Didn’t we have a lovely time the day we went to….

It was freezing!

He searched for a doorway to shelter in and checked his watch again. How could it just be approaching nine? It felt like he had been here for ages. Maybe because seven hours ago at the end of a night out he hadn’t been far from this very spot.

Unhappy with how things were in their respective lives, that’s when they had both decided.

The discontent had been bubbling under most of the night, occasionally in the crowd they would get a chance to speak to each other. To confide in each other about how dissatisfied they were finding their given lot. Jobs, home life and relationships. Then there were their failures at various artistic endeavours and the reality, that there didn’t seem to be much more to life than this.

Another glance at his watch, where was he?

After all it had been his idea, 'Where the hell was Mick?'

Let’s escape to somewhere else Mick had suggested.  Beside the sea or deep into the countryside. He had thought about it for a split-second. It usually took longer but fuelled by what they had been discussing and what had been a really crappy few weeks he had decided on the spot.

'Yes, let’s do it!'

That’s why on a cold, windy Saturday morning he found himself standing on a street corner waiting on his friend to appear. Maybe Mick had forgotten or more likely thought better of it. How much had they been drinking? A lot!

A bus stopped across the road, maybe this one?

The bus moved away and there he was. 

'So, you made it!' Keith said.

'Aye, was struggling to get up after last night.’ Mick replied.

'Ha! I know.' Keith said.

'I feel crap by the way. Anywhere to get a coffee and something to eat?' Mick asked.

'Not sure? Think there might be somewhere along here. Come on!'

Mick followed Keith along a side street as they walked it started to rain.

'Look here’s a place.' Keith said.

They walked into a small sandwich shop which had four seats at the window.

'Man, there’s too much to choose from.' Mick said looking at the menu.

'Let’s cut to the chase. Hey, Boss! Can I have an egg roll?' Keith asked the man behind the counter.

'Can you do me a roll on sausage?' Mick said.

'No problem. Do you want anything to drink?' The man replied. 

'I’ll have a black coffee.' Keith said. 

'Tea for me.' Mick said.

They got their food and sat down.

'So, what’s the plan?' Keith asked.

'Think we said we were going to get a bus somewhere?' Mick replied.

'Oh yeah. Didn’t decide where did we?' Keith said.

'Naw we didn't.' Mick said.

For a moment they both sat in silence struggling to remember fragments of drunken conversations from the previous night.

'Wasn't there something about a farm?' Mick said.

'Yeah, I think so?' Keith replied.

More silence.

'No, we changed that.' Keith said.

'Did we?' Mick asked.

'Was that just after we had agreed how crap things were and that we needed to do something different?' Mick said.

'Yeah, that we needed to pack in our jobs, sell our wordly possessions.' Keith said.

'Aye! I remember now. We needed to change things shake it all up, do something now or forever be stuck in a rut. It was very inspiring.' Mick said.

'Thank you!' Keith replied.

Mick nodded.

'Didn't you say something about Eyemouth?' Keith asked.

'Did I?'

'I'm sure you did. Think you mentioned getting the bus to Eyemouth.'

'Eyemouth? Why Eyemouth?' Mick said.

'Beats me? But I'm sure that was your suggestion.' Keith said.

'Eyemouth? Nice place. What was yours then?' Mick asked.

More silence, for a moment it looked as though Keith was about to say something. His mouth half-opened, he raised a finger, but then said nothing, took a bite of his roll and slurped his coffee.

'Come on! You must remember something?' Mick said.

Keith shook his head.

'So, in the absence of anything else we're going to Eyemouth?' Mick said.

'I guess so?'

They took another bite of their rolls and took a long gulp of their drinks.

The rain was heavier now and was battering against the window of the cafe. They both looked at it chewing their food like two cows standing in a field chewing grass.

'Eyemouth, that's beside the sea isn't it?' Keith asked.

'Correct!' Mick said.

'It will be wet on a day like this.' Keith said.

'Aye! And your point caller?' Mick replied.

'Cold as well.' Keith said.

'Suppose so and the countryside?' Mick asked.

'Same.' Keith said.

'Same.' Mick repeated.

After a few more bites they had finished their rolls.

They both looked into their cups.

'Almost finished?' Keith asked.

'Aye, you?' Mick said.

'In a minute.' Keith replied.

The rain became heavier and they looked out onto the deserted streets.

'I suppose, if we are going to go then we better get round to the bus station.' Mick said.

'Aye, better get round.' Keith replied.

Both of them sat there looking at the puddles getting bigger and bigger.

'Maybe if we wait and have another drink then the worst of the weather will be over.' Mick said.

'Aye, that could work.' Keith replied.

They got more drinks and sat back down. 

'Right, we'd better go after this otherwise there'll be no point in us going.' Mick said.

'Aye, after this.' Keith replied.

'Right.' Mick said.

A few minutes later they both sat looking at their empty cups.

'We're no going are we.' Keith said.

'Naw, we're no.' Mick replied.

'Thank god for that! You and your mad plans! Eyemouth!' Keith said.

'Aye, Eyemouth!' Mick said.

'You going home?' Keith asked.

'Aye.' Mick said.

'Me too. The dreams of mice and men.' Keith said.

'Ha! Whatever that means.' Mick said.

'So, same time and same place next Friday?' Keith asked.

Mick shrugged and then smiled.

'Yeah, I suppose so. See you then.'