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* * *
The watch had stayed on her wrist for the last eight days. It had gone with her from the ICU down to a general ward, and now it was going home with her. Mimi was dressed and sitting by her bed, waiting for Charlie to come and fetch her.
‘All set?’ He was all smiles when he appeared at the door of the ward.
‘Definitely.’ She’d been looking at Rafe’s watch every five minutes. In addition to the clear message that it carried, it was also useful for telling the time.
‘Let’s get out of here, then.’ Charlie picked up her bag and laid it across his knees. ‘Matthew’s outside with the car, and Jan’s just rustling up a wheelchair for you.’
Mimi winced with embarrassment. ‘Sorry. It’s all such a business...’ Jan and Matthew’s house was still drying out and they had given up Charlie’s spare bedroom for Mimi. They’d be sleeping at her cottage now, and coming back to Charlie’s during the day.
‘Oh, be quiet. It’s a well-oiled machine, Mimi, so just sit back and watch the cogs go round.’
‘I’m beginning to regret giving you such a hard time when you got out of hospital. I can’t wait to be able to get around by myself.’ Mimi screwed her face up and Charlie laughed.
‘You were right.’ He leaned forward, doing the mad scientist impression which had always made her laugh when they were kids. ‘Now, my pretty, I get my revenge.’
* * *
The cool breeze on her face was wonderful. It was as if the world had been waiting for her for the past two weeks and had spruced itself up for her return. The sun shone and the late summer sky was cloudless.
Mimi was installed on the sofa in Charlie’s sitting room and Jan bustled off into the kitchen, reappearing with a bouquet in one hand and a parcel in the other. ‘These came for you this morning.’
Pink and white roses, with purple freesias for scent. Rafe. He knew she loved freesias.
‘I’ll get a vase and some water so you can arrange them.’ Jan put the flowers down on Mimi’s lap and handed her a small white envelope.
She opened it with trembling fingers.
With love from everyone...
No. That wasn’t right. Mimi realised her mistake with a stab of regret.
‘Who are they from?’ Jan was watching her.
‘Oh... Everyone I used to work with.’ A salt tear reached the stitches on her face and she snatched a tissue from the box on the table and dabbed it gingerly. ‘That’s so nice of them.’
‘They’re lovely.’ Jan put the package down on the other end of the sofa and turned towards the kitchen.
Mimi reached for the parcel, trying to work up a bit of enthusiasm for it. Everyone had been so nice over the last couple of weeks, visiting her and sending cards. She’d known that Rafe wouldn’t come. It would have only drawn out the sadness of knowing they were inevitably going to part.
But every step she’d made, coming out of the ICU, coming home, had been bittersweet because it was another step towards regaining a life that didn’t include Rafe. Mimi shook her head and grabbed the package, taking her frustration out on the tape that secured it.
She almost gave up and left it for Charlie to undo when he came back with the tea. Everything seemed like an effort at the moment. But someone had taken the trouble to wrap it up and send it for her, and the least she could do was to show some interest.
Inside was a pretty patterned box bearing the name of an exclusive skincare company. When she lifted the lid, the fresh scent was gorgeous after the dry, utilitarian smell of the hospital.
Someone had been very thoughtful. Mimi knew she looked a mess; her hair was flat and her nails needed filing and that was just the tip of the iceberg. One leg was in a cast and the other was still swollen, blistered and discoloured from the snake bites. When she’d first been allowed to go to the bathroom at the hospital, the large mirror above the basin had revealed what she’d only glimpsed in the pocket mirror the nurse had given her. Livid bruises on her face, a line of stitches and her own eyes staring back at her in shock and dismay.
She picked up a bar of soap, closed her eyes and smelled it. Her skin itched from antiseptic soap and wipes and this was just what she’d been craving. There were bottles of lotions and shampoo. Mimi picked up a tube of hand cream, squeezing a small dab on to her finger and rubbing it on to the back of her hand, still bruised from where a cannula had been inserted. It was luxurious and smelled just gorgeous.
‘Who’s that from?’ Charlie appeared with a plate of cakes.
‘I don’t know.’ Mimi looked around for a card but couldn’t see one. ‘But look, Charlie. So thoughtful...’
‘Hmm.’ Charlie leaned over to inspect her gift. ‘Suppose you’ll be wanting to stink my bathroom out with this lot.’
‘Oh, stop. You should be so lucky. And if you lay one finger on any of these, you’re dead.’
