James was sent by Michelle to see what was happening with Orla and Marco. He peeked around the corner of the corridor where they left them. But now they weren't there. While James started to think over where they could have gone, his attention was then drawn to a small huddle of students crowding around the main bulletin board opposite him. He mused for a minute before shrugging his shoulders and turning to walk back towards the main hall for lunch. While he walked on, another couple of students rushed past him, running in the direction towards the main bulletin board.
'What's going on with them?' James thought as he went to walk through the double doors into the main hall. The swinging door came within an eyelash of knocking him over, as another small group of students rushed out of the main hall. James could sense the tension as he surveyed the students chatting amongst themselves as they sat at their tables, some of them glancing over at him, but quietening as he walked past. He eventually got to the table where Erin, Michelle and Clare were sitting. They turned with excitement as he sat down.
"Well, James?" Clare asked excitedly.
"Well, what?" James answered.
"Where are they?" Erin asked.
"I dunno. They weren't where we left them." James said.
"Christ, you are fucking useless sometimes, James!" Michelle thumped the table in annoyance. "Did ye not go and look for them?"
"No, it might come as a surprise to you, Michelle; But perving over my two friends snogging each other doesn't exactly float my boat!" James shot out of his seat and spoke loudly. He then spotted that everyone was staring at him.
Michelle regarded their stares and pulled James back down. "Jesus, sit down and calm the fuck down, will ya, Dicko?"
"Sorry…. Look. Chances are, they've just gone down the road to be alone, or gone to sit in the car." James shot a thought, taking a bite out of his sandwich.
Erin paused. "Not a bad idea, as it goes." She said, flashing her eyebrows at James as she sucked on the straw of her drink. James couldn't hide his grin quick enough.
"Oi. Cool yer knickers, you!" Michelle shot. "Jesus, I hope Orla hasn't lost the run of herself like these two."
"Ach, don't be ridiculous, Michelle!" Clare huffed. "I don't think even Orla would be so bold as to have a sex liaison in the back of a car in broad daylight." Clare chuckled.
After she spoke, they were silent. The girls began to glance at each other. James frowned; he knew what was about to happen. Erin, Michelle and Clare launched hysterically out their chairs; James sighed as he casually got up and followed them. They marched out of the main hall and towards the school exit, they jostled past other students that were rushing towards the main bulletin board. James took note that the huddled mass had gotten bigger. There was a mixture of angry and despairing students standing around, but the girls were indifferent to what was going on as they walked towards the main doors. Now they were outside the school gates, Erin doubled back and swiftly grabbed James' hand, who quickly planted a peck on Erin, which broke her concentration as she flashed a smirk at him. The car was parked in a cul-de-sac that was a 10-minute walk away from the school. The gang had chosen the spot to give Erin and James a chance to hold hands before they were under the gaze of anyone from school, teachers, nuns and students alike. Orla and Marco were sitting together in the back seats, clutched in a warm embrace as their lips gently brushed each other's while the radio played Michelle Gayle's "Do you know". Orla ran her wee fingers through his hair as she parted her lips from Marco's. He frowned his brow as he smiled at his Derry girl. He sighed with a content astonishment as her smile was broad and cheerful, showing her sparkling white teeth.
"Say it to me again." Orla teased; Marco saw her eyes sparkling as they gazed at each other.
"… I love you." Marco responded, smiling broadly.
Orla's grin grew wide as she lunged herself onto him again. They swayed in their embrace; Orla then rested her head on his shoulder. They intertwined their fingers together as the radio DJ announced the next song; "Say what you want" by Texas. Orla snuggled up happily to Marco as he held her tight.
"How are you feeling, honestly?" Marco asked, his voice carried a weight of concern as he stroked the side of her head.
"I'm grand." Orla answered happily. Shrugging her previous state off. Her smile radiated her familiar warmth. "Granda told me what ye did." Stroking his chest tenderly. "He told me ye stayed up and watched over me the whole night."
"Well…. I was…. Worried about you." Marco admitted, his voice broke slightly. Orla frowned her brow as she observed the tired redness of Marco's eyes.
"It's ok, I'm alright now." Orla cupped his face.
"Are you sure?" Marco pressed anxiously.
Orla gently pecked his cheek. "Aye, I promise." Bulging her eyes wide.
"I thought you would have gone mental at Shannon after what she said back there." Marco said.
"Nah…... I'm done with all that. It's not like it's her fault, really." Orla replied admittingly.
That remark caused Marco a bit of confusion. "What do you mean?" He asked.
"Well, Sister Josephine told me something a few days ago about Shannon. She said that she's heard how Shannon's Da talks to her sometimes when he's working at the school. He's not a nice man, Marco."
"Yeah, I kinda guessed that." Marco said ironically.
"Ye know, there was actually a time when Shannon was nice. Then one day she just…changed." Orla's gaze drifted off.
"So what, you reckon she's the way she is, because her Dad's like that?" Marco asked.
"Well, it kinda makes sense, I think. I read about behaviours in my Psychology class, and how some people become good or bad depending on what they see, or hear, or what they're told to believe when they're growing up…... Do ye understand?" She looked at Marco who was listening closely.
"Sort of, keep going…." Marco sensed there was more to come, so Orla continued.
"…. Like, if someone is around bad people or bad things all the time, there's a good chance that they become bad themselves… because it's what they're brought up on. A bit like all the things that have been going on here…. Parents teach their wains to hate someone just because they're Catholic or Protestant, or because they're English or Irish, or… they tell them they're not good for nothing?" Orla explained, frowning at her fella.
"Yeah…. that does make sense." Marco sighed.
Orla's explanation made him think back to his own past, what he'd seen, what he'd heard, and what he'd gone through with his parents, and how he felt himself lose control when he punched out Billy Foreman. Suffering at his hands before finally hitting back…. He then thought of how James, and Orla, and the others had, all in their own way, helped him regain the person he once was. Seeing he was deep in thought, Orla turned Marco's face towards her.
"I'm glad ye didn't turn bad." Orla smiled warmly at her boyfriend, they moved in and kissed tenderly.
"You have no idea how lost I felt sometimes. But I reckon I don't need to worry now, thanks to you." He admitted, returning a smile.
"Why? What did I do?" Orla asked, slightly stunned. Marco paused for a moment.
"…. You saved me, Orla. You, James, the girls, all of you." Marco smiled. Orla cradled his hand that was stoking her cheek.
"….. I love you." She said gently as they kissed again.
"OI YE LITTLE FUCKERS!" Michelle shouted as she banged her fist on the back car window. Marco jumped out of his skin as Michelle laughed loudly. Orla threw her head back giggling.
"On the other hand, I think she's gonna be the death of me!" Marco gasped, as he held his chest from the shock. Orla leant over and wound the window down.
"Hiya, Michelle." Orla beamed, waving happily.
"Alright in there, you two?" Erin smiled as she leaned over to peek inside the window.
"Aye, we're grand Erin." Orla smiled warmly towards her fella.
"Bloody marvellous!" Marco sighed with a chuckle.
"Were we interrupting anything?" James asked, smiling as he opened the door next to Marco.
"Why? You want some gory details, do ya?" Marco smiled back.
"Ah, ye gonna have to wait to hear about the gory details, James. We need to shift ourselves back now cos lunch time's gonna be finished soon." Clare said anxiously.
Orla and Marco gathered themselves together and the group of friends walked back towards the school. Clare accepted a walking hug from Orla as they walked back to Our Lady Immaculate at a leisurely pace. Erin then tugged on Marco's arm, she then put her finger over her lips.
"Do yer reckon ye can take the bus to Strabane, tomorrow?" Erin asked him quietly. Marco caught James' face turning red. And started laughing at what she was implying.
"Subtle, very subtle Erin…. Yeah ok. I'll take the bus tomorrow." Marco laughed.
"Yes!" Erin whispered in ectasy; her fist clenched. She then wrapped her arm around James' waist as they walked back.
Clare felt incredibly nervous but needed to know. While Orla hugged her affectionately. Clare spoke. "So, What happened last night, Orla? I mean, Erin told us that you get these headache thingamabobs sometimes… but…. That wasn't no ordinary headache, was it... because of what I told ye last night? About me moving? Did I cause it? Was I responsible? Are ye ok now?!" As her nervousness grew with each question, Orla's eyes grew wider.
"Clare, one of these days, I swear yer seriously gonna fucking keel over." Michelle groaned.
"What was it, Orla?" James asked calmly.
"Well, it were a little bit of everything, James. I've been thinking about lots of things lately, you and Erin…. School…. The stuff with Shannon…. Sister Michael…. Me and Marco…. A-Levels…. The new dance routines I have to learn…. And then Clare saying she was moving…." Orla scrunched her eyes.
"So… yer saying everything just got on top of ya, Orla?" Erin asked.
"Aye. It did so, Erin. I just started to worry. I mean, really worry, and it got too much! I couldn't concentrate…. I wanted to say something, but I didn't wanna bother anyone, everyone had something going on…. But when I kept it inside…. That's when it really started hurting." Orla motioned towards the side of her head.
"We'd have listened, Orla. You know that…. We really wish you said something….. we were really worried." James said, nudging her gently.
"I'm so sorry, Orla. I didn't know." Clare began to panic.
"She's alright now, Clare. No need to have a cack attack!" Michelle assured her bluntly.
"I am a bit annoyed about missing the sleepover….. but I don't want ye to leave, Clare." Orla confessed, rest her head on Clare's.
"Aye. Count me in on that." Erin's voice broke.
"Aye… none of us do." Michelle admitted miserably.
"Well, neither do I, girls." Clare said with a sniff.
The four girls regarded each other. Realizing then that fate had dealt them another blow. It was like they were back in the same spot that November morning after Halloween all over again. Erin then observed both James and Marco who were taking the situation in.
"Guess this is how you boys felt a few months back, hi?" She said. The boys looked at each other, acknowledging the truth in Erin's words.
"If ye hae to go, Clare. Can I ask ye one favour?"
"Aye, what's what, Orla?" Clare asked.
"Can we have a sleepover at my house again? I get out my Buckaroo!" She said.
They laughed as they agreed to do so, as they walked closer to the gates. Erin and James were reluctant to let go of each other, James stole the last few moments, planting his lips on Erin's head for encouragement, hugging her tight before letting go. He then looked at Marco.
"You done for the day?" James asked him.
"Yeah, I'm gonna go put my head down for a bit, see you lot later." Marco said, clearly exhausted as he handed James the keys to the car.
The gang were just about to say their goodbyes when they saw some students rushing past them to run through the doors of the main building. They spotted that some of them wore looks of worry. The gang then saw other girls coming from other directions. All of them ran into the main building in haste.
"What's al that about?" Michelle shot a look at everyone.
"Ach, come on, let's go see." Erin commanded as she led the way.
"Yer coming too." Orla grabbed Marco's hand and led him along.
The gang walked through the main doors and could see a large jostling mixture of girl students standing around the bulletin board. The noise grew louder as they neared the assembled group that were clearly angry at something. Sister Josephine was doing her best to calm the situation, but on this occasion, amongst the mixture of students that were either shouting, despairing or having cack attacks of their own; it was a lost cause for the young nun, and she made a hasty retreat. Charlene Kavanagh seemed to be the one that was fronting the obvious protest that was taking place. Sighting the group, Charlene's eyes shot wide.
"Erin! Get over here, quick!" Charlene shouted. Waving her arms for the group to come over.
"What is it, Charlene, what's going on?!" Erin asked, startled that Charlene had called her by name.
"You are not gonna believe what she's done!" Charlene shot, raging herself, an emotional not seen before by Erin, or the others.
"What? Who?" Clare interjected.
"Jenny Joyce! Take a look at this!" Charlene handed Erin a piece of paper. The gang huddled around her as they all scoured what looked like a list. It was the Valentine disco pairing list that Jenny Joyce had mentioned in assembly. Marco quickly filled Orla in on what had happened that morning.
"Is this why everyone's here, Charlene?" James asked.
"Aye, James." Charlene shot back.
"Well, what's everyone losing their heads over? It's only a list!" Michelle shrugged.
"She hasn't paired any of the girls here with their boyfriends! She's mixed them all up!" Charlene revealed.
"Maybe she just mixed them up by accident?" Clare suggested.
"It's no accident Clare! She knows you're a lesbian, right?" Charlene asked.
"There isn't one person here who doesn't know!" Michelle jested. Clare shot her an annoyed look.
"Right, well look!" Charlene pointed to the bottom of the paper. Clare's eyes widened, her face scorned.
"The absolute cheek!" Clare screeched. "How has she paired me with a fella?!"
"What about me?" Erin then frantically searched her own name, once she found it, she then looked from left to right. The name opposite hers didn't read James Maguire. Erin looked in utter despair, mirroring the same look as Charlene.
"She's paired you with Freddie Donahue! He's my boyfriend!" Charlene despaired.
"That's gonna be a bit awkward for ye, isn't it Erin?" Orla spoke up.
"Oh! Yer think?" Erin shouted as she looked back at Orla.
"Oh, fuck me!" Michelle stated.
"What?" Clare panicked.
"Look who Dicko's been partnered with!" Michelle pointed at the paper. Erin looked. Her face grew hot with rage, her eyes widened with a demented look.
"… Jenny Joyce." She hissed.
"Oh, for God's sake!" James groaned. Marco wrenched silently.
"Stall the ball! I'm not even on this fucking thing! What the fuck's up with that?!" Michelle yelled.
"And what's this? £50 per person?" James asked more to himself.
"Hold up, they're organising this thing, and they're gonna make you go with someone you either don't know, or don't like, and you have to pay to go to this as well? That's fucking psycho, that is!" Marco said, scrunching his eyes.
"It makes…. NO SENSE!" James strained, glancing at the group.
Erin protested "This is preposterous! This is scandalous! This is…."
"Fucking bullshit?!" Michelle finished for her.
"Exactly!" Charlene answered.
Their arguments were now amongst the many voices from the other girls in the group which grew louder and louder. Orla covered her ears, resting her head on Marco as the crowd shouted amongst themselves with no one taking control of the situation. Clare stewed quietly in her own anger. The unfairness of not being able to openly celebrate her first Valentine's day with her girlfriend caused her to survey what she was seeing. The other students may not have been in the same position as her from a sexuality point of view; but they all shared in the same problem. Clare suddenly took a step forward and marched herself a few steps up on the stairway above the massed group.
"What's she doing?" Michelle asked.
"Excuse me…. Girls…. Girls!... GIRLS!" Clare's shouts to get the assembled group to pay attention were going unnoticed. Michelle then marched up the stairway and stood next to Clare.
"OI. EVERYONE JUST SHUT THE FUCK UP!" Michelle's voice bellowed loudly from the acoustics of the corridor. The crowd suddenly went silent.
"RIGHT! NOW I HAVE YER ATTENTION, CLARE HAS SOMETHING TO SAY. SO SHUT YER HOLES AND LET HER TALK, DO YE HEAR?!" The crowd stayed silent. "There ye go, Clare. All yours." She said, giving her the floor.
"Right… Thanks Michelle…. OK…. Listen girls! I know yer all upset about not being paired with your partners for the Valentines disco. I'm included, and I am just as raging as you all are…. I know my situation is probably very different from yours. But the one thing we cannot do is…. "
While Clare found her voice and began to explain that they needed to show a united front against the issue. Erin, James, Orla, and Marco watched on. The wee English fella could see the volcanic rage that was building inside his girlfriend; Orla chewed on a fruit pastille as she listened to Clare's impromptu speech. She then nudged James, he looked to see Orla offering him a Fruit Pastille. He shook his head to decline pleasantly. Erin was also listening to Clare when the petite blonde suddenly felt James nudging her. Catching her attention, James tilted his head towards the corridor, Erin turned and saw Jenny Joyce talking cheerfully with Aisling without a care in the world. Erin's blue eyes zeroed in on her prey.
"There ye are, yer little…." Erin didn't bother to finish talking as she charged away from James and down the corridor. Marching with purpose. Orla, James and Marco watched on in alarm.
"Oh my Gawd, James! What have you done?" Marco asked. James felt a sense of regret in revealing Jenny's presence. Orla then looked down the corridor where Erin had gone, sporting a glare of her own.
"Ok… Hold these, will ya? There's 10 fruit pastilles in there. And I don't want a single one eaten. Do ye hear me?!" She ordered, firmly placing her tube of fruit pastilles in Marco's hand, Orla followed Erin.
"…..OK?" Marco said, completely baffled by her request. "Bloody hell! She does get pissed off!" He said.
"I never told you about the washing up incident, did I?" James asked.
"No, why? What happened?" Marco was even more confused.
"Just one word of advice, if Orla ever gets mad, make sure you're somewhere else!" James answered.
Jenny and Aisling were completely unaware of the hassle that was occurring at the other end of the corridor as they discussed the upcoming Valentine's disco. Jenny's face then turned white as she saw Erin Quinn descending upon her, with a face so red that she resembled a demon that had been thrown out of the ninth circle of Hell.
"Thought ye could get away with it, yer sneaky little shite!" Erin raged as she startled Jenny, placing herself in between her and Aisling.
"I…. beg your pardon, Erin?" Jenny attempted to speak, frozen where she stood with utter fear.
"This! What have ye got to say about THIS?!"
"Erin…. I think ye need to understand something…." Aisling began.
"Don't ye say a word!" Erin glared through Aisling, who quickly quietened herself.
Jenny attempted to justify her actions. "Erin…. Try to understand, I only paired myself with James because I was told to….." Orla then interrupted her.
"Talk is cheap, Jenny. I don't care who told ye to do what, my cousin isn't going with some random fella. And neither am I. Now…. Come with me!" Orla said coldly.
Gripping Jenny in an armlock around her back. Jenny tried to protest but she had no choice but to be escorted up the corridor by Orla towards the assembled mass, causing Erin to follow, leaving Aisling behind. Clare had begun to rally the huddled mob into agreeing that they could do something about it.
"So, what do ye say girls? Do we take this to Father Peter?" Clare called out.
"YES!" The girls shouted in response.
"Ach, Clare! I got Jenny with me here! Do ye want me to bring her up?" Orla called jubilantly.
"Nice one, Orla! Bring her up here!" Michelle shouted, as she paced on the spot on the stairway, her nostrils snorting like a raging bull.
Jenny's fear filled face was evident as she was lead through the crowd of girls who hurled insults at her, almost ready to lynch her like a group of vigilantes. Orla released her from the armlock, causing Jenny to stand before the entire 'assembly' next to Clare.
"Jenny…. Will ye be kind enough to let everyone here know…. What the absolute FUCK you think yer doing?!" Clare screamed at the top her lungs, holding up the list up. Her friends couldn't believe what they just heard.
"Fuck-a-doodle-do!" Michelle shouted with approval.
"Ye did this on purpose, didn't' ya?" Charlene shouted.
"Ye stuck up bitch! I wanted to go with my fella, Billy!" A voice shouted.
"What about me and Michael?" Another shouted.
The mass crowd shouted in protest. Jenny was at a loss for words for the first time ever. Unknown to the baying mob, this was nothing of her doing, she was simply following orders.
"Hold on! Hold on girls!" Clare shouted. "Let her speak!"
"Aye, and soon as she's finished, we'll lamp the shite out of her!" Michelle yelled.
"YOU WILL DO NO SUCH THING!" The entire crowd looked up as Patrick O'Driscoll's voice was heard from the top of the stairway. He walked down the stairs accompanied gingerly by Father Peter and Sister Josephine.
"Ohhh watch it! The Hindenburg's coming in for landing!" Marco murmured. Erin and James snorted as everyone was silent. Orla pondered what Marco had said.
"What in God's name is going on here?!" Patrick demanded as he looked out at the mass crowd. Silence again.
"Oh, is that cos he's fat!" Orla said out loud. Patrick O'Driscoll shot a look in their direction. The crowd of girls snickered at Orla's outburst. Marco turned his face away while James buried his into Marco's back. Erin stood gawking at Orla.
"Girls! Can someone please explain to me what is going on here!" Father Peter attempted to control the situation.
"We're taking a stand, Father Peter!" Clare stated. "These girls, me included. Are not happy with this pairing list." The crowd of girls' voices echoed Clare's statement. Father Peter's stance softened as he saw the upset among the students.
"Get a grip of yourself, Father Peter. Young lady, If you must know… I was the one who approved this list. It is a simple matter of raising money for a worthy cause, whilst the school upholds a high standard of moral decency. Something which Sister Michael failed to uphold!" Patrick said sternly.
"Ach, and does upholding moral decency mean not allowing gay couples to the Valentine's disco?" Clare challenged him.
"What are you talking about, girl?" Patrick countered.
"I happen to be a lesbian, Mr. O'Driscoll! And I for one am not happy with feeling like I'm being made to consume my true self for the sake of this fundraiser, and for the sake of upholding your so called high moral decency…. with all due respect!" Clare shouted. Stepping forward. The much larger, taller man was stunned as the wee lesbian squared up to him.
"Sweet Jesus, Clare!" Erin exclaimed quietly, smiling proudly; Michelle glanced at her wee friend as Patrick O'Driscoll stood silent.
"I did…. Try to tell you, this pairing system was never going to work." Father Peter uttered to Patrick.
"Father Peter…. I expect you to handle this, right now." Patrick hissed with a look of disdain on his face as he made a hasty exit, walking down the stairway through the crowd of students, he walked back up the corridor towards the headmasters office. Father Peter looked aghast as he watched the man now retreat away from the mess he had caused.
"Oh my God. Look at him." James whispered, watching Patrick walk away.
"You wouldn't think he could move that fast." Marco said.
All eyes were now on Father Peter. A look came across his face which mirrored the disgust of the crowd. He took the piece of paper and observed the list. He looked at the crowd one more time, before slowing folding the paper up, pausing slightly. The crowd watched him as he tore the list to pieces. The girls gasped with excitement while Jenny Joyce gawked.
"Girls… consider this my decision." Father Peter announced. The crowd of girls exploded with a jubilant cheer, they clapped happily. Father Peter smiled for the first time in ages. "Now please, make your way to class." He requested. The crowd began to fork off happily down different corridors, abuzz with the fact that they'd made a difference.
"Better than Match of the Day, this is, innit?" James laughed with Marco. They then moved forward as the gang crowded around Clare, congratulating her for taking a stand against Patrick O'Driscoll.
"Seriously, who the fuck are yer?!" Michelle shot with jubilation, shaking Clare's shoulders.
"I don't know…. It just…. Came out!" Clare laughed, throwing her hands up.
"Ye were fecking class, Clare!" Erin exclaimed happily.
"Aye, ye were so! Does this mean you've come out as a lesbian for a second time now, Clare?" Orla asked. Everyone rolled their eyes.
"Clare. You just became a legend!" James said proudly.
"You're a right little rebel, aren't ya, Clare?" Marco teased, clasping her hand.
"Girls. Please! Class. Now!" Sister Josephine demanded softly.
The gang looked at one another, agreeing to meet later. They took their bags and parted off to their different classes. As Marco took his leave to walk home. Meanwhile, Father Peter walked into his office where Patrick O'Driscoll was waiting for him. He turned and exploded verbally on the Priest. He stood still and allowed the large man to spout. Seeing his face turn colour was a sight to behold. Seeing now why Sister Michael enjoyed getting under his skin with her "unconventional methods".
"WHAT IN GOD'S NAME DO YE THINK YER PLAYING AT?! HOW DARE YOU UNDERMINE ME IN FRONT OF THOSE STUDENTS!" He bellowed. "WHAT EXACTLY DO YE THINK YER DOING?! YOU THINK YER HERE BECAUSE OF YOUR OWN MERIT?! … NEED I REMIND YOU…. THAT IT WAS ME WHO CONVINCED THE SCHOOL BOARD TO ALLOW YOU BACK AFTER THAT LITTLE…. INCIDENT WITH THAT HAIRDRESSER…. IF IT WEREN'T FOR ME…. YOU WOULD BE OUT ON YER ARSE WITH NOWHERE TO GO! YOU CAME TO ME….. YOU JUST REMEMBER THAT!"
"And I am grateful for what you've done for me, but I warned you that the pairing idea wouldn't work…. Also, I will not allow this mindless narrative of yours about moral decency be forced upon these girls so unfairly." Father Peter argued.
"ACH, SO YE WOULD RATHER HAVE THEM RUNNING ABOUT LIKE A BUNCH OF CARELESS DELINQUIENTS NOW WOULD YE? WELL…. THAT PRETTY MUCH SUMS YOU UP, DOESN''T IT, PETER? MAYBE I SHOULD HAVE THOUGHT TWICE BEFORE ALLOWING YOU BACK? OR, MAYBE I SHOULD MAKE A LITTLE NOISE OF MY OWN…. MAYBE AN UNFAVOURABLE ACCUSATION ABOUT YOURSELF…. WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO DO THAT?!"
"I didn't say that. But Mr. O'Driscoll…. This is the 90's…" Father Peter began.
"SHUT YOUR DAMN MOUTH, FATHER PETER! ALL I CAN SAY TO YOU… IS IF THIS FUNDRAISER IS COMPROMISED IN ANY WAY…. I WILL HAVE YOUR JOB…. JUST LIKE I DID TO SISTER MICHAEL!"
Patrick O'Driscoll marched furiously out of the office and slammed the door shut, leaving Father Peter with the sound of silence of the office.
