Tea & Biscuits

Beth awoke two days later in a different room. There were no machines this time. Her throat was sore from the air tube and she felt thirsty. She was aching all over.

She turned her head and smiled. On her bedside locker was a packet of chocolate digestives.

The door opened and Alan walked in carrying a mug of tea and The Guardian newspaper. Beth smiled at him.

‘Just like old times.’ She said hoarsely.

‘You’re awake!’ Relief brightened his face but he looked exhausted.

‘Can I have some of that?’ She nodded at his tea.

‘Sure….’ He said and helping her into a sitting position, she took the mug from his hand, sipping gratefully.

‘Lovely…’ She whispered.

Alan sat on the chair and looked at her. ‘Has anyone spoken to you, about the accident?’

‘Not really. They just keep asking where it hurts and giving me drugs.’ She pulled a face. ‘I remember everything, though.’ She spoke quietly.

‘Do you know what day it is, Beth?’ Alan asked, his voice concerned.

‘I don’t actually…Wednesday, Thursday?’ She was puzzled.

‘You have been here just over a month Beth, you were in a coma. They…we…. thought you wouldn’t make it.’ He spoke quietly, not wanting to scare her, his eyes brimming at the memory.

‘Oh my God’ Beth gasped ‘I don’t believe it!’

Alan showed her the date on the top of the newspaper. She closed her eyes. She had a question and was scared to ask it.

‘Alan…what about…?’

‘Steve’s dead, Beth.’ He gently took her hand in his, warm and reassuring.

A deep moan and a sob escaped her lips. Alan sat on the edge of the bed and put his arm around her shoulder as she sobbed and sobbed, relief washing over her, her tears rinsing away all of her fear and anguish from the past five years.

Beth put her hand to her mouth and whispered so only they could hear.

‘Thank God’.

Alan smiled gently down as she looked up at him, slightly guilty.

‘Don’t worry Beth. That’s what I said.’ Their eyes met and there was love there, unspoken. They both felt it.

Alan sat back in the chair as Beth dried her eyes and face. She changed the subject.

‘How have you been? We haven’t spoken for ages.’ She asked.

‘Well, busy, of course. I was in America for a while. Harry Potter premiere’

‘Fun?’ Beth laughed.

‘Drunk!’ Alan laughed with her.

‘I knew it…’ She smiled at him. The after-parties that Alan attended had become legendary. He always drank too much red wine, his argument being that it was his reward for working hard on the film. Beth just teased him that he liked a free bar.

They looked at each other.

‘Has there been…anyone?’ Beth asked quietly.

‘Not since’ He answered her directly. ‘It wouldn’t be fair.’

Beth squeezed his hand and they sat in pleasant silence for a moment.

‘What about you?’ Alan asked her, although he already guessed the answer.

‘No-one. I’ve been so busy, you know…’ She trailed off. It was a lie. She still loved him and they both knew it.

‘Maybe when you’re better we could go see that film we never got to…drink tea, eat biscuits…’ he grinned at her.

‘I’d like that…’ She smiled at him.