Page 30 of Common People

‘Umm, yeah, I have time. There’s The George, just down there.’

‘Sounds good,’ Max replied, and with that they walked the short walk to the pub, to have their first drink together for quite some time. Max explained that he was drinking non-alcoholic beer these days, and that he was into running, and so ordered himself a Guinness 0.0, while Emma got a glass of white wine. It was reasonably busy, but they found a small table for two to sit at before they looked at each other, both realising how surreal it was to be together again. In another world, they could already be living together or engaged. Sliding doors.

‘You look good, Max. You’ve lost weight.’

‘It’s the running,’ said Max, before taking a sip of his Guinness. ‘I joined a run club.’

‘Wow! You joined a run club. I almost can’t believe it. You do remember the exact words you used when I first asked you to come to run club with me, don’t you?’

Max laughed. ‘Run clubs are for wankers? Yes, I understand the horrific hypocrisy, but honestly, it’s been a life-saver. It’s changed everything. Apart from the weight loss and generally feeling healthier, I’ve met some amazing people.’

‘I’m happy to hear that. Really, Max, you seem so much better.’ Emma smiled at him, and he knew she meant it. He had been so difficult, treated her and her friends so horribly, she had every right to hate him, but she didn’t. She was still championing his happiness, despite everything. It was one of the things he had always loved about her. She was a good human being.

‘Thanks, and Emma, can I just say again, how sorry I am for—’

‘Max, it’s fine. It’s ancient history. You were broken after losing your parents. I know it wasn’t really you, but I just couldn’t do it anymore.’

‘I know, and that’s what I’m most sorry about. I know you were always just trying to help, and all I did was push you away.’

‘But now you’re OK. You’re running, getting your life together, and you seem like the old Max again.’

‘I’m slowly getting there.’

‘That’s all I ever wanted,’ she said, and then she raised her glass in the air. ‘To getting there.’

‘Getting there,’ said Max, tapping his drink against her. ‘And what about you? What’s happening in your life?’

Max relaxed into his chair and drank his pint of Guinness, while he listened to Emma telling him all about her life. She had changed companies, gained a promotion, which meant more money, and because one of her flatmates had left to go travelling, she had moved into a new flat with the other flatmate, Rachel – not Stacey, who he had abused the night he’d got drunk anddestroyed their relationship. She was now living south of the Thames in Peckham, so much nearer to Clapham, and she was happy. After they’d broken up, she had taken a few weeks off work, and gone away by herself, and done a bit of soul searching. It was one of the best things she had ever done because it had given her perspective, and getting out of London, away from the scene of the crime, had given her the ability to really understand what had gone wrong and how she could move forward. She was still really into fitness, and was running next year's London Marathon. After all of that, there was still one unanswered question that Max knew he didn’t have the right to ask, but curiosity got the better of him.

‘Have you been dating?’ he asked, realising the optics of him asking that question. He didn’t know how she would reply, if she would at all. She could be happily dating a boyfriend already, and it was none of his business. Would he be met with a scowl or a blank expression of frustration at his question? The answer came swiftly, without a hint of annoyance.

‘Truthfully, I would love to sit here and tell you that I’ve been inundated with brilliant, perfect men on a series of incredible dates, or that I’m with the love of my life and we’re planning a summer wedding, but the truth is, I’m still single.’

‘Oh, I really thought—’

‘You thought what, Max?’

‘That someone as amazing as you would be snapped up in no time,’ he replied, and she blushed before taking a long, measured sip of her wine. She placed the glass back on the table before she looked across at Max.

‘Thank you for saying that, but the truth is, after what happened with us, dating was the last thing on my mind. I did eventually go on a few dates, but none worked out.’

‘I’m sorry.’

‘You don’t need to be sorry, Max. It’s fine. I’m happier now than I’ve been in a long time. My career’s going well, I’m loving the new flat, and training for the marathon has kept me busy. I’m also planning another holiday, this time with Rachel, and we’re off to New York next month. Life is good, Max, and if and when love appears again, then I’ll deal with it, but right now, I’m happily single.’

‘Good for you.’

‘What about you?’

‘What about me? Oh, am I dating?’ he asked, momentarily thinking of Bethan, but clearly they were not dating, and it wasn’t on the cards anytime soon. ‘No, I’m still working on myself.’

‘That sounds very healthy.’

‘Look at us,’ said Max with a bright smile. ‘Both happily working on ourselves. So mature.’

‘It’s good though, right? When I do meet The One, whenever that is, I want to be the best version of myself. I think they deserve that, and so do I.’

‘One hundred per cent. Oh, before I forget, I’m opening a sandwich shop with Robbie.’