'They sent you a box of salt and vinegar crisps?'
Max just did not see the point. Obviously they were top parentals as far as Miranda was concerned but it was hardly sobrasada, a delicacy you could only get from one place. But once Miranda had revealed a liking for something, he took note. It didn't happen very often. It had made her smile. He stored that away for future purposes.
He glanced at the note while Miranda happily tore into a bag.
'What's a worrygoose?'
Miranda snatched the note and put it in her pocket with a frown.
'Nothing.'
'Is it a British breed of goose? Why is it spelt like one word?'
She sighed. Max was such a child.
'It's my nickname.'
Max stared at her, trying to think of a world where Miranda had a nickname that didn't refer to her perpetual case of the grumps.
'My mum used to call me that when I was a baby. Said I frowned a lot and she swore that once I made some sort of honking sound.' She rolled her eyes. 'I bet she made that up. And they've never stopped calling me it since.'
Miranda obviously didn't enjoy explaining but Max found it hilarious. He could imagine a tiny Miranda in her cot looking concerned at a tinkling mobile of animals above her head.
'I think it's charming' he said with glee.
Miranda glared at him.
'Shut up or you won't get any crisps.'
He shut up but he took notice of the way she slipped the message into her jacket pocket. He couldn't wait to think of every pun to do with a goose. Just to piss her off. Max did love a challenge.