Chapter 5 - Nothing

A month passed and for John, things were slowly starting to look up. He was progressing. Everyday it felt slightly easier, even though the pain was always still there. Still, he was not ready to talk to Greg yet. For the first couple of weeks Greg left him be. Let him have his space. Then he started to text him and then call him. John usually answered them but nearly all of them ended within minutes with some excuse John came up with.

From what Greg was hearing from Mrs Hudson and a number of John's friends, he was gradually improving. It was nice to know he was getting better, that he was carrying on more normally. Something inside him though still felt hurt. It had been a whole month and they have not had a proper conversation. Greg understood from the beginning he would need time. What he couldn't understand was the fact that if everything is going back to normal, why hadn't John contacted him.

One month, 3 weeks and 2 days. It was Friday evening and he had half an hour before the end of his shift. He'd been holding back a break all day so decided to take a 5 minute one. Downstairs he went to the smoking area and he got out his phone. Over the past month Greg's smoking habit had come back. It wasn't as regular as it used to be but it helped him. Scrolling through the contacts on his phone, he came across John's name. He dialled the number and eventually, he answered.

'Hello?' John asked.

'All right John! I get off in 20 minutes, was wondering if you want go out for a drink?'

It stayed quiet for a moment. 'That'd be nice but I'm a bit busy at the minute. Thanks for the offer. Some other time maybe. Bye.' John said then hung up. He lied. John had nothing on. His evening consisted of him sitting at home watching crap telly with a couple of beers.

Greg took his phone away from his ear and stared at it. Was it something he said? Greg sighed and took one last drag from his fag before going back into his office. Just before he got to his office Dimmock stopped him.

'Ah Greg! You'll come out for a drink with us won't you?' He said pointing to Sally and Anderson. Greg just looked at him. Dimmock took it as a sign he wanted more explanation. 'It's just everyone seems to be busy. Only me and these guys have time for a social life it seems. You?' Greg thought for a moment. Either way he was going to drink too much tonight, whether he was at home or at the pub. Going to the pub seemed the safer option. At least someone would be there to help him if he got into trouble. Anyway it was his original plan to go there.

'Yeah, I can leave now if you like?' he answered finally.

'Great! We'll wait outside.' Dimmock started to walk outside with Sally and Anderson. Greg went into his office and grabbed his coat. He pulled out his phone and looked at it one last time before putting it back. After shaking his head, he walked out and turned the light off. Pretty much everyone who was on his shift had left. The only people there were those ready to start the night shift. He got outside and bumped into Sally.

'Ready to go then?' Sally asked. Greg just nodded. He wasn't in the mood to smile this evening.

They sit down at a table while Anderson goes and orders the drinks. He comes back and puts one in front of Greg, who is staring at the table. Anderson looks at Dimmock and Sally slightly confused. Dimmock looks towards Greg who is still staring.

'Any time you want to drink that mate.' He says as Anderson takes a seat.

'Oh right. Yeah. Thanks.' Greg says taking a gulp.

'What's up with you Greg?' Sally asks straight out.

'Nothing.' Greg replies.

'There obviously is, you've drunk loads of that already.' Anderson says pointing towards his pint. Greg just shrugs.

'I thought John was getting better. You know, getting back in to normal life?' Sally asked.

'He is.' Greg said sternly.

'Then why are you like this?' Dimmock asked.

'Why don't you invite him out with us?' Sally asked. Greg just looked at her.

'Tried that. Said he was busy.' Greg gulps down the rest of his drink and walks up to the bar for another. The others had barely started theirs. They all looked at each other. A look which meant they all knew Greg can't be left alone.

He comes strolling back over already he had drunk a third of this one.

'Are you going to slow down?' Anderson asked.

'Nope.'

'Okay then...'

The others casually chatted bringing Greg into the conversation every now and then. Greg was on his fourth now. Dimmock and Anderson their second while Donovan was still on her first. It all went silent as that topic came to an end. With the speed Greg was drinking he could feel he was getting drunk already. This time he started the conversation.

'I've brought it on myself.' He said simply. 'I'm the reason John won't talk to me.'

'No your not Greg.' Sally said sympathetically.

'It is! I've put to much pressure on him!' Greg said, his voice louder than how has spoken all night.

'No you haven't'

'I have Sally. I keep ringing him and sending him texts. Too often.' He drained the last of his fourth and was now starting on his fifth.

'Give me your phone.' Anderson says holding out his hand.

'Why?'

'Just give me your phone.' Greg got his phone out and slowly placed it in Anderson's hand. He started scrolling through the messages. 'Have you deleted your messages or call log in the last few months?' Greg shook his head.

'What are you doing?' It was starting to irritate Greg now.

'Greg, you've hardly harassed him! If anything, you've sent fewer than I would have thought.' Anderson said handing him his phone back. He slid it in his pocket again.

'Your being a idiot.' Dimmock said. Greg rolled his eyes.

'He's right, you know. Maybe he does need a little more time. After all he has only just got his life back on track.' Sally says.

'It doesn't explain how I can't even have a normal conversation with him.' The other three look at each other.

'Maybe you have to accept it might be over.' Sally finally squeaked out. Greg slowly looked up from his empty pint glass. 'It might be too much for him to have a relationship at the moment. You should probably try and move on.' Greg shook his head.

'No. No I can't!' Greg stands up but stumbles a bit. He regains his balance and starts to walk out the pub.

'Where are you going?' Anderson shouted.

'For a fag!' Greg shouted back not turning around. He walked outside and stood there for a second readjusting to the cold. Instead of getting a cigarette out he got out his mobile. The next thing he knew he was ringing John. It rang out but no one answered. He tried it again. And then again. He walks back in and ends up having two more pints every now and then trying to ring John.

'Greg it's probably a bad idea to ring him. Especially in your state.' Anderson stated.

'Shut up.' Greg called back. 11 times he has tried ringing John now and still no answer. It kept ringing out so why was he not answering? He goes to get up and get another drink.

'Nope. You've had enough.' Dimmock said stopping him from going to the bar. Greg looked at him and nodded.

'Fine. I'm off.' He said striding out the pub. The others looked at each other again. They all got up and started following him. With a bit of a run they caught up with him.

'Where are you going?' Sally demanded as they reached him.

'Baker Street, where else?'

'I don't think that's a good idea.' Dimmock said.

'Do you think I care?' Greg said spinning around, wobbling as he did so.

'I guess not.' They followed him until they reached Baker Street. He was nearly at the door when Donovan decided to stop. The other two looked at her.

'If that's what he's got to do, then let him.' She said taking one last look at Greg and turning to walk off. The other mimicked this and headed off too. It left Greg standing alone at the door of 221B.