Read Online Brand New Friend by Mike Gayle - Free Book Online

Barrington Farrelly smiled and nodded at her.
    ‘Do you mind if we sit over there while I roll myself a ciggie?’ she asked Rob, indicating the low wall that enclosed the forecourt.
    ‘Not at all,’ he replied, and they walked across to it, then sat down. Rob watched as she opened the rolling tobacco, filters and papers, then began to construct a cigarette. She dropped two moderate pinches of tobacco on to a paper, then rolled it between her forefingers and thumbs until the contents were tight enough for her to add a filter. Once this was done she licked the gummed edge and sealed it. The whole process took less than a minute. She held up the cigarette and grinned.
    ‘Perfect,’ she said, admiring her handiwork.
    ‘I wouldn’t know,’ said Rob. ‘I’ve never smoked rollies – even when I did smoke. I could never be bothered with all that fiddling. How come you don’t smoke proper cigarettes?’
    ‘Does it bother you?’ asked Jo.
    ‘Not really,’ said Rob. ‘It’s just that . . . well, I’m curious. Not just about you, but about people like you who smoke rollies. I mean, what’s it all about? You can clearly afford to buy proper grown-up cigarettes, so why make out you’re still a poverty-stricken student?’
    ‘You’re a right cheeky sod when you want to be.’
    ‘Really?’ replied Rob. ‘That’s news to me.’
    ‘Why do I do this?’ Jo examined her cigarette. ‘Because it’s creative. I made it. No one else, just me. A minute ago it didn’t exist and now it does. And, right now, making rollies is the only creative pleasure I have.’
    Rob laughed. ‘Why don’t you take up painting or pottery or something?’
    ‘I once wrote a novel,’ said Jo, casually. ‘Does that count?’
    ‘I’m impressed. Was it published?’
    ‘If it was, do you think I’d be making roll-ups as a creative outlet?’ Jo stood up and waved at an oncoming black cab. ‘Listen,’ she said, turning to Rob. ‘It’s been lovely – you’ve been lovely – but I’d better get off.’
    ‘Of course.’ Rob held out his hand and she shook it. ‘It was nice to meet you, Jo.’
    ‘And it was nice to meet you, too.’ She kissed his cheek. ‘Thanks for looking after me,’ she whispered, ‘and tell your girlfriend from me she’s a lucky woman.’
    Rob watched as she climbed into the cab and it began to move off. Just as he was about to turn away, though, it stopped abruptly. Jo wound down her window. ‘I’ve got something for you,’ she called, as Rob walked over to the cab. ‘I’m keeping the chocolate but I want you to have all this.’ She handed Rob the tobacco, filters and Rizla papers. ‘What’s this for?’ asked Rob looking at the items in his hands.
    ‘For you,’ Jo replied. ‘Because everybody needs a bit of creativity in their lives sometimes.’
    The taxi pulled off again and Rob watched until it had disappeared.
    When he got back to the party he found Ashley talking to the same group of friends she had been with when he left.
    ‘How did you get on?’ asked Ashley. ‘Meet anyone new?’
    ‘I did, actually,’ replied Rob, almost wistfully, ‘but I doubt I’ll see them again.’ He changed the subject. ‘Are you ready to make a move, then?’
    ‘That was the deal,’ said Ashley, and kissed him. ‘Let’s go home.’

Desperado
    ‘Hey, you,’ said Rob, into his mobile.
    ‘Hey, babe,’ replied Ashley. ‘Just calling to see what you’re up to.’
    ‘Nothing much. I’m about to go to the cinema.’
    ‘On your own? Sorry . . . I shouldn’t have said it like that. Do you want me to come with you? I can meet up with the girls another day.’
    ‘You’re fine,’ said Rob. ‘Anyway, I know how you ladies like your girl time together. I’ll see you at home, okay?’
    ‘Okay,’ she said, reluctantly.
    It was just after half past one on a relatively warm Saturday afternoon in May and Rob was sitting alone at a table in Bar 38 on Peter Street. He put his phone on the table in