Twenty-Three

He rounded a bend and noticed a tight red running suit joining his path twenty yards ahead. Blonde hair, tied back in a pony tail bobbed in time with her steps. A Walkman was clipped to her belt and she ran oblivious to the burgeoning world around her. She was moving much faster than he and disappeared as the path snaked through some trees up ahead. He stuck to his pace and carried on into the shade behind her. Paying no attention to the path as he ran, he was surprised to find himself falling flat on his face seconds later. Gathering himself up off the floor and rubbing a graze on his head he looked down bewildered at the shape of the girl lying in afoetal position on the path. He bent down to help her. `Jesus! I’m so sorry - I just didn’t see you, are you alright?’

The girl muttered groggily and sat up, turning to look at Max. `Max?’

`Alison?’ he replied stupidly. `Did I hurt you?’

She picked herself up `Not yet Max, not yet.’ And smiled at him, rubbing her waist where he had evidently cannoned into her.`I’m not much up to running anymore though,’she pulled the phones from her ears and twisted her waist, checking for pain.`do you fancy a coffee?’ she looked over to the nearest gate.

Max dabbed at the minor cut on his forehead `Sure, my treat though.’ They started to walk along the path, Both tentative at first, checking for damage.

Max knew he wanted to ask the girl out and was reasonably sure that she would say yes. But what if she didn’t, she could even laugh at him although she seemed to polite for that. He decided that if the opportunity came up he would grab the bull by the horns and hang the consequences. Besides, a small corner of his brain reminded him, she singled you out at the awards and even indicated that you were the reason she was there. Yeah, and look how that turned out Sherlock… In a rare fit of daring, he decided to ignore himself and try it. She could only say no. He held open the door to the coffee house for her and she passed under his arm, choosing a seat near the fake fire they had.

While Max fussed with taking off his sweater Alison gave their order to the waitress. `Low fat latte for me please and a regular with sugar for the gentleman.’

`Sure’ muttered the waitress and wandered away.

`How did you know?’ asked Max

`Practise’she answered, watching the people out of the window.`Oh sorry, how did I know what?’ she looked back at him.

`My coffee preference.’

`I dunno Max’ she grinned `you just look like a regular kind of guy.’

`Is that good or bad? Sometimes I think I am, other times I confuse myself. Sometimes I think I’m actually subnormal.’ He stared at a woman walking along the sidewalk with a young child. The woman was in such a hurry the little girl was hanging on to her hand for dear life and her feet were barely touching the ground. She seemed perfectly used to it, continually trying to point things out to her mother but passing them before she had a chance. Mom kept looking at her watch. They the corner of the park.

`People would have nothing to work towards if they thought they were perfect’ Alison said. She leant back to allow the waitress to throw the coffees on the table.

`Have we offended her?’ max asked as watched the girl stalk off.

`Who cares.’ Alison said ` Do you want to go out tonight?

`With you?’ replied Max, caught off guard just for a change.

`No. With Big Bird’ she laughed `Of course with me. We could see grab some food and see a picture, if you liked.’

`Absolutely, definitely’ max stuttered. 'Whatever you want.' he took a breath `I’d like to, very much.’

`Great.’ she finished her coffee. `What’s your address? I’ll pick you up at eight.’

He gave her one of his cards. `We’ll decide then.’ She hopped to her feet and left.