Sheelagh only saw Patrick a couple of times before she held the party/dinner party.
"Our flat's not big enough!" Sheelagh exclaimed to Des when everyone had arrived.
Des laughed. "You should've thought of that before you decided to invite loads of people over!"
"Thanks." Sheelagh rolled her eyes then spotted Patrick and his family. She walked over to them.
"Hi." She greeted them all.
"Hello again." They replied together.
"It's nice to see you again Sheelagh." Mr Murphy said.
"And you Mr Murphy." Sheelagh replied. She liked Patrick's family and felt more relaxed around them than she ever had with Des's family. They were standing there chatting when Sheelagh's brother, Brian, came up to her.
"Hi Sheelagh." Brian said, diverting his sister's attention.
"Oh, hi Brian. Brian. This is Patrick and his family." Sheelagh introduced Brian to Patrick and his family. After Brian had come over Sheelagh's other curious siblings wandered over one-by-one.
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The rest of the evening went by without a hitch and all too soon it was time to go home. The first to leave were their friends from the station. Des went with them to the pub. Sheelagh, Patrick's family and Sheelagh's family were all sitting on the sofas, talking.
"Does he always leave you on your own to go to the pub Sheelagh?" Brian asked.
"Sometimes." Sheelagh answered.
"It's not right." Brian persisted. Everyone else agreed with him.
"Leave it Brian."
The subject of conversation changed until Sheelagh's siblings decided to go home. Patrick's family, excluding Patrick, went soon after. Patrick stayed on to help Sheelagh tidy up.
They sat opposite each other at the kitchen table, drinking cups of tea. They finished the drinks and Patrick reached across the table to take Sheelagh's hand in his. Sheelagh looked down at their hands. Sheelagh stood up, keeping hold of Patrick's hand and led him into the living room. Sheelagh was nervous as she stepped up and kissed him softly on the lips. She was starting to pull away but Patrick stopped her by wrapping his arms round her waist and deepening the kiss.
Sheelagh pulled away a couple of minutes later, breathless. Patrick was also fighting to get his breath back. Sheelagh smiled at him and led him over to the sofa. A couple of minutes later they heard Des come through the front door. They pulled apart and Des came through the door, drunk. Sheelagh sighed but allowed Des to kiss her.
"I'll go." Patrick said.
"I'll show you out." Sheelagh replied, getting up with Patrick. Des sat down on the sofa and Sheelagh walked with Patrick to the door. She went outside with him and shut the door gently behind her. She smiled at him. Patrick slipped his arms round her waist and Sheelagh rested her arms on Patrick's arms.
"Is he always drunk?" Patrick asked.
"No. Not always."
"I'd best get going."
Sheelagh nodded and Patrick kissed her quickly then turned and went.
If anyone has any problems with this story by not being able to read if or whatever, please email me.