Sunday morning. A hospital waiting room. It was the last place that Lacey had expected to end up especially with a fussy child in tow. Poppy cried every time Lacey tried to put her down so she cuddled her daughter close, comforting the both of them.

She still wasn't sure how they had ended up here. It certainly hadn't been her intention when the EMTs had finally shown up. But neither had she wanted to wait in Gold's empty apartment. He hadn't asked her to stay but Lacey liked think that he might be glad she had.

'You can see your friend now.'

She looked up. A nurse stood before her, an understanding smile plastered on her face.

'Would you like me to watch her?'

Lacey hesitated, but only for a second. She strapped Poppy back into her stroller, hoping that Santa bear would keep her occupied at least for a little while.

'I won't be long.'

Lacey knew that Gold wasn't a big man but for the first time he looked small; almost lost amongst machines, tubes and cables. She gave into the urge to brush his hair from his forehead, letting the silken strands slip through her fingers, watching as his eyes fluttered open. He leant into her touch, whispering a name that she didn't quite catch.

'Hey,' she said, taking his hand in hers. 'How are you feeling?'

His skin looked grey and paper frail. He coughed, his breathing laboured.

'Like someone ripped out my heart.'

'Is there anyone you want me to call?' she asked, holding up his cell phone.

He laughed - a bitter hollow sound.

'No … no one.'

Poppy had started whimpering. Lacey could hear the thin wail through the closed door. Another two minutes and the screaming would start. She glanced away, torn between her daughter and the man in the hospital bed.

'Go,' Gold said.

'I'll come back after work.'

'There's no need … really,' he said.

He pulled away, turning his face to the opposite wall. This wasn't the man who had looked after Poppy so carefully … the man who had kissed her so tenderly. He was scared and hurt, pushing her away because he had no reason to think that she'd stay. Lacey wasn't about to let that happen.

'I finish at three. Mrs Letterman won't mind watching Poppy for a while longer.'

'You don't owe me anything Miss French.'

'We both know that's not true.'

Leaning forward, she brushed her lips against his.

'I'll see you later, Mr. Gold. Let me know if there's anything you need.'

She'd almost got to the door when he called after her.

'Miss French?'

'Yes?'

'I would be grateful if you could bring me something to wear other than this infernal hospital gown.'

'I'll see what I can find.'

'And maybe a copy of the New York Times?'

It all seemed very unreal, stepping out into the bright winter morning, fresh snow crunching under her feet. Lacey blinked up at the blue sky, her breath misting in the chilly air.

Gold would be okay. Lacey had to believe that, but she didn't like to think of him alone in that hospital room. There had to be someone out there, someone else who cared about him. It was only then that Lacey realised she still had his phone. She flipped it open and started to search for saved numbers. There was only one name on the list.

Henry.

She pressed dial. The phone barely had the chance to ring before someone answered.

'Grandpa? Grandpa Gold … is that you?'

It was a young voice, trembling somewhere between childishness and manhood

'Henry?' Lacey asked.

'Grandma?'

'No… I'm… I'm a friend of Mr. Gold's.

'Where is he? Is he okay?'

'Henry … Henry I'm sorry but your grandpa's very sick.'