The sun was out. The grey mornings rain had turned and the late afternoon sunshine pooled the room with an egg-yolk yellow, an autumnal chill still laced the air despite the warm glow.
Tess had spent most of the day with them. Max could hear the muffled voices of both Tess and Zoe in the bathroom opposite as Tess helped her to bathe whilst examining her.
Max sat on the windowsill, his bare feet resting on the seat of the little wooden chair he had in his room.
He held his guitar on his lap, the varnish of it's body was splintered and peeling, worn from use and bald in patches from where he rested his arms. He gazed into the middle distance, plucking the strings occasionally, so quietly they could barely be heard.
Lofty and Robyn had left for work hours ago. He contemplated making lunch, but knew he would not eat it.
He strummed the beginning of a song he couldn't remember the name of. Stopping abruptly as he heard the bathroom door unlock. He watched the door open and Zoe made her way back in, followed by Tess. Her hair was wet and slicked back from her face and she walked stiffly, still sore.
She smiled as he looked over to her, something seemed to have changed. Along with the blood and sweat from last night, something else seemed to have been washed away from her.
"What're you playing?"
She asked, Tess helping her back onto the bed, the bed that she had changed whilst Zoe had been in the bath.
He shrugged, running his fingers along the strings, a faint squeal of metal sounded before he placed the guitar back onto it's stand and he slipped down from the windowsill.
"Are you alright...?"
She frowned slightly, he seemed to directly avoid her gaze.
"Yeah...fine."
He rubbed the side of his head, standing, an awkward silhouette against the window.
"I think I'm going to take off..."
He raised his gaze to look at Tess's feet, running a hand across the back of his neck.
"Take off?"
Zoe repeated, only just having found a comfortable position in which to sit up.
"A walk..."
He began moving to the door.
"Where are you going?"
Zoe called after him, pushing herself up, he ignored her, his body stiff and unresponsive.
"Max?"
She tried to shout but her throat was hoarse and she croaked. Rubbing her throat she turned to Tess, Max disappearing out of sight, the sound of his feet on the stairs.
"He just needs some time."
Tess said, watching him leave, moving over to the window to watch as they heard the slam of the front door and the soft crunch of gravel.
She watched as he left the house, hands in his pockets, only a t-shirt and jeans to keep him warm. He didn't look back.
She turned back to Zoe who was shifting the duvet from her legs and struggling to stand.
"What're you doing!?"
Tess rushed to her side, taking hold of her elbow, the dressing gown Zoe wore slipping from her shoulder.
"I think I should be getting back to my house."
She answered slowly, wincing as she managed to stand up straight, her back still twinged and her stomach was still sore despite the cramps being only mild now.
"You can't be on your own, Zoe. And Max will wonder where you are?"
She tried to lead Zoe back to the bed but she shook her off, tugging the dressing gown tighter and making her way to the door.
"Will you drop me off?"
She asked, ignoring Tess's concern.
"But Max?"
Tess tried again, glancing back out of the window.
"I don't think he's coming back."
Zoe whispered.
More to come as long as my children stay asleep! Fingers crossed...