3
Miranda was not the sort of person who normally looked on the bleak side of life. She had always saw the bright side of things but in that moment she wanted to curl up into a ball and disappear. The doctors had told her how serious the injuries to Gary really were. She knew internal bleeding and having to have his spleen removed was a big deal. She closed her eyes as she felt Penny rest her hand on her arm.
"Miranda."
"Mum." She looked over to the older woman. Penny wasn't the sort of woman who openly displayed affection. The fact that she was now sat next to her, holding her hand made Miranda more worried. "Gary is young and so healthy. You know what he's like."
"I do." Penny smiled slightly. She loved her son-in-law dearly. She had no idea what would happen to her daughter if Gary didn't make it. "The police officer said they have arrested someone for driving like an idiot and leaving the scene of the accident."
"Oh."
"So, that's good." Penny bit her lip.
"Yeah." Miranda wiped her eyes as she looked her mother directly in her eyes. "He has to get through this. He has to." Tears filled her eyes as Penny hugged her tightly.
"Oh my darling. Oh my darling girl." Penny hugged her as Miranda sobbed into her arms.
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Stevie stood in the restaurant, her hands on her hips as she looked at the empty room. Clive had insisted on opening up but so far no one had come through the doors. She had no idea if Clive should be in work but she had a feeling he was feeling as rotten as she was.
"Clive, you should go home. Get some rest."
"I am fine." He snapped. "It wasn't me that was hit by a truck."
Stevie glanced over to where his husband sat nursing a coffee. He shook his head slightly, telling her to stop. Clive was not going to listen to anything she said. The guilt was plain in his eyes.
"You were lucky." She paused. "You know it was just an accident. No one set out to hurt you or Gary."
"Doesn't matter does it? He's still in the hospital. I swear I thought he was dead." Clive looked at the counter top. Stevie frowned, not remembering when she had last seen her friend looking so upset. Jim crossed the room before hugging his husband tightly.
"Its ok. It will be ok."
"How do you know that?" Clive shook his head as Stevie wiped her own eyes.
"Because its Gary and Miranda. They have to be." Stevie sighed. "They just have to be."
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Miranda had calmed down slightly when Penny released her. She knew her mother had always been slightly disappointed in her but when she was needed Penny was the first person there. She sighed heavily as a nurse approached them.
"Mrs Preston?"
"I am." Miranda sighed. "Makes me sound a bit too grown up though."
The nurse smiled, taking the seat opposite her. "Gary is in the Recovery Room. The nurses are hoping to move him into the ITU as soon as possible, then you'll be able to see him. He's doing well. Really well in fact. Early days but your husband is a fighter."
"He is." Penny smiled as Miranda blinked.
"He's not dead."
"No, Mrs Preston. Gary is doing well. You should be able to see him soon." He smiled as Penny thanked him. Miranda smiled slightly hoping that the nurse was right. Gary was a fighter and stubborn to boot. He was not going anywhere. She felt herself relax a little for the first time since the police had walked into her little shop. Maybe, just maybe everything was going to be ok.
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