Page 50 of Common People

It felt like a wave of calm washed over him, and that everything was going to be all right. Robbie had been right when he said that it was just a wee moment of weakness, and all the good work he had put in wasn’t going to be wasted. Bethan understood, and they could still go on their date, and put this all behind them. It had been the thing he had been thinking about all day at work. He couldn’t stand the thought that meeting Barry would take Bethan away from him too. How much more could one stranger take? So just the thought that she understood, and seemed OK with it, made him feel so much better about it. He’d had a bad day, but it didn’t mean it was going to ruin the rest of his life. If Bethan could get over it, then so could he.

‘Thanks. I can book the date again for this weekend, if you’re still up for it?’

Bethan removed her hand from his, and her face that had been smiling, was suddenly changed. The smile had been replaced with something far more reserved. He could seethat she seemed hesitant to speak, but knew she had to say something. ‘Max, I understand, but I also think that you aren’t ready for this. Clearly you still have things to work through. We both do.’

‘Bethan, please, I’m fine. It was just a blip. It’s what Robbie said on Sunday. A wee moment of weakness, but I’m fine now.’

‘Max, you aren’t fine, and that’s OK. You don’t have to pretend for me. You still have things to work on and work out. I still have things to work on, too. We lost the people we loved the most, and I don’t think that us getting together now is the right thing to do.’

‘Oh,’ said Max, feeling deflated, the weight of what happened on Sunday suddenly back. ‘But I thought you understood, and that meant we were OK.’

‘We are OK, but we can’t start a relationship when clearly you still have so much to work through and get over. I’m sorry, Max, but right now, I think we need to have a break from each other. I’ve had my heart broken once before; I can’t risk getting it broken again so soon. I was already worried about us before the weekend, whether we were ready for a relationship, and clearly I was worried for a reason. You aren’t ready Max, and that’s OK.’

Max couldn’t believe it. Barry had taken something else away from him, and this time it was the future. He looked across the table at Bethan, and he knew he couldn't change her mind. He also knew that she was right, and the last thing he wanted to do was hurt her. She was just protecting herself, and she was right to do so. What’s to say that he wouldn’t have another blip and then another, and what if the next one was worse, or lasted for longer. After everything he had put Emma through, he knew he couldn’t do it to Bethan too.

‘I really like you Max, and maybe one day, when we’re both ready, we can try again but for the time being, I need to put myself first. I just can’t do this right now.’

‘OK,’ replied Max quietly. ‘Understood.’

‘Are you OK?’

‘Yeah, fine. Honestly,’ said Max with a forced smile.

‘I’ll see you on Thursday for run club?’

‘Yes, of course.’

‘OK then,’ said Bethan, standing up. ‘I really do want to be a part of your life.’

‘I know, me too.’

‘See you.’

‘Bye,’ Max replied, before he watched her walk away. It had been an emotional day from getting the news about the house, to Bethan telling him she was putting them on hold for the time being. Max wanted a drink so badly, just one drink to ease the voices, and calm the emotions that were swirling inside of him. He would just have one beer before he went home. One beer, and that was it. He needed it. It would help.

Embrace the chaos

The following day, after his talk with Bethan, and with everything else that had happened swirling around his mind, Max took the day off work, using one of his flex-days, and headed to St Albans to meet with Tanya. He took the train from London to St Albans, meeting Tanya outside of the house on a warm, bright Wednesday morning. Tanya was holding a takeaway coffee, and Max had got himself a flat white from his favourite coffee shop in St Albans.

‘Sorry I’m late,’ said Max. She was standing on the driveway. They had arranged to meet at ten o’clock, and it was ten past. ‘I really needed a coffee.’

‘Not to worry, it’s a gorgeous day. Shall we head inside?’

‘After you,’ he said, and he followed her to the front door, before he opened it, and they walked through to the kitchen, where they sat at the breakfast bar. ‘Thanks for meeting me here.’

‘Of course. I know this is a big deal for you, and I’m happy to do whatever it is you need.’

‘I’m going to sell,’ said Max quickly. He just needed to say it, to get it out in the universe. After a drink at the pub the night before, he had gone back to the flat and spent the evening deep in thought about the house. It was obvious that he needed to sell it. The offer was good, the buyers seemingly perfect, and the time was right. It would feel so strange not to have it anymore and to just hand it off to someone else. He couldn’t just pop inand see all of his parents' things and visit the house where he had grown up, but he knew it was time to let it go and move on.

‘That’s great news,’ said Tanya with a comforting smile. ‘I know this is hard, Max, but I think you’re doing the right thing. The buyers are great people, and I know they’ll love it here.’

‘I hope they’re as happy as we were,’ replied Max, before Tanya went on to explain what would happen next. She was going to email him some initial documents to sign, and then she would email him a comprehensive to-do list. Fortunately, the buyers were currently renting, and because they were cash buyers with money from a previous sale, and with the house not occupied, everything could be done quickly and efficiently.

‘There is something we need to discuss,’ said Tanya. ‘It’s about emptying the house. I know it’s something that must be difficult, Max, and if you need help, I’ll be more than happy to suggest companies that can come in and take everything away for you. Whatever you need, please just let me know.’

‘Thanks, and I know it needs to be done. I’ve been putting it off forever.’

‘And I don’t want to rush you, I don’t, but the sooner it’s done the better. Like I said, if it’s something you can’t deal with yourself, and you just want to take a few things, I’ll be happy to organise a company to come in and take everything away.’