There was some relief in his gaze at that news. "That's something, anyway," he murmured, continuing to load his cart. It still didn't sound pleasant, nor did it help with his fear of hospitals, but everyone was going to live. That was most important.

He finished his cart just as she finished hers. Accepting the gloves, he tried to pull them on, only to realise that his hands were shaking. Inwardly, he berated himself, hoping Christine wouldn't notice. He really was pathetic in hospitals. Taking a few deep breaths, he willed himseslf to calm down and managed to pull on the gloves.