“Andrew and Simon – Friends Forever”
Simon was deep in a work meeting when his phone buzzed on the desk. He almost ignored it—until he saw the name of his old school friend flash across the screen.
“Excuse me,” he muttered to his colleagues, stepping out into the corridor before answering.
“Hello?” He kept his voice measured, wary. He hadn’t spoken to Andrew in years. He’d assumed his number had long been lost in the shuffle of upgrades and SIM swaps.
“Simon? Blimey, is that really you? It’s Andrew. Thought you’d have changed your number by now—never expected you to pick up!” The voice on the line was warm, startlingly familiar.
“Andrew. How are you?” Simon’s response was automatic, stiff with surprise. Andrew didn’t seem to notice.
“Brilliant! Listen, I’m in London. Bit of a last-minute thing—sorry if I’ve caught you at work. Fancy grabbing a coffee? Been ages, hasn’t it?”
“Bit tied up right now, but I can swing by in an hour. Where are you?” Simon’s tone softened despite himself.
“King’s Cross station. Right out front. You’ll spot me—unless I’ve changed too much,” Andrew joked.
“Don’t move. I’ll find you,” Simon said before hanging up.
He returned to the meeting, nodding along, but his mind was elsewhere—fifteen years ago, to be exact. They’d drifted apart after Simon left their hometown for university, and somehow, life had gotten in the way ever since.
Simon parked his Range Rover and wove through the crowd at the station, scanning faces until—
“Simon!” A grinning man waved at him. For a second, Simon didn’t recognise him—until he did. They clasped hands, hesitated, then hugged.
“Andrew…”
“Simon, mate. Can’t believe it’s you. Look at you—proper city gent now! Blimey, it’s noisy here. Fancy a cuppa somewhere quieter?”
Simon drove them to a cosy café nearby. Andrew gawped at the car. “This yours? Bloody hell. You’ve done all right for yourself.”
Inside, they ordered—black coffee for Simon, coffee and a full English for Andrew (“You look starving,” Simon insisted)—and settled in.
Andrew’s life unfolded between bites: married to Lucy, two kids, a garage left to him by his late father-in-law. Simon barely hid his shock. “Lucy? Lucy from school? The one who fancied me?”
Andrew smirked. “The very same. Fancy that, eh? She got over you quick enough.”
Simon laughed. “Fair play. And me? Married, no kids yet. Head of sales.”
“Knew you’d go far,” Andrew said, but his smile faltered. “Thing is… you happy?”
Simon blinked. “What kind of question is that?”
“Honest one. We’re from different worlds now, aren’t we? Suits, flash cars… dunno what to even talk about.”
“Rubbish. I’m chuffed to see you,” Simon said.
“Could’ve fooled me. You never called.”
“Neither did you.”
Andrew shrugged. “Pride, I s’pose. But listen—come visit, yeah? Proper countryside, fishing, a few pints. Bring the missus.”
Simon hesitated. “Might just do that.”
Later, as they said goodbye, Andrew’s parting words lingered: “That bench by the school—our carving’s still there. They paint over it every year, but it keeps showing through.”
Driving home, Simon’s thoughts spiralled. His flat was empty when he arrived—no sign of Emily. He poured a whiskey, stared at the London skyline, and wondered when life had become this… scripted.
Emily returned, polished and exhausted. “Parents’ anniversary this weekend,” she reminded him when he suggested a trip. Later, as they walked silently, Simon confessed Andrew’s invitation.
Emily sighed. “Fine. We’ll go Sunday. Just don’t expect me to enjoy some greasy spoon with his wife.”
That night, Simon dreamt he was fishing—hook stuck, no one to help. He woke sweating.
Over breakfast, Emily surprised him: “We’ll go. If it means that much.”
Simon grinned. Andrew would be gobsmacked. As they drove, he rambled about old times, future plans—kids, even.
Emily nodded absently. *Let him get it out of his system*, she thought. *One glimpse of his mate’s cramped semi and screaming kids, and he’ll be back to normal by Monday.*
Simon, meanwhile, couldn’t stop smiling.
(Word count preserved, cultural adaptation complete: names, locations, idioms, and tone adjusted to English setting.)
