Max stood with his back to the hospital, leaning against the wall that jutted out into the car park, one arm folded across his waist, the other holding a cigarette part way to his mouth while he chewed on the skin next to his thumb nail.
He stared into the middle distance, partially aware of the patients and staff who passed him. He tried to think of nothing, to clear his mind. He could still feel the bitter dregs of rage in his stomach, and every so often he cringed at the memory of himself.
He pictured Connie's face, beautifully contorted with a pitying anger as he dared speak back to her. And Zoe's look of pure bewilderment and panic. He watched the smoke from his cigarette billow and dance on the breeze. He took a long draw on it and let the smoke out through his nose, letting it fall to his side, the ash catching in the wind and swirling to the wet concrete at his feet.
He let it drop and stepped on it with the sole of his shoe. Pausing before returning to the hospital. Moving slowly he placed both hands on the reception desk. Noel clapped his hands together.
"Max."
He said, placing his hands on the surface too, mirroring the porter.
"I need a new badge."
He said, gesturing to the hole where his used to be.
"Ah."
Noel opened a drawer and fished about in it.
"Here you go..."
He said as he wrote Max's name on a sticky label with a sharpie.
"Oh thanks..."
Max took the label and stuck it half-heartedly to his chest.
"I'll order a new one."
Noel said, smiling as Max rolled his eyes.
"Hey have you heard what's happened to Zoe?"
Louise asked, returning to the desk, speaking more to Noel than to Max.
"No, what?"
Noel asked, placing the sticky labels back into the drawer and popping the lid back onto the marker.
"She collapsed or something, they've just found her unconscious on the floor outside her office."
She said, casually clearing away the debris left on the desk.
Without a word Max left them talking, he felt a cold lump settle inside of him. He caught sight of Charlie as he entered the ward.
"Charlie!"
He called his name, his voice pinched in his throat.
"What's happened to Zoe?"
He asked, keeping his voice low despite his urgency.
Charlie held the phone he was holding against his shoulder.
"Tess."
He called, ignoring Max and gesturing for Tess to answer him before placing the phone back to his ear.
"What's happened?"
He breathed, his hands opening and clenching by his sides.
"Ok Max, calm down she just fainted. She's fine, she's in the side room."
Tess nodded in the direction of the side room nearest them.
She held out a hand as he began to move away.
"She's under a lot of stress."
She repeated her earlier words.
"I know."
He said, manoeuvring around her and towards the door to the side room. He pushed the handle down and peered around the door into the room.
Zoe lay on the hospital bed, her eyes closed, the side of her head bandaged and swollen.
"Zoe..."
He whispered. She opened an eye, watching him as he closed the door behind him and leant against it.
"Can I come in?"
He asked. She raised a hand in response, offering it out to him.
He moved away from the door and took her hand in his, holding it gently, warming her cold fingers.
"What happened to you?"
He asked, stroking the back of her hand with both of his thumbs.
"I just fainted."
She answered, clearing her throat as she spoke.
"People don't 'just faint'."
He whispered.
"I'm sorry about earlier."
She shook her head and squeezed his fingers.
"I know what Connie's like. I don't blame you."
She smiled.
"I just didn't expect that when you said you'd have words with her you actually would!"
She laughed slightly, the laugh quickly turning into a cough. She winced and held her chest.
"Are you ok?"
He leant over her, still holding her hand, raising the other hand to stroke her hair.
She nodded.
"I'll be fine. I just need to eat something. Low blood sugar and stress..."
She tailed off, rubbing the pain in her chest.
"How about I cook us dinner...tonight?"
He asked slowly, smiling as he spoke.
She raised an eyebrow.
"A man of many talents, I'm impressed."
She laughed again.
"Don't be, you haven't tasted it yet."
He smiled, using the back of his fingers to rub against her cheek. She closed her eyes and turned her face to press against them.
"Wait here until I've finished."
He said, leaning over to kiss her on the forehead.
The door clicked open and Tess cleared her throat. Max rose from the bed and stepped to one side, letting go of Zoe's hand.
"Your blood results are back."
She looked pointedly at Max and back to Zoe.
"And?"
Zoe asked, reaching out again for Max. He dutifully took hold of her hand again, smiling as she squeezed his fingers tight.
"You were right, your blood sugar levels are really quite low. You need to remember to eat, Zoe...and eat properly."
Zoe rolled her eyes and smiled.
"I will."
She promised.
"And rest..."
Tess added, looking again toward Max who avoided eye contact.
"I will."
Zoe repeated.
"Now, I want you to stay here for a couple of hours, but after that, how are you getting home? Would you like me to ring you a taxi?"
She asked. Zoe stalled, she hadn't thought.
"I could drive?"
Max offered tentatively.
"I didn't know you had a car?"
Tess asked, closing Zoe's notes and cradling them in her arms.
"I don't..."
He looked toward Zoe who raised her eyebrows, amused.
"You want to drive my car?!"
She asked, watching as his smile widened.
"Why not?"
He grinned.
Zoe glanced at Tess, catching the look of disapproval that laced her face.
"Fine. He'll drive me."
She said, giving his hand one last squeeze before letting it go.
"Are you sure? It really wouldn't be any bother to ring for a taxi..."
"Tess..."
Zoe silenced her friend with a curt smile.
"Ok..but remember, get plenty to eat and REST."
Tess conceded, stepping away from the door as Max opened it and held it open for her, leaning in as he followed her out.
"I promise not to keep her up all night."
He whispered, smiling as he passed her by.
I will try to update again this evening, but if not I apologise and there will be more tomorrow :) Thanks again to all of you for reading. I seem to have quite a few messages telling me not to stop writing this – don't worry, I will see it through to the end, which is quite a way off yet! x