Cieran stretched the end of the condom and tied it in a knot. He opened the car window a couple of inches and tossed it out. The car smelt of sweat with a whiff of burnt rubber so he left the window open. He leaned back in his seat and lit a cigarette. The football would've started by now. If he got a move on, he could drop her at the bus station and still make the second half. That was if they got a move on. He glanced over his shoulder to the back seat. No, she was still faffing about with her clothes. Shit. What was her name? Lynne? Lindsey? Something like that. All he knew was that she said she was one of Jade's friends though he hadn't really noticed her before. She wasn't bad looking.

Jade hadn't lasted long. Six weeks, tops. It was alright to start off with but then she started getting arsy every time he wanted to go out with his mates and he wasn't having that. She really turned on him when he dumped her. Had a right go, shouting and bawling. She even said he was crap in bed; said he was as much use as a wax candle. A real nasty bitch, that one turned out to be. God knows what she'd told her mates. But then, he hadn't noticed her complaining at the time. Do women ever tell you to your face? Or do they just smile then bitch about you behind your back? That Lynne or Lindsey hadn't said a word since they'd finished. No response, nothing. A simple 'that was nice' would be enough. He stole a look at her in the mirror. Not a flicker.

Christ, thought Lindsey, that was quick. Talk about wham, bam, thank-you mam. She'd hardly got going before it was all over. Not that he'd noticed. Didn't care whether she was ready or not. He hadn't even asked if she'd enjoyed it. Now she had a thumping pain where her head had banged against the window. She hoped to God, it hadn't left a bruise and what was worse, there was a bloody big mark on her sister's brand-new suede skirt. She was going to be in such big shit when she got home. Maybe she could shove it in the washing machine before Kayleigh noticed. Could you wash suede in a machine? She'd no idea.

If only Cieran would say something, talk to her, instead of staring out of the window like that. It had been pretty obvious he didn't know who she was when she said hi in the club. He knew Jade alright but he couldn't remember her. But she knew lots about him; where he lived, where he worked, which football team he followed, what bands he liked, how he liked his bacon in the morning. She'd fancied him for months and had been scouring all his posts on Insta and Snapchat. Of course, she couldn't say anything when he was with Jade and then Jade had been so upset when they'd finished. But now Jade was with Ewan and here she was in the back of Cieran's car feeling like absolute shit.

Lindsey struggled through to the front and slid down in the passenger seat. Cieran threw his ciggie out of the window and started the engine.

'Mind if I put some music on?' he said.

She shrugged. It was a sure sign he didn't want to talk. But when the first few notes flooded the car, she grinned. 'Oh, I love this! I went to see them last year at the Arena. It was excellent.'

'Did you? I was there as well. Fuckin' brilliant, wasn't it?'

'Yeah. Where were you sitting? I was right at the back.'

'I was down the front with all the headbangers.'

She laughed. 'They're coming again in the new year. I'm going to try and get tickets.'

'Yeah. Me n'all.'

They listened to the music, heads nodding in time with the beat.

'Where did you say you lived?' asked Cieran.

'At the other side of town. Behind the ice-rink.'

'Right. Go skating, do you?'

'Used to. Haven't been for years but I was dead keen when I was a kid. I even had my own boots at one time.'

'I used to be on the hockey team there. Used to practice every Saturday.'

'I used to go on Saturday mornings! Do you remember that truck they had with the big scraper thing they used to clear the ice? If you were one of the cool kids, you'd get to ride on the back.'

He smiled and nodded. 'So, were you one of the cool kids?'

'No, not really. I think I had a ride once but that was it.'

There was a pause as the guitar solo played out.

Lindsey glanced at Cieran. 'You can drop me at the bus station, if you like.'

He frowned. 'No, you're alright. I'd rather see you home safely.'

'Oh … thanks.'

'You've got nice hair. Did I tell you that?'

Lindsey flushed.

'And,' he cleared his throat, 'I'm sorry if it was a bit …'

'What?'

He jerked his head towards the backseat. 'You know … quick.'

She touched his arm. 'It was fine.'