Sophie waggled her hand. ‘Okay, everyone in the kitchen. Let’s give them a moment.’ She quickly herded her friends and grandfather, then closed the living room door.
‘Thank you so much for saving me.’ Ginny’s mouth was squashed into his neck. ‘I was so scared.’ She started to sob.
Will held her in place as he sat on the sofa. ‘It’s all right. It’s over.’
‘But what if—’
‘There are no what-ifs. Only the present moment.’
Ginny sniffed, pulling her head back, and Will swiped away her dark hair so her covered wound was clear. Their eyes locked, and his heart slowed.
‘You’re safe,’ he added quietly.
‘I feel safe with you.’
‘Yeah? I feel a bloody mess when I’m with you.’
Ginny smiled softly, then cupped his face. ‘I don’t know what to say.’
‘You just need to rest. Your shock is wearing off.’ He smiled back. ‘How you feeling?’
‘Bruised.’
‘You’ll heal.’ He started to cough, slipping out of her hold to move away from her face.
‘You need to heal. The doctor will be here soon.’
‘I could do with my bed.’
Ginny placed his face back into her palms. ‘You can get into my bed. I’ll make you some soup.’
Will assessed her eyes. She looked as worn out as he felt. ‘I’d like that, but I don’t want you to catch my—’
Ginny pressed her lips on his, pulled away slightly, then kissed him again.
Will kissed her back as much as he could before another round of coughing interrupted.
‘Stay with me tonight, please, Will. I’m sorry I was mean to you. I’m sorry for the row about the tea shop. I’m sorry for—’
‘Whoa, whoa! Forget about all that. It doesn’t matter now. Besides, I’m the one who should be apologizing to you for not coming to see you after your mum died. I wanted to, but I was sure you hated me, and I didn’t want to make matters worse for you. I didn’t know what to do for the best. And I want you to know I would stay with you every night. You never have to say please. But, Ginny, I haven’t the energy to—’
‘I don’t want us to do anything. Just sleep, like when we were at the hotel.’
He smiled. ‘Best sleep ever.’
‘I agree. So, will you stay?’
‘I don’t have my things, and you shouldn’t be sitting on my work clothes when you have nice clean pyjamas on.’
‘I can put on another pair, and I can get Mabel to bring you some bits over. She’s probably heard what has happened by now. Everyone will know.’
‘Okay. You got yourself a deal.’
Ginny smiled and snuggled into his chest, pulling a blanket from the arm of the sofa to drape over them. ‘We’ll stay like thisuntil the doctor arrives, then I’ll sort Mabel and your food. We can spend the rest of the day watching telly in bed.’
‘Ooh, yeah. There’s a good film on tonight about mountain climbing.’
Ginny laughed, then started to cry again, and Will held her that little bit closer.
