The storm was coming back, upon entering the office they found themselves plunged into a murky yellow darkness – the kind that only appears during a storm.

Connie flicked on the light, the window was still open and outside the fire brigade were still working to secure the scaffolding.

"I'll shut that window for you..."

Max followed her gaze. The wind wailed past the glass sending a low howling moan about the small room, punctuated and interrupted only by the sharp clinking noise of metal from the scaffolding outside.

He moved over to the window, glancing out only briefly before pulling the window closed, the wind almost pulling it from his grasp.

"I seem to have spent most of the day with you without meaning to, Mr Walker."

He glanced back as Connie spoke, turning to face her, his back against the window.

"Sorry..."

He smiled slightly, perhaps nervously, habit bringing a hand up to rub the side of his head.

Connie smiled, her lips pursed, dipping her head as if to try to conceal it.

"No need to be sorry."

She raised her eyes to look at him.

"I've rather enjoyed it."

She added, her voice quieter this time. She remained still, watching him, enjoying the flush of his cheeks, the awkwardness of his stance.

"Well. I think I'm just about finished here..."

She smiled again, his silence amusing her. She bent to retrieve the bag from under her desk and began unzipping it.

"Ah...Ok."

She glanced up as he spoke, he held his hands awkwardly in front of himself, biting gently on his bottom lip as he worked out what to say next.

"Well...would you..."

He paused again, a faint nervous twitch at the corner of his lips.

"I wondered if you'd like to..."

He looked up at her, her eyes glittered with amusement.

"You're probably busy..."

He exhaled, his body deflating somewhat as he gave up on what he had been trying to say.

"Are you planning on finishing any of those sentences?"

She asked, again her voice surprisingly soft, gentle, teasing...

He raised an eyebrow slightly.

"I don't want to make an arse of myself..."

He said eventually, folding his arms across his chest.

She sucked in a breath, her fingers poised on the zip of her bag.

"Why don't you let me be the judge of that...?"

She fingered the metal tip of the zipper as she spoke.

He laughed softly, shaking his head slightly and raising a hand to push his fist briefly against his lips.

"I just wondered...if you would like to join me for a drink...I think we deserve one, after today?"

He dipped his head, narrowing his eyes at her as he smile widened.

"I noticed the bar...just opposite?"

He added.

She took the diary from her desk and placed it into her bag without uttering a word.

"I don't think the bar is a very good idea."

She said eventually.

Once again his body seemed to deflate, he rolled his eyes, amused at making a fool of himself in front of her.

"But I have a bottle here?"

She spoke slowly, moving gracefully over to the cupboard underneath where the kettle was. She opened the door and retrieved a bottle of something expensive.

He smiled, a slow even smile that in turn made her smile.

"What don't you have in here?"

He asked, glancing about the room as she placed the bottle on the desk and began fishing about in her drawer for a cork screw.

"I find it's best to be prepared..."

She handed him the corkscrew which he took, slightly taken aback.

"Girl guides?"

He asked, moving tentatively over to the bottle and removing the crisp silver foil at it's neck.

"Not quite."

She murmured, watching him, her eyes following each and every careful movement of his fingers.

As he began twisting the metal into the cork she moved back over to the cupboard, retrieving two long stemmed wine glasses and placing them in front of him, the cool glass clinked as she set them down.

She watched as he pulled the cork free with a satisfying pop. He lifted the bottle with one hand, his other holding the glasses steady, filling each one with the deep red liquid.

"Cheers..."

He said as he set the bottle down and took up one of the glasses.

She raised her own glass, holding it just before her lips, eyes meeting his, still that glittering look of amusement dancing among the soft green of her eyes.

"Cheers."

She whispered.

More soon, if anyone would like me to continue? xxx