"You’re kidding me right?" Shane asked incredulously.

Carmen just raised her eyebrows and took a swig of beer.

**********************************************************************************************************

Bette walked back into Tina’s cubicle to find Eric by the bed.

"Bette" he turned to greet her.

"Eric" she responded politely.

"Erm…I wanted to thank you for bringing Tina in. It’s lucky you were with her"

"What are friends for, eh?" Bette smiled falsely.

"Eric’s right Bette. I’m really lucky you were there. After I crashed the car I could have been stuck there for ages if you hadn’t been there to help me" Tina jumped in before Bette and Eric got the chance to converse any further.

"Oh. Well. I’m just glad you’re ok" Bette caught on to Tina’s story and was impressed by how well she could think on her feet.

"And so am I" Eric leant in and kissed Tina on the lips.

Bette watched the exchange and felt her heart sink. It wasn’t so long ago that her lips were against Tina’s, and, if it was possible, she was finding it even harder now to see the two of them together. Noticing how Tina was looking down in embarassment, Bette decided to change the subject.

"Is it easing up at all? Your back I mean"

"I don’t know. It hurts a lot, especially if I try and move. I’m hoping they’ll give me some pain killers"

"I’m sure they will. And you’ll probably just have to rest" Bette smiled at her.

"That’s gonna be hard for Tina. Never stops, do you babe?" Eric patted her on the head.

"I’m sure I’ll be fine" Tina smiled weakly.

"Well, you have me here to take care of you. When I get you home I’ll just tuck you up in bed and then I can wait on you hand and foot"

Thank God, thought Bette, as the doctor re-entered the cubicle. She didn’t know how much more of the sickly sweet Eric she could take.

"Tina, good news. I don’t see any reason to keep you here any longer. There shouldn’t be any long term damage to your back, you just need to rest it for a while. I’ve prescribed you some pain killers which should tide you over for the next couple of weeks. Just take them when the pain gets heavy, but no more than three a day. Any more problems, just come right back and see us" the doctor smiled.