Chapter 27: Never can say Goodbye.

Later that night, after their homework was finished. The group decided to meet up and take a walk to the Derry walls. It dawned on Erin during dinner that the one place that Marco hadn't visited were the Derry walls. The skyline of the city was bright and colourful against the night sky. Marco observed and absorbed the view in front of him.

The churches.

The Murals.

The Family Homes.

The Walls themselves.

The grandeur that the whole city conveyed.

He then glanced at the group of five Derry girls that he'd grown to care for in such a short time. As they chatted amongst themselves, Marco observed them all.

First; he saw his best friend, James with a new look of contentment as Erin rested her head on his arm. He smiled admirably for he had known the candle that James had held for Erin for the past year. Seeing them together warmed him. For the time they'd been separated, he had only read about the crazy shenanigans that James had gone through with the four girls, who took him into their midst. Now that he'd seen why James appeared so different, he was pleased that his once timid friend was coming into his own. He then smiled at Erin; his best friend's best friend, and now girlfriend. The caring, genuine person who had lent her support to him without batting an eye. She was kind, warm and despite the eccentric things he'd read, he felt that she'd allowed him in to see the real Erin. The Erin Quinn that James had fallen for.

He then regarded Michelle. The feisty, coarse mouth of the group, whom Marco had grown to care for as if she were family. Despite her bold and aggressive nature, he knew of the troubles she dealt with, and saw the strength that she possessed to carry on despite everything, which in part was mostly responsible for bringing James out of his shell. In the past few days, Michelle, likewise, had allowed Marco in to see the real person, and he knew he was going to miss her, including her course insults.

Then there was Clare. The biggest walking cack attack he'd ever met, yet, Marco had seen the depths she would go, in order to protect her friends. Clare showed a genuine interest in him during his time there, and her curiosity about him. Marco also admired her for being herself, even though she did almost grass him up to Sister Michael. He chuckled silently at that. He remembered how she acted on instinct to get revenge against Katya for Erin. He hoped she would find someone who would adore her for the genuine person she truly was.

But then, Marco looked down and gazed in wonderment at the one person who he would miss beyond anything else. Orla held his arm tightly, with her wee fingers locked with his. The Derry girl who was enigmatic to everyone around her, even her own friends at times. Marco gazed at the girl whose incredible personality had hit him like a Mac Truck. She had accepted all of his trials and tribulations; she'd healed his wounds with her generous heart. The hours were now ticking down to the morning, upon this thought, Marco leant his head down and rested it on Orla's head. Orla hadn't spoken whilst the group had been chatting amongst themselves as they sat at the walls, but she squeezed his arm tighter as she felt him rest upon her. Marco looked out on the landscape again, and in that one moment, he allowed himself to dream. This is where he wanted to be, with whom he wanted to be with, with his friends, and the girl that he'd fallen for.

The trio of James, Michelle and Marco cut a sombre look the next morning as they stood outside the Mallon house. Deidre hugged the young man goodbye and wished him well.

"You're welcome back here, anytime, lad. Ok?" She said.

Marco nodded and thanked her for having him. Deidre smiled at him as he climbed into the taxi which drove the three around to the Quinn house. Neither of the three looked at each other as the taxi whizzed round without a care. They quickly pulled up outside the house, and the three climbed out to see the Quinn/ McCool clan, and Clare waiting for them. The ferry was leaving after 9am, so they'd made a special effort to see Marco off before they went to school.

James and Michelle stood along with Erin, Clare and Orla and allowed the parents to say goodbye to Marco.

"Let us know when you're home love, ye hear?" Mary ordered him.

"Yeah, I will." Marco replied. He then smiled at baby Anna.

"Bye bye Anna." The youngest Quinn cooed happily.

"You take care, son." Gerry said.

"Thank you, Gerry." Marco accepted a hug from the man. He then turned to look at Joe.

"Ya know, you never told me your answer from yesterday, did ya?" Joe reiterated.

"The distance?" Marco confirmed, Joe tilted his head, awaiting an answer.

"The answer…. is no." Marco answered.

"Then I hope to God you get into Belfast, son. It's a shite hole but it's not England." Joe quipped as he hugged the young man. Giving him a blessing of a kind.

"Me too. Joe, thanks." Marco couldn't hold his tears back anymore.

"Come on now, son. Have faith." Joe hugged him tight. He lightly punched Marco's chest as he pulled away.

"Bye Marco." Sarah said sadly. "It's been a real treat meeting you."

"Mrs McCool, about Orla…."

"If you can get yourself back here. Somehow, someway, my answer is yes." Sarah said quietly.

Marco smiled at her warmly, he then turned and caught James's gaze, he looked crestfallen as they stood by the taxi. The two friends both looked at the ground with their hands in their pockets, neither of them sure what to say.

"Nothing to say mate?" Marco finally asked.

"I dunno what I can say, really." James replied.

"Nah. Guess not."

The two best friends locked their hands together, as they'd done so many times, they then embraced each other from the side. Erin looked sadly as her boyfriend grimaced at the reality that his best friend was leaving.

"I'll miss ya bruv." Marco admitted.

"You too."

"Really gonna miss this place too." Marco admitted more.

"Told ya you'd like it here. Just…. feels like I'm losing you all over again." James confessed.

Oi. Sorry mate, but you aren't losing me. You're stuck with me, remember?"

"Just my luck, Ya great feckin eejit!" James quipped, they then laughed together.

"Oh yeah, well do me a favour, next time you get run over…."

"Yeah?"

"Do us all a favour and go into the light." Marco fired back. Michelle cracked up and laughed.

"Right, Piss off then ya wanker!" James laughed along with Marco.

"Call when you get back. Alright?"

"Yeah Alright. Take care bruv." Marco said. James then stepped aside.

Michelle stepped forward. They said nothing as hey clasped hands. Michelle then pulled Marco in for a hug.

"See ya around, hi? Ye English prick." She fired at Marco.

"Yea I'm really gonna miss you too, gobshite!" Marco shot back. Michelle smiled as she punched him arm hard.

"Look after him, yeah?" Marco said.

"Always do. He's fucking useless without me. Mind you, Erin'll probably take care of that." Michelle quipped.

"Good point." Marco replied. Michelle embraced him one more time before stepping away.

Clare moved in and hugged him tight. Marco leant down and swayed the pint-sized wee lesbian.

"It's gonna be so strange without ye here Marco." Clare said as her voice cracked.

It's gonna feel strange not seeing you having a cack attack very waking moment." Marco joked.

"Oh, by the way, thanks for throwing me under the bus the other day." Marco said.

"Aye! Sorry about that. I tell ya what, if you stuck on anything with the GCSE resits, ring me any time, I'll go through anything ye need help with, as long as it's not like 3am or anything, cos I don't think my brain functions too well that late."

"Chances are I won't be up that late either. But I'll just ring ya anyway." Marco said.

"Aye, OK." Clare smiled.

"Keep an eye on them all for me. Yeah?"

"Aye, alright. Especially Orla. I will, And I'll keep my fingers crossed for ya. It'd be class if ye get into Belfast college."

"Thanks Clare." Marco leant down and kissed her forehead.

As Clare stepped aside. Erin stepped forward.

"Not gonna punch me in the gut as well, are you?" Marco joked.

"Shut ya Bake!" Erin laughed as she moved in to hug him tight.

"Im gonna miss ya, Marco. Thank You!"

"What for?"

"Ye know what for ya great dose." Erin's voice started to crack.

"I'm gonna miss you too."

"Ach, Take this." She handed him a sealed envelope.

"What's this?" Marco asked.

"Just something we all wrote for ye. All of us threw in our thoughts. We just wanted ye to always have something by ya. But don't read it till ye on the ferry. Alright?"

"Ok." Marco said as Erin hugged him again.

"Could you do something for me?" Marco asked.

"Aye, what is it?" Erin asked.

"Just…. Take care of her for me?"

"Aye, I will."

Erin stroked Marco's cheek as she stepped back, she felt James wrap his arms round her.

"Oi James. You look after her. Alright?" Marco ordered.

"Yeah, I will mate." Erin and James gazed at each other and smiled.

Marco turned and saw Orla finally step forward, her eyes didn't meet his, but she rested her head on his chest. Her hands reached up and held the back of his head. Without words, they embraced each other. Within seconds, the taxi driver piped up.

"How much fecking longer are you gonna be pal?" he said annoyingly.

"OI. Do you mind?!" Michelle barked at the man.

Orla started to cry as the seconds counted down.

"Marco! Stay! Please Stay! I want ye to stay!"

Their teary eyes meet others, and they went in for a kiss.

"I don't want this to…." Orla started but Marco leaned in and kissed her again.

"For fucks sake!" The taxi driver piped up again.

"Here. There ye go pal, you've been paid for ya time. Just give them a moment more! Arsehole!" Joe snapped. Handing him a £5 note.

"Sorry, what did you wanna say ?" Marco asked.

"I don't want this to be goodbye." Orla weeped.

"Then I won't say it."

"What do ye mean?"

"Orla. If I ask you to do something for me, will you do it?"

"What do ye want me to do?"

Marco placed his lips near Orla's ear, his face was covered by her flowing hair. He whispered something to her, but no one could hear what was said. As Marco pulled away to gage Orla's response. She nodded at him in agreement through her teary eyes. Orla then looked down and saw a bag in her hand.

"Open it after I've gone."

"Ok." Orla agreed.

"Come on now love. It'll be alright." Sarah stepped forward and hugged Orla.

Marco kissed Orla's hand as she finally let go. Orla was embraced by the others as Marco finally stepped into the taxi. He smiled through the window at them all, he put his hand up to wave goodbye and the taxi drove away. Orla then peered down and opened the bag Marco had given her. She found a letter, along with a cassette tape and a soft monkey toy. The girls and James held her tight as she smelt the soft monkey toy. It had Marco's aftershave on it, and she hugged it against her cheek. At school, during the morning break, Orla stole herself a private moment and opened the letter. It was a simple message, and she smiled as she hugged the monkey toy again.

Dear Orla,

There aren't enough words that can say how much I am going to miss you.

You, James, Erin, Michelle and Clare gave me back the one thing that I didn't think I would get back. You helped me to dream again.

If I must climb any mountain. Swim any ocean or walk through Hell itself to find a way back to you. I will do it.

Forever yours, Marco xxx

The End. To be continued…..