Page 4 of Five Things I Love About You

‘You had me worried,’ she says. ‘I shit myself when the hospital rang to tell me you’d been brought in.’

‘Sorry.’

‘Don’t be silly. I’m flattered you thought to ask for me. And relieved you’re okay of course.’ She reaches over and tucks a stray hair behind my ear. It’s so uncharacteristically gentle for Kirstie, it makes me want to cry. ‘So can you remember what happened?’

I nod, but I’m not fully concentrating on what she’s saying. Instead, I’m wondering who the man I was just kissing was, and where on earth he’s gone. I glance over Kirstie’s shoulder.

‘Don’t worry, Soph’s on her way,’ she says, and I don’t have the heart to tell her it wasn’t our other best friend I was looking for. ‘The nurse says you came off your bike and hit your head.’

‘Right,’ I say, nodding.

‘You were wearing your helmet so it’s just a bit of mild concussion, but the doctor – who by the way ishot– wants to keep you in overnight for observation.’ She grins. ‘I might ask for his number.’

‘Kirstie!’

She shrugs. ‘You know me, never one to pass up an opportunity,’ she says, and I can’t help laughing.

‘Was there…’ I stop, unsure how to ask. ‘Was there anyone else here?’

Her forehead creases. ‘When?’

‘Before.’

‘Before?’ She shakes her head. ‘I’ve only seen the doctor and a couple of nurses, and you’ve been asleep the whole time I’ve been here. I guess there might have been someone here before I arrived, but I don’t think you’ve been here very long.’

That’s weird. It had felt so real, and as the details come back to me I feel my face grow hot.God.

Kirstie’s giving me a strange look and I try to look casual, not wanting the third degree. Too late. ‘Who exactly did you think was here, Miranda?’

‘No one,’ I stammer. ‘Honestly, it was nothing.’

I hope she’ll drop it, but I should have known better.

‘Come on, Kennedy. Out with it. You’ve gone bright red; there’s definitely something you’re not telling me.’

I look down at the rumpled bedsheet. I want to make something up, move on from this conversation. But she’s known me so long she always knows when I’m lying so there’s no point.

‘The reason I skidded was because a man stepped out in front of me,’ I start.

‘Riiiiight?’ Kirstie watches me expectantly. I take a deep breath and carry on.

‘The man I almost hit was… well.’ I swallow and meet Kirstie’s eye. ‘I thought he was here. With me.’

‘In the hospital?’

My face burns more. ‘In my bed. Kissing me.’

Kirstie stares at me for a few seconds. Then she roars with laughter and bangs her hand on the bed. ‘You had a saucy dream!’ she says, delighted.

‘Ssshhh,’ I hiss, glancing round to see if anyone has heard us. The man in the bed opposite looks away quickly when I catch his eye.

‘Sorry,’ she says, not sounding sorry at all. ‘But this is brilliant!’

‘I don’t know about that…’ I rub my head and wince. ‘I mean, it really felt like it was more than just a dream. I… I really thought he was here.’

Kirstie looks round and grins. ‘Afraid not, it’s just me.’ She leans in closer. ‘But come on, tell me what he looked like, this man you nearly ran over. Was he handsome?’

‘I’m not sure. I didn’t really see his face.’

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