Things Can Only Get Better

"Okay, how about here?" Bron asked as she pulled off the road.

"Anywhere will be fine, Honey. I just need to sit and unwind for a bit," Ed replied, wearily. It had been a long four hours in the hospital, and he felt his entire morning had been wasted.

"Alright, Cariad. We’ll get a bite to eat as well, and if you’re good, I’ll sport you a beer too."

Ed smiled, the twinkle returning to his eyes. He wasn’t a big drinker, but while he was on all his medication, he was ordered to be completely dry. The one good part of the ‘torture’ he’d endured all morning was the fact that his specialist had reduced his meds down to almost nothing, and had given the okay for the occasional beer.

He looked again at where Bron had stopped, taking more interest this time, and deciding it was a good place to get a bite to eat before the drive back to The Glen.

"Can you park any closer, darlin’?"

"I’ll take a look see, if not, I’m sure we can arrange something." Bron skipped away from the car into the restaurant, and soon came back with a wheelchair.

"I do NOT need that!"

"Ed, don’t make a fuss, there’s a beautiful place we can sit for lunch, but it’s too far for you to walk after what they put you through this morning, and the fresh air will do you good."

Just as he was about to complain once again, his stomach rumbled and he couldn’t help but join in with Bron’s laughter. "Alright, baby, you win…this time. The day is fast approaching when I’m gonna get my own back on you for all the indignities you’ve heaped upon me."

"Oh bollocks, just get your arse into this chair, super spy, or I’ll leave you out here to starve."

Ed laughed as Bron helped him out of the car, and she shooed away the offer of help from the owner, who had come out to help. Bron knew Ed would never allow anyone but her to push him around like an invalid. Instead, the owner, who introduced himself as Phil Studley, led the way around the back of the restaurant to a table right on edge of the veranda overlooking the river.

Ed smiled at Bron as Phil left them the menu. It was a good choice and he felt himself relaxing already. After enjoying a delightful lunch of king prawns and sea scallops cooked in a wok with veggies and noodles in a sweet chilli and coconut sauce, Ed was served the promised beer while Bron stuck to orange juice.

When the lunch service was over, Phil asked them to chat a while. He was always interested in newcomers in the area, and they were the first people he’d met from the new Glen community. Finally, they reluctantly said it was time to make a move, but promised they would visit Mangrove Jacks again the next time they were in Coffs. This time, Ed allowed Phil to push him back to the car, jokingly telling Bron that with all the good food inside him, she wouldn’t be able to manage his extra weight, and they were soon on their way home for some peace and quiet before Ed’s next appointment.