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“Oh, Gwen, you’re just exaggerating,” my nurse, Sophie, said as she held the door for her. “Goodness, what have you brought? Your entire kitchen?”
“I would if I could,” Gwen grumbled. “Are you spying on me?”
Sophie smiled as she walked over to me. “I’m not. It’s just time to check her vitals. You won’t even know I’m here.”
“I doubt that.” Gwen sniffed and put the bags down close to my bed, then sat on the visitor’s chair and unzipped the smaller cooler bag. “Here, before this gets cold.”
I stared at the foil tray she put on the tray table over my bed. “What is it?”
With a smile, she leant over and pulled off the little cardboard top, revealing a steaming pile of mashed potato. “My famous cottage pie.”
Of course, it was.
What else would she bring me?
“It smells amazing,” I said. “But what am I supposed to eat it with?”
Gwen paused. “Oh, shite. I forgot the cutlery.”
Sophie burst out laughing, noting something on my chart. “Give me a few minutes. I’ll bring you some from the nurse’s office.”
“I knew I liked you, Sophie,” Gwen said, switching coolers.
Sophie finished checking me over then put my chart back in the pocket on the end of my bed, winked, and disappeared.
“What else have you got stashed in there?”
“A couple more cottage pies. They’ll heat it up for you,” Gwen answered. “They’re only small portions. I gave your parents the rest. And this other one is general snacks. Not those grapes people always bring when you’re in the hospital. Real snacks.”
She unzipped the bag and put it on the bed next to me, and she wasn’t kidding. There were custard creams, an airtight tub full of little cakes and one of freshly baked cookies, twenty different packets of crisps, little sandwiches—it was basically a to-go bag for a sleepover party.
“That’s much better than grapes,” I said, nodding gently.
“I thought so.” She zipped it back up and set it on the floor. “How are you doing, Blondie?”
“Better,” I answered, smiling at Sophie when she slipped a set of cutlery onto my table. “Thank you,” I said as she left us alone, closing the door behind her again.
“Good,” Gwen replied. “And don’t you go running off like that again. You scared the life out of me.”
“I’m sorry. It wasn’t like I intended for it to happen.”
She patted my hand. “I know, dear. None of us thought it was Shane. I always thought he was such a nice boy.”
“So did everyone else, I think.” I scooped some of the cottage pie into my mouth and groaned. “Oh, my God. Gwen, this is the best cottage pie I’ve ever eaten.”
“Ah-ha! I knew you were smart. If you and Noah don’t get married, you can marry Ash instead.”
I eyed her. “I’m not marrying either of your grandchildren, sorry to say.”
“I’ll adopt you, then. Honorary granddaughter.”
“I can live with that. Thank you for this food. You didn’t have to come and see me.”
“Of course I did. What, you think Ash is telling Noah anything? That boy is driving me insane with all his mithering about how you are. Apparently, he’s not allowed in to see you. Do you know why?”
“Yep.” I sipped my water. “I told them not to let him in.”
“That’ll explain it,” she said with a snort. “I decided I’d come and see you and bring you some real food at the same time. Are you sure you’re all right?”
