Tremulous

"Hello Jonah," Mick said. "How you doing?"

"Oh terrible." Jonah said, his eyes revealing the torment that was raging inside him.

"Oh really? Well, grab your soup from the microwave and come and tell me all about it."

Jonah took the bowl from the microwave. Times were hard, and the canteen had decided it was wise not only to push the price of a bowl of soup up to £1, but also to sack the only member of staff with looks and personality, so Jonah brought in the 17p cans from Sainsburys.

"So what's up?" Mick said as Jonah sat down.

"Same as always really. Vampires and witches in my office tormenting me, annoying customers ringing me up when I'm trying to print off my cricket articles, having to walk up and down endless flights of stairs to get a drink or go to the loo. It seems as if life is doing its best to push me over the edge, and right now its doing a damn good job."

"Well, never mind. Have you seen who is sitting right behind me? That should cheer you up."

Jonah looked behind Mick. At once his face lit up, and he felt as if all the troubles of the world had been lifted from his shoulders.

"Thought that would do the trick." Mick said, grinning. "But be careful not to pour hot soup on yourself. Your hands seem to be very tremulous all of a sudden."

"You think his hand is tremulous now, just wait until he stops off at the gents on his way back."

"Be quiet Teddy!" Jonah said a little too loudly, slapping the large bulge in his coat pocket. The object of Jonah's attention looked across, as did the rest of the diners in the canteen.

Mick's face darkened. "Are you okay?" he asked.

"Yes, I'm fine." Jonah said, finishing his soup hurriedly. "I just remembered I forgot to take my pills this morning."

"Pills?"

Oh cr*p, Jonah thought to himself. "Er, yeah, you know, for my, er, asthma. I'll see you Sunday then?" He said, standing up.

"No worries. Just don't get too tremulous this afternoon." Mick replied, winking at Jonah.