While heads were swirling for one reason; Orla's head was swirling for another reason as she walked in Brook Park with Marco. Letting Coco Pops off his leash, the wee dog bounded freely as he chased after his ball across the green, then running amongst the other dogs and walkers in the park while the young pair held hands and walked along the walk path. It had been almost an hour since they left Erin's house, Marco acknowledged Orla's very different, very quiet manner. Her eyes appeared heavy, and he felt her hand shake slightly as she clutched on to his. Orla walked over to a park bench where she sat and cris crossed her legs as if she were sitting in a school assembly. Marco crouched in front of her when she clasped her hand around his wrist and made a gesture while looking at him sternly.

"OK…. Uhmmm….. Did you just handcuff me?" He asked gently.

"Aye, and now yer handcuffed to me, and ye can't get away. Cos I have some questions for ye, and I want ye to tell me the truth." Orla said, holding her wrist up, there was nothing there.

"…OK." Marco answered with caution. "What happens if I don't tell the truth?"

"I'll ask the questions!" Orla shot. "First of all….. Just so I know we're on the level here….." She said motioning her hand back and forth. "What is your full name?" She asked, pointing at him.

"Marco Galluci."

"Where are ye from?"

"England."

"Where do ye live?"

"Derry, in Jim's house across the road."

Orla paused. "Complete this sentence: If ye like a lot of chocolate on yer biscuit…."

"Join our club." Marco answered.

"…..Very gooooood answer!" Orla acknowledged playfully. "Alright, Who's your best friend?" She returned to business.

"You….." He said.

"Awwwww." Orla's tough expression melted.

"And James…. And Erin….. and Michelle… and Clare and Laurie." Marco said playfully.

"Yer obviously a tough one to crack…. That'll come in handy." Orla whispered.

Marco squinted his eyes in a puzzling way. "Why's that?"

"Cos if yous get targeted by the Chinese mafia or something, Marco. Yer gonna need to make sur eye don't crack under pressure." Orla answered.

"O-K… When did the Chinese mafia come into any of this?"

"Since Mae said what she said!" Orla snapped.

"OK, but she got arrested, Orla. I don't think…."

"No, Ye don't understand!" Orla cut Marco off, stomping her foot down. She sprung up from the park bench. "….. It's what Mae said last night…..about… this money thingamigig?" She paced around in angst.

"OK… OK…. I'm sorry." Marco said calmly. "What's troubling you?"

"I've heard about these wee Chinese fellas who wear dark suits and dark glasses and carry things like ninja stars and these great big swords with them…. And they can come at ye at any time, and ye never hear them coming….. I mean, I'm good with a hunting knife and taking down one person, but if Mae has those fellas coming after yous….. Ooooooh!" Orla began to stress.

"Whoa, easy….. Calm down, Orla!" Marco said.

"I CAN'T! It's gonna take up a lot my time just dealing with them, and then I've got my dance classes, and school on top of that. I don't think I can handle that much responsibility….. And I just don't want anything bad to happen to yous!" Orla's voice cracked.

"Whoa! Whoa!... OK…. OK… Shhhhhh… We really need to calm the fuck down here." Marco stepped in, feeling her hand shaking from the worry. "Orla. I promise you…. There's gonna be NO Chinese blokes coming after us, OK?"

Orla clenched her eyes shut and covered her ears to block out the thoughts that intruded her. Marco moved in and snuggled Orla to calm her. Feeling her sharp, rapid breaths. He slowly took his headphones from around his neck and placed them on Orla's ears.

"Here…. Listen to this." He said.

Pressing PLAY on the Walkman, Orla began to hear a familiar song…. SUNCHYME. With her eyes still shut, the frown slowly began to soften as the song played. Marco waited patiently as he slowly began to feel Orla's tense body begin to mellow. Slowly, but surely, he heard Orla begin hum the tune to herself, she began to sway her head gently to the music, transporting her mind away from her worries. As the song played on, her frown became a smile. When the song finished, Orla could hear his voice.

"Open your eyes, Orla." Marco said. Doing so, Orla beamed happily at the sudden gift that was now in front of her.

"Ach, class! it's a giant monkey!" She bounced happily as he hung the monkey's long dangly arms around her neck.

"I knew it would make you smile again. Feeling better now?" Marco asked, Orla nodding, still sporting a slight frown.

"Oi, seriously…. I don't think Mae, or anyone in the Chinese mafia would be that stupid to try anything with you around." Marco admitted.

"…. Aye, I guess it would be proper mental if they did try anything, aye?" Orla suggested.

"Fucking right." Marco chuckled.

"It was a good craic, taking her down like that!" She admitted. "I'm like that fella in The Bodyguard or something." Orla chuckled playfully.

"Yea! That makes sense. You'd be a wicked bodyguard!" Marco happily stated.

"Do ye reckon?" Orla asked, she blushed as she cradled the monkey.

"Yea, defo! You're as hard as any man I know. You're the best of both…. My wee monkey!" Marco said, holding her hand.

Orla gazed warmly at him. Affection shone from her face. "Aye…. I accept that. I'm yer wee monkey!" She cried happily. Orla dove forward, giving him the tightest hug she could muster.

"Oi, We're like Baloo and King Louie in The Jungle Book! A Bear and a Monkey!" She laughed. Suddenly, they heard a familiar voice.

"Fuck a doodle doo! I wanna be like you hoo hoo!" Michelle laughed as she stood behind them with Coco Pops.

"Hello, Michelle. Perfect timing." Marco sighed.

"Ach, bout ye Michelle, what's the craic?" Orla asked as the feisty Mallon stood with a smirk on her face.

"Funny….. I was gonna ask ye two the same thing…. Like how come my Ma and Da are in Strabane at some 'brunch' thingamagig with your lot….. or do ye think I should go ask Erin and Dicko if they know why?" She asked with a suggestive tone, looking straight at Marco while Orla furrowed her eyes.

"Girls?!" They looked and saw Clare walking down the path.

"Hiya, Clare!" Orla called.

"Alright there, yer wee lezzer?!" Michelle called out.

"I've had a right melter, so I have!" Clare groaned as she got closer.

"Oh aye? What's that? I thought you and Laurie would have been givin' the aul fantango a wee seeing to?" Michelle teased.

"Jesus Christ, Michelle! Will ye ever NOT be so coarse?" Clare complained, now standing with them.

"What's happened, Clare?" Marco asked.

"Well, first off, I get back home after…"

"After ye rode Laurie." Michelle interrupted.

"Michelle!" Clare snapped. "…..Anyway, Laurie dropped me off at my place, and by the time she drove off, I find that Mammy's not in, and I left my key indoors, so I can't get in the FECKING house! I stood outside for about a half hour before Mrs Callaway next door tells me my Ma went out with your mammies, all dressed up all fancy, they were, so she said."

"Aye, we know, Clare! She's gone out with my mammy and Aunt Mary." Orla said.

"I just said that Orla! But gone where exactly?" Clare asked.

"Actually, it's kind of my fault, Clare. I booked them a table for Brunch at the restaurant when we were off camping, but with everything that happened, I sort of… forgot to mention it." Marco admitted.

"Awwww, well. That explains it good enough. Where's Erin and James?" Clare asked.

"Wouldn't you like to know, right Marco?" Michelle said with a knowing smirk.

"Do ye reckon one of our mammies will bring me a cornflake sandwich? I've been meaning to have one for ages." Orla wondered.

While the others pondered Orla's odd statement. Nothing could compare with the panic-stricken thoughts that ran through Erin's head as she sat despondent in the bathroom with James standing helplessly on the other side of the door. Despite being riddled with adolescent passion only a few minutes ago; they quickly stumbled into the realm of awkward nervousness of the highest magnitude. With trembling, yet curious hands and wondering eyes; admiration, trepidation, and exhilaration had swirled through the young couple all at once. During their tryst, Erin felt herself turning more and more bashful as she stood in front of James for the first time without a t-shirt on, despite still wearing her bra.

The solace Erin normally found when looking into James' soft green eyes seemed to be eluding her now. Her hands and feet felt cold while her face felt hot to the touch. On the threshold of taking the biggest, upmost important step in their blossoming relationship; Indeed, the magnitude of this one moment that they'd both hoped for was now faced with the stark reality of inexperience overshadowing them. While James treaded cautiously, he also felt undoubtedly nervous, but somehow, remained steady, taking comfort in seeing how right he was when he saw how truly beautiful Erin was, despite her eccentric nature. However, Erin's mirrored admiration for the wee English fella began to be consumed with the million different thoughts that were racing through her mind.

What if it hurts?….. What if he thinks I'm not booby enough?... What if I don't do it right?... or what if….. wha-…

"Argh!" James moaned loudly as the collar of his t-shirt was caught on his nose amid Erin hastily trying to pull it over his head to try and plough through her anxiety. But now, her concentration was broken and focused on the calamity of it all.

"I'm sorry…. I'm….. I'm so sorry, James!" Her voice broke.

Erin turned and ran out of her room, quickly barricading herself in the bathroom. The intimate moment was now lost. The slightest of all inconveniences had disrupted their solitude, and now her confidence felt as if an insurmountable obstruction had landed right in front of her, and she couldn't find a way around it. Erin felt her lip quiver as she buried her face into her palms, she wept silently.

"Erin?... Erin!... Erin, please…. please, come out." James pleaded. Knocking on the door while hearing her annoyance through her sobs.

Erin cursed herself for her calamity. She was unsure of what to do. Whether stay in the bathroom until James left, or when her parents came back. The latter would certainly not be wise; Her parents could be back at any minute and there'd be no way she'd be able to convince them that any funny business wasn't occurring, given her present state. Yet, she yearned desperately that she could steel herself to go out and face James. As she calmed herself, everything seemed quiet.

"My bounty is as boundless as the sea… My love as deep, the more I give to thee, the more I have, for both…. Are infinite."

"What was that?... James?" Erin asked.

"Parting is such sweet sorrow that I shall say goodnight till it be morrow….."

"He's reading Shakespeare!" She whispered to herself; a warm smile adorned her face.

"But soft, what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east…. And Juliet is the sun."

James paused. "She loved me for the dangers I had passed…. And I loved her for she did pity them."

"That sounds nice… Keep going….." She said from the other side of the bathroom door. A dreamy gaze emitted from Erin as a strange, soft warmth began to run over her.

"Did my heart love till now? Forswear it sight! For I never saw true beauty…. till that prom night." James said.

Erin smiled at the adjusted dialogue. She felt her heart melting as she quickly unlocked the door to see him. Now breathing heavy from an unexplainable adrenaline that was pulsating through her; Erin saw James standing there, no book, but just him. Still standing topless, she saw he'd been reciting the words by heart. As their eyes locked, Erin reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck, she gazed at him with her green doe eyes. She shudder with excitement as his fingertips touched her.

"Keep talking!" She gasped. "Please… Don't stop! Keep talking….." She whispered with haste.

"… Be careful, Child. Of the doll made of glass…." James began, gasping with excitement.

"For if you hold her too tightly…." Erin said with excitement through bated breath.

"…. She will break, and you will bleed." He said.

Erin felt her heart pulsating hard as he stroked his fingers down her back. "Keep going….." She said intensely.

James swallowed hard. "…. If I profane with my unworthiest hand, this holy shrine, the gentle sin is this: My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand, to smooth that rough touch with a tender…."

Erin clenched onto James as if her life depended on it and planted her lips on his. Passion bursting at the seams. She jumped into his arms with ecstasy.

Clare rolled her eyes with annoyance as Michelle bombarded her with the most awkward questions about her and Laurie as they walked on. Alluding to the fact that she saw them snogging in Laurie's car when they arrived back in Derry. Michelle was keen to know if they'd taken things further. Clare's cheeks grew redder and hotter from sheer embarrassment.

"Come on Clare, can ye tell us… Did ye get all hot and sweaty once ye got back to her place?" Michelle pressed.

"That's a real class monkey ye have there, Orla!" Clare exclaimed, quickening her pace to get away from Michelle.

"Aye it is so…. Why are we walking so fast, Clare?" Orla asked. Clare linked her arm with Orla's.

"She is doing my head in. Save me!" Clare strained with a whisper, pointing back at Michelle.

"Seriously, one day, she just might kill you!" Marco laughed.

"Ye best pray Mary don't come back and find those two doses in the sack, or she'll kill all of us! Ach fucking boke!" She cried suddenly.

"What?" Marco asked.

"I just a got a fucking mental picture!... That dirrrty wee English prick!" Michelle strained, holding her head in agony, making Marco laugh.

"It's not fucking funny! She's my best friend, and that prick of a cousin of mine is….." Michelle scoffed as she closed her eyes again.

"…. is in love with your best friend, and so is she." Marco cut in. Michelle was now silent. "Don't make it awkward for them, will ya?" He pleaded. "You know it's a big step for them, if they've…..."

"…. Yeah, I know… It's just….. I can't help but worry if it doesn't work out….. I mean, I know I go on about James being a prick, which he is….. but he's my prick, and I know I mouth off about Erin being a slabber and how mental she gets….. but she's still my best friend… I just don't want ether getting hurt if…. ye know?" Michelle admitted, motioning to them all with her hands.

"I know…. I'd worry too. But you just need to put some trust in them. You have done so far, haven't you?" Marco asked.

"Aye…. Well, since we're on the subject….. Can I ask ye something.? Michelle then said.

"Yeah?" Marco said, almost knowing what the question was going to be.

"If our mammies are all off in Strabane, having brunch….. and Erin and James are… why aren't you and Orla riding right now?" Michelle asked.

"You've been baking those funny scones again haven't you?" Marco huffed.

"Come on. Seriously, why didn't ye jump at the chance?" She pressed.

"Cos….. Look, Michelle….. Orla just had…. Other things on her mind, that's all." Marco answered.

Hearing the uncertainty in his voice; the feisty Mallon managed to halt herself from saying anything else as they arrived at Dennis' wee shop. The sight of a river of sweet, sugary goodness was a sight to behold as Orla's eyes widened as she happily ploughed a plethora of pic n mix sweets into the bag with a reckless abandonment. A week without pic n mix had been a true test of attrition while the others sauntered around with Dennis' wild eyes watching their every move with the same old suspicion. But then he spied the bag of sweets and became more concerned with the immense mass Orla had accumulated. The bag was fit to burst.

"Jesus, wain! Are ye sure yer putting enough in there?" Dennis asked.

Orla furrowed her eyes, shocked that Dennis would ask such a question as he placed the swollen bag onto the scale.

"This is 25 fecking quid!" Dennis stated. Astounded she had put so much in one bag.

"OK, Here you go, Dennis." Orla shrugged as she handed him the money.

"Where'd ye get that from, Orla?" Clare asked.

"What ye mean 'where did she get it from?' It's obvious… lover boy here gave it to her!" Michelle said, approaching the counter.

"Ach, I might have known." Dennis groaned, snatching the notes up, staring at Marco.

"I didn't give her that money." Marco said to Michelle.

"So where have you lot been?" Dennis asked.

"Camping. We just got back today. Why? Did ye miss us Dennis?" Clare asked, smiling.

"Aye, like tooth decay." Dennis answered nonchalantly. Clare's smile quickly disappeared.

"…..How's yer ma, Dennis?" Michelle shot with a hint of mischief in her voice.

"She's fine….. what? Yous got some other smart hole thing to say about her?" Dennis shot another look towards Marco.

"Not right now, Dennis. Anyway, everyone knows your mum's a dear." Marco said.

"And what's that supposed to mean?" Dennis asked gruffly.

"Is yer mammy a real Deer Dennis?! Like Bambi's mammy?!" Orla asked with astonishment.

"No, not that sort of Deer, Orla….. Dear! D-E-A-R… Like she's loved." Clare answered.

"Nah, that's what he means… So, what are you trying to say, Aye-tye?" Dennis asked, fit to burst with anger.

"Nothing…" Marco insisted. "Dennis. I'm sure many people loved your mum dearly…. I even heard some got it on discount." He said slyly.

"GAAAAAAET OOOOOOOUUUUUUUUT!" Dennis cried once again. Clare shrieked as she sprinted out of the shop, taking Orla by the hand while Michelle cackled at Marco's quip.

As the group of friends made their way back towards the Quinn house. The absence of two members had gone unnoticed by Dennis. Two friends who had become closer and closer to each other over the past two years had indeed just crossed over a threshold that neither of them would have dreamt they would have crossed it together. Yet, in the sanctity of their own minds, remembering how their hidden feelings for each other were reciprocated that morning in Donegal; Erin and James felt a tremendous feeling of unmatched euphoria as they lay together in Erin's bed, with the knowledge that they had just done something special.

As the petite blonde rested her face, her cheek gently pressed against the wee English fella's; Erin reminisced in wonder as she recalled the awkward introduction to him that September morning at the bus stop, his rescuing her from being stood up at prom, her first kiss ever! From going from being friends, to best friends, to a couple with him in what was a short time yet felt like an eternity. Erin smiled as she felt as if her heart would burst at any second. This one act, this moment, now severed her and James from the innocence of adolescence, but somehow, she still felt a hint of hesitance in accepting her arrival into young adulthood.

Erin and James held each other in a warm embrace as they kissed tenderly under the sheets. Now both wearing their respective t shirts. James closed his eyes, breathing heavily in ecstasy, he planted kisses on Erin's forehead. Then he looked down and regarded her the same way he had done that night at the prom. The smile she had given him when he chose to stay in Derry. The way she made him feel wanted every time she spoke to him. Admiring her beauty. Each of them took and heard long deep breaths as they lay within the tranquillity of her room with complete contentment. Seeing that Erin also had her eyes closed. She stroked his toned shoulders while his hand was under the hem of her t-shirt, his fingertips stroking the soft skin of her hip.

"Are you alright?" James whispered. Finally breaking the silence as he stroked Erin's hair behind her ear.

"Aye…." Erin whispered, sporting a tremendous smile. "That was CRACKER!... I'm never gonna listen to Shakespeare the same way again!" She burst into a fit of laughter. James sniggered.

"You really are perfect." He said, his voice was soft. Erin looked at him, smiling back at him.

"Ye keep saying that." She chuckled.

"And I'll keep saying it till you believe it." James said. Erin sighed contently as they lay together.

"I don't wanna get up." Erin moaned playfully. "I wanna stay like this. I want us to fall asleep."

"Me too. But you know we have to." James admitted.

"Spoil sport." Erin grinned. She moved in to plant a kiss on him, but her smile quickly disappeared as they stared in the direction of the sound of the front door opening.

"OH SHIIIIIIIT!" James whispered in alarm. He bounded out of the bed to fling his jeans back on.

"I thought ya said ye locked the front door!" Erin strained in despair, her eyes bulging wildly. Trying to get her own jeans back on, they then heard a stampede of running footsteps coming closer. James jumped and slammed himself into the door before it opened.

"OI! Ye two! Are ye in there?!" Michelle shouted.

"Oh feck! Michellle!" Erin strained under your breath.

"Open this fucking door!" Michelle shouted.

"Michelle! This has nothing to do with you!" James shouted back.

"Stop being a dick, James!" Michelle shouted. Still trying to force the door open.

"Michelle! Please, for the love of God! Can ye just leave us in peace?" Erin begged.

"You'll be resting in peace if ye don't shift ya holes, Erin! Yer mammy just pulled up outside." Michelle shot.

"Shiiiiiiit!" Erin scrambled to make her bed as James shot to his feet. Opening the door, he ran past Michelle.

"Oi, do yer fucking fly up, ye pervert!" Michelle shouted as James disappeared down the stairs. Michelle darted into the bedroom to help Erin make the bed. "Ye better make sure ye change this sheet!" Michelle informed her.

"How far off was she?" Erin asked in a panic.

"Don't worry. Orla's stalling them." Michelle said.

"How?!"

"Stop asking questions, You're grand!" Michelle said. "Everyone's covering for ye, just get downstairs!" Michelle shoved Erin out the bedroom, following sharply.

Erin practically flew down the stairs, grabbing her rucksack from the hallway floor, she flung it into the kitchen as a means of looking as though she was getting a start on unloading the dirty clothes into the washing basket. She then turned to find James looking disgruntled.

"What are ye standing round for, James? My mammy's about to walk through the door." Erin cried.

"No, she isn't!... I've just looked….. They're not even outside." James shot.

His words caused Erin to stop where she stood. Then came the familiar cackle as they looked to see Michelle, who was now doubled over, standing in the kitchen doorway, laughing heartily. Erin narrowed her eyes, her lips pouted like a goldfish as she rose a finger of suspicious knowledge towards James' uncouth cousin. Erin felt herself boiling with annoyance, thinking that her moment of solitude with James had been rudely interrupted.

"How did you even get in?" James asked, he was understandably annoyed.

"Just took the key from Orla's place. That's where everyone is. Ach come on Erin! I was just having a wee craic… Oi, Ye two needed to shift anyways, cos yer parents could be back any minute any second…..Erin?..." Michelle spied the comical, demonic glare emitting from Erin.

"Now….. stall the ball, Erin. Don't be raging….." Michelle attempted to diffuse the situation as she began to back slowly towards he front door. Erin began to slowly follow her while James' face had a look of frightened concern.

"Erin? Don't be a fucking dose all yer life! James?… James, tell her to calm the fuck down!... James?!" Michelle now mirrored his look of panic.

"I think we've reached the point of no return, Michelle!" James said alarmingly, his face was now straining.

Just then the front door opened. Erin came out of her trance when she saw her mammy walk in, full of life and laughter.

"Hiya loves. We're home!"

"Oh, Hiya Mary! How was brunch?" Michelle asked, thankful that she'd been saved.

"It was absolutely lovely. Thanks for asking Michelle." Mary said. "Ye alright, James love?"

"Yeah….. yeah, great thanks, Mrs Quinn." James said with haste.

"James, how many times. It's Mary. Ye alright Erin? Have a good time did ya?" Mary asked as she moved past them and into the kitchen.

"Aye, I had a GRAND time, mammy!" Erin exclaimed, looking at Michelle. "I wish I could COME and GO again!" She emphasized.

"Bloody extortionate! That's what it was!" Joe blasted as he walked into the house.

"Are ye complaining about the price again, are ye Joe?

"Ye saw the price they were asking….. One glass of that fancy fizzy orange juice, extortionate I tell ye!"

"It was Bucks fizz, Joe!"

"£7 for one tiny glass, they were asking! Straight up refused it, so I did!" Joe informed James.

"It was complimentary, Da!" Mary shot at him.

"That's how they get ya! They ply ye with the drinks to get ye drunk enough to start pushing more and more on yous. That's how those thieving bastards make their money! I made sure they didn't anything past us though." He said, now looking at Erin.

"The entire meal was complimentary, Joe! Besides, Sarah certainly made sure the complimentary drinks didn't go to waste…. Come to think of it, neither did yer Ma!" Gerry told Michelle while he loosened his tie.

"Oooh, James? Could ye be a love and help Marco get Sarah in alright." Mary asked.

"Yeah, OK." James made a hasty exit past Erin who was still glaring at Michelle.

"What's wrong, love? Can ye not give me a hug or something, Erin?" Gerry asked.

"Ach, Daddy!... Aye OK." Erin gave one last glare at Michelle before giving her dad a hug.

"Mmmm, Missed ye love!" Gerry said warmly.

"Christ! Ye really did catch the sun, so ye did, Erin!" Mary regarded the rouge glow emitting from her cheeks.

"Ach, all that fresh air, I suppose?" She replied.

"Looks like ye made a grand start on washing the dirty clothes, I see." Mary said, spying the pile of clothes dumped on the kitchen floor.

"Aye, leave it to me, mammy." Erin rushed over before her mammy could begin to lecture her.

"Maaaaary! Y not gon beleeeeve thish!" Sarah sloshed her words as she was lead into the house.

"For the love of God!" Mary huffed quietly. "What is it, Sarah?"

"My tarot card saisss I woold meet tooooo… not wun, but twoooooo dark handsome strangers! Aaaaaand loooooook! aaaaat was trooooooo!" She hooted happily as she was brought in carefully by James and Marco, Orla and Clare quickly followed.

"Yay! Mammy's a great craic when she drunk! She lets me stay up late!" Orla exclaimed.

"Oooooh…. Has anyone eeeevr told you….. yoouuuu are soooo handsome!" Sarah stroked James' face. "At's such ashame he gaaaaaay! Otheriwse I'd riiiii-"

"For the love of God and the sake of the lad's sanity, Sarah! Don't finish THAT sentence!"

"James is NOOOOOT GAAAAAAAAAY!" Erin shouted.

"Well, ye certainly know that now." Michelle mumbled, earning her a sharp, swift elbow to the arm.

"I'm sorry?" Mary asked.

"We better be going, Mary….. Come on, James! Drive us home." Michelle groaned.

"Yeah….. alright. We'll see you all later." James said his goodbyes as he picked up his rucksack. Erin quickly followed him outside.

"James?!" Erin cupped his face and planted a firm kiss on his lips. James held her firmly and kissed her back.

"That was…. Special." He whispered.

"Aye, it was! Call me later?"

"Yeah, definitely." James assured her. "I love you."

"I love ye too." Erin smiled.

She watched him walk down to the car. She was thankful she didn't hear what Michelle was now saying to him as the car moved away, suffice to say, she would undoubtedly be wringing Michelle's neck. But the contents of that conversation would certainly be brought up at another time.