and all the adventures we’d had together. We were both so busy at
work that we didn’t get to spend much time with each other. He
couldn’t find the time to come over to my place, and I couldn’t find
the time to go over to his. We couldn’t even find time to meet in the
middle, which we’d got the hang of by now. That was the harsh reality
of our lives. Time, once enemy to Jordan and then friend to me, no
longer favours you when you grow older. Eventually time moves so
fast that no amount of digital clocks can help you keep up, unless
every sixty seconds you set each one forward by a minute. Then you
should be ok. Time wasn’t anything pivotal when I was much younger,
I have barely any memories of it at all except when Mother would put it
in soup. I do remember one time, when I was eleven, I woke up just
before I normally do and was slightly surprised. It’s not my best story,
but I think it helps to illustrate whatever point I’m making.
Ollie and I called each other on the phone whenever we had time
(which was rare) and he liked to update me on his developing video-
making skills. I longed to be back in our student house passing freely
available time making silly videos. I went back and watched some of
the old classics like the toboggan stair race and potato launcher series,
and Muncho gushed over his filmmaking and editing skills. Rex, who
had developed a pretentious interest in classic movies, did what he
loved to do best.
“There are a few errors here and there. It’s easy to tell that it
wasn’t made by a professional,” said Rex, turning back to watch All
Quinoa on the Western Front. “Ollie’s trying hard, but visually it’s no
Citizen Kale.”
In the summer of 2013, Muncho had the most ridiculous idea ever,
or so I thought. I’d come home from a tiring day in the field selling
Gaelic classes to sheep, and I fell asleep on the sofa as soon as I lay
down. Just as I was dreaming about being in Korea with Ollie, having
fun and going to different places, I heard a loud voice whisper my
name. And then a smack on my forehead. My right eye flew open, and
Muncho was on my chest, a wide smile on his face.