Chapter 5: A Merry Affair.

It was now late Saturday night as Marco sat at the large, round family table inside the restaurant. The remaining staff talked amongst themselves as they smoked cigarettes and played cards. The restaurant interior was decorated with artificial vines that sported fake Lemons against smooth, white painted walls with assorted landscape paintings of Italian countryside and landmarks. Marco looked up and smiled as he was joined by Alfonso, and the restaurant manager Antonio; a short, stout Italian man with dark tanned skin, and white hair. Antonio sat at the table, placing down his favourite teardrop bottle, which was full of red wine. Antonio poured the wine into three glasses and slid a glass to Marco.

Earlier, Marco had acted on Sister Michael's instructions and contacted the UCAS organization about the apprentice chef position, confirming everything that Sister Michael had told him. As they spoke and drank their wine, Marco eagerly explained to the two men who had coached him into choosing a career to be a chef, about the possibilities that had suddenly been placed before him. They mirrored Marco exuberant manner; praising the news that the young lad they had taken under their wing was being given an opportunity that they would have killed for at such a young age. Marco had only been with them for just over a month, but his respectful manner had endeared him to them like he was one their own.

Antonio spoke in broken English with a thick, gruff Italian accent. "This the first time I see you this happy, Marco."

"Are you say you get the right result. You go to Ireland to be a chef?" Alfonso asked, with the same broken English, his voice was lighter.

"Yeah, well, it's northern Ireland, but yeah, that's right." Marco said happily.

"But why? Why you go to Ireland? We teach you; you stay here! Is no problem." Antonio remarked.

"No, no, Tony. Is more to it. There is a lady there he like!" Alfonso intervened.

"Ah, Ci. I forget. What is her name… Arla, right?" Antonio asked.

"No, it's Or-la." Marco happily corrected him.

"Ahhhh, OR….LA. OK, I see. So, you will…. leave us soon?" Antonio asked.

"I don't know yet. But I was told I need a reference from you, and then they will give me a date for this interview" Marco replied.

"Ah, Of course. I give you good reference. You a good boy, Marco." Antonio said happily.

"It must be strong…. correct?" Alfonso asked, with a mischievous smile.

"What?" Marco asked as he drank from his glass.

"The way you feel for this girl?"

"Yeah… it is." Marco said. Smiling back at him.

"I thought so. Hey, when it real heavy in here. Is always a good sign." Alfonso said, tapping his own chest.

"Did you feel like that when you met your wives?" Marco asked.

"Ci. But after 10 years, it start to feel more like heartburn." Antonio quipped. The trio laughed in unison.

"Come on, seriously. How did you know they were the one for you?" Marco asked, feeling slightly sloshed.

"With love, is no time to think, you just feel…. You understand?" Antonio winked, he started to chuckle.

Alfonso laughed at Marco's initial confusion, the pin dropped, and Marco gawked and laughed awkwardly at the innuendo. For a second, it was like he was having a conversation with Michelle.

"Hey Marco. If you are ready to do all this, so you can see Orla again…. You know already, she is the one." Alfonso said.

Marco smiled at Alfonso's kind words, as his head floated with glee. Antonio poured the last of the wine into the three glasses, another large serving. The trio toasted "Per Amore" and downed their last glass of wine. Antonio then rose jubilantly from the table and began closing the restaurant for the night. Marco asked if he could use the phone quickly. Antonio nodded; Marco swayed joyfully as he rose from his chair. He picked up the phone and dialled the number, his head was truly spinning from the wine. He licked his lips and tasted the remnants of the wine.

The gang were crowded around the kitchen table at Erin's house. The conversation was still afresh with Michelle's genius scheme from acquiring the VIP tickets for Fat Boy Slim after the ridiculous fiasco that occurred involving James having to fight some random man called Mad Stab for the last 5 tickets, which saw James tear them up in a moment of adrenaline filled madness. James had been on the receiving end of jibes from the girls, mostly from Michelle. However, Erin had attempted to defend her fella, a fool's attempt, but she tried. Clare was still buzzing from meeting Laurie and felt excited and nervous at the same time about meeting her at the concert. Orla had gone upstairs to change for bed. The phone rang as the group talked amongst themselves.

"Christ, who's calling at this hour? Erin! Answer that will ye?" Mary asked.

"Ach, mammy." Erin moaned.

"Ach nothing, young lady. Do as I ask." Mary said.

"Fine." Erin sternly replied. She released James' hand and aggressively picked up the phone.

"Hello?"

"Hello, Orla?" The answer came. Erin suddenly crooked her smile.

"Aye this is Orla." Erin put on her best impression of her cousin.

"Orla, it's Marco."

"Oh. Hello Marco." She said indifferently.

James heard Erin; he quickly turned and shot a confusing look towards Erin, Clare and Michelle were discussing Clare's potential chances with Laurie but noticed what Erin was doing.

"Have you got a cold or something?" Marco asked.

"No. I'm alright." She said, sounding quite annoyed.

"Ok. Uh… So… uh…. how did things go? Did you guys get the tickets?" Marco wasn't sure, but his sloshed state stopped him from second guessing the difference in Orla's voice.

"Aye. We got them. What's it to ya?" She snapped.

"Orla, have I done something wrong?" Marco asked.

"Well, to tell ya the truth, ye have. I am just sick of your incessant calling! Can ye not give a rest, Marco?" She shouted.

Marco was disbanded. He couldn't imagine what he'd done to upset her. His tipsy state stopped him from noticing anything was off. It sounded like Orla. Erin had placed her hand over the phone to stop Marco from hearing her sniggering. Michelle was standing next to her and was sniggering along with her. James relished at the chance to get even for the previous prank and was also laughing, at the same time, he held his hand over Clare's mouth, stopping her from giving anything away.

"Ok…. I'll go." Marco was just about to hang up.

"Who are ye talking to Erin?" Another voice said on the line.

"Orla?!"

"Marco?"

"Oh fuck!" Michelle laughed out loud. Erin was shocked and exploded with laughter along with James. Clare was not amused.

"That is NOT funny girls!" Clare finally said.

"Oh, for fu- Erin, is that you?!" Marco asked, realizing he'd been gotten.

"Aye, it is so!" Erin laughed as she heard Marco breathe a true sigh of relief.

"What's going on?" Orla asked, walking into the kitchen.

"Erin just pranked Marco. She pretended she was you and made him think ye were raging with him." Clare said.

"Ach, that's a good craic." Orla was definitely amused at the prank. Clare was astounded. Erin, Michelle, and James laughed at Orla's statement.

"I heard that. That… tha… you…. ye… ah….!" Marco slurred and started to laugh as well. Erin laughed at Marco's state as she handed the phone to Orla.

"Hiya Marco." Orla said.

"Wha-Who's this now?" Marco asked loudly.

"What's wrong with ya voice, Marco?" Orla asked. James listened in and heard Marco ramble.

"Oi Marco! Are you drunk?!" James asked jokingly.

"AAAAAAAAYYYYYYYY MY MATE!" Marco just giggled.

"He is just a little bit drunk!" Alfonso came in and answered. James burst out laughing.

"Is he pished, James?" Michelle asked.

"Yeah, he is!" The group laughed in unison.

"Hey… I wuv you guys!" Marco called down the phone, but no one noticed.

"Oi Marco. Tell me I got ya!" Erin asked, grabbing the phone.

"Yeah, ye got me!" Marco said, Erin clenched her fist in triumph. James smiled with amusement.

"We're even now,hi?" Erin said.

"Yeah, alright." Marco agreed.

"Marco. Come on now. It's time go home." Alfonso said.

"Alright! Listen. I got go now." Marco said.

"Marco!" Orla called.

"Yes, I'm here, gorgeous."

"Get home safe ye great eejit." Orla laughed. Marco blew a kiss down the phone.

"OK. I promise." He said.

"He be alright, Orla. I get him home ok." Alfonso said.

"Ach, thanks Alfonso. Bye." Orla replied.

"Ciao Bella." Alfonso answered. Marco chuckled, still sloshed.

As Orla hung up the phone. She realized that she'd forgot to ask Marco about his meeting. It had certainly been an eventful day for all concerned. The gang were going to see Fat Boy Slim. Marco was given a lifeline for his career choice. But more importantly, there was a chance that he could be reunited with his friends, and with Orla.