Annie cursed herself for the rest of the day over her forwardness with Rohan. She was sure he wasn't the sort of man to accept her curiosity with pleasure but would probably resent it. She had made herself a promise that today, if he came in, she would just say hello and leave it at that.

When he did come in Annie was serving another table so a good five minutes passed before she noticed him. It had been a busy day. She quickly cleared one table before going over to his. "Hello, Rohan. Do you want your usual?"

He looked up at her, his fingers clasped tightly together, his leg barely moving as he nodded and said, "I'm a scientist."

Annie fumbled with her order book, surprised by his words. The pencil fell, hit the table, and then rolled towards him to rest against his hands.

Rohan picked it up with his large fingers, studied it briefly, and then held it towards her. He looked straight into her eyes as he said, "I work in the pathology unit at Sykes Laboratories over on Mary Street."

Completely dumbfounded, Annie was lost for words. All she could do was nod blankly at him. He frowned so she quickly pulled herself together. "A scientist... Wow! That's the last thing I would have picked you as being." The instant the words came out of her mouth she regretted them. "I'm sorry. I don't mean you don't look clever enough to be a scientist. It's just not a common occupation when you envisage what people do. Well... not in my world anyway. I guess now I think about it I could see you in a white coat. You know... with your glasses and all. You're the first scientist I've ever met. I mean, I don't know that for sure of course. I suppose lots of people are scientists but they just don't say they are. I assume it's a really interesting job and you have to be super smart to be one. Now I get you reading that book." Annie knew she was babbling and noted the humorous look on his face. At least she hadn't offended him. She took a deep breath and nudged her thumb towards the kitchen. "I need to get on... get you your coffee."

She exhaled as she rounded the counter. What an idiot she was. Anyone would think she was a cassette tape caught on fast forward the way she went on. Oh well, if he didn't like it he didn't like it. Annie smirked at the thought of the look she had read on his face. She was sure he had been smiling underneath his facade and his leg had hardly moved at all.

Rohan wasn't sitting at his table when she came back from the counter. His book was still there so Annie poured his coffee anyway. By the time she had finished clearing the rest of the vacant tables his sandwich was ready and he was back. She took it to him and as she placed it in front of him, he glanced at her saying, "Thank you, Annie."

She gave him a smile. It was the first time he had used her name. She moved off to finish loading the dishwasher.

Annie didn't see him leave. When she went to clear his table, she found a small yellow daisy sitting beside his plate. Her soul lit up. He must have picked it from one of the pots which stood outside the door and placed it there for her to find.

I love Annie xo

Photo - Dreamtime.com