Prompt = Set in 5.2. Alice/Matthew
Title: Tea and Sympathy
"Give you a lift home, boss?"
"The doc in Melbourne reckons I need to keep this leg moving."
Three blocks away from the cop shop and regretting his decision to refuse Charlie's offer, he paused to catch his breath. Someone was taking a nail and hammering it into his leg with each step.
"Right there, Sarge?" a punter asked.
Nodding, he swung around, hiding his sweaty features by staring into the closest shop window.
He wasn't sure if the bloke had gotten his rank incorrect out of ignorance or to be deliberately smart-ass. The public's reaction to the uniform was invariably mixed. There'd always been as many surly grunts and glares as there were polite nods and 'g'day mates'. And now, he'd added to people's morbid curiosity by needing a stick of wood to keep upright.
"The pale blue might be best."
He swivelled towards the woman who'd crept up beside him.
"The lemon might wash your features out a little."
He looked back into the shop. He was positioned in front of a women's fashion display.
"I'd think you have as much knowledge of ladies frocks as I do, Doctor."
He was still contemplating how to apologise for his insult when she said, "Perhaps I could try dressmaking." Then, she elaborated: "I'm looking for a new hobby."
"What was your old one?"
"I didn't have one. Maybe a dance class–"
"I used to dance but those days are over," he snapped.
The look she gave him spoke volumes.
Again, he thought he should apologise for his cantankerous behaviour. "How about I shout us a cuppa?" he offered. "We can try to come up with new hobbies for us both."
He'd have to talk to the doc in Melbourne about the spring that came into his step after she agreed.