Falling in love with your best friend

Chapter 9

A few days later, Dino is strong enough to be allowed home but Tula has to stay in hospital. Dino obviously has his family to help care for him so it means Rich can put all his energy into looking after Tula. She's asleep when her mum turns up at the hospital.

Anne: Hiya Rich. Hows she doing?

Rich: She came round from her coma but she's asleep at the minute.

Anne: That's good then. I hear you've been looking after both her and Dino?

Rich: Yeah. They're like my family so it's what family do.

Anne: I suppose. Do you wanna go home and I'll sit with her?

Rich: Nah I'm fine. You can stay though because she might wake up.

Anne: I'm gonna get a drink, do you want anything?

Rich: Yeah can you get me a tea please? Here take some money.

Anne: I'll pay for it. You've done enough for T and Dino. It's the least I can do.

Rich: Are you sure?

Anne: Yeah, now stay with her and let me know if she wakes up.

Rich: I will do.

Anne: Good.

She went off to get two teas from the cafe. A short while later, Tula woke up.

Tula: Rich?

Rich: I'm here darling.

Tula: Who were you talking to?

Rich: You're mum. She's gone off to get me and her some teas. Do you want a drink?

Tula: Yeah, will you just pass me some water please?

Rich: Yeah sure.

He sat her up and got a drink of water, just as her mum came back in with the teas.

Anne: Here you are Rich.

Rich: Thanks.

Anne: Oh hello, trouble!

Tula: Hiya mum.

Anne: You gave us all such a fright.

Tula: I know, I'm sorry.

Anne: It's OK.

Rich: The doctors said you might be able to go home in a week or so T.

Tula: That's brilliant!

Rich: I know. Me and your mum are gonna go home for a bit so you can get some sleep OK?

Tula: OK guys, see you later.

Anne: Bye love.

They left the hospital so Tula could get some sleep. Rich agreed to go back up to see her later on. He decided to go see how Dino was getting on.

Rich: Dino, mate how you doing?

Dino: Broken leg but apart from that, fine.

Rich: Good.

Dino: Hows T?

Rich: She's good. The doctors said she might be able to come home in a week or so.

Dino: That's great!

Rich: I know mate. I'm gonna get off anyway, I just wanted to see how you was.

Dino: OK mate. Let me know how T's doing yeah?

Rich: I will do mate.

Dino: Cheers.

Rich: You're welcome.

Rich left Dino's, went home for a quick shower, change and something to eat and he went straight back to the hospital to see Tula.

Rich: Hiya T.

Tula: Did you see Dino?

Rich: Yeah, he was asking after you as well.

Tula: I wanna go home for God's sake.

Rich: You will soon.

Tula: Do you reckon this is karma?

Rich: What do you mean?

Tula: For what I did to Shannon?

Rich: No. You can't think like that.

Tula: It might be.

Rich: It's not.

Tula: You don't know.

Rich: T?

Tula: What?

Rich: It isn't karma. This was an accident.

Tula says she's tired so Rich leaves her in peace to get some sleep. He feels more comfortable leaving her knowing she's out of danger so he heads to the shop on the corner near the hospital, he gets some food and a drink and he heads home.

The next morning, he sleeps in until about 10:30. He quickly gets up, showered, dressed and gets some breakfast. He makes his way to the hospital to see T and discovers she isn't in her bed.

Rich: Nurse!

Nurse: Yes sir?

Tula Contostavlos, where is she? She's not in her bed.

Tula: I'm here you banana.

Rich: I thought something had happened to you! 

Tula: No! I needed a wee.

Rich: That's alright then.

Tula: Aww were you scared?

Rich: Yeah, just a bit.

Tula: Aww poor Richy.

Rich: It's Rich, not Richy.

Tula: Richy.

Rich: Go on you, get back in that bed!

Tula: I'm only joking babe.

Rich: I know you are.

He spent the next couple of hours with her and the nurses told him to go home for a bit because he looked tired. They'd look after Tula and she was in the best place.

Rich: Let me know if anything happens!

Nurse: She's out of danger now. We've seen the grief she gives you so we can only imagine what she's gonna give us!

Rich: I'm just glad she's still around to give me grief!

He does as the nurses tell him and he goes home for a bit. He decides to go see Dino for a bit later on as well. He might stay the night as his as well, just to give Tula some space. The nurses have his number if T wants to see him.

A few days later, Rich goes to see T and she's told she'll be allowed out of hospital in a couple of days but that she's not allowed to do much. She has to get plenty of rest so she can recover properly. 

Rich: Hey T.

Tula: Hey Rich. Did you have a nice time at Dino's?

Rich: Yeah. He was gonna come and see you but his leg's playing up.

Tula: Oh.

Rich: You can see him in a couple of days anyway. I'll take you to see him when you get let out of here.

Tula: Yeah I know and thanks.

Rich: I'll be back in a minute babe.

Tula: OK.

He goes off to get a drink and by the time he comes back, Tula's asleep. He gives her a kiss and settles down in the chair next to her while she has a little sleep. He becomes tired himself and settles down in the chair to get some sleep.