Her eyes flew open. Tears streamed down her face. Never before had she had a dream that real or vivid.

Shivering, she stepped out of the now cool bath, most of the water splashed around the room. Had she been thrashing around while she was sleeping? Whatever had happened, she was glad she was awake and physically fine.

Sighing, she pulled on her bath robe and went and made herself a hot cup of tea. The last thing she felt like doing was cleaning, so she left the bathroom as it was. Checking the time, she saw that it was eight o'clock.

Putting on Midsomer Murders and curling up on the couch with a hot cup of tea, she relaxed once again, but her mind was still busy and somewhere else.

Miranda couldn't help but think about that dream. What was that... thing... that took Gary? Where had it taken him? Why had Gary not said anything back and why did he just stand there? This question haunted Miranda the most. It reminded her of a time a while ago now, the time that Raymond Blanc had ruined her day...

"Oh what? What was more important?!" Gary shouted, fuming.

"Splitting up with my boyfriend and telling you I'm completely and utterly head-over-heels in love with you! I LOVE YOU!" She blurted out, shocked at what she had just said.

Gary stood there shocked. He couldn't say anything. He didn't even know what to say. His body completely froze and his face became a mask.

Miranda felt helpless, stupid and embarrassed. She wanted Gary to say something in return. Waiting was such an awful game. But hearing nothing was worse...

A buzzing noise brought Miranda out of her memory. Her phone on the table alerted her that Stevie was calling. She wasn't really in the mood to talk to anyone, but she thought it better to answer.

"Hello my little elf"

"Hello my giant friend. So how did today go?" Stevie sounded much better, but a hint of tire was still there.

"Rubbish really. You waking me up at bloody eight in the morning, Mother and Tilly being what I call pains where the sun does not shine and the shop wasn't busy so it was boring all morning. The only good part was eating some lasagna that Gary left for me at the restaurant" Miranda took a deep sigh as she recapped her depressing day. "Sorry I'm boring you, aren't I?"

"No, course not. You know I like to know everything"

There was silence on the phone. Miranda knew what Stevie was thinking, she knew Stevie wouldn't be able to resist.

"So... How's Gary?" And there it was.

"Good... I guess. Haven't heard from him for a day or two. He did say this course was going to be quite intense" A double punch to the stomach hit Miranda now.

"You miss him don't you"

"Yes! I've had a dreadful day! I just need him! I want him to tell me that everything is going to be alright!" Miranda's patience was being tested now. "Stevie I don't know I can last another week!"

"Alright, alright! But, Miranda you lasted after Gary left for Hong Kong, and that was for three months! You can't let one bad day get to you" Stevie rebuked, making a good point. "Look," Stevie sighed, softening her tone "I know you miss him, but you're not alone. I'm here, Clive's here, Penny's here, Tilly's here. You'll be fine. Oh! I know!

Miranda was only half listening when Stevie suddenly piped up.

"What? What? What's happened?" Miranda asked.

"Sorry! Um... I just remembered, I... umm... forgot to call my... my insurance company... about a policy. Must do that now while I remember! Anyway, I'll be back in tomorrow so have a nice little lie in and sleep it off. Bye!"

Miranda looked at her phone frowning after Stevie hung up. It certainly was a weird phone call. Too tired to think about it all, Miranda continued watching Midsomer Murders. She stretched out on the couch, but she couldn't concentrate on her show.

Her mind was flooded with thoughts. Maybe she was over-reacting, maybe everything wasn't as bad as it seemed.

As she thought about it, Stevie was making sense on the phone. She really wasn't alone. And though she loved them all, it wasn't them Miranda wanted to see, to cheer her up. It was Gary. Plain and true.

After ten minutes of thinking about how seeing Gary would wash relief and comfort through her, Miranda's phone began ringing again.

"Ugh! What do you want?!" She pleaded frustratingly.

She picked up her phone and looked at the screen. It was Gary