Shelter
The rain ricochet off the metal roof of the bandstand as Gary caught his breath. Miranda pulled her long black cardigan closer to her as she tried to focus her thoughts. She knew Gary would be expecting an explanation of her odder than usual behaviour.
"You ok?" Miranda smiled weakly as Gary appraised her.
"Yeah." She nodded. "They didn't forecast rain. I would have bought a brolly!"
Gary laughed. "No, you never do. Forecast or not."
She shrugged. "I don't like them. The don't keep you dry. The just push the rain outward. And when you are as tall as me then you get the splashes off miniature umbrellas held by miniature people." She wrinkled her nose. "I don't like to get wet in the rain but second hand brolly splashes are worse."
"Miranda."
"I mean, personal space."
"Miranda."
"Erm?"
"Why are you in the park anyway?" Gary suddenly looked worried. Miranda sighed heavily. His brown eyes always captivated her. There was no way she had ever been able to hide anything from him.
"No special reason."
"Ok." He took her hand. "Miranda, we're married. Nothing is going to spoil that. Nothing you can say. Unless."
"Unless what? Gary?"
He looked away, feeling sick. She squeezed his hand. "Unless what?"
"You think you made the wrong choice. That you should have said yes to Mike or not to either of us. That."
She touched his face, her thumb resting on his lip. He silently begged her to answer him. "Don't think that. I could never think that. Gary. I love you. I always have." She kissed him gently as his eyes fell closed. "I just needed to think. I popped into the chemist on East Road. You know the one? All unchemisty type things among the Lemsip and ear wax removers?"
Gary nodded. "Yeah. I know the one. Next to the bakery."
Miranda nodded. She had no idea what to say or do but she knew Gary deserved an explanation. "Why did you need to go to the chemist?"
She took a deep breath. Gary touched her chin, making her look him in the eyes. She smiled slightly. "You're worrying me."
"I'm fine. Honestly I am fine. I didn't mean to worry anyone. I just didn't want to wake you that's all. Then I lost track and I bought this." She handed him a small paper bag. Gary frowned before looking inside.
"A face cloth."
"Not just that."
He looked again. "Toothpaste? We have loads at home. Oh."
"Yes." Miranda realised he had found the small package wrapped in the face cloth. "Oh."
"So? You're? We? I mean."
"Maybe." She felt tears come to her eyes. "I've not used it yet."
Gary squeezed her hand before pulling her into a hug. "Well? What are we waiting for?"
"We? I'm the one peeing on a plastic stick! I'm not doing it in a park! I'll get arrested! Oh the notion!"
Gary laughed as he held her hand, leading her out of the bandstand. "Home. Now."
Xxxx