“I know. Have you got any plans?” Rowan asked. “Family, friends, significant other?”
A small part of me wanted to know why he was so interested, asking out of politeness probably.
“I’m not sure yet. I’m single, so no one special to spend it with and I haven’t got the time or the money to go see my parents this year.” I smiled sadly.
“They don’t live close? You’re from here, aren’t you?” Rowan asked, confused.
“Yeah, born and bred.” I grinned. “My parents moved out to Greece when my dad retired. They’ve had a villa over there for years, but they decided to move there for good the year before last.”
“Oh wow, that’s nice.” Rowan smiled. “See, I like the idea of that, but I’d have to move somewhere colder. The Alps, maybe,” he mused.
“Don’t like the heat?”
“The heat isn’t the problem, it’s the sunburn,” he grinned sheepishly. A short rap on the door interrupted us. “Come in.” Rowan called.
The heavy door opened, and Becca popped her head around. “Sorry to interrupt, but it’s twenty-to and your eight o’clock patient is wondering how much longer she’s going to be waiting?”
“Oh, shit!” Rowan exclaimed. “Sorry, I totally forgot. Max – can you get the right file up? I’ll go get her.” He dashed out, manoeuvring around Becca.
Once he was safely out of earshot, she turned to me with a smug grin. “What were you two up to that made Rowan lose track of time? That guy isneverlate for anything.”
“None of your business.” When Becca continued to loiter in the doorway, I laughed. “Don’t you have work to do?”
“Yeah, yeah,” she replied, turning on her heel. “Oh, are you still okay to go shopping with me after work tomorrow?”
“Do I have to?” I grumbled.
“Yes. I want a male perspective on my outfit choice for the party on the weekend. Besides, we can look for something for you too— Oh, Rowan’s coming. I’ll catch you later.” She scurried away with a wave.
Looks like I wasn’t getting much of a say. I shook my head and sighed.
“You know how it gets in these places these days.” An older lady wandered through the door. “Always waiting in a queue.” Rowan was following close behind, holding the door open for her.
“That’s the trouble with the NHS, I’m afraid. Take a seat.” He caught my eye and gave me a knowing smile. I returned it before spinning to tap some details into the computer.
???
“What about this one?” Becca emerged from the changing rooms wearing a tiny black, velvet dress. She tiptoed out and spun, giving me a good look at the outfit.
“Slutty,” I replied from the soft seating area, leaning my head back. I had never been so bored in all my life.
“You’ve said that about the last three outfits I’ve shown you.” Becca pouted and scowled playfully.
“That’s because you keep picking slutty stuff.”
Becca sighed heavily and returned to the changing cubicle, pulling the curtain across forcefully. I chuckled to myself. A few moments later, she re-appeared, wearing yet another outfit.
“This?” She held her arms out away from her sides.
I shrugged. “How much is it? Remember, you’ll probably have vomited on it by the end of the night.”
“That’s so gross... But true,” she laughed. “Come on, Max! I need your help. You’re supposed to be good at this kind of thing.”
“What, why? Because I’m gay?” I asked. “You watch too much TV. My love of cock doesn’t give me magical fashionista powers y’know.”
A middle-aged woman emerged from the cubicle next to Becca’s and shot me a disapproving glare as she passed. Becca sniggered and I held back until the woman was out of earshot before laughing loudly.
“What sort of thing are you looking for anyway?” Becca eventually asked.
