Chapter 29: Chapter 29: They burn the muffins

Slowly, and with effort, she opened her eyes.

He was standing above her, barefoot and bare-chested, in a worn pair of blue track pants. On the bedside table was a vase of newly-snipped lilac and white roses.

'You look as though you've been there a while.'

'I have. I was beginning to think you weren't going to stir.'

She closed her eyes and turned her face into the pillow. 'It's the first night's sleep I've had in weeks. You're better than any sleeping pill.'

He hunkered down. She didn't need to look to know he was smiling. 'I've made coffee. Would you like some?'

She shook her head against the pillow. 'Water.'

'Water?'

'Mmm.'

He left. She dragged the sheet up and clutched it in a heap under her chin. He came back. 'Water.' She opened an eye. 'You ordered water.'

She hitched the sheet. 'I don't want to move.'

'All right,' she heard him say. 'I'll leave it here. There's a T-shirt on the chair when you want a shower. The bathroom's next door.'