He continued to hold her hand and started to ramble about what had happened at the party, the terrible jokes Leo had told, and the holiday trick George had done. He didn't mind what he said, he just felt he had to keep talking.
It was late in the night when a nurse came in to check on her.
"You been awake a long time now, my love." said the nurse in a strong West Indian accent.
"She's been asleep a long time too." Harry replied.
The nurse reached out and laid her hand on Nikki's forehead.
"Has she got a fever?" Harry asked concerned.
"Oh no, my lovely I'm just seeing if she's ready to wake up." the nurse continued.
"And is she?" Harry asked.
"Soon, my darling, soon. You should get some rest yourself" she said and gripped Harry tightly on the shoulder as she left.
Harry woke up with a start.
"Nurse!" He called "Nurse!"
"Shh, you'll wake everyone up" said a sour faced nurse.
"Where's the West Indian nurse that was just here?" asked Harry scanning the nurses station.
"There wasn't a nurse just, here, you must have been dreaming, now will you please be quiet. Visiting time ended hours ago, I can't believe anyone let you stay."
Harry retreated to his chair, maybe he had been dreaming, or was it hoping?