Dainty fingers curled around a lock of hair as Mandy sat in the chair next to Oliver's hospital bed, surveying his still form, her other hand clasping his larger one. Willing him awake having proved unsuccessful thus far, Mandy bent down with a sigh, rifling through her bag until she found what she was looking for.
From the over-full bag she pulled a slightly tattered copy of Roald Dahl's The BFG, opening the book to the marked page. Pausing, she cast a long look at Oliver's impassive face, still so handsome even as it was devoid of the lopsided smile that made her heart speed up. Attention returning to the book in her lap, she picked up where she'd left off on her last visit, with the unsuspecting giants in for a nasty surprise. Jules had owled her a few times, letting her know when there'd be time for Mandy to visit uninterrupted. What with work and wanting to allow his family time to visit, Mandy hadn't made it in to see him as often as she might have liked. She'd continued a Brocklehurst family tradition, reading to him despite his unconscious state. The custom her father had begun when she'd had chicken pox at age five brought her comfort now, as did reading one of her favourite childhood authors.

A few chapters later, when the Great Plan had been hatched, she folded the corner of the page and shut the book, cocking her head to the side to just watch him. There was nothing serene or peaceful about his stillness; indeed, the absence of his energetic, playful demeanour was almost sinister, an unnatural vacuum where his bright eyes and vivacious personality should be.

Sighing, it seemed she’d been doing that a lot lately, Mandy scooted closer, grasping his large hand as her other softly stroked along his arm. “Wake up,” she whispered, willing her words to take effect. “You’re much more interesting when you’re conscious and capable of cuddling.” Squeezing his hand tightly, she closed her eyes, letting her head fall back against the chair. “Please wake up, Oliver. You’re meant to be awake and with me, not lying there so still.” Eyes blinking open again, she leaned forward, kissing his temple softly. “I miss you.”


Summary: Despite the fact that he's still out, Mandy chats and reads to Oliver.