First meeting of Josh and Grace.
Stella
and Dom are in the locker room talking about the new girl,
Grace.
Stella has already decided what is going to happen, she
says " she's too blonde, cute, bet you its only a matter of days
before Josh hits on her". Dom is used to Stella' gossip but he
thinks this is pretty harsh and tells her so, Grace is married anyway
so Dom thinks Stella is way out of line.
Stella says that it
hasn't stopped Josh before. Dom is losing his patience; "since
when are you an expert on Josh's love life Stell, leave them
alone"
Josh walks in to the changeroom, overhearing the last
part and asks "leave who alone ? you gossiping again Stella ? "
She
mumbles something inaudible and walks off
Dom announces to Josh;
" the new girl has arrived" but Josh isn't too interested;
"...... oh ?"
Dom adds some more info; " Lawson says she's
a negotiator"
Josh is silently changing, not commenting, then
finally he asks; "what's her name ?"
Dom replies; "
Grace, Mrs Grace Barry"
Now Josh understands Stella's comment,
he says; "..... I see...."
They walk out to the car where they
are met by the others
Lawson introduces Grace; " Josh you
haven't met Grace, she's joining us from today"
Josh nods at
her, staying poker face
Grace gives him her friendly smile. Whilst
Lawson does his official start of the day talk, Josh has a million
thoughts running through his head. He can't concentrate and he
can't get that little smile out of his head.
Lawson says
something to him but he doesn't hear
Josh responds; " uh ...;
oh sorry ?"
Stella notices; "what's wrong with you ? had a
busy night ?"
Josh frowns at her, says; " shut up Stella",
and he does his best to avoid looking at Grace.
To Grace he comes
across as a non communicative type , probably disapproves of females
in positions of authority, and in the TR, she notices his offhand
manner with Stella.
Lawson assigns Grace, Josh and Dom to a
car.
Josh drives, Dom makes friendly conversation with Grace. Josh
doesn't say anything, he drives and occasionally finds himself
looking at her seated behind, through the rear view mirror. Her smile
fills up the mirror and he curses himself for the distraction.
Later
that day at the end of the shift in the locker room
Grace
has changed and is standing at her locker putting on her jewellery.
She says goodbye to Dom. Josh comes out of the shower, jeans on, no
shirt, towel around his shoulders. He seems displeased to find a girl
in the room or at least that is how Grace interprets his scowl.
He
starts walking towards his locker. She looks at him and he tries hard
not to look at her but as he walks past her she says ; "not very
talkative are you ?" He stops in front of her locker and looks
her in the eyes, drops of water on his chest rising and falling with
his breathing.
He frowns at her, says ; " what would you like
me to say ?"
Now she wishes she hadn't said anything at all,
he's standing right in front of her, the space between them seems
charged. It's silent except for the sound of their breathing.
The
moment seems to drag on, she looks down, sensing that she can't
meet his gaze. She's embarrassed and aroused.
He stands there
looking at her, sensing her embarrassment.
He wants to hold her by
the waist and pull her up to him, run his hands through her hair but
he doesn't dare. It disturbs and annoys him that his ordered
professional life is disrupted like this.
He abruptly turns away
and goes to his locker. He puts on a t-shirt, shoes and a black
jacket. He quickly walks out mumbling ; "see ya tomorrow then".
He doesn't look back for her reaction.
She is still standing
there fiddling with her wedding ring, her thoughts scattered.
Josh pulls his black jacket up against his neck against the cold, frowning, trying to control his emotions, he shoves his hands in his pockets and angrily pushes open the door. He strides outside, down the steps to the carpark, pulls out his keys and jumps into a dirty black ute. He turns on the ignition and puts in a CD ( loud rock). He revs up and drives off .
