Page 63 of Common People

‘Have you ever been?’

‘To Thailand?’ he replied, chuckling. ‘Gosh no. The farthest I’ve ever been is Dundee.’

‘In Scotland?’

‘Yes. I’m absolutely terrified of flying, Max. If God had wanted us to fly, he would have given us wings, but safe travels, and maybe I’ll see you when you get back?’

‘You definitely will. Goodbye, Mark.’

They shook hands, before he walked away and back towards the train station and home. He still needed to finish packing, and he was going out for a goodbye meal with Robbie before his early flight from Heathrow. The flight left at 9 a.m. and there was one stop in Dubai on the way. He was beginning to get nervous about the trip now it was getting so close. He had plans for Bangkok, and then for Koh Phangan, but what if he didn’t make any friends? The thought of spending a month on his own, even somewhere as beautiful as Thailand, filled him with dread. What if he was making a terrible mistake?

As he watched the beautiful green English countryside fly past the train window, sipping on the coffee he’d got on the way to the station, he thought about what Mark had asked of him. Was it possible for him to forgive Barry for killing his parents? His logical side, his sensible brain, knew it was an accident and should someone have to pay for it for the rest of their lives? Barry could have looked at his mobile a thousand times and never even injured someone, but his parents were dead because of him, and every time he thought of Barry Spencer, saw his face in his mind's eye, it still felt impossible that he could forgive him for what he had done. Accident or not, his parents were dead because of what Barry had done. Mark was a religious man, and so, of course, he could forgive someone like Barry, but Max wasn’t like him. He didn’t know if he was that good of a person, but then again, perhaps it was like Mark said, and forgiving Barry would give him peace of mind too. He had done so much to get over his parents’ deaths, from joining Common People, selling the house, and seeing a therapist, but perhaps forgiving Barry was the final piece of the grief jigsaw puzzle.

As the train rumbled on towards London, he was no nearer to an answer, but he had a month in Thailand to think about it. In the meantime, he needed to get back to the flat, finish packing, before a quiet dinner with Robbie. Life was about to change, and whether he was ready or not, it was coming towards him at incredible speed.

The L word

Max grabbed his front door keys, and left the flat with Robbie. The weather had turned and it was drizzling with rain as they walked to a local pub for a goodbye meal before Max left in the morning. Because his flight to Bangkok was so early, he would have to be up at 4 a.m., but hopefully he could get a little sleep on the plane. The pub they were going to was just around the corner, and they dashed there through the misty rain, walking into the pub where Max was met with quite the surprise. All the members of Common People were there, holding a sign that said, ‘Goodbye Max! Safe travels!’, and as soon as he walked in, they all cheered, and Max couldn’t believe it.

‘We couldnae have youse leaving without a proper send off,’ said Robbie.

‘This was all you?’ asked an incredulous Max.

‘Aye, and everyone else. We all wanted to say goodbye.’

Max walked across, and was greeted by everyone, including Bethan, which was a lovely surprise because he didn’t think he’d be seeing her again for another month. Joe was there with Dawn, looking slimmer than ever, as was Hope, Anita, Eve and Charlie, who gave him a loud clap on the back.

‘You’d better watch out for the lady boys, mate! I have buddies with some shocking stories from Bangkok. You’ve no idea until you get them back to the old bedroom, and instead of what you’re expecting, it’s a lot of what you’re not, if you know what I mean!’

‘We all know what you mean,’ said Eve. ‘You’ll be grand, Max. I spent a few months travelling around Asia in my twenties, and had the best time. It’s gorgeous. The food, the beaches—’

‘The sex workers!’ chipped in Charlie, who got a stern look from Eve.

‘Thailand is beautiful, and you’ll have a brilliant time,’ said Hope. ‘I’ve been there heaps going backwards and forwards from Oz. It's one of my favourite places in the world.’

‘You know me, mate,’ said Joe. ‘I’m more Benidorm than Bangkok, but I reckon you’ll have a blinding time.’

‘Thanks, Joe. You’re looking good.’

‘Feeling good too. Who knew all that rabbit food could make you feel like a million bucks.’

‘Umm, everyone,’ said Dawn, standing next to him. ‘To be fair, he’s stuck to his diet, and he’s started light jogging again. I got him one of those treadmills for the house. Amazon Prime!’

‘It helps get the steps in,’ said Joe with a bright smile.

‘I’m really happy for you,’ said Max. ‘And next year?’

‘I’ll be running the Clapham Half with you!’

‘Yes, you will,’ said Max, and then Robbie suggested getting drinks and ordering food because Max had to be up at 4 a.m., and so they didn’t have much time.

The run club already had a long table, and despite the pub being fairly busy, they had taken over one whole section. Drinks were swiftly bought, food ordered, and they sat around talking like the oldest friends in the world. It was one of the things Max loved most about Common People, from the moment he had joined, they had all felt like family. It had always been so easy being with them, and now with Anita working at the sandwich shop, with Robbie and Eve together, and with Max seeing Hope’s therapist and almost dating Bethan, all their lives were intrinsically linked.

Charlie spoke about his new girlfriend, the girl at work he had liked forever and had eventually asked out. They were taking it slowly, but he was optimistic that she might be The One. With the Clapham Half over, Hope was getting ready for her annual trip down under with her husband, Neil. She was excited for the break and to be home again in her beloved Australia.

‘Nothing beats the Aussie sunshine when you know the weather in London’s shit as,’ said Hope.

‘Thanks for that,’ replied Bethan. ‘I have nothing booked, and it looks like I’ll be here all winter.’