“Nah, I remember shit like that. I like it, though. Thanks, man.”
“You’re welcome?” I followed him to the counter and handed over my card.
“I should make you a loyalty card; you’re here that often.” He smiled, his blue eyes twinkling. How had I never noticed them before?
“Buy one, get one free?” I laughed. It sounded foreign even to my ears.
“Not quite.” He gave me back my card, but before I could turn to leave, he spoke again. “You seem different today. More relaxed than usual.”
“Are you saying I’m usually tense?” If I wasn’t mistaken, this was the most I’d spoken to him since coming here. Did he think I was a proper miserable bastard?
“Not tense, no. I don’t know. I can’t quite put my finger on it. It’s good, though.”
I nodded. “I’ve been feeling better.” And why is that? Julie would ask, but he wasn’t Julie, and this wasn’t therapy. “Something and nothing really.”
“Whatever it is, it suits you.”
“I’ll see you next time.”
“Great to see you again, H. Have a good day, man.”
“Yeah, you too, Rafi.”
“Who’s next?” he said, and I turned to leave, almost bumping into another man.
“Me. I’m next. It’s Seth.”
Wednesday, and I was back on the tube. My usual companion sat a few seats down, looking most displeased that someone had taken the seat next to her.
Monday and Tuesday had been uneventful. Work, then home. Rinse and repeat.
The journey was boring as usual, with the sounds of people coughing and sneezing in the background. These trains were a breeding ground for illnesses, and I’d be fucking annoyed if I came down with anything.
I longed for the days of face masks and six feet of personal space.
The weather had turned even colder over the weekend, but the number of bodies in the compartment made it hot and uncomfortable. I couldn’t wait to get off. I fought my waythrough the crowds and emerged onto the street, already exhausted for the day.
A brisk walk, and I made it to the office to find Ed standing by the lift.
“Harvey, my man. How was your weekend? What did you get up to?” I’d not seen him since last week, and today he seemed overly cheerful even for him.
“The usual.” The usual being nothing at all.
“You always say that, but I still don’t know what the usual is.”
That was the point. I kept myself to myself. It was better that way.
“Aren’t you going to ask me what I did?” No doubt it was good if the satisfied smile was anything to go by.
I didn’t really care, but he told me anyway.
“Well, Wednesday night after you bailed on us, I asked Sally out. She said yes, obviously. I mean, who could resist all this?”
He chuckled to himself, and I had to smile. He was confident, if nothing else.
“And you took her out?” I asked, feigning interest.
I longed for the lift to hurry.