Page 45 of Common People

She turned around and smiled. ‘Me too!’

Max watched her walk away before he slowly walked back to his flat, wondering what he was going to find when he got there. Robbie had left with Eve, and he didn’t know what their plans were for the rest of the day. Max was too caught up daydreaming about Bethan to really care about anything else at that moment. It had been the perfect day from the successful soft opening of Rab’s, to kissing Bethan, and agreeing to a date. As Max walked through Clapham, back to his flat, he hadn’t been that happy or content since before his parents had died. It was definitely the happiest he had felt in a long time. He actually smiled to himself as he opened the door to his flat, and then walked inside, getting ready to tell Robbie all about his kiss with Bethan, and his date the following day. Instead, he was met with the sight of a mostly naked Max, behind the sofa with a half-naked Eve.

‘Oh my fecking Christ!’ exclaimed a mortified Eve.

‘Fuck! Sorry,’ said Max, immediately covering his eyes with his hands.

‘Fuck!’ said a desperate Robbie, pulling up his jeans, while hopping on one foot, as Eve dashed into Robbie’s bedroom, covering herself up with her hands, while grasping a pile of clothes.

Max heard Robbie’s bedroom door close, and he slowly took his hands away from his eyes, and then opened them because he had his eyes closed behind his hands, just for good measure. The last thing he wanted to see was Robbie naked, even for a moment. He didn’t want Eve to feel embarrassed either, or for there to be any semblance of awkwardness between them. After a moment, when it was all clear, Max walked into the kitchen and put the kettle on. After everything, he really needed a strong cup of tea. As he waited for the kettle to boil, he took out his phone and went to messages. He found Bethan and then typed out a quick text.

I can’t wait for tomorrow x

He pressed send, and then the kettle boiled and he made himself a cup of tea. As he plopped a teabag in a cup, Robbie’s bedroom door opened, and then a rather shaken Eve appeared.

‘Eve, it’s fine, I didn’t see anything,’ said Max, but she kept walking towards the door.

‘I’ve got to go, Max, I’ll see you at Common People.’

‘Eve, it’s fine, honestly. No drama.’

‘See you later,’ said Eve quickly, before she opened the front door and then vanished, just as Robbie appeared from his room.

‘Mate, I’m so sorry.’

‘It’s no your fault, pal. We got a wee bit carried away.’

‘So, things are going well between you two?’

‘Aye, they are. Really well, actually.’

‘That’s great, mate. I’m happy for you, and in other news, I’m going on a date with Bethan tomorrow afternoon!’

‘What?’ said an incredulous Robbie. ‘I thought youse weren’t in the right place or something?’

‘Me too, but today at the shop, we kissed. Then we went for a drink, and tomorrow we’re going on a proper first date. Which reminds me, any ideas for an amazing, incredible date?’

‘Umm, well, let me see,’ said Robbie, walking into the kitchen, and grabbing a beer from the fridge. ‘Youse could go to a swanky restaurant, really push the boat out.’

‘Can’t. I already said to wear something comfortable and casual.’

‘Why?’

‘I panicked. Oh, it also has to be fun.’

‘So youse promised her a fun, casual date?’

‘Exactly.’

‘Right,’ said Robbie, taking a sip of beer. ‘What about one of those wee boats youse can hire? Youse could bring a picnic. It’s called, umm, Go Boat, I think. It’s in Paddington. Me and a few pals did it a while back.’

‘That’s actually not a bad idea. Boating is quite romantic, and I could make a picnic.’

‘Aye, they do some nice bits at M&S.’

‘Cheers mate. That’s a great idea.’

‘Och, no worries, pal. So, did everyone love the sandwiches?’ said Robbie, sitting on the sofa. Max brought his tea over and sat next to him.