The next morning dawned, it was Thursday. It was a sleepy morning thick with fog and spiderwebs hung on the outside of the window panes, laced with dew like a string of diamond necklaces.
It was cold, the chill whispered beneath the duvet as Max rolled over, he slipped his arms beneath the cover, curling himself around Zoe who shivered as he warmed his fingers against her chest.
"Morning."
He whispered, his voice muffled and his breath hot against the back of her neck.
"Mmm..."
She pulled his arm tighter about herself in response, drawing up his hand to her lips and placing a soft kiss in it's palm.
They remained silent for a moment, drifting in and out of sleep, enjoying the warmth of one anothers bodies.
The noise of the phone downstairs roused them again, Zoe pausing to listen, before rolling over and pulling the duvet up to her ears, her face against Max's chest.
"Who do you think it is?"
She heard him ask from above the duvet, his throat vibrated against her as he spoke.
"Whoever it is I don't want to speak to them."
She yawned as she spoke, her ears muffling whatever it was that Max said next. She pulled the duvet down slightly so that she could listen. The phone had stopped.
Max made to repeat what it was he'd just said but the rumble of Zoe's mobile phone began , it made its way towards them, vibrating crossly at them from the bedside table. She waited until the last minute to grab it, catching it just before it fell to the floor.
She peered at the screen. The morning light was still dim and the bright glare of the screen made her eyes ache.
"Charlie."
Max said aloud, looking at the screen from over her shoulder. She watched Charlie's name flash continuously until eventually it cut off.
"Why didn't you answer it?"
He asked, relaxing back down into the bed and yawning loudly into the back of his hand while Zoe tossed the phone toward the end of the bed.
She rolled onto her back, stretching and running a hand through her hair.
"Because I don't know what to say."
She said simply.
"More to the point..."
She paused, turning to look at him, the feather pillow crunching as she moved.
"I don't know what he knows...what everyone at the hospital knows."
She continued, glancing down to where his fingers played with her own.
"I can't imagine we're much of a secret anymore..."
He said quietly. She sucked in a long, deep breath.
"God..."
She sighed, looking back up at him, smiling, seemingly amused.
"What?"
He asked, interlinking their fingers, watching as hers ran the length of his own.
She shook her head, still smiling.
The phone began to vibrate again. Charlie's name reappeared, as bold and repetitive as last time.
"Might as well get it over with..."
Max breathed, stifling another yawn and using his foot to nudge the phone back up the bed towards her.
She retrieved it, puffing out her cheeks, exhaling slowly before accepting the call.
"Zoe?"
Charlie spoke before she had a chance to speak.
"Hello...Charlie..."
She could hear the hospital behind him. The clatter, the voices, it seemed slightly surreal to be speaking to him again after everything that had happened over the past few weeks. Like a life-time had been lived since she had last set foot inside the hospital.
"Sorry...can you hear me?"
He asked, she smiled, she could hear that he was trying to do several things at once.
"Yes..."
"I just heard you were back from the states. Are you ok? Are you on your own?"
He whispered the last bit, his voice crackled down the line, Zoe imagined him shielding his mouth.
"We're ok..."
As she spoke she heard the sound of something being dropped, a file perhaps going by the odd sound of fluttering paper.
"I'd assumed everyone would know about us?"
She added, speaking louder to compensate for the scuffling and crackling she could hear.
"I think a few people might be starting to wonder..."
Charlie answered eventually, the sound of something heavy being put down sounded down the line.
"Are you coming back?
He asked after a short pause, his words sounded strained.
"I don't know if I've got a job to come back to."
She laughed as she spoke, a humourless laugh that caught Max's attention. He watched her as she spoke, head tilted, the sharp line of her hair level with the soft curve of her jaw.
"I think Guy has been trying to get in contact with you."
Charlie lowered his voice again.
"that's all I need."
Zoe breathed, pinching between her eyes with her thumb and forefinger.
"Listen, Zoe, I'd better go, it's complete mayhem here, but speak to Guy. We need you here..."
He spoke quickly.
"I'm sure Connie's got everything covered."
Zoe mused as Charlie's voice became distant.
"I wouldn't be so sure..."
He murmured.
Will update again tonight :) Hope everyones still enjoying it and looking forward to the party xxx