Erin bit her lip with anticipation. She sat on the edge of the sofa, gently tapping her heels together. Her diary was open, the pages were now filled with what she had been musing over and she nodded with approval. Anna walked up to her and lowered the diary down to see what her sister was beaming over. She laughed as she then ran off with Coco Pops towards the kitchen. It was standard for the house to be quiet in the late afternoon during summer holiday. Erin was watching over Anna, for Mary and Gerry were still at work, as was Aunt Sarah. Her Granda was out on one of his wanders. James was dropping Michelle off to some unknown destination, at least, it was unknown to Clare, who had taken to go to the cemetery, to which point, Marco chose to go with her for moral support. The chores were done, and now it was time for solitude.
Clare had been left completely in the dark as to where Michelle was going, but despite numerous attempts, Marco appeared to be just as clueless as she was, or so she thought. Something that didn't sit well with the wee lesbian that the feisty Mallon would exclude her from knowing where she was going. Orla was expected home at any minute. She had been down at the leisure centre for her step aerobics but couldn't wait to get home to tell Erin the news of a new street dance class she'd just finished. Right on cue, Orla bounded through the front door, huffing, and puffing from exhaustion and excitement. She plumped herself right next to Erin on the sofa.
"Hiya, Erin." Orla smiled.
"Jesus wept, Orla!" Erin scoffed. "Why don't ye just land on my lap next time?"
"Aye, OK!" Orla agreed. "You'll never guess what?" Orla began.
"Aye, I'll never guess. So ye don't need to tell me." Erin shot. "… Alright, what is it?" She asked, seeing Orla's undeterred smile. Before she could speak, the front door opened.
"Who is it?" Erin called.
"Hiya, it's just us." Clare called as she walked in. Anna and Coco Pops bounded to greet them. Marco walked in carrying a giggling Anna back with him.
"Hiya. You alright?" Marco asked, spotting Orla was home. "How was your class?" He asked.
"The class was CLASS!" Orla smiled at him. "And yer never gonna guess?" She started again.
"Uh, what do ye think yer playing at, Orla?" Mary suddenly appeared with Gerry not far behind her. "Yous march straight home and get changed. I saw ye bounding down the road like yer feet were on fire! Go on and get yourself sorted, my girl! And I thought you were cooking dinner for us tonight, young man?" Mary ordered.
"Aye, OK. Aunt Mary." Orla strained her face comically to Marco who mirrored her. A quick peck and they went their separate ways.
"How was work, mammy?" Erin asked sheepishly. But Mary seemed to have missed her as she surveyed the kitchen. Pushing out a loud huff, relieved that the housework has been done. "Well, that's one less thing I have to worry about."
"Alright, Mary. Why don't ye go upstairs and have a soak. I'll bring ye up a nice cup of tea." Gerry suggested. Mary sighed with exhaustion and agreed to his suggestion. As soon as she was out of sight, Gerry turned to Erin.
"Erin, get off ye behind and make yer Ma a cup of tea." Gerry ordered, making Erin gawk. She plumped her diary down and walked into the kitchen where Marco started preparing dinner.
"Ach, getting the wain to do the work and taking the glory, are ye now? Yer lazy prick!" Joe shot as he walked in. Gerry rolled his eyes. "Erin, make us a cup of tea as well, will ya love?" Joe called.
"Honestly, as if I don't have to do with washing the dishes and washing the clothes and pretending to be my little pony every 2 fecking minutes for Anna!" Erin moaned under her breath as she made the tea; Marco smirked as he was in earshot of her. Gerry had now sat down with Anna and turned the TV up to drown out Joe's insults.
"I swear they moan about work just so they have something to moan about. Huh, if that's the case, I don't wanna ever fecking grow up! But I tell yer this much, I could blitz through a day's work, keep a house, and still have enough to go out afterwards, so I could." She whispered to Marco.
"Really?" Marco asked.
"Aye. Really!" Erin assured him. Marco nodded as she took the cups of tea into the living room.
A while later. With all the household chores already completed by Erin and Orla earlier in the day; Mary was rewarded some well-deserved quiet time to herself as she and Gerry sat in the living room with the TV on along with the rest of the group and the family. Sarah happily plaited Orla's hair while she chatted with Mary about her day. James still hadn't come back yet. Erin overlooked the living room before sauntering back into the kitchen where Marco inspected the pasta sauce while the pot of water bubbled away. Coco Pops waited impatiently for a taste of the food.
"You know, you begging isn't gonna make it cook any faster, boy." Marco informed Coco Pops.
"Oi, Marco?" Erin moved closer to make sure they were out of earshot. "Listen, there's something I've been meaning to say to yous, but haven't really found the right moment." She whispered.
"Yeah?" Marco said, glancing towards he living room, sensing the importance of secrecy.
"Well…." Erin appeared awkward; she glanced round again. "I've just been meaning to say….. I just wanna say thanks… for what ye did. Ye know…. For Me and James…" she hinted, smiling warmly at him.
"…. No worries, mate." He smiled. Clocking at what she was hinting at. They reached out to gently grip the others hand.
"There's something else I need to know." Erin said, frowning her eyes. "Has James said anything to yous?"
"No!" Marco shot. "No! No! Absolutely not!" His face was contorted with shock, but he managed to keep his voice down.
"Ach, don't shite the tights. It's perfectly fine. Cos if he's spoken to you about it, we can talk about it as well." She insisted.
"WHAT? NO! Listen, Erin, I dunno how things work over here when it comes to….. look, I don't want things to get weird between us. OK?" Marco stressed quietly.
"What are ye on about, Marco?" Erin was now extremely confused.
"….. I dunno…. What are you on about, Erin?" Marco mirrored.
"I'm on about what happened to James in England. Ye know? His stepdad…." She revealed.
"… Oh!… Oh, Sorry. I thought you were talking about you and James and….. about you two…."
"WHAT? NO! JESUS CHIRST NO!" Erin suddenly shouted. Realizing where the lines had been crossed.
"What's going on in there?" Mary called out.
"…Uhhhh! Nothing Mammy! Marco just told me about… some crappy Star Wars thingamagig!" Erin shot in a panic and shrugged her shoulders.
"Jesus, the things that wain gets her knickers in a twist over." Sarah sighed.
"How long till dinner, son?" Joe called.
"Not long, Joe." Marco called back. His face had turned red. "What?" He asked, now seeing Erin laughing at him.
"Sweet Jesus! I've never seen you have a cack attack before!" She giggled. "Are ye alright?" She asked, as she held his arm.
"Yeah… yeah, I think so. Bloody hell! Now I know how Clare feels." He replied. Erin creased with laughter.
"What's that?" Clare asked, who'd walked into the kitchen.
"Nothing, Clare." Erin shook her head.
"Ach, that's seems to be what everyone's saying lately!" She scoffed as she sat at the kitchen table. Orla quickly followed, finally seizing the chance for an embrace with her fella.
"Erin was just asking me if James spoke to me about meeting his stepdad." Marco told her. Clare awkwardly acknowledged the news.
"Did he?" Orla asked.
"Well, a bit, but he wasn't too keen to go over it a lot." Marco sighed. "He said he was gonna speak to his mum about it when she comes over."
"Huh, Christ! That's gonna be awkward!" Erin huffed. "I can only imagine what Michelle must have said when she heard. My Ma certainly didn't hold back when Daddy told her. I'm really worried about him." Erin admitted. Clare and Orla mirrored her concern.
"Oi, don't worry about it, OK? He'll be alright. I promise." Marco spoke softly.
"Aye, OK." Erin sighed.
"I like it when ye talk like that." Orla said, snuggling Marco.
"I mean, don't get me wrong. James' Ma was class enough to get us those frocks for the disco, but I still don't how to take her. James thinks the world of her, obviously. And everyone still thinks the worst of her…. NO matter how striking her eyebrows might be." Erin quipped.
"Aye, it does go without saying girls; Cathy Maguire and those eyebrows could certainly turn heads, so they could." Sarah suddenly walked in on the conversation.
"I'll certainly be having words with her, and her fecking eyebrows when she's over next!" Mary piped up.
The awkward silence was broken when Marco and Erin then turned to see Clare looking extremely annoyed.
"Why you looking so broke?" Erin asked her.
"I wish one of yous would just tell me where Michelle's gone tonight!" Clare stressed, changing the subject. "Why wouldn't she say where she was heading?" Asking for the umpteenth time.
"Ooooh!" Orla grabbed her attention.
"Yes, Orla? Go on, did Michelle say why?" Clare asked with anticipation.
"Ach, No! I just remembered there was something I reeeally needed to tell all yous!" Orla answered. She then paused and said nothing. The girls and Marco looked at each other.
"Orla?" Marco asked. "What is it?"
"I just remembered. I'm not allowed to say.
"…. Well, that's certainly insightful!" Erin threw her hands up.
"Right, this is ready, Mrs Quinn." Marco called. Dishing up the dinner. The adults happily filed into the kitchen. Marco quickly placed a plate for Coco Pops.
"Ach, I've been looking forward to this. Thanks, son." Gerry beamed, rubbing his hands before taking his plate.
"Aye, ye should take some pointers and learn to cook for yourself." Joe shot.
"And why's that, may I ask?" Gerry sighed, waiting for the response.
"For the day when my Mary kicks yer arse out of this house! Ye useless shit!" Joe shot. Back.
"Da, Enough!" Mary snapped.
"OK, we'll be going upstairs now." Erin motioned the others to follow her.
"Are ye not having some dinner, girls?" Mary asked curiously.
"Nah, it's alright Mammy, we've got something planned." Erin turned to her.
"Do we?" Clare asked. Marco shushed her.
"Aye, that's what I'm afraid of." Mary shot. "Ye best not be up to anything!" Mary warned.
"Ach, Mammy! When have we ever-"Erin stopped herself before she finished gloating.
"Whatever yer doing, just don't get yourselves into any trouble. Yer back-to-school next week and the last thing I need is some kind of repeat from Valentine's day! Honestly, my chest gets heavy every time you say ye have something planned." Mary warned again as the girls went to go upstairs.
"Ye should really go see a doctor about that, Mary! That sounds desperate." Sarah said.
Shuffling awkwardly away from the parents, the wains now found themselves within the sanctuary of Erin's bedroom. Clare was now even more determined to find out what Michelle was up to. Orla was busy chewing on a slice of sauce covered bread as Clare stood in front of them.
"Alright! Have I pissed one of yous off or something?" Clare asked.
"No." Came the answer from the others.
"Well, then why on earth won't anyone tell me what's going on?" She stressed. "Also, where's James gotten to?"
"I'm right here." James said as he walked in. The group greeted him. "What's going on?" He asked.
"Hiya, drop Michelle off OK?" Erin asked, embracing him.
"She couldn't shoo me away quick enough." James huffed.
"AWAY FROM WHERE?!" Clare cried. "WHAT IS GOING ON?!"
"We can't tell ye Clare, it's a secret." Orla said casually. She then began to groan, realizing she just let something slip. Everyone groaned while Clare shot looks at them all.
"Ach, grand Orla! Just let the cat outta the bag, why don't yous?!" Erin shot, making Orla look around the floor.
"Well, not entirely." Marco corrected.
"What secret? Alright, I want some answers! Otherwise, I might just march downstairs and tell yer mammies about all the wee sneaky things yous two have been getting up to with yer wee English fellas here!" Clare warned with a raised voice.
"Are ye threatening us, Clare?" Erin chuckled comically. Clare stared dagger eyes at her.
"I think she means it, Erin!" James said cautiously.
"Answers!..." Clare answered manically.
The group looked at each other. James stepped forward to be the informer.
"Alright. Michelle made us promise not to say. But she's DJing a party tonight…. It's a much older crowd to ours, and she knew there was a good chance you'd get a bit….."
"Clare-y." Orla shot.
"….. Yeah, Clare-y about it." James agreed.
"What are ye talking about?" Clare asked, clearly confused.
"Well, it's not like the usual parties she DJ's for. It's a nightclub in the town." James slowly revealed.
"WHHAAAAAATTT?!" Clare cried. Orla threw her hands up against her ears. Marco lunged to shut Erin's door shut while Erin threw her hand over Clare's mouth. They waited to see if the parents would call up. Everything was silent. They breathed out with relief.
"Ok, Clare. I'm going to take my hand away from yer mouth, and ye gonna talk, and NOT have a fecking cack attack. OK?" Erin informed her, the wee lesbian nodded. Catching her own breath, Clare assessed the situation.
"OK. Let's just look at this….. sensibly….. WHAT IN THE NAME OF SWEET MERCIFUL JESUS IS THAT GIRL THINKING?! ICAN'T BELIEVE SHE'D LOSE THE ABSOLUTE RUN OF HERSELF AND DO SUCH A STUPID THING!" Clare yelled, causing everyone's skin to crawl.
"Well, no one can't say she didn't try." James jested.
"This is proper dangerous territory she's going into, so it is. I mean, she's never been around fellas that age before, and in a nightclub of all places!" Clare began to hyperventilate.
"I wouldn't worry, Clare. Michelle can handle herself." Marco said.
"Wise up! D'ya not think she's not gonna be tempted? God, if she gets drunk, ye know too well what might happen!" Clare stressed.
"No! Why? What is gonna happen?" Orla asked, sounding genuinely concerned, glancing at everyone.
"Christ! Do I need to say it?... Ye know what Michelle gets like when she's drunk, Orla!"
"Aye, she's a great craic when she's pished!" Orla smiled.
"Exactly! Now throw a few DRUNK. OLDER. FELLAS into the mix…. Is it getting clearer now?" Clare stressed. Marco leaned in and whispered in her ear. Orla let out an astonished gasp.
"Right! So ye understand the gravity of the situation! Does her Ma even know she's DJing at this nightclub?" Clare turned to James who appeared reluctant to answer.
"Stall the ball, She…. doesn't know?!" Clare cried.
"Well, like I said. She made me promise not to say anything." James said sheepishly.
"OH MY GOD!" Clare cried. She was now darting around the bedroom looking like a headless chicken. "James, how could ye not say anything?! Ye know what this means now, don't yous? Michelle's gonna get drunk, she's gonna ride some drunken fella, and she might end up getting pregnant! And then our mammies are gonna kill us because we weren't there to stop her!" She screamed at a high pitch voice.
Orla curled up against Marco and covered her ears. He could feel her shaking. "Ok, Clare… seriously, calm the fuck down, Ok? Only Coco Pops downstairs can hear you now." He stressed, taking Orla's hand.
"But…. But…Oh God….. Oh God…." Clare began to hyperventilate again.
"Jesus! I think she's proper broken!" Erin said. She moved to set Clare down. "Seriously, Clare. Breathe for feck sake…. If yer that worried about her, why don't we go down to the nightclub and make sure Michelle stays in line?" She suggested. Everyone appeared to be on board with that.
Clare began to regain herself, somewhat. "Well, that might work….. but doesn't the wee fact that we're NOT 18 yet throw a spanner in the works?!" Clare retorted. "Sweet suffering Jesus!"
"We could always sneak in! All we need are some fake moustaches and no one will know the difference…." Orla suggested with excitement.
"Really? Moustaches are gonna hide the obvious fact that we're GIRLS, Orla?" Erin asked, her hands motioning around her chest area.
"Oh aye, I see yer point." Orla nodded in agreement. "Guess you fellas can't go dressed up in frocks either." She shrugged.
"What?! Why would we sneak into a nightclub dressed in frocks?" James' face contorted with worry.
"Oooooh, it's such a shame. You got such got nice legs and all." Marco shot in a campy voice.
"Aye, goes without saying." Orla agreed.
"Pack it in, You two!" James shot back.
"Can we focus here?" Clare cried. "As much as James did look cracker in that posh spice get up, he does have a point. How are we gonna get in?" She asked, full of determination.
"Just leave that to us." Orla spoke with confidence, putting her arms round both James and Marco. They mirrored a look of concern.
"So, do ye wanna try it?" Erin asked.
"Alright… Aye, let's do it, for MIchelle!" Clare pushed.
The group gathered themselves together and made their way out and into the town. As they walked down Foyle Street. James pointed towards a large yellow building down the road known to the locals as Sandinos. As they marched together, Clare looked around and there appeared to be a strong plethora of couples walking in the same direction as themselves. She allowed a moment to think of Laurie, who was working tonight. But the tender thought was quickly replaced as they joined the queue to get into the club, and panic began set in again. The music was thumping and the multi coloured lights flickered through the windows to the outside. The vibe was lively, as was the vibe from the crowd. It slowly began to dawn on Clare that this wasn't the average sort of nightclub. But she chose not to say anything in case she was wrong.
What would I know? - She thought to herself. The nearest they'd come to experiencing night life was at the Fatboy Slim concert, and she quickly shifted away from THAT memory.
Meanwhile, Orla beamed a wide-open smile as the music played, she took the atmosphere in and began to bounce on the balls of her feet with excitement. James and Marco stood in front of them, trying to look casually grown up. James shuffled awkwardly with his shirt, jeans, and jacket on, while Marco braved the elements with just jeans and a black t shirt. Orla was wearing purple trousers and her signature hoodie, Erin was wearing a denim jacket, a black and white striped top, and white denim shorts, while Clare was wearing a pink t-shirt with a rainbow on it and her signature bib overall skirt. She felt extremely underdressed when she spotted some of the couple wearing very striking, very flamboyant outfits. It fed the notion that this nightclub could just be… but it couldn't. Once again, she shifted out of her imagination and back to reality as they neared the front of the queue.
"Should we not be slightly concerned? Are any of you not concerned?" Clare began to panic again.
"About what?" Erin asked.
"What if they ask to show proof of ID or something?!" Clare replied. "Or what if someone recognises us?" She stressed.
"Ah, Clare. No one here gonna recognise us!" Orla said, surprising Clare. No sooner had the cooky "member said those words, they were met by none other than Fintan aka Fifi from the concert night.
"Well, hiya girls! Long time no see! How bout yous?" Fifi asked.
"Well, he seems to know you." Marco said.
"Ah, hiya Fifi! How's it going?" Orla asked.
"Grand! Very Grand!" Fifi answered. "And what can I do for yous?" Fifi asked.
"Actually. We just want to pop in and see our friend Michelle who's working, we wanted to make sure she was alright, if's that's possible?" Clare asked.
"Sorry girls. Ye have to pay to get in this time!" Fifi feigned an apology.
"Well, how much is it?" Clare asked.
"£10 per person, along with a valid ID, I'm afraid, so if yous don't have either, there's no way I can let ye in!" Fifi looked genuinely upset for them.
"Hold on!" James said. "Did Michelle give you orders?" He sighed annoyingly.
"Well….. that depends on who you are?" Fifi answered, peaking down at his clipboard, frowning at what he saw.
James scrunched his eyes. "Fine….. My name is James, I am massively gay and I'm desperate for some big gay fella to…"
"Ye know what? That's alright! Ye don't have to say it love! Trust me, even round here, ye don't wanna be broadcasting it! Well, not the way this is written down." Fifi frowned, taking pity on him. "Mind you, if it's true…."
"Ach, that'll be fine Fifi! Thanks a lot!" Erin grabbed James and lead the way into the club. Marco stayed behind and paid him.
"There you go Fifi." He said, handing the money over.
"Thanks a lot. It's just upstairs, love." Fifi informed him, flashing a wink at the lad.
"Thanks." Marco said, walking awkwardly away.
The group took in the vibrant party atmosphere inside the crammed café bar. They shuffled past couples and older adults who wore flamboyant outfits towards the stairs to the upstairs section, but still no sign of Michelle. The upstairs section was not as crammed but there were a unique congregation to say the least. Clare noticed that the crowd was mostly girls, even girl couples! She even saw some male couples.
"Are yous seeing all this?" Clare asked. She turned to see the group were now looking at her, smiling.
"What? What is this?" Clare asked, clearly out of the loop.
"Alright everyone, She's here! Give it up! We got the birthday girl in the house! Her name is Clare Devlin!" Michelle's voice could be heard over the loudspeaker system. The crowd turned and cheered raucously towards the wee lesbian. Party poppers shot everywhere, making Clare jump out of her skin. Laurie then burst through the crowd and embraced Clare.
"Alight babes! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" She shouted through the cheers of everyone. She leaned in and kissed Clare tenderly. The crowd erupted with a cheer. Clare was torn between embarrassment and affection.
"But….. it's not my birthday till next week!" Clare shouted.
"So, what's one week? It's no bother! I've had this planned for months!" Laurie answered proudly, handing her a peach-coloured cocktail in a tall glass.
Clare felt her lip begin to quiver as she smiled at her girlfriend. She turned to see everyone, including Michelle holding a shot glass. Michelle sported a wicked smirk. Orla walked over and snapped on a large 18 birthday badge onto her jacket.
"Michelle! Did you plan all this with Laurie?" Clare had to shout over the loud music.
"Gotcha, yer wee lezzer!" Michelle laughed. "Happy fucking birthday!" She shouted, throwing her drink back, quickly followed by the others.
Clare could nothing but laugh, realizing that she'd been gotten.