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Robin. "Will you be home? I was hoping you'd do my hair."
    "Sure, I'll be back about six. Think about what I said, you know I could still go with you instead."
    "I thought that idea had been buried."
    "I know. I hate feeling like this might end up being a disaster.”
    It Max’s turn to say, “Don’t worry, it’ll all work out.” Then she pulled the door to behind her, and set off to work, smiling all the way, like a complete idiot. Perhaps that’s what she was. Tonight she would find out.
    ***
    It may have been her imagination, but people at work looked at her differently. Her secretary gave her a small knowing smile as she handed Max a list of appointments for the day. Max nearly asked her if something was wrong, but chickened out, deciding she didn't want to know. The office grapevine, being very active, probably meant news of her date with Dan last night travelled around already. She reminded herself never to tell Phil anything she didn't want repeated; and they said women liked to gossip.
    "Can you let me know when Mr Hammond arrives, Shirley, I'll be in my office working on the Christie account."
    "Sure. Do you want coffee?"
    Max never had coffee this early in the morning. "Do I look like I need coffee?" she asked, no hint of sarcasm. Max wanted to run to the rest room and look at her reflection. Did she look as though she'd had a hard night? Not a good way to portray herself to clients. She always prided herself on looking fresh and enthusiastic.
    "No. I didn't mean to imply that. Only Mr Turner said he saw you out last night. And you look... different, this morning."
    "Did he?" Her suspicions were correct, Phil had been gossiping. "I'm fine thank you, Shirley. It's good of you to show concern, but I'm sure I'm not the only one to go on a date on a work night."
    "I'm sure you're not. But it's unusual, so people talk.” Shirley’s tone implied she was desperate to ask more, but her position wasn’t one of confidante, their relationship was strictly business.
    "Yes. I'm sure they do.” Max noted Shirley’s disappointment. “OK. I'm off to look at that file." With that she headed for her office, head held high, trying to behave normally, but somehow she had forgotten how that felt.
    Once inside she closed the door, making her way to the sanctuary of her desk. Sitting down she switched on her computer, and logged on, ready to work. Five minutes later she found herself staring out of the window, her concentration had deserted her, unless she was thinking of how good it would feel to be next to Dan. That her mind had no trouble sticking to.
    The phone buzzed, making her start guiltily. "Yes, Shirley." She listened to her secretary. "OK, send him in."
    With some effort she applied herself to her work. Always proud of her professionalism, by the end of the day she wondered if Robin had been right to warn her away from a distraction like Dan. Contemplating her options, she collected her coat, and headed to Shirley's desk to pass her some papers to be filed.
    "See you tonight," Shirley said.
    "Yes.” A mix of dread and excitement filled her. “Are you nearly ready to leave?"
    "Soon. There are a couple of letters I still need to type."
    "Make sure you get home in time to get ready for tonight."
    "Oh. I will, I can't wait to see your scrummy man, word is he is seriously hot. How long have you been going out? I must admit you kept it very quiet." It appeared Shirley could no longer keep her questions to herself. Had they all been gossiping about Max all day?
    "Only a couple of months or so."
    "I’ve never seen you look so happy, if you don’t mind me saying."
    Max laughed, feeling uncomfortable. She had no idea how she was supposed to behave, or act. This was something she knew nothing about, long term relationships had passed her by. "Are you bringing a date?"
    "Yes, well he's my fiancé, he's leaving work early to come with me."
    "Fiancé. You kept that quiet."
    "Oh. I thought you knew. There was a card from