I'd worked at Rough Trade for almost 2 years. I'd wandered in on the off chance they had a vacancy, strangely enough they did. I mean at first I was nervous, working around older guys, serving customers. But like with anything, I got used to it. And I loved the records. I could name all the best pop albums of the 80's in my sleep. It turned out to be the dream job I'd never dreamed of. When everything else went to shit, the record shop was still there- tucked behind trees in the heart of notting hill.
My thumb grazed over the album in my hand. 'Ottis Reading Try a little tenderness' I smiled absentmindedly putting it in my good pile.
"Molly!" I heard Rob call from the aisles, I looked up from the records in my hands. "Looks like you've got a customer there!" He smirked and got back to what he was doing. 'Urgh' I was always doing this, zoning out and completely forgetting we had a shop to run.
I spun around ready to greet the customer, when I saw those all too familiar brown eyes staring back at me.
'What the fuck what the fuck what the fuck' I chanted repetitively in my head.
"Fancy seeing you here" He smirked. I was still frozen in my place, unsure what to make of this.
"I work here.." I replied, pointing at my name badge.
"I can see that, love" Matty grinned and I felt like a idiot all over again. "Well then, how can I help you?" I put on my fake happy shop assistant voice, Matty placed the vinyl on the counter. I scanned it quickly. It was Loveless by My bloody Valentine, 'hm odd choice' I thought to myself. "That's 20 pounds" Matty smiled as he reached into his backpack and pulled out the money. Our hands brushed and I tried to calm my breathing. 'Be cool be cool'. I rushed through the transaction putting his record and receipt in an Rough Trade bag.
"There you go" I smiled at him, 'so that's was easier than I thought'.
Matty took the bag but didn't move. Rob had made his way out back, the shop was completely empty. 'Damn lazy Saturday morning Londoners'
"Sorry I haven't contacted you.." I hated how awkward this felt, I ran my hand through my hair.
"Oh no, Matty it's fine, really no need to worry" he smiled but it didn't reach his eyes.
"I would of, but we've been so busy with a new record, I didn't-"
"Honestly Matty it's cool" I picked up one of my piles of records so I didn't have to look at him. I didn't want to see the 'uncomfortable because I'm trying to drop this girl' face.
Matty picked the Ottis Reading track of the top and inspected the record.
"I love this song" he shared, I didn't say 'me too' even though I wanted too. I didn't need this palliative care he was trying to give me. Picking through the rest of the records I sensed he could tell the theme. He glanced up at me hopefully.
"Good movie tracks of the 80's" I filled in the gaps I could see forming in his expression. He grinned like a little boy at that.
"Well you seriously have the best taste and job ever" taken aback by his sudden compliment I picked up the other pile. Matty raised an eyebrow, "BAD movie tracks of the 80's" I stated. Matty threw his head back in laughter. "No way! Where do they go? In the bin?" He asked, his whole demeanour a lot lighter than before.
I edged out of the till, "Of course not!" I laughed "..at the back" I added quietly. I could sense Matty following me with his eyes. I placed the tracks in their place and then wandered back to the front of shop. Matty was still leaning against the counter eyeing the 'good tracks'. "Can you put one on?" He asked innocently. I smiled at how odd it was that Matty was in my shop asking for a request. "Of course, no one in here anyway" I took out the vampire weekend album and placed 'Try a little tenderness' in. "Surely being in a band is the best job ever?" I asked still fiddling with the speakers.
"Yeah I guess it is. Maybe its just cos this job is where you are.." I scrunched my eye brows in confusion. When I turned around, he was looking right at me. I felt like he could see into my soul. 'What a shit soul that would be' I thought.
"She may get weary..." The deep soulful voice bounced around the room. Matty sighed in appreciation. I moved to sit on one our soft leather sofas. Matty followed his bags resting next to him on the floor. He laid his head back to look at me intently.
"Hold her, squeeze her!" I sung out suddenly. Matty laughed "never leave her!" I held my hands in fists making a complete fool of myself. Matty shook his head grinning. He looked back at me as I put my hand on his arm, shaking him. "Try a little tenderness!" I mouthed dramatically.
I stood up and made my way back behind the till as it came to a close. "your unbelievable" I heard him mutter.
Just then, my store manager Rob walked back in. "Was that Ottis Redding I heard?" He questioned and came to a halt at the till. "Yup" I popped by p, hoping he wouldn't call me out on it.
"You know were a Indie Alternative Rock store right?"
"Yeah yeah, I know gotta be down with the kids" I smirked knowing Rob hated that phrase. (Seeming as he was 32) He rolled his eyes "whatever.."
Suddenly he spotted Matty quietly sitting on the couch. He stared at him for a couple of seconds before something clicked.
"Your in that 1975 band aren't you?" His tone of voice changing to sound more cool, calm and collected. (Nothing like Rob)
"Yeah.." He stood up and shook his hand politely
"I'm Matty nice to meet you" Rob smiled and glanced between the two of us.
"You know each other?" He asked looking at me warily.
"Erm not really, a little bit" I stuttered uncomfortably. "he was just buying a record" I replied quickly. Rob eased up laughing a little.
"Right, yeah. Hope she wasn't keeping you" I rolled my eyes at him speaking about me like I wasn't here. Rob can be such a dick sometimes. Matty put his hands in his black coat pockets, not looking at me. "No she wasn't" he stated simply.
"Course not, I mean Molly's not a fan of.." Rob looked around dramatically "anyone!" He laughed at his own joke and I blew out a long breath. "Oh piss off Rob" I turned my back to him and busied myself with the stores Twitter account.
"Na I'm kidding Matt" I listened in to their conversation (to my defence it was only happening metres away.)
"So anyway, the store does this live Music thing every Friday.."
I couldn't believe Rob was seriously trying to talk Matty into this. The bands we have we're usually shit. And I mean that. Screamos, banjo players, literally the worst of the worst.
"Our crowds are always quite small, just the people close by that know about us.." He blabbed on. We did have the few regular hipster people. But even they soon realised that this place isn't 'that' cool after all.
"...It would be a huge honour for the store, so you know have a think about it. Let me know, or let Molly know!" I turned around at the sound of my name. I leaned against the counter crossing my arms 'sorry Rob not getting involved on the pitch today..' dick.
Matty was watching me closely, "what do you think?" He asked stepping away from Rob ever so slightly.
"About performing?" He nodded. 'Honest or lie?' I deliberated with myself.
"I mean if you have the time, guess it could be fun.." Lie.
Rob nodded at me in appreciation. I could sense Matty could tell I was lying, I totally wasn't up for it. It hurt to look at him, let alone see him perform in my shop. The stark difference between us becoming even more apparent.
"Okay, yeah. I'll talk to the boys" he shook Rob's hand. Rob grinned and wandered back to his office. "See you soon Matt!" He called and then shut his door.
We was left in silence. "Yeah see you around Matt" I smirked, not calling him his preferred name. He rolled his eyes and dragged a hand through his hair.
"When's your lunch break?" He asked quickly. 'Why would he..'
"40 minutes" I answered without thinking.
"I'll be back in 40 then." Matty stated pulling his bag onto his back. Before I could reply the bell rung and he was gone.
'Work suddenly got a lot more interesting' I concluded.
