It's not strictly speaking a sequel, but will make more sense if you read "Stuck" first.
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Millie knew his voice within seconds. Of course it was him. She had heard a rumour that he was back. Back after six months, more than that, nearly seven months really. Not a word during that time. Not a call, text, email, letter, message. Nothing. It was as if she had never existed in his life. Strange really, because they had spent nearly every minute together that they weren't working in the four months previously. You would have thought that would count for something wouldn't you?
She cocked her head to one side. "Yeah, got back last night. Just a few things to do at home then straight back here. Figured I may as well hit the ground running". He was talking to someone in uniform, but she didn't want to look over and couldn't make out who it was. Mechanically tying the belt on her coat she listened for a moment longer before turning away and walking along the corridor to the exit.
Max saw her as soon as she stepped out of the locker room. She seemed different but he couldn't quite see how from a distance. Thinner perhaps, different hair. Not sure, would have to be closer to be certain, but definitely different. Well, seven months is a long time after all.
It wasn't the right time to approach her anyway, so he was relieved that Nate had stopped to welcome him back to Sun Hill. He guessed that he was likely to be greeted with surprise by most of his colleagues so he may as well get used to their questions. It would wear off in a day or two anyway. There would only be one colleague whose questions would be difficult to answer.
Millie sat between Leon and Ben in the pub, resting her chin on her hands, desperately trying to maintain some interest in the nonsense they were talking. She was sure it was very funny, they were certainly in fits about something, but it was lost on her. Mel looked at her and rolled her eyes, whatever they were talking about it clearly didn't mean much to her either. It made Millie feel a bit better at least. The problem was that she felt as though every bit of life had been wrenched away from her, again, for the second time in seven months. Bastard.
"Sorry guys, I've really got a splitting headache. I need to get some Nurofen and go to bed."
"Mills! No, don't go, we're only just getting started!"
"That's sort of what I'm afraid of" she replied with a small smile " I don't want to hold you down".
"Maybe I'd like you told me down" responded Ben cheekily.
Millie eyed him in the same way she hoped his mother would. "Enough of that Benjamin. I'll see you all in the morning when my headache will be long gone and yours will be settling in for the rest of the day". With that, she swept up her bag and left.
It wasn't complete lie. She did have a splitting headache, but it was the reappearance of Max Carter that had brought it on, she had felt her blood pounding in her ears as soon as she realised he was back. In a forlorn attempt to distract herself from the pain, she went home via the supermarket. She wasn't hungry of course, but she did need to get some Nurofen and maybe something might tempt her, it was better than sitting at home wondering how she was going to face him.
Max tidied his desk a bit, fiddled with a few bits of paperwork here and there, deleted several hundred emails and sat back, staring at his screen. He hadn't seen her in nearly seven months, hadn't even looked at a photograph of her in that time. But seeing her in the flesh today, albeit at a distance, he wanted her just as much as he had the first time they had kissed in that lift nearly a year ago. It hit him like a train, just how much he had missed her. It might not sound exciting, but all he wanted to do was curl up on his sofa with her, a bottle of wine and a dvd of something she would love and he would hate, but would endure for her sake. Somehow, he didn't rate his chances of achieving that goal without serious effort.