I’d just taken a few sleeping pills, to try and get some sleep and push my dad out of my mind, as I was exhausted. Trouble was, a couple of hours later, still wide awake, I’d forgotten I’d taken the first lot and taken four more, thinking the extra two would help, still feeling very down and alone.

I’d accidentally overdosed myself…

It was by sheer chance that the front door had sprung back open, if it hadn’t, I wouldn’t have made it. Dad hadn’t noticed it was still open, the first time he had walked away, as I had made it pretty clear I wanted nothing to do with him.

Charlene had saved my life…

I wasn’t aware of any of this; I was out like a light, comatose.

Charlene never left my side, she came with me in the ambulance and sat by my bed in the emergency room. Dad, in a rare moment of compassion, didn’t contradict her when she said she was my emergency contact, as well as my fiancée. He said we had only found out recently and hadn’t got round to updating the records…

“I didn’t know…!”, he said, head in his hands.

To his amazement, Charlene hugged him.

“Maxine’s like that, you know”, she said. “Always letting others take credit. I’ve had enough of it, by the way. The new line will be known from the start as ‘The Maxine Henderson Collection’. That is, of course, if there is a new line. She still might not make it…”

It was Charlene’s turn to be comforted by Geoff…

I was ‘out’ for almost a week. When I did wake up, I blinked, then looked at the pair of humans staring back at me…

“I know you two from somewhere, don’t I…”, I said, groaning. I looked around. “Where the hell am I…?”

Charlene couldn’t help it. With a whoop of delight, she dived over and hugged me. Even dad smiled and clapped his hands together with delight.

“Before you have a go at me again”, he said, “not that I don’t deserve it, I apologise. I’ve been an idiot. Tony told me all about the dresses, and what Belinda said to him. I’m so sorry…”

“I’m sort of too tired to care…”, I said, weakly, “but thanks, dad. That means a lot, coming from you.”

Charlene pushed the call button, and the duty nurse came in. Charlene presented me to her, saying “I think she’s awake…!” Then, “Would you please excuse me a second…?”

Charlene went out into the corridor. The tears, this time of joy, ran freely…

Dad came over and held my hand.

“I’ll never doubt you again… Maxine”, he said. My dad using my new name was the icing on the cake for me. “Just bear with me. I can be a real idiot at times…”

I saw, now, that he was crying as well. I just grabbed him as best as I could and hugged him for all I was worth. The nurse then shooed him out of the room, saying my blood pressure was too high and I needed to rest.

Geoff met Charlene in the corridor.

“Look after…her”, he said, still getting used to the change. “She needs you. You’re good for her, and you saved her life. I’ll never forget that.”

“Just accept her”, Charlene said. “That will be enough, for both of us. By the way, thanks for not correcting me when I said I was her emergency contact.”

To Charlene’s amazement, Geoff just said, “I hope the fiancée bit was true, too… You really ought to tell her, sometime.”

Giving her a gentle peck on the cheek, Geoff walked off. “See you…”, he said quietly. To her surprise, Charlene didn’t mind that at all…

Maxine’s recovery was rapid, especially since it was established that the overdose was accidental, so no counselling was needed. She was back at work a week later, carrying a pile of papers with her. She’d designed the whole collection while she had been ‘resting’…!

The Maxine Henderson Collection was introduced to the public the following month. The designs were up market, modern but elegant, also priced for general public, not just the elite. Those in the know loved them, and there were rave reviews. Problem was, demand far outstripped supply, and the store kept selling out…!

When Maxine had come out to show people her latest creations on the first day, hundreds were waiting. The roar of applause was incredible. At the same time, Charlene sprung a little surprise. She announced their engagement! The cheers were even louder, but there were a few gasps when Maxine promptly fainted…!