Chapter 3
As he walked down the flight of stairs he turned on to the busy Dublin street. His mind working overtime, 'were these feeling normal, so soon after JP?', 'was it too early to move on?'. These thoughts continued to plague Craig whilst walking the short distance to the shop. He had decided to get a couple of bottle of wine and 12 cans of lager. Tonight was going to be fun, just getting to know each other, having a chat a few drinks and a laugh with a new friend Craig reasoned. He approached the old building and looked up to the first floor where he could make out a shadow in his kitchen window. he put the key in the lock and walked up the stairs to his flat, turning the handle.
"I'm back"
"Great stuff tea wont be long about 5 min. Bloody hell Craig you on a mission to get drunk?!" Robin laughed
"Just thought it would be nice to have a few drinks and a chat, get to know each other a bit better. I mean i dont really know anything about you, other than the course your doing."
"Ditto"
Craig laughed "Thats true i suppose." he glanced round the room "You want me to set the table, you cooked only fair."
"Sure"
Craig put the alcohol in the fridge and headed into the from room. He picked up the table mats from the shelf on his coffee table and placed them on the dining table, feeling a twinge of guilt as he did so. He looked down at the placemats and smirked, house warming pressie off Carmel. She had gave them to JP in the day they left for the aiport, Craig had put them in the front of his suitcase as JP had nowhere to put them. He had forgotten all about them until two weeks ago when he had decided to finally empty his suitcase, he remembered the day he had found them, the tears they brought with them were almost neverending. Craig cried for the first time since he had arrived in Dublin for three hours straight, eventually exhausting himself and falling asleep holding them, as if it would make John Paul closer. He felt a single tear run doown his cheek and wiped it away quickly as he heard Robin shout that the meal was ready.
"Im coming" he shouted back "Just putting the mats down" he lied. What was he supposed to say? He was reminising of good old days gone by? That he was thinking about the guy who broke his heart? Nope he didnt think that would work, and anyway it was in the past, the present was more important.
He walked to the itchen and picked his plate up. "This looks lovely Robin" He looked over and smiled
"Thanks" Robin said shyly "Right you wanna sit down?"
"Yup. I'll be right in just gonna wash my hands. Do you want a bottle of wine opening now?"
"Please, although it is only 5 oclock, i know that if i open that now i'll be drunk by 7!"
"It's a chance im willing to take" Craig chuckled "I havent had a good drink for ages"
"Fair enough but dont say i didnt warn you!" Robin warned playfully
He opened the bottle and poured a large glass, putting the bottle back in the fridge and getting himself a can while he was there, and made his way to the room.
"There you go. One fairly chilled glass of wine, i didnt think did you want the bottle bringing out"
"No its fine, this should last me utill ive eaten anyway."
They ate their tea in silence, both enjoying the meal and relaxing in each others company. As they finished the meal Craog took the plates to the kitchen and put them in the dishwasher, pipcking up more alcohol on his way past the fridge.
"Thought it was time to bring out the bottle" He grinned
"Right lets get drunk"
"I'll drink to that" he raised his can "Cheers"
After 40 minuites of Robin talking he had a better understanding of his new room mate, Robin was 18, had a brother and sister, enjoyed reading and drawing, and had just got out of a year long relationship. Craig listed intentley as he was told how the relationship had fizzled out, realising that there wasnt any more romantic feelings on both sides had decieded to call it a day. Craig couldnt help but think of JP whilst Robin was talking, their relationship had only just started properly, hadnt had the chance to fizzle out, probably never would have but Craig never got the chance to find out what would have been. Craig was snapped out of his daydream but Robin's soft voice.
"Craig?" Robin was concerned, and had noticed Craigs eyes begining to well up. "Are you ok?"
"Yeah, Just thinking about something" he managed to say
"Something or someone?" Robin asked gently
"Someone. Nothing gets passed you does it." He laughed
"Nope, im practically pychic. You wanna talk about it?
Craig wasnt sure what to say. He hadnt spoken to anyone since he arrived about John Paul, would now be the best time, to someone who he hardly knew.
Before he could make his mind up Robin asked "Are you thinking about the guy in the picture on your bedside cabinet?"
"Yeah i am" Craig stated.
"You want to tell me about him, Im a good listener you know" Robin said kindly
Before he could stop himself he was opening his mouth and his heart,all the hurt and grief spilling out of him after being bottle up for so long.
'Looks like your in for a long night" Robin thought to himself.
