A/N: this is the last completed chapter that I have at the moment. If I remember correctly, I have already made work on chapter six. Therefore, if I get my act together, I might be able to finish it soon.

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Five

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Almost a month had passed since Mark had turned up at his door that night, drenched in rain and shaking with fear, but for Robert it still felt like it was only yesterday. For nearly four weeks the only thing he had been able to think about was what Mark was going through and what he could do to help him get through these dark days. It wasn't easy, though; Mark had put up a barrier around himself, telling everyone that he was fine and that they were to just stop fussing over him. Robert had offered to go with Mark to his first appointment, wanting to be there for his friend, but Mark had said that he wanted to go on his own and that there was no need for Robert to be there. Desperately wanting to be with him but at the same time not wanting to go against his friend's wish, Robert let him go; all the while hoping that he was OK.

Since then, Robert had been round Mark's almost every day, making sure that he was all right and asking if he wanted anything. However, every time he went, Mark always said the same thing:

"I'm fine, Rob, please stop worrying about me."

And every time he said that, the reply was almost always the same:

"I just want you to know that I'm here for you."

Robert knew that Thomas, Daniel and Matthew had been round numerous times as well throughout the month, trying the same approach, but to avail. However, no-one was keen on giving up, even if Mark was making this harder than it needed to be.

At the end of August, it had been over two months since Mark had told them about his diagnosis and Robert was yet again on his way down to his flat to see if he was all right. That, and he had some news of his own he needed to tell him. Since losing his job just before Mark had said he was ill, Robert had been struggling to pay the rent for his flat and now he had been told he had to find somewhere else to live within the next month. He wasn't sure about what he was supposed to do now that he had to deal with this as well as everything else.

A moment later, Robert was knocking on Mark's door, constantly thinking about how he was going to break the news to him when he spoke to him.

Robert was brought out of his thoughts by the sound of the door opening in front of him and Mark standing in the doorway looking at him.

"Jeez, spend any more time round here and you might as well live here." Mark said.

"Nice to see you, too." It was then that Robert looked at Mark properly. He was standing in his pyjamas and dressing gown with a hat on his head to hide his hair loss due to chemo, but it wasn't that that got Robert; it was how tired his best friend looked. Mark looked as though he hadn't slept in weeks; he looked worse than he had done the last time Robert saw him.

"You all right?" Robert asked, concern taking over him.

"I'm not feeling too well today." Mark replied.

"Come on; let's get you back to bed." Robert said, leading Mark back through the flat towards his room.

"Rob, please, I'm all right."

"Mark, come on, we both know that that's not true." Robert told him as he led him into his room. "You need to stop saying that you're fine when you're not."

Mark said nothing and just lay down in his bed, silently thankful that Robert had made him go back to bed.

Once Robert had pulled the duvet up over him, he sat down on the side of the bed and looked at his friend.

"You OK?" He asked gently.

Mark only nodded.

"There's no need to pretend, you know." Robert told him. "No-one's going to judge you for saying that you don't feel well. We're only trying to help you."

"I know," Mark said quietly.

"Then why won't you let us?" Robert asked.

It took awhile for Mark to answer and, when he did, he made sure that he didn't look Robert in the eye when he spoke.

"Because I don't want to keep getting in the way of things." Mark said. "When you guys fuss over me and ask me if I'm all right, I feel like I'm keeping you from doing other things."

"Mark, we want to help you. Forget about everything else; right now, you come first."

"It still doesn't feel right."

Robert sighed quietly and rested a hand on Mark's shoulder. "For once in your life, Mark, let yourself be that little bit selfish. You need help and we're here to give it you."

Mark looked up at Robert through tired eyes and gave a small smile.

"Thank you. You're a good friend, you know that, right?" Mark said, giving a small smile.

Robert smiled back but, as Mark looked at him, he could see that there was something on his mind.

"What's bothering you?" Mark asked.

"Nothing's bothering me; I'm just worried about you." Robert half lied.

"I know that, but that's not it. I know when you're worried and when something's bothering you. Now spill, what's happened?"

"It doesn't matter, Mark," Robert insisted. "You don't need to worry about it."

"And you don't need to worry about me, so what is it?"

"It's nothing. Now get some sleep." Robert told him standing up. However, Mark grabbed his hand before he could get away.

"Not until you tell me what's wrong." He said. "I don't care how small you think it is, I want to know."

"Fine," Robert sighed, giving in, and sat back on the edge of the bed, looking down at the floor. "The council have given me a month to find somewhere else to live because I can't pay the rent any longer."

"Rob, why didn't you tell me before that you were struggling? I could've helped." Mark said, shocked that his friend had kept this from him.

"I didn't want to burden you with this as well. You're going through enough as it is."

"I still would have given you some money to help pay with the rent." Mark told him.

"I know, but it didn't seem fair." Robert said. "And anyway, it doesn't matter now; I've just got to try and find somewhere else to live before the month's up."

"Where're you going to go?" Mark asked.

"To be honest, I'm not sure yet." Robert admitted. "I'm gonna have a look around town, seeing if there are any places with cheep rent. Then I'm gonna try and find a job so I can hold down the flat or whatever it lands up being."

"What happens if you can't find anything?"

"I don't know and I'd rather not think about that just yet. I still have a month to find somewhere so, as long as I do find something, I won't have to cross that bridge at all."

"Do you want me to help you look for something?" Mark offered, feeling bad that he couldn't do anything to help keep his friend where he was. "It's the least I can do."

"Mark, I'd love you to, but –"

"If you're about to say that I might not be well enough to, then stop there." Mark said and Robert said nothing else. "Rob, honestly, I'll be feeling better in a day or two. And besides, maybe the fresh air will do me good."

"Are you sure? I mean, if you'd rather stay here and rest, I don't mind."

"Yes, I'm sure. It'll take my mind off things for a while." Mark told him. "So, when do you want to start looking? Tomorrow?"

"If you feel you can do tomorrow, then I'm all right with that."

"Good," Mark said. "Now, go home and start looking at places on the internet or whatever. Get a head start."

"All right, I'm off." Robert stood up. "I'll come round here about ten-ish and we'll start looking. That all right with you?"

"Sounds good to me," Mark nodded. "See you tomorrow, then."

"See you," Robert then left Mark's room, pulling the door up behind him, leaving Mark to get as much rest as he could before tomorrow.

The next morning, Mark woke up to the sound of someone knocking gently on his front door.

Slightly dazed, he sat up in bed and rubbed at his eyes. He was tired and really just wanted to go back to sleep and stay there for the rest of the day. But he had promised Robert he would help him out in his quest to find somewhere else to live before the month was up. He wasn't about to let his friend down simply because he felt tired.

Forcing himself out of bed, Mark looked at the time shown on the digital clock beside his bed: 10:05. Damn it, Mark thought. He had been praying that Robert had turned up earlier than he had said meaning Mark would have a better excuse for not being ready. He knew, as soon as he opened the door, he was going to get an earful from Robert about whether or not this was a good idea. Still, it was nothing Mark hadn't had to deal with before and he knew, full well, that this was not going to be the last time a situation like this would arise.

Grabbing his dressing gown and his beanie, Mark walked out of his room and towards the front door. He couldn't help but wonder how long Robert had been out there, knocking at his door. However long it was, he hoped it wasn't long enough for Robert to really start worrying about him.

Opening the door, Mark braced himself for the worried look which he knew would cross his friend's face as soon as he set eyes on him. It was the way things had always been during these last few months.

"Morning," Mark said, trying to smile as convincingly as he could.

"Bloody hell, Mark, I was getting worried out here." Robert told him and Mark mentally cursed himself for not bothering to set an alarm. "How come you're not dressed?" And there is the worried look, Mark thought to himself as he looked down from his friend's eyes.

"Sorry, I over slept a bit." Mark apologised, hoping that they could leave it there and just get ready to go without any further questions.

"Mark, if you don't feel well enough to go then I don't have a problem with that." Robert told him for the umpteenth time. "I'd much rather you were here getting some rest if that's where you want to be."

"Do you not want me to come with you?" Mark asked.

"No... Mark... That's not what I'm saying. Of course I want you to come with me. But if you're not well enough..."

"...Then you'd rather I stayed here. Yes, Rob, I get it. You don't have to keep saying it."

"Sorry, I..."

"Look, come in and just give me ten minutes or so." Mark said. "I'm going to help you find a flat, even if it kills me." Robert laughed but, at the same time, couldn't help but wonder how true Mark's words might land up ringing.

"I'll wait here for you." Robert said, sitting down on the sofa in front of the television.

Fifteen minutes later, Mark returned from the bathroom. He still looked tired, but a lot better than he originally looked when he had opened the door not half an hour ago.

As he approached, Robert smiled and looked down at his watch. "You're five minutes later than you said you'd be." Robert grinned.

"Good for me," Mark said sarcastically, clearly not in the mood for jokes.

"Isn't it a little warm to be wearing a beanie?" Robert asked, looking up at the hat Mark was wearing.

"Not when you don't have any hair on the top of your head." Mark shot back, a little harder than Robert was expecting.

"Not really in the mood for light-hearted humour, then?"

"Would you be?" Mark said harshly. Robert was taken aback; Mark rarely spoke to him like that and it was all the more shocking when the only thing Robert was trying to do was lighten up the situation somewhat.

Eventually, Mark saw the look on his friend's face and felt bad for having been so harsh. "Robert, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to sound harsh. Guess chemo kills humour cells as well as cancer cells." Mark gave a small smile, hoping to get Robert to believe he wasn't going to be snappy the whole day.

As Mark sat on the sofa next to him, Robert took out a couple of pieces of paper from his pocket and opened them up so both he and Mark could see them.

"I did what you suggested and looked on the internet for places in the area." Robert began. "There's a couple of places in the city which I was looking at; even managed to go so far as to book a look around with an estate agent. We're to meet her at eleven by place number one." He explained, pointed to the paper with the first place on their agenda.

"Well then, we better get going if we're going to be there on time."

"The city centre's a fifteen minute walk, Mark, we won't be late."

"Still, we'd better get going. No time like the present, after all." Mark stood up from the sofa and went into the hallway to grab his keys before looking back into the living room, finding Robert still sat on the sofa trying to put the pieces of paper back into his pocket.

"All right, I'm coming." Robert said once he noticed Mark looking at him from the doorway with a look saying: Hurry up on his face.

At quarter to eleven the two of them were outside the first block of flats they were going to look around. It was a bright day and Mark had to look down away from the sun to avoid getting a headache before they had even begun searching. It reminded him that he was going to have to buy some new sunglasses before the end of the day.

Meanwhile, Robert was constantly looking up and down from his watch, clearly anxious to get in and start. However, he wasn't having to wait long as five minutes before she was due to arrive, the estate agent turned the corner.

As the estate agent walked up to the two of them, Mark caught the look in Robert's eye and clearly saw that he was impressed by something and it didn't take long for Mark to realise just what that something was. Rolling his eyes and his friend's ability to turn into a sixteen year-old, Mark hit Robert on the arm, bringing him back into to the matter at hand.

"Hello, my name is Tessa." The estate agent introduced herself with a smile. Her voice was soft and clear, with a hint of a welsh accent. "Which one of you is Robert Cooper?" She asked.

"That would be me," Robert replied, shaking her hand. "And this is Mark. Is it all right if he tags along? He's offered to help me look and to make sure I don't over spend." Robert said the last bit quieter than the rest making both he and Tessa laugh. However, once again Mark rolled his eyes at Robert doing his upmost to charm this poor women.

In an attempt to bring both of them back to reality, Mark coughed, immediately getting both pairs of eyes staring at him. "Shall we begin?" Mark suggested.

"Yes, I think would be a good idea." Tessa said, leading the two of them off towards the first flat.

"She's good, isn't she? I'm glad we got her." Robert said quietly to Mark as they walked inside.

Mark just shook his head with a small smile playing on his lips. "Never gonna happen, mate." Mark said, patting his friend on the back. In response, Robert just looked at Mark and was about to say something when Tessa stopped in front of a door.

"Right this is the first flat." She said as she unlocked the door and walked in, closely followed by both Mark and Robert.

At first glance, Robert liked the place. It was nice. Not too small, just the right size for someone who lived on their own. However, as they looked around, Robert began to feel less and less excited about the place. It wasn't as if the place got worse with each new room – far from it, in fact. It was just that it didn't feel right. There was something about this place that made Robert feel as though he couldn't move here. It felt strange to be admitting it when the tour was over. After all, the place was perfect in terms of everything that he was looking for in a flat – including the price of rent, but it just didn't feel like home.

In total, Tessa showed the two of them five flats – all the ones that Robert had booked – each time, hoping that this would be the one. It was clear to see that she was proud of the flats she was showing them and indeed, they were nice. With every new flat, Mark seemed to be amazed at how Robert seemed to be losing enthusiasm while he seemed to be gaining it. If it was him who was looking for a new flat, Mark knew he would have find it tough to pick between them.

By the time they had finished looking around all the flats, Robert felt as though nothing would ever be right. He was tired and bored of this now and all he wanted was to go back to his flat and stay there. However, he knew he couldn't stay there forever. He had four weeks to try and find somewhere else to live and, at this rate, he wasn't going to find anything. That, and he was desperate to get Mark home who, although seemed to be gaining enthusiasm, seemed to grow more and more tired with every new flat they saw.

The three of them stood in the fifth and final flat, discussing what they had seen with Tessa asking if there had been anything that had stood out for Robert. However, Robert couldn't say that there had been and so had to end the conversation saying that he would have to think upon the flats he had seen and try to come to some decision within the next week or so. Saying that, in his head, he kept thinking that he would never be able to make up his mind. He looked across at Mark then and prayed that he might be able to give him some advice on where to choose.

"You weren't happy with any of them, were you?" Mark asked as the two of them walked back towards Mark's flat.

"It's not that," Robert started. "The flats were great, don't get me wrong, it's just... well, I don't really want to leave where I am and it's not just because I've been there for a long time now, it's..." Robert trailed off, unsure how to say what he wanted to say.

Mark sighed and looked down. "Me," he said simply. He knew that he would be involved in this somehow; he just wished he wasn't.

"Yeah," Robert breathed. "I don't want to leave you on your own while you're ill."

"Rob, will you just forget about me for one second and consider the situation you're in." Mark stopped and stood in front of Robert, stopping him in his tracks. "If you don't take one of these places you're going to wind up with nowhere to live and then what use will you be?"

"Then tell me what I'm supposed to do, Mark." Robert shot back at him. "Tell me what the hell I should do, because right now, I have no idea."

"You have to make up your own mind, Rob. I can't do that for you."

Robert didn't say anything else back and the two of them continued to walk towards their block in silence.

They made it back to Mark's flat and as he turned the key in the lock, Mark turned to look at Robert.

"Rob, I'm sorry," he said. "I wish I could do more to help you, but I just don't know what to do. I wish you'd told me about this sooner."

"It's all right; I just wish things didn't have to be this way."

"Can't you talk to the council and see if there's a way around this?" Mark suggested as they walked into the living area.

"Believe me; I tried that as soon as I got told." Robert sighed. "They told me I had to pay or they'd chuck me out – sadly, it's the latter that's happened.

"No chance I could lend you the money and you could pay them?"

"No, I can't. They've told me to leave so I have to leave. And besides, I don't want to have to owe you money as well."

Mark flopped down on the sofa tiredly. He was exhausted, but he was desperate to try and help his friend as much as he could.

"You tired?" Robert asked.

"Little bit, but I'm all right so don't even go there." Mark warned, looking across at Robert as he sat down on the sofa beside him.

"Maybe I should go," Robert said. "I need to think about these flats and a job."

"If you want a job, I could talk to my boss at the cafe, they might be able to fit you in somewhere." Mark said.

"Are you still working?" Robert asked.

"When I feel well enough, yes. I'll probably be in tomorrow."

"Can't you go on long-term sick leave?" Robert suggested.

"They recommended that I did, but I told them I wasn't going to stop working and that I'd be in when I could."

Robert looked at Mark as though he had lost it. "Mark mate, I don't want to sound like a broken record, but shouldn't you be resting?"

"What's the point in resting if you feel well enough to clean and lay a few tables?" Mark asked.

"OK, just make sure you don't over work yourself. The last thing we need is you jeopardising your chances of getting better."

"I know, I'm not stupid," Mark said. "Now anyway, we weren't talking about me, we were talking about you and your problems. So do you want me to try and get you a job at the cafe or not?"

"If you can, that'd be great." Robert smiled thanks at his friend.

"I'll do my best," Mark smiled back. "Now, go home and get thinking on the flats you saw." Mark put one hand on the back of Robert's back and attempted to try and push him up off the sofa. Robert immediately took the hint and stood up, making sure he had everything before smiling once more at Mark.

"All right, thanks mate." He said. "I'll see you soon. If you need anything, you know where I am."

"OK, see you." Mark waved as Robert left the room, leaving Mark on his own.

As the door clicked shut, Mark grabbed the TV remote from the coffee table and curled up on the sofa, switching through the TV channels that he hadn't had the time or energy to watch recently.

The next morning, Mark made his way to the cafe, constantly checking the sky wondering if it was going to rain sometime today. It'd been fairly sunny recently and had made Mark somewhat optimistic again. However, the weather looked like it was taking a turn for the worst again and so, it seemed, was Mark's mood.

He made it to the cafe in record time, desperate to ask if he could get Robert a job here. When he had said to Robert that he would try and get him a job here, he was so sure that it wouldn't be a problem. However, now that he thought about it and started to consider the conversation he might land up having, it was beginning to seem less and less of a possibility that he would be able to do anything at all for his friend.

"Hey Laura," Mark said as he walked up to the counter at which his work colleague and close friend was standing, with her back to the customers sitting at the tables, washing up a load of dishes.

Startled, Laura turned around to face him and the look on her face was not easily hid. "Mark, what are you doing here?" She asked a she took in how tired he looked.

"I work here," Mark joked gently. "I haven't been gone that long, you know."

"How're you feeling? I didn't expect you to come back after last week."

Mark grimaced. Last week he had been helping Laura to wash up just after closing time when he had started to feel ill. Already that day he had been told to go home if he wasn't feeling right, but he had insisted that he was fine. However, he couldn't help the sickening feeling that had been rising up inside him then and he knew, immediately, that he was going to have to get the bathroom as quick as quick as he could. So he did what he had to do and had run towards the bathroom as fast as he could manage in the small kitchen at the back of the cafe. Despite that, he hadn't made it in time and had landed up spilling his lunch and whatever else had been in his stomach at that time all over the kitchen floor. Thankfully, Laura had run after him and had just managed to stop him from collapsing on the ground as he legs started to give way.

Thankfully, it had only been the two of them and their boss Rich, who came running in once Laura had called from him, that had been there at the time. It could've been a lot worse if it had happened in the middle of the lunch time rush. It was already mortifying enough for Mark as the two of them helped him to his feet and sat him down on one of the chairs at the front.

As Laura sat with him, Rich had gone off to grab something from the back and had come back with a bucket and a glass of water which he gave to Mark.

"Are you all right?" Laura had asked gently, her green eyes full of concern.

"I'm fine, just a funny turn, that's all." Mark insisted.

"I don't think so, Mark." Rich told him. "When was you're last chemo session?"

"Yesterday," Mark said. He hadn't wanted to tell them that as he knew he would just get told to go home and rest.

"You should be at home, resting." Laura told him.

"You sound like Robert." Mark moaned resting his head on Laura's shoulder after she sat down on the seat next to him and did her best to hold him close.

"Right, tell you what, I'll clean up here and you get him home." Rich said to Laura who nodded and helped Mark to his feet.

After having got into Laura's car and led into his flat with her help, Mark couldn't really remember what had happened. He knew he must've fallen asleep before he had left and it mortified him to think that she had seen him at his weakest. He liked Laura and didn't want to appear weak in front of her. It was also why he hadn't told anyone what had happened – especially not Robert. If he had, he knew he would never live it down. Also, he had a seeking suspicion that Robert might actually try and stop him from leaving his flat to go to work using any mean necessary. And by that, he meant, living outside his door ready to push him back inside if he decided to step out. Sometimes, it was really annoying having a friend who cares.

"Yeah, well, I can't let one day knock me back." Mark said after he had stopped living the horror of the memory. "And anyway, chemo happened last week. I don't think something like that is going to happen again. If it does, I know you'll be there for me when it does." Mark smiled at her and she smiled back. Mark couldn't help but stare at her. Her red hair was tucked under the white hat she was wearing, just a few stray strands visible and her eyes shone brightly as she smiled.

"Anyway," Mark coughed bringing himself out of the trance he had found himself falling in to. "Where's Rich, I need to speak to him about something."

"He's in the kitchen, training the new chef he hired the other day." Laura said. "I think he's finally realised that having temporary chefs coming and going, in and out, all day isn't good for business. He's been thinking about hiring a lot more staff for out here as well, actually. Two of us aren't enough and with you ill and never knowing whether you'll be in or not isn't making things easier." Laura said.

"Sorry about that. I'd be here most often, but..."

Laura cut him off. "Mark, don't worry, it's not your fault. You can't help being sick." She smiled again and Mark tried to keep himself losing himself again. "Just do me one favour,"

"Anything," Mark promised.

"Get better soon, so you can come back. I miss you. I don't see you enough anymore."

"I promise." Mark smiled again. "Anyway, back in a bit, I'm going to go find Rich."

"All right, see you in a bit."

Mark waved to Laura as she carried on with the dishes and whilst he made his way towards the kitchen.

As he made it to the kitchen he could already here the sound of Rich's voice filling the room. Rich was a nice guy, but he could be really bossy at times, but then again, he was under a lot of stress. A lot of stress that never went away it seemed at times. Rich was Thomas' age, but seemed older. To Mark it seemed that Rich had it forty too early. His dark brown hair had been turning grey since Mark had known him and his eyes seemed too old to be part of a man who was only thirty-six.

"Rich, you busy?" Mark asked as he reached the kitchen. Inside he could see a young man – no more than twenty-eight with ash blond hair poking out from the bottom of the chef's hat he was wearing. Next to him was Rich who towered over him, pointing at things as he explained to the trainee chef where everything was and how everything was to be put back in these positions after closing time.

At the sound of his employee's voice, Rich turned to look at Mark standing in the doorway. He was clearly as shocked to see him here as Laura was, but managed to hide his expression better – clearly something he had learnt to do after years of running a business. Poker face was clearly something they taught new entrepreneurs in the business world.

"Mark, what you doing here?" He asked. The trainee chef also looked around clearly interested in who Mark was.

"Like a said to Laura a minute ago, I work here, remember?" Mark told him with a slight smile telling Rich that he didn't mean any harm.

"We weren't expecting you to come back,"

"I know, Laura said she didn't expect to see me after last week."

"How're you now?" Rich asked a look of concern now coming into appearance on his face.

"I'm good today. Don't worry; I think I learnt my lesson from that experience." Mark smiled then remembered what he had come here for. "Anyway, the reason I came down here was because I need to ask you something."

"If you want to go on long-term sick leave then I've already told you I can sort that out." Rich said.

"No, it's not that." Mark said shaking his head. "Look when you've got a moment just come and find me." Mark said.

"Just let me finish here and I'll be with you in a minute. This is Chris by the way." Rich pointed across to Chris who was clearly trying to pretend that he wasn't listening to the conversation taking place.

"Hello, I see you're the new chef then." Mark said with a welcoming smile as he extending his arm out in front of him for Chris to take.

Taking Mark's hand, Chris smiled. "Yes, and I already caught your name and Rich did mention that you were a staff member down due to illness."

"Didn't say what was wrong with me, did he?" Mark asked.

"No, I didn't. It wasn't my place." Rich said.

"OK, well, I've been diagnosed with a brain tumour and so will be in and out for a while whilst I go through my chemo sessions." Mark said in a matter of fact way.

"I'm sorry to hear that." Chris said, genuinely feeling sorry for Mark. "My brother had cancer when he was a child so I know it's a hard decease to live with. I hope you get better soon."

"Thanks, so do I and I hope your brother's OK now."

"He died when he was seventeen."

"Chris, I'm sorry, I didn't..." Mark suddenly found himself lost for words.

"It's all right, you weren't to know. I just hope the same thing doesn't happen to you." Chris said with a sad smile.

Mark nodded his expression now unclear as the atmosphere shifted into one with an awkward silence. "I'll be up front with Laura when you're ready, Rich."

"All right," Rich said watching as Mark made his way out of the kitchen.

"I said something, didn't I?" Chris said as he turned back to Rich.

"I think it's probably just hit home for Mark. It's not your fault, though, don't worry." Rich told him.

"He seems like a really nice guy; I honestly hope he gets better."

"Believe me, so does everyone else."

"Manage to speak to him then?" Laura asked as Mark made his way from the back of the cafe.

Instead of answering her like he normally would, Mark sat down on the nearest stool behind the counter out of sight from the people who had now started to fill the cafe. He said nothing and looked down at the ground where his shoes scuffed the floor below him.

Concerned, Laura turned as she finished drying the last of the dishes. She had never known Mark to be this quiet before and that worried her.

"You all right?" She asked as she walked over to him, pulling up one of the other spare stools.

Briefly, Mark looked up at her and tried to fake a smile but he knew it was no use. Just like Robert, Laura was used to his fake smiling and, if he was honest with himself, even he wouldn't have been fooled by the smile he just tried to give.

"I'm fine," Mark lied, though he knew there was no use in lying.

"No you're not," Laura told him. "What's wrong? You were fine a while ago when you came in. Do you not feel great?"

"No it's not that, I feel fine." Mark said. "It's just... It's just something Chris said." He was stalling but he wasn't sure how long he could stall for.

"He tell you about his brother?" Laura asked.

"How did you know?" Mark asked finally looking up at her.

"I used to know Chris when we were kids so I knew his brother." Laura explained before quickly serving a customer. "I remember when he died; it took Chris a long time to get over it."

"Do you think me being here will bring it all up again?" Mark asked.

"No, I don't think so. It happened over a decade ago now." Laura said as she sat back down on her stool next to Mark. "Anyway, what did you want to talk to Rich about?"

"I need to ask him something, that's all." Mark told her. "It's to do with Robert; he needs a job and quickly. I won't go into the ins and outs of the situation but it's pretty urgent."

"Your friend Robert? Isn't he the one who you're always telling me about and how he struggles to keep a job down?"

"Yeah, but I think he's now realised that he needs to try and make something stick."

"You might have a hard time trying to get Rich to take him on, though." Laura said gravely. "You know what he's like when it comes to new recruits."

"I know, but I'm sure if I explain things to him, he'll see it my way and agree to giving Rob a trial." Mark said.

"Better be quick to think of a convincing argument 'cos I think I can hear him coming now." Laura said standing up and making her way towards the till where a customer stood waiting to be served.

Mark sighed and stood up just as Rich came up giving a smile at Mark to tell him that he was ready to see him now. Nodding, Mark followed him back into the kitchen and out into courtyard.

"What was it you wanted to talk to me about? You know, I've already said that we'll sort out your sick leave for you if that's what you want." Rich told him.

"No, it's not that." Mark said.

"I seriously think it'll be best for you."

"I know, so everyone keeps saying but that's not what I need to talk to you about." Mark repeated. "I need to ask you a favour concerning one of my friends."

"What is it?"

"Laura told me that you're trying to hire new people to work in the caff and so I was wondering if you wouldn't mind giving Robert Cooper a chance to prove his worth." Mark asked.

"Robert Cooper? Isn't he the one that never sticks at anything for long?" Rich asked and already Mark could see that it was not going to be easy to try and get Rich to agree to this.

"Yes, but things have happened and I think he's realised that he needs to stick with something." Mark tried to explain but it was obvious that Rich wasn't taking any of it.

"Mark, I'm sorry, but I can't have people I can't rely on." Rich told him.

"You don't understand. Rob's already lost his flat cos he can't afford the rent any longer. He's currently trying to find somewhere else to live and I don't think he's willing to let me support him financially." Mark was pleading now; he couldn't leave without getting somewhere.

"Mark I know you care about him, but this isn't the place for him. Believe me; he'll be fired before he's barely started."

"Why don't you just give him a chance? Let him try and prove to you that he's worth the effort." Mark said. "Once he's put his mind to it, he's a very hard worker. He just needs a little push, that's all."

Rich sighed. It was clear that he was starting to consider Mark's plead but it was also apparent that he was still reluctant to back down.

Eventually, he spoke and Mark let out the breath he hadn't realised he had been holding.

"Fine," Rich said. "I'll give him a chance. But I'm only giving him one week. If he doesn't meet standards in that time then I'll have no choice but to let him go."

"Thank you." Mark couldn't ever feeling more relieved. "I promise he won't let you down."

However, Rich didn't share Mark's optimism and simply said: "All right," telling Mark that he was still somewhat unconvinced by the whole thing. But Mark didn't let that get to him and smiled once more at Rich before making his way out of the cafe and out into the open air towards his block of flats to tell Robert the good news.