“Is that a Mai Lin bag? Oh please tell me you bought Chinese food, did you get dumplings?”
“Ha, of course, I did and the shredded duck. I bought us a veritable feast. I figured whatever we didn’t eat tonight you could keep for your breakfast tomorrow.”
“You are a lifesaver, I’m starving. Shall we go in so I can eat? Err, obviously I mean to start on our very important meeting.”
***
Settled at the kitchen table with their Chinese meal spread out before them, the two men started to discuss business. Things were starting to grow again after the economic downturn of the last few years. Not that business had ever gotten bad, but more of their clients were starting to feel more confident about spending their money again.
“So as you can see from this graph here, business took a steep dive and our accountants think we’ll be completely broke by the end of the year.”
“Really, that’s great,” Norman responded absentmindedly and then realized what Mark had just said. “Sorry, what?”
“I thought that might get your attention again. You had drifted off. No guesses as to where. Worrying about Amy again?”
Norman looked over at his friend apologetically. “I’m sorry, you’re right I was distracted. What if she doesn’t wake up, though? This is entirely my fault.”
“First off, this is not your fault. You didn’t make her go up the ladder. You weren’t up there with her and pushed her down. You need to stop thinking like that.” Pouring them both a glass of the white wine he’d bought to go with their meal, Mark took his glass and stared deep at its contents for a moment.
“Secondly, I honestly believe that she will wake up. Obviously, I can’t say when, but I’m certain that she will.”
Norman wished that he shared his friend’s certainty. “How can you be so sure? It’s been so long. Surely she should be awake by now.”
“Listen we have the best people on the job doing everything that they can to make sure that she wakes up. You need to trust that she will. When have I ever been wrong?”
“Well, there was that one time…”
Mark laughed. “Yeah, maybe not that time.”
Norman was managing to smile now. “And what about the time that…”
“Ok, ok, stop already. So there have been a minuscule number of times that I’ve actually been wrong. This isn’t one of those times. Seriously, though.” He leaned forward, his deep brown eyes full of concern for Norman. “You need to start believing it too. The sooner you do, the sooner you can start planning for when she comes out of the hospital. You need to start thinking about what happens next and what it means for you.”
Norman wasn’t sure he understood. “What do you mean?”
“You’ll know what I mean once you’re able to see things a little more clearly and I want you to know that I support you in any decision that you make.” He held up his wine glass in toast. “To the future?”
Still uneasy and unable to shake off the helplessness he felt at Amy’s current situation, Norman, nonetheless, could see that Mark made a good point. He clinked his glass against the other. “To the future.”
The rest of the evening was spent deep in companionable and ever more tipsy conversation. After finishing off another bottle of wine and starting on the scotch, it was decided that Mark would spend the night there. The farmhouse had plenty of spare rooms. They tiptoed around the house like naughty school boys trying not to wake their parents, as they tried to find clean sheets.
“Shhhhh….” Norman put his fingers to his lips.
“I’m shhh, you shhh. Anyway, why are we shushing? We’re the only ones here.”
“I know but it’s late and I don’t want you to wake the dog.”
Realizing the absurdity of it all, they both collapsed in a fit of giggles. It had been the first time in a while that Norman had felt relaxed and he couldn’t thank his friend enough.
“I love you, you know.”
“Of course, you do, everybody loves me. I’m completely loveable.”
“Ha! You’re an arse.”
Mark lay down on his bed, his hands tucked between his head. “Yeah, but I’m a completely loveable arse.”
***
Woken from his dreamless sleep by the sound of his phone vibrating, Norman blearily opened his eyes and checked the time. 6am…. 6am?? He was instantly awake, why would somebody be calling him at this time?
“Hello?” He answered the phone, his voice still heavy with sleep and drink from the night before.
“Norman? It’s doctor Philips. I don’t normally make these calls myself but I thought you might like to know that Amy’s just woken up.”
Norman flew out of bed and scrambled around the bedroom trying to get dressed at the same time as listening to the doctor. “I’m on my way.”
“Ok, but bear in mind that she is still very weak and you won’t be able to see her for long today.”
Stopping only to write a quick note for Mark, who wouldn’t be up for hours yet, he ran to his car and drove to the hospital as fast as he could.
***
Running down the corridor Norman was stopped by a rather proper looking nurse with a stern look on her face.
“Sir! No running down the corridor.”
Feeling suitably chastised, Norman apologized and then walked as fast as he could to the reception desk on Amy’s ward. A nurse who was now friendly with Norman after his daily visits smiled at him in greeting.
“Norman, lovely to see you. I was wondering when you would turn up.
“How is she, Melissa?”
“She’s sleeping at the moment, but the doctor has seen her and he’s happy. I don’t think that you’ll be able to spend much time with her today but I’m sure tomorrow she’ll be awake more. It’s going to be a long hard recovery for her, but she’s awake, which is the main thing.”
Thanking the nurse, Norman made his way to Amy’s door and stood outside trying to calm his nerves. It was funny, he’d been here every day and even though the nurse had said she was asleep, the idea that she could wake up at any moment made him nervous. What if she didn’t want to see him? He tapped lightly on the door, and softly pushed it open. Amy’s bed had been raised so that she was in a sitting-up position and the machines had been switched off, it seemed strange to walk in and not have the regular rhythm of beeps. Not wanting to wake her just yet, Norman settled down into his seat and waited.
Aware that somebody had entered the room, Amy tried to open her eyes but they were just too heavy. You would think, she thought to herself that after being in a coma for so long you would wake up feeling refreshed. How strange then that she felt more tired than she ever had before. Forgetting about her visitor she fell back to sleep.
When she next awoke she managed to open her eyes. Norman was dozing in the chair next to her. She took a moment to drink in the sight of him sleeping. He was so handsome, his face relaxed in sleep had an almost boyish quality about it. His dark hair was ruffled like he’d just gotten up and she longed to reach over and run her fingers through it. He seemed much thinner than when she last saw him and even though he was sleeping she could see the dark circles under his eyes. She hoped that this wasn’t because of her but the nurse had told her how he’d been visiting every day and looking after her farm, so she guessed this probably was the case. She hoped that he woke soon, she had so much she wanted to say to him, wanted to thank him for everything he’d done but she was already starting to feel sleepy again. Despite trying her hardest to stay awake, it wasn’t long before it got too much for Amy to resist and the darkness overcame her again.
Waking with a start, it took Norman a few seconds to work out where he was, then he looked straight over at Amy, she was sleeping. Had she woken at all? How could he have fallen asleep at such a time? He then noticed that a nurse was standing over him.
“I’m sorry but I’m going to have to ask you to leave now.”
Norman w
as reluctant to go, especially as he hadn’t had chance to speak to Amy, but he remembered what the other nurse had said about her being more awake tomorrow. It was probably better that they talk then.
Leaning over and kissing her forward, he whispered to her. “I promise I’m going to take care of you.”
***
When Norman arrived back at the hospital the next day the nurse was already waiting for him.
“Thank goodness you’re here. Amy’s been awake for the last hour and she keeps demanding to see you.”
Norman looked at her worriedly. “Is everything ok? Is she ok?”
Seeing how worried Norman was, the nurse smiled kindling. “Yes, everything seems to be fine. She’s woken up a lot fresher today, one of the other nurses has given her a bath and she’s managed to eat a small breakfast. I’m sure she’s just anxious to see you.”
As Norman made his way to Amy’s room the nurse couldn’t help wondering who wouldn’t be anxious to see him. She certainly knew that most of the nurses around here would be sorry when Amy left and they wouldn’t get to see him every day.
Seeing a familiar looking shadow at the door to her room, Amy suddenly felt shy. It had been so long since they’d gotten to talk to each other. What would it be like? What would they say?
She nervously fiddled with her hair as the door slowly opened and Norman peered around it, smiling when he saw her awake.
“Hello, you.”
The sound of his voice sent Amy’s stomach flip-flopping, it was just as deep and rich as she remembered it.
“Hey,” she replied quietly.
“It’s lovely to see you awake, you had me worried for a while there.” He’d come and sat beside her in the chair where she’d seen him sleeping yesterday, seemingly the chair where he’d spend most of his time while she’d been here.
“I know, I’m really sorry. Listen…” She paused, there was so much that she wanted to say, but where to start really. “I wanted to say thank you for everything you’ve done for me. The nurses explained how you moved me here and how you’ve been taking care of the farm. After everything…” She paused as a lump suddenly appeared in her throat.
“After everything that happened, for you to still care, to still do all this for me, well it’s just beyond kind of you.” She leaned over and took his hand in hers. “Thank you so much.”
Norman placed his other hand over hers and squeezed it gently.
“It was the least that I could. When I heard about your accident, I couldn’t help think that it was my fault. I was the one that was supposed to paint the roof. I’m so sorry that I let you down.” He looked down at their hands entwined, together as they should be. “I owe you an explanation.”
Amy didn’t reply, just nodded her head and waited.
“When I first came upon your farm I was… Well, I guess I was angry and unsure of myself. I’d just finished with my girlfriend after I found out that she was only with me for my money. I was fed up of just being seen as Norman the Billionaire. I wanted people to see me as a regular guy. I just wanted to be a regular guy. It was a spur of the moment thing and then, before I knew it, I’d fallen for you and couldn’t work out how to untangle the knot I’d gotten myself into. All I knew was that I didn’t want to lose you” He smiled ruefully “As it turned out I did a pretty rubbish job of untangling it.”
Amy couldn’t help giggling slightly at that. “You’re not wrong there. I owe you an apology too, though. I shouldn’t have stormed off like that, I should have given you a chance to explain yourself. I was so angry, though, you knew about my history with Paul and how hurt I’d been, yet you still hadn’t told me the truth.”
Norman’s eyes were full of regret and sorrow. Amy couldn’t help wanting to comfort him and she lightly stroked his hand.
“I’m so sorry Amy. I never meant to hurt you, you’re the last person in the world I’d want to do that to.”
“Norman, it’s ok. I’m not upset anymore. In fact, I was going to ring you the minute I’d finished the roof, give us the chance to talk things through. Didn’t quite work out like thatunfortunatelly.
“So are you saying you forgive me, that we can make things work?”
Letting the tears fall down her cheeks freely now, Amy smiled at Norman. “Yes, that’s what I’m saying but it’s more than that. I’m saying I love you Norman.”
With tears also falling down his cheeks now Norman leaned over and kissed her softly. With the taste of their tears on her lips, Amy kissed him back and they both finally felt like they were whole again.
Chapter 4
The time had finally come for Amy to leave the hospital. She had to admit that her recuperation had been a lot harder than she’d expected it to be. She thought that she’d be straight up, out of bed and walking again. Instead, it had taken weeks of physiotherapy to get her to the point where she could walk down the corridor with her stick. Now, finally, she didn’t need her stick and Norman was coming to take her home.
Except, she thought sadly to herself, she wasn’t actually going home yet. While she wanted nothing more than to be back at her beloved farmhouse with Rolo and Tabatha, she’d had to accept Norman’s offer to stay with him for a while. She just wasn’t strong enough to manage all by herself, plus it was a lot quicker and easier to travel back and forth to the hospital from his.
The nurse came in to make sure that she had everything packed and see if she needed any help, but she’d managed to put her things together and even get her jeans on by herself, so she was already counting today as a win. She did have one last thing to do, though. She searched around in her bag and pulled out a present that she’d hidden in there.
“This is for everybody. I wanted to say thank you for all the help you’ve given me over the past few weeks.”
The nurse took the present and smiled at Amy. “Thank you so much, that’s so thoughtful of you. Can I open it?”
“Of course.”
Opening the present, she let out a gasp of delight as she revealed the largest box of chocolates she’d ever seen. “Oh Amy, these look gorgeous. You really shouldn’t have.”
“It was the least I could do really, you guys have been so brilliant.”
They were interrupted by a knock at the door and a tall body appeared with a huge bouquet of flowers as a head. Lowering the bouquet, Norman appeared smiling over the top of it.
“You just couldn’t wait for me to get here first!”
Amy laughed. “I know, I know I’m sorry. I’m terrible when it comes to presents. Still, you’re here now and you still have your present for them.”
“Yes, I do”. Norman presented the flowers to the nurse with a slight bow that made her and Amy giggle and swoon simultaneously.
“I’m sure Amy has already said it but we wanted you all to know how grateful we are for all your hard work. Hopefully, these will go some way to showing you that.”
Her arms now full of flowers and chocolates and blushing slightly from Norman’s charm, the nurse smiled at them both.
You two are the loveliest couple. Now go, make the most of your life together.”
Bending down and kissing Amy hello, Norman looked deep into her eyes. “Don’t worry nurse, we intend to.”
Suddenly blushing herself, Amy felt more than happy to be going home with such a wonderful man.
***
Pulling up at Norman’s mansion Amy was in awe at the size of it. She’d only seen it briefly that first time and hadn’t really taken it all in. As Norman got out of the car and rushed around to open her door and help her out, she took a moment to try and compose herself. Was this really where she’d be living for the next few weeks? A sudden jolt of anxiety took over her and she struggled for breath. It all just seemed too much, too big. She needed to go home, needed to see her pets.
Seeing that something was wrong, Norman bent down and rested his hand lightly on her knee.
“It’s ok. I promise you it
’s all going to be fine.”
She looked at him, unshed tears stinging the back of her eye. “It’s just so grand, so much more than I’m used to. It feel so overwhelming.”
Norman looked at her sympathetically. “I know, that’s why I’ve got a little surprise for you. Something to make it seem more like home.”
The front door opened and a man in a dark suit appeared. Was that a butler? Dear God, it was like suddenly waking up in an episode of Downton Abbey. She didn’t have long to start worrying again, though, because a huge ball of white fluff was careening towards her.
“Rollo!” She cried, tears definitely falling now as the big dog somehow managed to squeeze himself into Norman’s car and start showering her with licks. His big tail banging against the dashboard.
Bad Boys Rule Page 64