Disclaimer I do not own Miranda. All copyright belongs to Miranda Hart and BBC television. No copyright infringement is intended nor should be inferred.

1

The shop was busier than usual with Stevie constantly serving customers and rushing to sign for stock that had been delivered. Miranda was desperately trying to keep up with the sales as Stevie smiled slightly before giving an unusually difficult customer her change. She did not take kindly to the adage 'the customer is always right'. She followed the woman to the door, closing it behind her and turning the closed sign to the glass.

"We need a break."

"Oh thank heavens." Miranda sighed as she flopped onto the blow up sofa opposite the till. "What is wrong with people today?"

"First weekend we have been open since Lockdown. Didn't realise people missed buying tat so much."

"Oi!" Miranda pulled a face. "We are not purveyors of tat. Thank you very much! We sell fun, light-hearted accessories and nonsense. All of which seems to be very important today."

"But not essential." Stevie headed into the kitchenette. "We don't sell food."

"Then what do you call Peni pasta?"

"Nonsense."

"But edible!" Miranda yelled, glad to have made her point. Stevie smiled, rolling her eyes as she handed her friend the mug of tea she had brought in. "Thank you." Stevie smiled, before hopping on the stool next to the counter.

"So, what's new with you?"

"Oh you know?" Miranda smiled. "Wedding anniversary next week."

"I know." Stevie smiled. "How could anyone else forget the wedding of the decade. I mean, never mind the Royal weddings - getting you and Gary to tie the knot was a minor miracle."

Miranda blushed, remembering how she had made Stevie come with her to the Registry office determined to stop Gary marrying Jacinta. It had turned out he was Best Man for Clive. She jumped slightly as the door to the shop rattled.

"WE'RE CLOSED!"

"Miranda." Stevie put her mug down. "Its the police. What have you done?"

"Nothing." Miranda bit her lip as Stevie let the officers in.

"Good afternoon." The officer asked as Stevie realised she recognised the female officer.

"Aren't you Diane Edwards? Went to the tech?"

"Yes." The police officer smiled. "Stevie?"

"The one and only. What's Miranda done?"

"Nothing." The male officer stated. "Are you Mrs Preston?"

"Yes." Miranda nodded. "Why? What's happened? Is it Mum? Has she been arrested again? She's not right you know? Its her age."

"Mrs Preston." The officer cut her off as she began to go onto a rant.

"Its Gary." Miranda bit her lip. Her eyes filled with tears as the female officer she now knew was called Diane ushered her to the bar stools next to the counter.

"You'd better sit down."

Miranda shook her head as she glared at them. "What happened? Just tell me. He's not dead. Is he? I'd know. I'd feel it. He's not."

"There was an accident." Diane stated. "He was hit by another vehicle when he was loading the van outside the cash and carry."

Stevie grabbed her friend's hand, sniffing back tears. Miranda became uncharacteristically calm.

"Where is he? Where's Clive? He was with him?"

"Clive is at the hospital. Unhurt." The officer stated calmly. "He gave us your address, said there was no answer on your phone."

"Gary."

"Is in the hospital, badly injured. We need to take you to him. Now."

"Go." Stevie blinked back a tear. "Go, I'll deal with everything here and the restaurant. Go."

Miranda got to her feet, grabbed her bag before following the officers out of the shop.

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a/n do I go on?