Page 46 of Common People

‘They all said they were delicious. I think it was a real success. There were lots of social media people there too. Have you looked online?’

‘Aye. There were lots of posts, videos, and I heard from two that they’re going to put out videos on YouTube in the next week or so.’

‘The official opening is in two weeks. Are we ready?’

‘Aye, I think we are.’

‘Nervous?’

‘A wee bit. You?’

‘A wee bit,’ said Max. ‘Although right now all I can think about is my date tomorrow. I have to pop to St Albans in the morning first.’

‘Why?’

‘I’m going to see my parents. I’m trying to be more regular about visiting them, and tomorrow would have been their wedding anniversary.’

‘Sorry pal.’

‘No, no it’s fine,’ said Max with a smile. ‘I think I’m finally in a good place. I have Common People, the sandwich shop, my job, and now Bethan. I think my parents would be happy for me. It really feels like I’ve turned a corner.’

‘They’d be proud of youse.’

‘Thanks,’ said Max, and then his phone buzzed with a message from Bethan.

Me too x

Anyone but you

Max had woken up in the best of moods. He had set his alarm for seven o’clock because he wanted to be up and out early. He had spent most of the previous night researching fun date ideas in London, and had eventually gone with Robbie’s idea and booked a Go Boat, but he wanted to head to St Albans first, visit his parents’ grave, before heading back into London and going shopping for picnic bits. He had the whole day planned out until two o’clock when he would pick Bethan up from her flat. He couldn’t wait to see her again, to take her on a date, and see where it might lead. Max had taken many first steps in his life, but this felt like a big one.

As he left his flat for the walk to the train, it was a gorgeous morning. The forecast for the day ahead was blue skies and sunshine, so perfect for messing about in boats on Regent’s Canal. He was listening to one of his favourite albums on his AirPods, and he felt a real spring in his step at the prospect of the day ahead. If he could track his time since the accident, it was the first time that he genuinely felt like himself again. He was positive, optimistic and focused on the future instead of the past. Everything was about moving forwards.

Max stepped off the train at St Albans, and headed straight to the church. It was still early on Sunday morning, and as he arrived at the church, he heard the distinct sound of church bells, and he saw a few people milling around outside, about to go in for morning service. Max hadn’t been to a church service since school, but his parents had gone every week. Max had stopped believing in God, and needing religion in his life, andhis parents hadn’t tried to persuade him otherwise. The line he always got from them was that religion was a personal thing, a journey we took on our own, and it was up to him if he needed or wanted it in his life. As he watched people filtering slowly into the church, he thought of his parents who would still be there every Sunday morning, and he did wonder if he would ever be the sort of person who would go back to it. Would he need religion again? It wasn’t a conversation he’d had with Bethan, and he didn’t know if she was religious or not, but perhaps it would be something they could discuss on their date. Although it was supposed to be fun and light-hearted, and definitely not theological.

Max walked around the side of the church, towards his parents' graves, and that’s when he saw him. There was a man he didn’t recognise standing in front of their graves. Perhaps he worked for the church, and was doing some work on the graveyard, although he wasn’t dressed like someone about to do some manual work. He was about the same height as Max, but overweight, forties, and dressed in trousers and a shirt.

‘You all right?’ said Max, tentatively approaching the man.

He was obviously lost in thought because when Max spoke, he jumped and then turned around. His eyes were wet, dark, and heavy bags sat underneath them. Clearly he didn’t sleep well, and he looked at Max, a sudden terror springing to his face.

‘Oh, sorry, I…’ he replied, wiping tears from his cheeks.

‘Who are you? Are you OK?’

‘I shouldn’t be here,’ he said, and began walking away, but Max stopped him.

‘Wait. Who are you?’ asked a curious Max. ‘Did you know my parents?’

‘No, I didn’t, I … I’m sorry.’ He tried to walk away again, but Max reached out a hand, and held his arm, stopping him in his tracks. Max felt a strange feeling that wound its way aroundhis body, and then finally settled in his mind. It couldn’t be him, could it? Not on that day. Not now. Anyone but him.

‘Are you?’ said Max quietly, his voice barely audible because it caught in his throat.

‘I shouldn’t have come. I just wanted to say sorry.’

‘It is you,’ said Max, his voice suddenly louder, and a wave of emotion gripped him, like a drug that had been shot into his body. ‘What the fuck are you doing here?’

‘Like I said, I just wanted to apologise,’ he said, his voice was quiet, soft. ‘That’s all.’