Chapter 14: Stall the ball here!
Erin sat at the kitchen table after dinner. She'd just finished writing up her evaluation of the day's events in her diary. -A day that Orla will not soon forget, that's for sure. - She thought. Inspired by the fog; she had written a few poetic verses about it, in addition to some verses about her and James, and Orla and Marco. But she had mostly documented the events that had unfolded that afternoon. She put her fountain pen down and surveyed her work.
"Where do I start?
Well, first. Today was a day Orla won't soon forget. Marco's back! Completely surprised us all, except James, (cheeky fecker knew he was coming.) Orla is absolutely buzzing beyond belief., and we could not be happier for her. Orla and Marco went through nearly 3 months without seeing each other, and now they're together again, where they belong. Even now, as I write this, I can feel myself smiling. it still baffles me that Orla…. MYwhacky cousin Orla found herself a cracking fella…. Marco is great…. but no one compares to my James! I love him so much… I can't bear it.
I haven't said That to him yet. Don't want him to think I'm desperate. I was certainly thinking it after he stood up to that psycho MadStab the other night. James seems to be asserting himself much more. Isn't taking any crap from anyone anymore, it might be because Marco's back, but whatever the reason…. I must admit…. I like it. I really like it. No… I LOVE IT! While I'm on the subject… I think it's safe to say that Marco and Orla love each other. The way they look at each other… It reminds me of how James looks at me, and I know how it makes me feel. Maybe I'll wait for him to say it? Or should I say it? Does it matter who says it first?
I will say this, Marco certainly knows how to make an entrance. I cannot believe he actually got Sister Michael tipsy, well, PLASTERED shall I say. That must have been a sight to behold. But there was something we heard… well…. the ENTIRE school heard her slur her words like Uncle Colm after a few sherries…. Something about US…. The way we've made life at school amusing for her. I'm not too sure if that's meant to be a compliment or something. I'll have to ask Marco to try and gage how she said it. Maybe she has an underlying respect for us? Can you imagine that?
If that wasn't enough…. We have a new addition to the gang. Marco brought his new dog with him to Derry! A Jack Russell terrier puppy, and he's gorgeous. He's not Toto, but he's certainly made a good impression. Even Mammy seems to like him. Bit of a strange dog! Orla was given the task of naming him… of all things, she named him Coco Pops! No, seriously, his name is Coco Pops! He seems to like it. Looks like he's gonna fit right in with the gang to be fair.-"
Suddenly. There was a knock at the door.
"Erin!" Gerry called.
"Aye, Daddy?" Erin turned.
"It's James for ye." He answered. Erin smiled and ran to the hallway. Gerry smiled as he walked into the kitchen to give them some privacy. As soon as he was out of sight, she turned to her boyfriend.
"James!" Erin smiled as she ran into his arms.
"Hiya. You alright?" He asked, tightening his hug.
"Aye, Christ! Ye miss me that much did ye?" Erin teased, feeling him hug her tight. She reciprocated happily. Erin gasped with excitement as she felt James daringly lower his face into the corner of her neck, kissing it gently. She pulled his face up and snogged him. They smiled at each other with admiring eyes. Erin then darted her head around quickly.
"Where's Michelle and Clare? I thought we were gonna meet at the walls later?"
"Well, that's the problem, have you not looked outside?" James asked.
"No! Why?"
"You might want to take a look."
Erin opened the front door to investigate. The fog had suddenly come back with a vengeance. It was even thicker than it was that morning. It was as if Derry had been engulfed by a cloud. James stood beside Erin and they stared in awe at the sight of the fog. Erin's attention was then drawn towards the floor, Coco Pops had brushed past her ankle to venture outside.
"Ach, no Coco Pops! Come 'ere boy!" Erin urgently reached down and grabbed him before he vanished into the fog. Coco Pops barked successively while Erin shushed and cradled him.
"This is mental, so it is." Erin exclaimed. Coco Pops barked as she closed the door.
"Yeah, Michelle and Clare decided to stay in…. Sorry, What did you call him?" James asked. Stroking the pup's head.
"Coco Pops." Erin smirked. He barked on que again, making her laugh.
"You are kidding?"
"Nope. No messing. His name is Coco Pops." Another bark.
"What, does he do that every time?" James asked.
"Aye, he does so. Go on, say it." Erin giggled. James smirked but then made eye contact with the pup.
"Coco Pops." He said. BARK! James laughed.
"Orla?" James asked Erin. She nodded.
"Now that IS mental! But not as mental as what happened to Michelle though." James chuckled.
"Why, what happened?" Erin asked.
"Well, she went out earlier to take the rubbish out, she couldn't see because of the fog… she looked back and started moaning at me, then she tripped and fell over the wall." James laughed.
"What the feck! Is she alright?" Erin guffawed.
"Yeah. I think her pride's hurt more than anything." James laughed loudly. Erin sniggered.
"Well, if that's mental, ye must be insane, coming over here through all that!" Erin quipped.
"Well, maybe I am." James quipped. He lowered himself towards Erin, and they kissed.
"Thank you." Erin said. They kissed again.
"Yer glad he's back, aren't ye?" Erin smiled.
"Yeah… but not as much as Orla is though." James joked. "It's weird. Marco was only here for 2 weeks before, but now I can't imagine this place without him."
"That's strange… I thought the same thing about you." Erin said. Stroking his chest.
"So… Where are they?" James asked.
"D'ya know what? I actually don't know." Erin pulled a confused look.
Suddenly, Coco Pops barked, he wiggled free from Erin's arms and darted into the living room. Erin and James followed him, poking their heads through the doorway to see where he went. They then spied a heartwarming sight. Erin and James smiled happily.
"They're asleep." Erin whispered.
Sure enough, there they were. Orla was curled up, sleeping peacefully in Marco's lap. They had fallen asleep together in the armchair. Cradling each other; their heads were resting against each other's. A cushion behind their heads, and a blanket draped over them.
"Looks very familiar, doesn't it?" James said.
"How's that?" Erin asked.
"Well, remember the first night Marco was here?" James asked.
"Aye… it was nice. That was." Erin gazed at James.
"I remember you and me falling asleep together a couple of weeks ago too." James smiled.
"Aye…. Wouldn't mind doing that again." Erin admitted.
"Yeah?"
"Aye, But maybe it'll be…. Ye know…. Somewhere else... Some other time?" Erin purred quietly; James felt his chest tighten at the suggestion. He breathed nervously with excitement.
"… Well…. Uh… yea, definitely." James stumbled hopelessly; Erin smiled at her boyfriend's awkward stance.
"Erin! Come on now love. Let James inside." Mary called from the ktichen. Erin blushed.
James hung his coat up; Erin lead him into the living room. They sat on the sofa, with Erin curling herself next to James. They looked over towards the armchair and smiled warmly. Erin reminisced again to that first night when Marco had arrived in Derry with James.
"Oi, Who'd have thought?" Erin whispered.
"Yeah, I know." James replied. Smiling proudly at them.
Orla and Marco had come full circle, back together in the same place where they'd started. Erin beamed a huge smile as she heard Orla let out a soft sigh of contentment, nuzzling Marco as she smiled in her sleep. James then felt Coco Pops climb up his leg, Erin looked down and saw him bring himself up onto his hind legs. She reached down and smiled as she picked him up. She placed him on her lap where they both stroked him. Coco Pops began to crawl up towards Erin's face.
"Ach, looks like ye got some competition, James, hi?" Erin whispered, pecking James's cheek.
Erin smiled as she saw Coco Pops look up at her. Mary then came in with Anna, she wanted to see the pup before she went up to bed. Erin and James turned and smiled at little Anna, who was clearly besotted with Coco Pops. Mary, James and Erin laughed as Anna giggled at the pup raise his paw. Almost waving at her.
"Hey Anna, You got yourself a little friend, have ya?" James said. Mary smiled at the little wain's delight.
"Ach, she does so. Ach, he's a good 'un, so he is. Does he have a name?" Mary asked.
"Aye… Orla gave him a name earlier." Erin answered nervously, scrunching her face. Knowing what would happen.
"Well, what is it?" Mary quizzed.
Erin and James frowned at each other, desperately not wanting Coco Pops to wake Orla and Marco.
"Ach, they're gonna need to wake up anyway…. It's Coco Pops." Erin said.
With that, Coco Pops let out a series of loud barks, causing Orla and Marco to jump awake, shooting out of their skins. Mary covered her mouth as she laughed at the startled couple. Erin and James threw their heads back laughing. Even Anna laughed. Marco and Orla looked around in a daze.
"What's happenin? What's goin' on?" Orla asked, her face startled.
"Nothing, Orla!" Erin laughed.
"Coco Pops was just giving ye a wakeup call, Orla love." Mary quipped as she took Anna up for the night.
"You alright there, mate?" James asked while laughing at Marco's startled look.
With Joe across the road at Jim's, and Sarah and Gerry sitting in the kitchen; the foursome chatted and doted on Coco Pops. James regarded Marco warmly, who yawned with exhaustion, smiling as Orla rested upon him.
"Been a long journey back, hasn't it?" James asked.
"In more ways than one." Marco sighed.
"Worth it?" James asked.
Marco looked down and smiled at Orla who was looking up at him.
"Damn right it was."
"How long since ye really knew ye were coming back Marco?" Erin asked.
"Only found out a few days ago. I've been travelling since yesterday morning." Marco said.
"Ach, no wonder you're knackered." Orla said, stroking his hair.
"That must have been a bit scary driving that car all that way to Liverpool on your own." James remarked. Erin paused at first but then shot a look of surprise at James.
"Stall the ball here!" Erin exclaimed.
"You what?" James asked.
"Ye telling us that ye knew about Marco's car?!" Erin gasped.
"Well…. Yeah. I sort of needed to." James replied.
"What d'ya mean?" Erin asked.
"It's not just Marco's car, it's… kind of mine as well." James admitted.
"Wha- Are ye serious?" Erin's eyes stared in amazement.
"Yeah, straight up." Marco then handed James a printed piece of paper. He took it to show Erin the certificate of insurance with his name on it.
"Yeah…. That was the gist of the phone call I had with my mum. She, and Marco's dad went in together and got the car for… well, all of us." James revealed.
"Oh my God! James! That's….. great!" Erin exclaimed.
"That is sooooo cracker! Isn't it Coco Pops?" Orla said. Which garnered a joyful bark from the pup.
"Do you wanna go sit in it?" James asked Erin.
"ACH ! YEAH !" Orla answered for her.
Orla bounded outside all the way down to the car. Followed by the other three. The fog had begun to clear slightly, but it was very cold. Marco unlocked the Clio and let James sit in the driver's seat. Orla ran around to the front passenger seat, while Marco and Erin climbed into the back with Coco Pops. They all shivered as they sat inside the Clio. Orla didn't know where to look or what to do first. She reached and turned on the radio which brought a loud sound of static noise, causing Coco Pops to howl. James quickly turned the radio down. They began to talk incoherently but were quickly unable to withstand the cold any longer, so they filed out of the Clio and walked back inside the house.
"Happy with yer new set of wheels, are ya now James?" Gerry asked, who'd been standing in the doorway. James nodded.
"Isn't it great, Daddy?" Erin exclaimed.
"Aye it is so. It'll save ye a lot of money when ye get insurance for ya own car." Gerry said.
"Better make sure I ring Mum tomorrow." James replied. Erin acknowledged his statement with a nod.
"Right, girls. Ya mammys said it's time to wind down now. So, it's time to say good night to the boys." Gerry said, which Erin and Orla frowned.
"Can we drive James home, Uncle Gerry?" Orla suggested out of the blue.
"Aye! Oh, please Daddy? Go on!" Erin pleaded. Gerry pondered silently, he glanced inside, and then at the fog, and then at the boys.
"Drive… Carefully." He said cautiously. James and Marco nodded.
"Go on then. Off with ya." Gerry smiled.
Erin and Orla raced back down to the Clio. Marco and James assured Gerry again they would be careful before following the girls. Marco chucked the keys to James. And they piled into the car for its maiden night drive in Derry. James adjusted his seat and let the car out slow. Gerry chuckled at the jubilant cries from inside the car as they drove off cautiously down the road. He smiled proudly; he then noticed that Joe was waving them off, he then braced himself for Joe's sharpness.
"Any excuse to get out of driving the lad home yerself, ya lazy shit!" Joe gruffed.
"Oh! Ya got me there, Joe." Gerry replied with a soft sarcasm, turning back into the house. Joe then watched the car drive around the corner and crooked a smile.
The foursome sung along to Oasis- Don't Look Back in Anger as James drove home. Erin then admonished Orla for winding the window down as they drove along, causing the cold air to wooft into the car. Despite the bite from the cold, Orla argued that Coco Pops wanted to stick his head out the window.
"It doesn't mean ye have to stick your head out as well!" Erin argued.
"I know… she's a right spoil sport." Orla said to Coco Pops as she wound the window back up.
Erin crooked her mouth and rolled her eyes. She then playfully slapped Marco's arm who was laughing at the whole thing. James beamed as he was able to speed up a little along the route home. As they pulled up to the Mallons. James and Erin got out and walked to his door. Marco got into the driver's seat, he then turned with Orla as they watched Erin wrap her arms around James as they shared a passionate snog goodnight.
"A bag of pick n' mix says Michelle opens the door on them." Orla dared him.
"…. Two says she don't!"
"You're on." Orla replied. Marco resided that she was probably going to be right.
Sure enough, the door opened, Erin and James shot away from each other, expecting a foul mouth rant from Michelle; Instead, they were met by the shocked look of Jason in the doorway. The two couples stared in shock.
"Ach, Jason wait… ye forgot ye…." Michelle came to the door, and now she stood in awe of Erin and James, who regarded that she was wearing her dressing gown.
Marco snorted as Orla covered Coco Pops eyes, gawking in amusement.
"Alright, you two?" Michelle said sheepishly, attempting to brake the tension.
"Yeah… just saying goodnight to Erin." James said.
"Ach, well. Fair enough. Jason, this is James and Erin, you two, this is… Jason." Michelle said nervously.
"Nice to meet ye both, finally." Jason said.
"Likewise." Erin nodded awkwardly.
"Oh, and that's Orla with her boyfriend, Marco…. Sitting in a fucking car?!" Michelle exclaimed as she darted out to inspect the new vehicle, removing herself from the awkward situation.
"Oh yeah. Um, I'll fill you in on that." James said they followed her.
"I think she's already had that." Erin remarked. Michelle turned and shot dagger eyes at her.
"Um, ye know what. I'll see yers later. Nice to meet ye all. Night Michelle." Jason said, quickly kissing her on the cheek. He walked briskly up the road.
"Bye Jason!" Orla called "Nice to meet you!" Marco called. They then all turned to Michelle, who was red in the face. Michelle turned to see the cognizant look on Erin and James' faces.
"Well, on that note. I am going to say goodnight, Michelle. And Good night to you James." Erin said as she brazenly kissed him slowly. She smiled as she stepped inside the car.
"See ya in the morning, Michelle." Orla called. "Night Michelle." Marco smiled. "J'. Laters."
"Laters." James replied. As Marco pulled away. James and Michelle were left standing in an awkward silence.
"So…. Marco's got a car?" Michelle asked, standing awkwardly with her arms crossed. James cracked a smile.
"Come on. Let's go in." James said.
The drive back was filled only with the sound of music from the radio as Marco pulled up. Erin stepped out holding Coco Pops as she gave Marco and Orla a chance to say goodnight. Orla pressed herself gently into Marco, wrapping her arms around his waist, while Marco cradled her head. He felt her shiver.
"Girls, Come on in now." Mary suddenly called. Orla turned at the sound of her voice. She then turned to look back at Marco, who saw she was reluctant to go.
"I'll see you in the morning. Promise. I'm here, really!" He said.
Glancing down and then up at him. Orla bit her lip. "Prove it." She whispered as she shivered.
"How?" Marco asked.
"Kiss me." She smiled.
"Come 'ere then." Marco smiled back. Their lips met for a tender kiss. They felt themselves shiver as they kissed. They smiled at each other again when their lips parted.
"Aye, yer definitely here!" She laughed. Resting her head on his.
"OK. Good night?" Marco said.
"Good night." Orla replied.
Erin and Marco wished each other good night as she handed Coco Pops back to him. Orla waved as he walked across the road to Jim's. The two cousins then made their way back inside. After almost 3 months apart. Tomorrow was now another day the whole gang, old and new members alike, would all face…. Together.