4

Miranda smiled slightly as she thought about how her life had gone. Boarding School hadn't been much fun but it had led to having a life long friend in Tilly. Then she had met Gary at Uni and Stevie had become the best friend she had never had. more like an annoying little sister. She sighed as she realised she was lucky to have so many people who cared for her. Even Clive and Jim, who would forever be known as Customer were important in her life. She sighed, thinking about how they had been talking about Tilly and Champagne Charlie's upcoming wedding. In reality she was happy for her friend but she also cringed at the thought of it. She could picture Gary telling her to be nice. She shook herself from her thoughts as the nurse ushered her into the small room just off the side of the Intensive Care Ward.

"He's doing ok."

"Thanks." Miranda sighed. "Thank the doctors for me too, please. The ones who did the surgery and well, everyone has been wonderful."

"I will. Go on, we've done our bit for now. Its you he needs."

Miranda nodded, looking at the man in the bed she smiled. He looked incredibly peaceful but was hooked up to all sorts of machines. She wondered if going up to him yelling MOUSE! would get him jumping out of the bed. The fact that he had just had major surgery and the nurse would probably have a heart attack stopped her from trying it.

"Hello you." She sat next to him. "You didn't have to get hit by a van to get out of Tilly's wedding. You could have thought of another excuse." She took his hand as he blinked. The nurse had told her he was well enough to breathe on his own but would be sleepy and disorientated.

"Mir." He sighed as he blinked again. The hospital lights made him feel as if he couldn't open his eyes. "I."

"Its ok. I forgive you, this once. Just don't do it again." Her voice hitched as she looked at his leg in plaster and a huge dressing over his abdomen. "Oh Gary."

"I. This is the worse hangover." He paused as Miranda smiled. He squeezed her hand tightly as she kissed his forehead.

"You remember anything?"

"Bread."

"Excuse me?"

"Bread. For the resteraunt."

"Yeah." Miranda sighed.

"CLIVE! Oh my God." He was suddenly wide awake as Miranda got to her feet. "Is he?"

"Absolutely fine. He's gone back with Stevie to sort out the shop and resteraunt. Its ok." She soothed as a nurse appeared to silence the monitors. Gary frowned.

"Van. I."

"Its ok." Miranda calmed him. "Its fine. Everything is going to be ok. You just have to get well." She smiled at him as he nodded.

"Ok, ok." He was breathing heavily as he rested his head back against his pillow. "Ok, sorry. I."

"Ok." Miranda squeezed his hand. "Ok. Just relax. Mum is outside, says to send her love." Miranda knew she was beginning to ramble. Gary smiled slightly.

"Tired."

"Ok, well thats what the nurse said you'd feel. Just close your eyes."

"Miranda."

"I'm not going anywhere." She smiled as he closed his eyes.

"Love you." He whispered as he drifted back to sleep. Miranda wiped her eyes, watching him for a moment she wondered if her mum was right. Things were really going to be ok.