The score was now 2-1. Henry and Mona now felt the tension build. While James and Dominic started the fourth game. He motioned Mona to follow him over towards the gang, unable to help themselves.

"Oi. 1 game don't mean a thing, ya pricks! Why don't you just do that loser a favour, and just hand the money over now!" Henry gloated. The girls spotted Marco glaring at Henry. He got up and approached the arrogant Malarkey.

"Oi! Sai? mi sto davvero stancando di tutto questo." Marco said with gruff voice, staring right in Henry's face. "What did you just say?!" Henry asked.

"I said. I'm getting really sick of this!" Marco sneered.

"Oy aye? What ye gonna do about it?" Mona taunted.

Sister Michael, James and Dominic stopped what they were doing and watched on. Orla suddenly felt a twinge in her stomach, electricity pulsed up her spine as she looked on.

"Erin… ya know that really funny fuzzy wuzzy feeling you wrote about in your diary when you and James were….. 'doing it'?" She asked quietly. Erin was now startled.

"Orla! I have told you not to read my-" Erin lashed out, but then she stopped. "…..Why you asking?" She asked, knowing exactly what she was referring to.

Orla just smiled; her eyes locked on Marco. "Ach nothing, just that I'm feeling that same funny fuzzy wuzzy feeling right now, and you're right….. it always feels absolutely cracker." Erin turned and saw Orla was grinning.

"You really wanna know what I'm gonna do about it?" Marco asked, his voice was stern.

"Nothing! That's what ya gonna do! Oi! She made the bed, now he has to lie in it!" Mona pointed at both Michelle and James. "Pretty much what Maguire's mammy did back in the day from what we heard!" Mona cackled. Erin launched herself out of her chair.

"Ok….. I'm gonna say this to you just one time, Mona. Say one more thing about my fella, or his mam, and I swear to God I will launch and hook you on that fecking board, do ya hear me?!" Erin sneered with a maniacal tone. The pint-sized girl shrivelled at Erin's words.

"Aye, and ye sound a lot like Zippy from Rainbow when ye laugh like that, Mona." Orla observed.

"Stay out of this Quinn! I wanna hear what this prick has to say!" Henry snapped, staring at Marco.

"Alright then…. big man." Marco said sarcastically. "How about we make things a little more interesting?"

"Wh- What do you mean?" Henry asked, himself bewildered.

"No, Henry, wait." Dominic tried to intervene.

"Shut up Dom!" Henry snapped. Shutting him down.

Marco glanced up at the TV. "See that Rangers-Celtic game up there? Pick a winner. If it comes through….. I'll put the same amount up…. 200 quid on top of the 200 riding on this game." Marco declared. Everyone's eyes widened with shock.

"What the fuck is he doing?" Michelle gasped. Bewildered at what he said.

"Sweet suffering Jesus! He's fecking flipped!" Clare panicked. Orla shushed them.

"Are you crazy?!" Henry asked.

"What's the matter? Scared?" Marco stared without blinking.

"£400?….." Henry's head was now swimming. The adrenaline was pulsing through him like a high revved engine at the thought of winning so much money, and the apparent 'bonus' waiting for him for him. He turned to look at Mona who seemed just as captivated, while Dominic appeared worried, but Henry smiled.

"OK. You're on pal! I pick Rangers to win." Henry said.

"Guess that leaves me Celtic, right? Fine. Shake on it." Marco held out his hand. Henry sneered as he gripped Marco's hand, feeling the firm grip from Marco's handshake.

"By the way, you have to win both games or all bets are void. Agreed?" Marco then threw in.

"Whatever you want. Aye tye." Henry cackled as he walked away with Mona also cackling with him. "I'm gonna make you wish you never made friends with that English prick! You're gonna wish his mammy did have that abortion!" Henry laughed as he walked away.

"The only one I feel sorry for is you, mate! Cos I'm pretty sure when go home tonight. Snow White's gonna kick your arse!" Marco shot back. Henry was clearly ruffled at Marco's quip as he was stopped by Dominic.

"What the fuck have you just done, Henry?" Dominic whispered.

"I've gone and made this a sure thing!" Henry snarled under his breath.

"What?" Dominic asked, clearly confused.

"Just fucking win this game now! That prick's gone and put his foot in it. That game up on the telly was played last week. Rangers won 1-0." Henry revealed with excitement

"Jesus Christ! You're right! Ach you are a genius, Henry!... Right, Ye better fecking win, Dom!" Mona hissed quietly, making sure no one heard them.

Meanwhile, Michelle spoke up over what had just transpired.

"Alright, seriously! What the fuck just happened, Dogtanian?!" Michelle asked, her voice full of shock and confusion.

"Michelle! Ya promised ye wouldn't say anything!" Orla moaned; her face went red as the others looked at her oddly.

"Uhhhh…. OK. What the actual cock are you doing?!" James asked Marco, completely perplexed.

"Just taking a bit of friendly advice." Marco answered calmly.

"….. What advice?" James exasperated. "Are you aware you just put yourself in a position where you could lose 400 bloody quid!" He cried.

"No. we, ain't gonna lose anything. Cos I got faith in you, bruv. You can beat this prick! Just go and do what you do best." Marco answered.

"I don't think shitting himself is gonna help much." Michelle quipped.

"Shut up Michelle!" Clare snapped.

James pulled a confused face. "What do you mean?"

"You adapt, James! Look how quick you've picked this up. Or in this case, Orla picked it up." Marco stated.

"Awwww, thanks, Bear." Orla snuggled his shoulder.

"Do I?" James asked.

Placing his hand on the back of James' neck. Marco rested his forehead on James'. "YES! Just have a bit of faith in yourself mate. Oi, no one gave the Jamaican bobsled team a chance and they did alright, didn't they?" Erin felt her mouth tug into an affectionate smile seeing Marco encourage James.

"But didn't those fellas crash at the end of that film?" Orla asked.

"Jesus Christ, Orla!" Erin groaned as she rolled her eyes.

"Yes….. they did. But they also proved everyone was wrong about them. Didn't they?" Marco answered.

James's expression softened. "Mate. You're a diamond. You really are. But what if…."

Erin turned James to face her. "You listen here, James Maguire. All that shite they've been saying about you, your Mam, Michelle….. You throw it back right in their face, aye? You can do this, James. Marco thinks ye can do it, so do I, and the girls…." She then pulled him close. "Plus, no matter what, you're gonna get an extra wee bonus if ya win." She whispered suggestively.

James gawked foolishly. "Erin…. I don't think this is the right place to talk about that!"

"Ach fucking boke!" Michelle groaned as she walked away.

"Just go and win, ya great dose!" Erin rolled her eyes and shook her head as James shuffled sheepishly away from the bewildered group.

James took aim, remembering Orla's advice. The ring landed. He took aim again. It landed again, and again, the wee English fella huffed out with astonishment. He'd managed to land all five rings. The girls exploded with excitement. Dominic suddenly felt his chest feeling heavier. The game carried on. But now the tables had turned. With the newly acquired technique, James was able to finish the game with very few turns. Erin exploded loudly as he tied games at 2-2.

"What the fuck are you doing, Dom?!" Henry berated his astonished brother. "Set 'em up again! We go right now!" Henry was now feeling the anxiety that they may not win.

"Why? Is it past your bedtime, wain?" Michelle teased.

"I feel like I haven't slept for a week, watching this." Sister Michael sighed, now regretting to step in to referee.

"Oi, How about this, Gobshite?…. Next game wins the lot!" Michelle suggested, squaring up to Henry. Clare gawked at Michelle's suggestion, but when noticed that Dominic was gazing at Michelle.

"Alright, Fine! Dom! Get over here!" Mona yanked Dominic back over to their table. James felt the tension return as the fifth and now final game was upon them.

"Yer doing grand, James. Just do that one more time!" Erin said proudly, squeezing him tight.

"Mate! You've got this!" Marco agreed.

"Focus, James. Focus. Like that wee fella says in The Karate kid." Orla said emphatically. "Although, I must say I don't enjoy the way Henry and Mona treat that Dominic fella. He doesn't seem too bad." Orla admitted.

"Wise up. He's as wet as James is here!" Michelle shot

"He fancies ya Michelle! I'm sure Dominic fancies you!" Clare suddenly shot, keeping her voice down. They all looked puzzled.

"What? Catch yourself on, Clare!" Erin huffed.

Michelle scoffed "Why is that such a hard thing for you to grasp, Erin? Do I have to remind ya again, I'm an absolute fucking ride! Even Dogtanian over here would agree." Pointing at Marco's hat. Making Orla's face go red with embarrassment again.

"Well, it's true! I've caught Dominic looking over at Michelle loads of times tonight." Clare said

"Filthy fucking pervert!" Michelle huffed.

"How does that help our situation?" James asked.

"Oh, I think we this can help our situation very well." Erin said deviously. Her eyes narrowed as an idea suddenly came into her head.

"OK. Is anyone a bit worried right now?" Marco said, spying Erin's devilish grin.

"Maybe we should take a page outta that girl in Uncle Colm's book? Or should I Sharon Stone's?" A mischievous grin spread across Erin's face as she turned to Michelle. Who crooked her smile at what Erin meant. Clare's face told a different story as she realized exactly what Erin was getting at.

"Erin, are you suggesting that I do a Basic instinct on that Dominic prick?" Michelle grinned.

"NO!" Clare and James shrieked together. But Michelle was already setting her eyes on her prey.

"Michelle! You can't possibly consider doing THAT! HERE! IN THIS SOCIAL CLUB?! PEOPLE WILL SEE YA DOING IT! WHAT WOULD YA MAMMY THINK?! WHAT WOULD SISTER MICHAEL THINK?!" Clare exclaimed.

"Ach, Jesus Christ, Clare! I'm not gonna take my knickers off and flash my bits or anything! I'm not a savage! Just gonna give 'im a wee….. preview." Michelle grinned teasingly, raising her skirt up slightly.

"It's bound to work, Clare. Michelle does have cracker legs." Orla agreed.

"Thank you, Orla." Michelle said.

"Are you serious about this?!" Clare gasped.

Just then, Henry cheered loudly towards the telly. Rangers had just scored to go 1-0 up against Celtic with 5 minutes before full time. Throwing his t -shirt over his head in celebration, Henry ran around the room looking like a hysterical headless chicken. Screaming at the top of his lungs. The wains stared in disbelief at the telly while Sister Michael looked on with a baffled expression. Now the pressure was back on them. James had to win now.

"Fucking get in there!" Henry cried happily. Mona jumped and cheered with glee, they gloated arrogantly at the wains.

"What do you think they're so happy about?" Orla asked.

"Rangers just scored a goal, Orla! That's what's wrong! Right, Michelle, forget what I said, do it!" Clare ordered. Michelle moved off to execute her devious plan.

"Sweet suffering Jesus! I hope this works. Otherwise, this is gonna be an absolute travesty!" Erin declared with despair.

"Ah well. Win some, lose some." Marco shrugged casually.

"Win some, lose some? Well, you seem to be taking this pretty well, aren't ya now?" Clare shot at Marco's reaction.

"Yeah…. I am. Aren't I?" Marco smiled as he flashed his eyebrows.

Orla's face then lit up. "Ohhhhh I know that look!" She grinned as she felt her chest flutter again.

"Marco…. What are you…." Clare went to ask.

"Just….. watch." Marco said. Meanwhile, Henry was gloating in his success.

"SEE! I told ya! Rangers win this game! 1-0 There's five minutes left! Just fucking win, ya great eejit and we get 400 quid!" Henry spoke quietly. Shaking with adrenaline.

"Aye. Don't fuck this up now, Dom!" Mona exclaimed, a mixture of excitement and rattled nerves, while Dominic was now just a bundle of nerves. His breath hitching as he spoke.

"Guys, I don't think…."

"Don't think nothing, Dom! It's ours for the taking! Just win for fuck's sake!" Mona sneered.

"Look. Are you going to play this last game or not?" Sister Michael bellowed. Just then, Father Peter came up to speak to her.

Both players took their spot for the last game. James gulped as he opted to go first. He could only imagine his situation being the same as the England team going against Germany in the penalty shootout in Euro'96. His first attempt was mixed. 3 misses and 2 hooks. Dominic then narrowly hooked 3 rings. The score was 102-119. Both lads went back at forth, each hit and miss held the balance between victory and defeat. But somehow Dominic and James had managed to have the remaining tally of 44.

Dominic swallowed hard. Looking for some kind of solace, but only to find Henry and Mona shooting him scolding looks. Michelle then took her position, sitting on a high stool at the nearby bar, just in Dominic's eyesight. Michelle turned to gaze as Dominic went to take his next turn. The feisty Mallon threw her head back like she was in shampoo advert. She locked eyes with him as she slowly crossed her legs over, showing her legs off.

The local lads also took notice of the unfolding situation and began to shoot ogling eyes at Michelle, who didn't shy away from the attention she was garnering. Clare covered her face in embarrassment, while the others grinned as Erin's plan unfolded. Dominic now felt even more tense. His gaze was fixated so much on Michelle, he released a ring which went so far off target, it knocked someone's drink over.

Henry screamed at him for losing his focus. But Dominic was too distracted. Michelle meticulously slid her fingers up her legs to the helm of her dress, teasing the helpless Malarkey who ended up missing every single ring. Shifting the advantage in James' favour. The girls and Marco gawked in amazement while Henry and Mona screamed out in agonising protest.

"You cheating slabber! You're distracting Dom!" Mona shouted out as she walked up to Michelle.

"What ye on about ya great dose? I'm just sitting here!" Michelle insisted cheekily, shimmying her chest. Dominic's chest fluttered as he looked shyly away.

"Catch yourself on! Ye know full well what you're doing, Mallon!" Mona argued. Dominic went red with complete embarrassment.

"What is going on now?" Sister Michael demanded. Turning her attention back to the game.

"Sister! They're cheating! She's distracting Dominic!" Mona moved to complain to the referee.

"And how was she doing that all the way over there?" Sister Michael asked.

"She was sitting over there! And… she was enticing him!" Mona tried to mimic what Michelle was doing.

"Sister, when have you ever seen me doing anything like that?!" Michelle shrugged.

"I wouldn't put it past you, Miss Mallon. But I didn't see anything this time round. Plus….. I don't care. Just finish this game for the love of Christ!" Sister Michael groaned.

Mona continued to moan under protest. Meanwhile, James felt like his was going to throw up. He could practically hear his heartbeat pounding inside his ears. The RINGS board looked like it was a million miles away. Michelle's antics had drawn the local lads in to see what was going to happen. James took one last look back at his friends before stepping up.

"Only 44 to score… this is for you, Mum." He thought.

Holding his breath, James threw the first ring, it landed on the 10. But the surrounding cheers sounded like a distant echo.

James steadied himself. He threw again. Hooking the 12.

Michelle gawked as she watched. Clare had grabbed her arm, while Orla held Erin and Marco's arm. They tensed as James aimed again…. He hooked the 13! Only nine points to go.

James smiled as he huffed out. His heart felt as it was about to burst out of his chest. James breathed deeply as he set his sight on the last hook. The number 9. The ring was light in his , just as he went to throw…..

"YA MAM'S A SLAG, MAGUIRE!" Mona screamed into James' ear, making him jump as he released the ring. It missed the board. Even the locals protested at the blatant attempt of distraction.

"Fuck off! Yer filthy mouth!" Erin was livid.

She exploded out of her chair, only to be held back just barely by Orla. Marco and the girls steadied her. James growled with agony. Clenching his eyes shut, he felt his chest tighten again as he looked back at his friends, and then at the board. Both sides had begun shouting at each other behind him. Henry and Mona shouted to attempt to distract him again, but Sister Michael and Dominic could only watch as James held his breath and threw his last ring.

Everything seemed to go in slow motion. James watched as the ring began to dip. Everyone turned and huddled only a foot behind James. They gasped as the ring crashed down and bounced off the hook tip. James felt his stomach churn as the thought of missing began to dawn on him. The hook began to tilt towards the board.

Everything then went silent. James was suddenly embraced by someone from behind. A screaming voice began to sound louder.

"YEAAAAAAAAHHHH!"

James's ears finally registered Erin's scream of jubilation as the group rushed him like an avalanche. The group was a huddle of mixed screams and cries as James regarded the ring that was sitting flush on the number 9 hook. There was no excuse for the Malarkey's. James had won the game. The local lads that had been watching were even cheering for him with approval.

"NOOOOOOOOO!" Henry and Mona cried out with despair as they stared at the board in disbelief. Dominic sat in his chair dejectedly.

James smiled and laughed joyfully as the group rallied around him. He felt as if he'd taken all five penalties for England and had scored all of them. The girls roared happily at himand each other. James finally found Marco's eyes, they screamed wildly at each other. Sister Michael couldn't help but identify with their feeling as the corner of her mouth crooked. Henry then spun James round to face him.

"Oi! Don't lose the run of yourself, Maguire! You ain't won nothing!"

"WHAT?!" Michelle shouted.

"Remember what your wee friend here said! You have to win both THIS game, and THAT game!" Mona moaned.

"Aye! And here's a shocker for ya, ye English prick! I've already seen that game! Rangers win it 1-0! Yer eejit friend here made ya do all that for nothing!" Henry sniped.

"What the actual fuck?!" Michelle gawked.

"You cheated us?" Erin hissed.

"Ye fecking right I did!" Henry laughed. Mona cackled alongside him

"Henry?... HENRY? …..HENRY!" Dominic yelled. His face had turned white. He motioned his brother to look up at the telly.

"WH…. WHAT THE FECK?! NO! NO! NOOOOOOOOOOO! WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT?!" Henry cried in despair.

"What the feck have you gone and done, Henry?! Ya great fecking eejit!" Dominic growled, his eyes also on the telly.

The gang looked up, the sound was on silent, but the scoreboard read RANGERS-1 CELTIC-2.

"Oh my god! Marco, The score's 2-1! WE'VE WON!" Orla cried at him.

"Did we? Huh…. How'd you like that." Marco said casually while the girls roared happily. James stood shellshocked.

"Ya weren't expecting that, were ya now, ya cheatin' wee shites?!" A voice came. Henry and Mona now shivered with abject fear as they turned round to the face the person who was talking to them.

"Ha….. heh….. Hiya Macca! How's it been?" Henry's voice was high pitched, shot with nerves.

"Aye, yer looking well, Macca!" Mona's voice also trembled.

"Looking much better than you three. Especially after that wee prank ya pulled on me last week! Putting a tape-recorded football match in the pub video player and passing it off as a live game, aye?" Macca bellowed.

The panic was painted across Henry and Mona's face.

"Is that right now?" Sister Michael asked.

"Very much so, Sister." Macca growled. "So sure I am, that I'm here to take THIS back!" He snatched the bingo money from Henry's pocket. Henry couldn't understand what had happened. Everything had come crashing down in a matter of minutes.

"As you wish. Well, perhaps we should escort these three home to their Aunt so they can explain themselves, before they incur anyone's wrath, shall we, Father Peter?" The Nun suggested.

"I think that would be wise, Sister. Thank you, Mr. Macca."

"Ah no, Sister! Ye can't do that! Our Aunt Maureen's bound to kill us!" Mona panicked and pleaded as Sister Michael and Father Peter escorted the trio out of the social club. Leaving the wains regarding the infamous, tall, menacing, dark haired Macca that Michelle has spoken of once before. The distinct crooked nose, the assortment of different tattoos that spread across his arms, that slid under his tight t-shift sleeves and back out again through his neck collar. Still sporting a scar under his eye.

"So, you're Macca?" James asked. Macca didn't answer.

"Oh aye! No doubt! This is Macca!" Michelle nodded.

"Good evening, Mr. Macca sir!" Clare blurted out.

"Nice to be…. Meeting ya, Macca." Erin said nervously.

"Aye. You're looking well, Macca" Orla called casually.

"Alright there, Orla? How's it been Marco?" Macca smiled back.

"Yeah, you alright Macca?" Marco chuckled.

"Aye, I'm well. Thanks for the wee phone call. Oh, my mam said you're down next week to get ya tattoo, aye?" Macca said. Marco smiled and nodded. "Fine, I'll see ya then. 'll just go and get my videotape back from the bar." Macca smirked as took his leave just as the last order bell was rung. Leaving the wains.

"How do you know Macca?" James asked Marco.

"You both know Macca?" Erin added.

"I thought everyone knew Macca." Marco answered.

"Well, we only know him by reputation of drug distribution!" Clare whispered in panic, side glancing Michelle.

"Ahhh, Macca's alright." Marco responded.

"What?!" Clare gawked.

"Aye, Macca is sound." Michelle agreed.

"Aye. He is such a sound fella, Clare!" Orla proclaimed happily. "He does boxing training with Marco down the leisure centre."

"Oh aye? And I suppose you two get on well because of that whole mafia-drugs lifestyle connection, aye?" Clare asked.

"That is actually a very offensive thing to say, Clare!" Marco shot.

"I'll tell ya what's offensive! Those pricks didn't pay out on that bet! We fucking won fair and square! Also, what did Macca mean by going to get his videotape?" Michelle asked.

"Well, to be fair. We didn't really win that bet honestly, Michelle. See, That was the phone call I made. I told Macca the Malarkeys were down here. He told me what they did to him….. He was PISSED when he found out! So, he asked me to…. Help him out a little bit." Marco smirked.

"So…. Let me get get this straight. That whole side bet thingamagig with the football match…..Macca…. Told you to put that bet on?" Erin asked.

"Yep." Marco answered. "He knew that Henry lad couldn't resist. He obviously snuck in and put one of his own videotapes in while we were playing RINGS." Marco laughed.

"You mean, So….. no matter what way the RINGS game finished, we were never going to lose any money, were we?" Clare asked, the truth now dawning on her. Marco shook his head.

"Whoa….. Mind blown! You are an absolute legend, Dogtanian!" Orla eagerly pulled Marco in for a kiss.

"But we didn't win anything either! So what was the point of going through all that?" Michelle threw her arms up.

"Christ, Michelle! The whole RINGS game happened because you got wound up by the Malarkey's, remember?!" Erin growled.

"I had my reasons! Christ, I was showing my legs off to that fruit Dominic. And all for….." Michelle moaned.

"Michelle, this is for you. You earnt it." Marco handed her five 20-pound notes.

"Wha- hundred quid?! Whoa, Happy fucking days!" Michelle exclaimed happily.

"Where's James?" Erin then asked, looking around.

"He's over there chatting to those lads." Orla exclaimed happily.

Sighting her wee English fella chuckling with the local lads made Erin's heart swell. His victory had earnt him some level of respect from them, which she knew meant more to him than money. With admirable eyes, Erin was overcome and launched herself towards James. Taking him by surprise, Erin threw her arms around James and planted a kiss right on his lips in front of everyone. Causing the local lads to cheer loudly.

"Erin Josephine Quinn! Control yourself!" Mary appeared behind them.

"What's been going on here now?" Deidre asked. Erin and James were now blushing.

"Ach, we've just playing a wee friendly game of RINGS, Mam. And James won." Erin exclaimed proudly.

"Well, that's all very well. But there's no need to lose the run of yourself, Erin! Even if he is ya boyfriend." Mary said. "Come on now. We're making our way home."

"Ach, ssssss'alright Mary. No real harm done. Are ya gonna be much longer Jimbo?" Cathy asked, her voice sounding slightly slurred. Erin bit her lips together.

"Are you…. drunk, Mum?" James asked, gawping at her.

"Noooooo! Catch yourself…. Aye I might be a wee bit." Cathy then proceed to giggle incessantly.

"Oh my god." James groaned. He couldn't help but hear Erin sniggering.

"Awww, my wee little boy." Cathy reached out and stroked James' face.

"Oh my god. Muuuum." James moaned.

"Alright. Alright. Let's get you home Cathy. Wel done James." Tony quickly interjected, sparing James any further embarrassment. Tony chuckled as he guided a sloshed Cathy to the door, along with the parents as everyone began to make their way home while the wains opted to walk back.

"Bye Jamie Jimbo!" Cathy called from the car; James went red in the face as he waved awkwardly. The others struggled to hold their laughter in.

"Oi, Tony! Don't try and sneak a snog when ye get me Aunt Cathy home!" Michelle called out. Causing Marco and James to shout out in protest.

Now that the parents were out of sight. The group sauntered along and found themselves by the walls.

"That was a cracker night." Orla exclaimed happily.

"Aye. It weren't bad at all. I mean all things considered, aye?" Erin agreed, glancing at James.

"Oh, I just thought. Marco didn't get a chance to say anything back at the party about his birthday." Orla regarded.

"Aye, come on Dogtanian! Say something!" Michelle quipped.

"Alright, why is everyone calling me that?" Marco asked.

"Ask Orla. That's who her celebrity crush is. Oops!" Erin quipped.

Orla blushed slightly, but then shrugged her shoulders. "Aye, Alright. I admit it! But Marco looks so much better in that hat than Dogtanian ever could." She stated, Marco grinned at Orla's declaration.

"So is that my new nickname, Juliet?" Marco asked, smiling.

"And if it is, ye got a problem with that?" Orla asked, challenging him.

"No. I like Dogtanian. And I love the hat. It's just what I wanted." Marco said. Orla smiled a warm smile and gave him a tight hug.

"Happy birthday, Dogtanian." Orla said, smiling, making everyone laugh.

"How about you, Dicko?" You get what ya wanted?" Michelle asked.

"Oh yeah, Palpitations, just what I wanted for my 18th. Thanks for that, Dogtanian." James quipped. He then felt Marco plant his hand in James' hand. "What's this for?" James asked, citing the money in his hand.

"It's for you, mate. You earnt it. Take it before I change my mind. And well done. You were bloody brilliant!" Marco said, smiling.

"OH!" Orla suddenly said. "I just remembered something else. We never found out what happened to Laurie."

"Oh aye, Clare. What's happened to Laurie?" Erin asked.

"It's really strange. She said she got a phone call earlier today from someone saying that the whole party got cancelled. That's why she didn't turn up! She was proper steaming, so she was when I told her we were out. She spent money on her train ticket and was proper looking forward to coming." Clare revealed, still as puzzled.

"Sorry, say that again?" James asked.

"Well, we didn't tell her that." Marco said.

"Who the feck would do that?" Erin asked. The group now looked amongst themselves with uncertainty at Clare's explanation.