Happy Together
Chapter 1

Their first proper meeting was in a Subway restaurant where Arthur worked part-time. Gilbert watched as Arthur totted up the bill with violent jabs of his finger at the computer screen, then looked up and said with a forced smile, "Would you like to upgrade to a meal deal for only £1 extra? The meal deal includes a drink and a choice of either a cookie or crisps."

"Er, no thanks."

"Eating in or taking out?"

"What? Er, eating out."

Arthur's finger hovered indecisively over the screen, brows furrowed as his brain processed Gilbert's reply, before giving the screen a final jab.

"That will be £4.29 please. Do you have a Subcard?"

"A what?"

"A Subcard," Arthur repeated with a touch of impatience. "It's a loyalty card. You collect points with every purchase – one point for every 10p you spend – with which you earn free sandwiches – five hundred points for a six inch sandwich and a thousand points for a footlong – and various other offers. Would you like one?"

Gilbert's mind reeled from the figures. "Er, so I get free stuff with this card?"

"Yes," Arthur said, then pulled his lips into a grimace as if remembering to smile, adding, "The Subcard is free."

"Okay," Gilbert acquiesced, and watched as Arthur knelt to rummage under the counter. As the seconds ticked by, the rummaging grew more violent and Gilbert heard a loud bang followed by a quiet 'Shit!' before Arthur re-appeared over the counter, rubbing his elbow.

"I'm sorry, but it seems we have run out of Subcards," he said, managing to sound both sullen and apologetic at the same time.

Gilbert burst into laughter.

Author's comment

Yes, I've worked in a Subway restaurant. The pressure is unbelievable! In spite of the wholesome image the company promotes, it is still a fast food restaurant and god be damned if you're slow on the line! There is also the 101 questions you have to ask: "What bread would you like it on?" "Would you like it to be six-inch or footlong?" "Would you like it with cheese?" "Would you like it toasted?" "Would you like a drink to go with your sandwich?" It goes on and on, and under intense pressure to be quick we fire our questions in garbled form in one breath: "Whatbreadwouldyoulike? Sixinchorfootlong? Cheeseandtoasted? Salads? Sauce? Anydrinks? Cookiesorcrisps? Eatinginortakingout? That'llbe£XpleasedoyouhaveaSubcard? Thankyouhaveaniceday!"