Page 43 of Common People

‘It’s like Eve said, it’s all about the food,’ said Robbie.

‘Right, sure. One hundred per cent,’ said Charlie with a sarcastic wink, and before Eve could jump back in and defend herself and Robbie, Hope chimed in.

‘Let’s make a toast, shall we? To the success of Rab’s Sandwich Shop!’

‘To Rab’s Sandwich Shop!’ everyone said together, before they all dispersed to eat their sandwiches, and talk amongst themselves, while Robbie and Max continued to make and serve more sandwiches, as more and more people turned up. They had invited thirty social media influences, hoping that ten might show up, but as it turned out, twenty-nine out of the thirty came. That along with all the friends and family, and as the large Newgateclock on the wall struck two, they had served over sixty people. Robbie and Max were both exhausted, especially Robbie, who had barely slept a wink for days.

As the last of the customers left, Max and Robbie were left with Eve, Anita, and Bethan. Joe had left earlier with Dawn, after feeling tired, while Hope and Charlie had other commitments. Robbie wanted to show Anita his version of the Coronation Chicken, while Eve was helping clean up, and she was waiting around to spend the evening with Robbie. There was also a rumour she was staying over at the flat. With Eve andAnita busy, Max took the time to talk with Bethan. They hadn’t had time to speak since earlier because Max had been so busy.

‘Can I make you a coffee?’ asked Max. ‘I’m still learning the machine, but I’ll give it a go, if you want one.’

‘Yeah, go on then. An oat latte, if you have it.’

‘Coming right up,’ said Max. Robbie, Anita and Eve were all in the back, and so it was just them. Bethan had come around the counter so she was standing next to Max while he made her a coffee. ‘Apparently, it’s super easy to use.’

‘You know, I used to work in a coffee shop during uni.’

‘Yeah? So, you’re probably more qualified than me. Want to give it a go?’

‘OK then. It’s like riding a bike, which I also used to do at uni.’

Max stepped aside, and he let Bethan make her and then him a coffee, and both were incredible. She knew exactly what to do, and she had been right. She hadn’t forgotten a thing, and she made two perfect coffees. They stood next to each other, leaning against the counter, barely a few inches between them, sipping on their coffees.

‘You know, I think this place is going to do really well,’ said Bethan.

‘I hope so. It’s Robbie’s dream. He needs it to work.’

‘I can see how passionate he is about it.’

‘Yeah, he’s barely been home or slept for the past two weeks.’

‘And he’s got you.’

‘Yes, he’s got me, but I have my own career. This really is all about him. I’m just an investor who wants to see his best mate achieve their dreams.’

‘That is lovely of you,’ said Bethan, looking across at him, and he looked at her, and their eyes locked for a second. They both smiled. He wanted to say something to her, tell her that he wanted her, needed her, but he knew he couldn’t. Whateverhappened next between them, if anything, would have to come from her. They looked into each other’s eyes for a moment, a scintillating energy and sexual tension between them, and Bethan suddenly put her coffee down. Max turned and put down his coffee too. Then they looked at each other again. ‘This is really lovely of you.’

‘Thanks,’ Max replied, and then they both leaned forward at the same time, their lips coming together again, and they kissed. Unlike last time, there was slightly more passion in this one. There was a need there, a physical urge to be together. The uncertainty of their first kiss was gone, and this felt different. This one felt like the beginning of something more.

After a minute, they pulled away, their arms still around each other, and this time she smiled at him. ‘What do you put in your coffee?’

Max laughed. ‘It wasn’t the coffee.’

‘Oh, then I guess, it must be something else.’

‘Are you sure about this?’

Instead of replying, Bethan leaned forward and kissed Max again. The soft opening had been a real success, but Max wouldn’t remember a moment of it because of what had happened after. It was the day when he and Bethan had taken their relationship from just friends to something more. Max hadn’t been sure it would ever happen, but it had and far faster than he could have anticipated. Their coffees got cold as they kissed behind the counter of Rab’s Sandwich Shop,until they heard the others coming out to join them, and they pulled apart.

The rules of engagement

After the soft opening, Robbie locked up and headed back to the flat with Eve, while Max and Bethan decamped to a nearby pub to go over the rules of engagement. If they were going to embark on an actual relationship, then they needed to have a proper talk about it, go over their expectations and deep-dive into the intricacies of what they both wanted and needed. The first thing Max wanted to understand though, was why she had changed her mind so quickly. After their first kiss, she had said quite categorically that she wasn’t ready for a relationship, and would need some time and that he shouldn’t wait around for her. Now, it seemed, she was ready or at least prepared to give it a go. Max needed answers.

Max got them drinks, before he returned to the table where Bethan was waiting for him.

‘Thanks,’ she said, before Max sat opposite her. ‘You’re probably wondering what happened back at the sandwich shop.’

‘It had crossed my mind,’ said Max, before he took a sip of his non-alcoholic beer.