The day passed by quickly. Zoe slept for most of it, catching up on much needed sleep before returning to work that evening, arriving under the cover of darkness with Max by her side. She pulled into her usual parking space, allowing him to leave the car before her, allowing a slight gap in their arrivals.
She passed him at reception, the bandage on her head changed for a square plaster that he had cut to size.
"See you later."
She whispered as she passed him by, glancing back at him as he made his way into the staff room, Cal and Robyn following him in.
"Why do I feel as though I'm being accosted?"
Max asked, turning to face his sister and Cal, letting himself fall down into one of the chairs that surrounded the small coffee table.
Robyn sat next to him while Cal made his way over to the biscuit tin.
"So were you with her again last night?"
Robyn asked, taking a gingernut and a custard cream from the biscuit tin that Cal offered them before he sat down.
"Hello to you too."
Max said, taking a gingernut and biting it in half.
"Were you?"
She repeated, prizing the top from her custard cream and licking the centre of it.
"Might have been."
He said, placing the rest of the gingernut in his mouth and crunching it.
"It must be someone who works here."
Robyn mused, finishing the custard cream and reaching for another whilst Cal went to fill the kettle.
"What's his usual type?"
Cal asked, flicking the kettle on.
"Maybe we can narrow it down."
He winked at Max as he spoke, placing three mugs alongside the kettle, adding a forth as Lofty entered.
"I haven't got a type."
Max smiled, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms, enjoying the frustration he was causing.
"Ok, what are your top five qualities in a mate?"
Cal asked, pouring the tea.
"In a mate? Who do you think you are, David Attenborough?"
Max reached out for another biscuit, balancing the gingernut on his knee as he accepted the tea from Cal.
"No, seriously, top five qualities in a woman? For example..."
He sat down, placing the rest of the mugs on the table.
"Mine would be, number one; bendy...number two; shaved...number three; slightly anorexic. Number four..."
He paused and took a handful of biscuits, piling them next to his mug.
"Number four...about 5% lesbian. Number 5; good in bed..."
He concluded, pushing a gingernut whole into his mouth.
Robyn rolled her eyes and looked toward Max.
"Well?"
She urged, picking up her tea and blowing on it.
He dipped his gingernut in his tea, holding it there until the last moment before biting off the tip.
"Number one; breathing. Number two: Must appreciate the genius of David Bowie. Number three...thoughtful eyes..."
He smiled, catching Robyn's exasperated sigh.
"Number four: unpredictable. And Number five... intelligent."
He finished, dipping his biscuit again.
"Intelligent?"
Scoffed Cal, suppressing a laugh with another biscuit.
"So what are we looking for... an unpredictable, yet intelligent, alive David Bowie fan...with eyes."
He concluded. Robyn snorted into her tea.
"The impossible dream..."
Mused Max, sipping his tea.
"Anyway, I'd better go, she might be waiting in my office for me, completely naked."
He stood up, leaving his half drunk tea on the table and stepping over the various bags and jackets to the door.
"You haven't got an office, it's a cupboard."
Robyn called behind him, snatching the last custard cream from Cal.
"Laters!"
Max called, waving a hand without turning back.
Just a bit of silliness before the action... :)