Page 24 of Let Me Love You (Excess All Areas 5)

His heart exploded in his chest. “Nan? Shit. Let me get the doctor.”

“Butter…and sugar… wooden…spoon.” The words were slurry.

“Nan. Shit. You can tell me about creaming later…just. One second.”

A tear escaped and he brushed it away as he stepped out into the hallway and found the first nurse he could find. “My nan, Rhoda Palmer. She’s coming around. Talking and stuff. Can a doctor come and see her?”

“Let me go find the consultant.”

“Nan,” he gasped, hurrying back into the room. “How are you feeling? Are you okay? Please tell me this isn’t some weird sleep talking or something.”

Painfully slowly, Nan’s eyes flickered open and she winced. “Ben?”

“Yeah, Nan. It’s me.” She reached for the tube that ran beneath her nose, but Ben reached for her wrist gently. “No, Nan. Lie still. At least until the doctor’s seen you.”

“What…happened?”

Nan closed her eyes again, and he squeezed her fingers, playing with them to keep her moving and alert. “You had a stroke. You’ve been out of it for days. God, I’m sorry, Nan. I need to say it, so you know, but I am so fucking sorry. I’ve made a mess of things recently. I was just telling you all about it. It’s a sign you woke up while I was telling you.”

Her fingertips patted the back of his hand weakly. “Angels,” she mustered.

“Yeah, Nan. Angels. You can tell me all about them.”

Two people walked into the room. The nurse he’d spoken to, and someone he assumed was the consultant. “Hi, I’m Doctor Parker, she’s spoken?”

“She has. And it makes sense. It’s lucid.”

“If you could just give me some space. Hello, Mrs. Palmer. Can you hear me?”

“Don’t…shout,” Nan grumbled, and Ben grinned in relief. He pulled out his phone and messaged in the family group chat.

Nan just told the consultant to not shout. She’s awake. Talking about baking.

As the nurse and consultant continued more checks on Nan, the messages started to flood in.

Alex:What a fucking relief.

Mum:I’ll be back there in five.

Luke:Give her a hug from us.

Jase:Best fucking news ever.

Matt:Will it overwhelm her if we all show up?

Jase:No idea. But I need to see her.

Ben jumped in and typed his own message.She’s barely awake. Speaking really slowly. Mostly with her eyes closed because it’s too bright. The doctor is with her now. I’ll keep you posted.

The doctor looked over in his direction. “It looks like your grandmother has been exceptionally lucky. It will obviously be a while before we understand what, if any, limitations have occurred. But this is a good sign. I’m just going to organise a few follow-up tests and I’ll be back.”

Ben sat back down on the bed and reached for her hand. “Jesus, Nan. You scared the crap out of me.”

This time, Nan did open her eyes. “I’ll haunt you…forever…if that doctor…shines his torch…in my eyes again.”

Laughter, awkward and choked, escaped him. “I’ll try to stop him, but if it’s in your best interest, I’ll pin you down and let him do it. Everyone is on their way.”

Nan winced. “My head hurts, lad.”

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