Following the Sunday morning mass; it was time for Cathy Maguire and Tony Galluci to ready themselves for the journey home. Standing outside the Quinn house. The families joked that Irish and Italian families shared a common bond where it took as much time to say goodbye as it was to say hello at social gatherings.
"See ya soon, Cathy. Don't be a stranger, aye?" Mary said kindly.
"Thanks for a grand time, Mary. Ye really are a brick." Cathy smiled. The two mammies regarded each other warmly, much to Erin and James' delight.
"Ach, come now Cathy. Don't be messing your eyebrows up. Sure, they might not let ya back into the country if ya turn up with your eyebrows looking inadequate." Sarah advised.
Cathy paused before answering. "….. Thanks, Sarah. I'll be sure to touch myself up before I go through." She smiled emotionally.
"Ahhhh, thanks for putting us up, Jim. You're a gem, mate." Tony said. "Gerry, you're an absolute diamond."
"Ach, you're welcome back anytime. Here, let me get yer bag for ya." Gerry patted Tony before picking up his carry bag. Tony took a moment to pull Joe aside while everyone was still saying their goodbyes.
"Joe, I just wanna say thanks again for…. Well, everything you've done for Marco. Not just for being his trustee…. But for being a rock for him when he needed one. And if there's ever anything I can do to repay you…." Tony admitted.
Joe smiled warmly, knowing Tony was talking about his parents. "Ach, no trouble Tony. He's doing you proud, and them. Also, I think he's already sorted that with what he's done with his money…. And don't you worry. No one will know till the time's right. Ye have my word." Joe said.
"Well…. just take this, just for you, and Jim, or Mary, or Sarah. Put it towards a night out or your next bingo night." Tony discreetly slid Joe a small bankroll. Much to his delight.
"But not Gerry, aye?" Joe laughed.
"Well, don't you let that Malarkey woman get her hands on it either." Tony joked.
The two men laughed together as they gripped hands firmly just as the taxi came into view. Tony came down the pathway and wrapped his arms around James and Marco for one last hug. His smile hid his eyes that began to well up. The girls then made their way over to give Tony a fond farewell.
"Bye Mr Galluci, it was grand meeting ya." Clare said.
"Yeah, you're a sound fella Mr G." Michelle lightly tapped his arm. Smirking warmly.
"Aye, hope ye come back soon." Erin smiled.
"I'm really gonna miss yer hugs, Mr Galluci." Orla said sadly, sneaking in one more.
"Aw…. I'm gonna miss all you girls too." Tony let out an affectionate chuckle as he got a large group hug from the girls.
"Bye for now, James love." Cathy said warmly as she came out of their embrace to give James one more peck before climbing into the taxi.
"Bye Mum." James smiled.
"See ya later, son. Love ya. Behave yourself, yeah?" Tony quipped to Marco as they bear hugged each other before he waved everyone off. The group waved as the taxi made its way down the road and towards the airport, taking the two parents back home.
With the shenanigans of the social club still fresh in all their minds, a night full of unique and memorable situations concluded by a rare triumphant outcome. It was an extremely surreal situation that startled Michelle from a deep slumber a few days later. The dream she had was vivid, exhilarating, risqué…. Nothing unusual to her, but she caught her breath as she awoke at the shock of who she'd just dreamt about. She then registered someone knocking on her door.
"Michelle? You alright in there?" Michelle heard James calling her. "….. Michelle?"
"YEAH! Yeah I'm grand, James!" Michelle cried out in haste.
"OK…. Um… I've got a cup of tea for you; do you want it in there?" James asked.
"Uhhh, no…. I'll come down." She called. Hearing James go downstairs, Michelle felt her chest heaving, and her cheeks were flush. She took some deep breaths to steady herself. "Jesus! What the fuck!" She whispered to herself, still mystified.
As the group sat around later that morning at the Quinn's table at breakfast, Michelle quietly pondered why she would even dream such a scenario, such things had always been reserved for Robbie Williams, or even Jackie Ryan's son, her former acquittance. But not….. him. There appeared to be some quarrel between Joe and Gerry taking place, which was nothing out of the ordinary. Jim from across the road and Declan had even called round that morning. The group gathered at the front gate, choosing to walk to school this Thursday morning.
"What are they going on about?" Michelle asked Erin.
"Something about fishing I think?" She answered.
"There was something in the paper about that this morning. Something about fish supplies being low." James said, holding the Derry Journal up.
"Was there?" Clare snatched the paper from his hands and darted her eyes across the article.
"Bad enough your lot took our spuds back in the day, now they're gonna try nick our fish as well, greedy English pricks!" Michelle scoffed.
"Well, on that note…. Should we go?" James suggested. They took a step forward.
"Stall the ball…. Where's Orla?" Michelle asked.
Erin smirked and looked over towards Jim's house. Clare rolled her eyes and walked halfway across the road.
"ORLA! CAN YA PUT MARCO DOWN, WE'RE GONNA BE LATE!" Clare shouted.
"Oh, that's right! Broadcast it Smart hole!" Erin scoffed.
Orla opened Jim's front door. She huffed comically at the wee lesbian "Alright, I'm comin'!" She quickly turned round to kiss Marco goodbye, wrapping her arms round his neck.
"Happy actual proper birthday, Bear!" She said happily. "…..Do ya really like it?" She asked.
"Yes. I love it, Orla… really, really really!" Marco chuckled as he mirrored her beaming smile. Her tattoo design still in his hand.
"And ya really gonna get it done?" Orla asked, shooting him an excitable gaze.
Marco feigned offence, then shot her sly smirk. "I'll show you when it's done, how's that sound?" He said assuringly.
Orla's smile grew bigger, and she flashed her eyebrows. "Aye OK. I'll look forward to that. Bye." Orla and Marco kissed one more time before she bounded to join the others.
"See you all at Lunch time!" Marco called out.
"LATERS BIRTHDAY BOY!" James called back.
Michelle wasn't the only one that pondered on her own private thoughts as the gang ambled along to school. Clare's mind was also dwelling on the mysterious phone caller who informed Laurie that the boy's birthday gathering had been cancelled. The wee Lesbian had not told her friends the whole story. She had tried to call Laurie again after the weekend, but Laurie refused to hear her out. Only to tell her that the mysterious caller had bombarded her answer machine with multiple messages with the same declaration that she was Clare's 'new special friend' before slamming the phone on her.
Clare's heart ached as she felt an isolation that she hadn't felt for a long time. She boiled angrily as she yearned to discover who the perpetrator was but hadn't thought of sharing the information with the others. Her unusual silence, and that of Michelle's didn't go unnoticed by Erin and James, but they stole the chance of ambling slightly behind the others as they walked happily with their hands intwined.
It was business as usual in morning assembly. The girls, James and Sister Michael cringed after Jenny Joyce and her quartet had just crucified the crescendo of Say You'll be there-Spice Girls. The group glanced at each other knowing they'd have nailed it much better.
Sister Michael breathed deeply as she resumed the center stage. "Thank you Jenny. You and your friends certainly made me wish I was there…. Then I wouldn't have been here listening to that!" The quartet's proud smiles were replaced with sour pouts.
"Right….. One small announcement; Mrs Sadhbh would like to inform the upper year English class that she is organizing an educational evening out to…. Belfast, of all places…. to see a performance of Shakespeare's Othello." The news aroused a collective buzz of excitement from the upper year.
"Ach, balls!" Michelle groaned, shooting her head to the ceiling.
"Wow!" Erin smiled.
"Belfast?" Clare puffed. "Laurie…." She thought.
Sister Michael went on. "I would like to stress that this is a mandatory trip as it contributes to your A-level coursework. Thankfully…. It's not mandatory for me, as I can't stand Shakespeare….. Also I personally think I could get more mental stimulation watching an egg fry on a hot car bonnet than being within arm's reach of such heathen inhabitants…. So, if you value your final grade, your parents shouldn't object to the £50 deposit required per person."
"50 quid?! That's a bit steep, isn't it?" James whispered.
"Steep? It's fucking vertical!" Michelle answered.
As the assembly came to an end. The discussion amongst the group was mixed as they went to sit at their usual spot.
"This is gonna be class! A night out at the theatre and seeing an actual Shakespeare play!" Erin exclaimed happily.
"Aye, a real chance to see Shakespeare up close and personal!" Clare agreed. –"Plus, it's in Belfast! I can get in touch with Laurie and sort this whole mess out." Clare thought hopefully.
"I agree, that is really cool Mrs Sadhbh sorted this out." James agreed.
"Will they have those fellas walking up the aisle serving Ice cream from a tray?" Orla asked.
Erin shot Orla an annoyed look as they sat down. James moved over to get a book from his locker. Opening the locker, an envelope fell out of his locker.
"Personally, I think it's a waste of a good night out." Michelle disagreed.
"What?" "How?" Erin and Clare asked.
"Well, there's just so much more we could be doing! Like clubbing, drinking, finding us some fellas….." Michelle suggested.
"Catch yourself on, Michelle! Three of us, well four of us are all in relationships, in case ya forgot." Erin pointed out.
Michelle struggled to shoot a response back. She then spotted James had a birthday card in his hand, along with a mystified look on his face. "What's up with you, Dicko?" She shot, distracting herself.
"I'm not…. Really sure." James answered, puzzled as he didn't take his eyes off the card.
"I think it's called a birthday card, James." Orla shot, surprising everyone.
"well, this ain't like no birthday card I've ever had before." James still looked mystified.
"Give us it here!"
"No, Michelle!" It was too late.
Michelle snatched the card out of James' hand. The girls gathered to inspect it. The birthday card was anonymous. Clare gawped at the explicit material. Orla furrowed her eyes and read on. Michelle would normally have been sharp to throw a jibe or insult at James. But the explicit details involving the mysterious writer and James sent a dry heave up her throat. While Orla sat and stared at the cards' contents. Erin's blood boiled over the thought that someone would have the mere gall to express their carnal desires for her James.
"Do they have no respect for us!" She hissed angrily under her breath.
Despite not knowing who was responsible; Each sentence felt like a dagger in Erin's back. Her eye twitched as her lower lip quivered in anger that someone even had the audacity to think about James in this fashion. In her mind, only she was allowed to imagine such things. Clare shared an empathy with Erin, it appeared now that someone was trying to mess around with her and James.
"Michelle, why the hell would you write this? What is this, some sort of sick joke?!" Clare fired suddenly.
Michelle was shocked at the allegation. "Catch yourself the fuck on! I didn't write this! They're writing about Dicko! I know it's a joke to think someone would ever wanna touch the fucker!... No offence, Erin… But even I have limits, Clare!" Michelle insisted.
"Could have fooled me! Let's not forget the valentine's card prank you pulled on us." Clare huffed.
"Ach, I thought that was a sound gesture, Michelle. I still have that valentine's card." Orla rested her head on Michelle's shoulder while eating a dib dab.
"Yeah….. thanks, Orla." Michelle shot an awkward glance. "Besides, what's your problem?"
"My problem?!" Clare asked.
"Don't gimme that! You've had a face as long as the foyle this morning!" Michelle snapped.
"Well, considering I might be on the brink of breaking up with someone who I've shared the most intimate moments with so far in my life…. I think it might entitle me to be a wee bit down wouldn't ya say, Michelle?" Clare argued. "But it's a bit strange, don't ya think? First someone hassles me and Laurie, and now this!" Clare snapped back.
"What should I do with it?" James asked.
"Scrunch it up and shove it up yer hole might be an option?" Michelle suggested.
"Would ya like a hand, James?" Orla adjusted herself.
"No thank you, Orla." James said desperately. He then glanced to see Erin wasn't saying anything. She was clearly upset, still holding the card. "Erin, are you alright?" He asked. Seeing Erin's eyes were wild, her lower lip still shook with utter rage.
"I'm fine, James!" She hissed.
"Are ya sure you're alright, Erin? Cos ya face looks like it's proper banjaxed." Orla pointed out.
"Erin, give us the card here, I'll go and burn it or something, yeah?" James suggested.
Erin brought her voice down to a maniacal whisper. "Ach, No! I'm not gonna let this one slide! I'm gonna find the wee fecker who wrote this, and when I find them…. God help them!" Erin shot out of her chair and angrily marched down the corridor in a huff. Shoving the card into her schoolbag, leaving the group.
"Erin! Erin, wait!" James called out desperately. He rolled his eyes and sighed as he watched her walk away.
"Oh, smart move, ball ache!" Michelle growled into his ear.
"Good Morning James. Morning girls." Mrs Sadhbh now stood amongst them. "What's up? Lover's tiff?" She spotted Erin marching down the corridor.
"No, no tiffs here, Miss." Clare insisted. Hastily gathering herself. "I best get going, see you girls in English!" Clare darted off so she wasn't late for her Politics class.
"Hmmm, well anyway. I heard it was your 18th birthday last weekend, is that right, James?" The teacher asked cheerfully.
"Umm, yeah." James answered.
"Oh, well many happy returns. Hope you had a nice time." She smiled at him.
"Aye, he did, Miss. James had a joint party with Marco. But today it's his act…"
"Yes, fabulous." Mrs Sadhbh cut Orla off rudely. "Listen, James. You have a free period this afternoon, right?" Mrs Sadhbh asked.
"Well….uhhh yes I do, Miss.." James said.
"Great. Could ya keep it free? I just need some help with a few things for this trip coming up." The teacher said.
"Oh, well I did have something planned….." James paused.
"Please, James, it'd be a great help." Mrs Sadhbh pleased, smiling warmly.
"Well…. Yeah, I guess….." James stumbled.
"Uh, well…. Y-Y-Y-Yeah I guess." Michelle mimicked.
"Ach, grand. Thanks James. See ya then." Mrs Sadhbh then turned to Michelle and Orla. "You two. Get yourselves to class, you'll be late!" She barked sternly before walking off.
Michelle glared at the teacher as she left. "Oh aye, Miss! Running all the way, Miss!... Christ, what a bitch! Come on, Orla. Let's get going." Michelle huffed as she lead the way to their Psychology class, leaving James rolling his eyes.
Erin stewed with anger as she sat alone in the solitude of the library throughout her free period. She attempted to distract herself by reading Shakespeare's Othello, but the themes of the story, and her own wild jealousy only stoked the fire within her, feeling an empathy towards the Othello character. The thought of someone thinking about James, her James, in such a sordid way made her stomach churn.
Not even the excitement of the upcoming school trip to the theatre could distract her as she pulled the card out to read it again. Unlike the way James' 'poetic' words made her heart melt and race at the same time with an unbridled passion and desire; the card evoked a similar feeling she hadn't felt for a long time. Erin scoured the card, desperately searching for a clue, an inkling to who could have possibly written it.
She huffed in defeat as the bell went for the end of the first period. Erin then shot out of her seat and left the library. She hurried along towards the main hall and burst through the door to the school kitchen. Stand by me- Oasis was playing on the radio. There was someone she could confide in.
"Marco?... Marco, are ya here?!" Erin called out desperately.
"I'm round here, Erin." She darted round the corner into the main kitchen area, finding Marco talking with Jenny Joyce who shot round to meet Erin's eyeline.
"Erin?!" Jenny shot with annoyance.
"You alright?" Marco asked her.
"Can I talk to ya? I didn't know who else to turn to." Erin frowned sadly as she approached him, ignoring Jenny.
"Uh, Erin! What do you think you're doing in here?!" Jenny protested.
"Uh…. Yeah sure. Just let me finish with Jenny first, OK?" Marco said.
"What?" Erin asked, puzzled.
"ERIN! The school kitchen is off limits to pupils!" Jenny cried.
"Back off, Jenny! I'm really not in the mood for any of ya wee 'rules'! Anyway, if that's so, what are you doing in here?" Erin shot.
"I….. am here on official school business, which doesn't concern you!" Jenny shot back arrogantly.
"Yeah? Well…. I'm here on official FRIEND business that doesn't concern YOU!" Erin squared up to Jenny.
"And I'll say it again…. The school kitchen is out of bounds to pupils!" Jenny stressed.
"Ok, before we start throwing hands here… Jenny, let her mum know I'm more than happy to do the job." Marco intervened. "But can you give us some space, please?" Marco asked. Jenny scowled at Erin before leaving the two in the kitchen alone.
"Thanks, Marco." Erin said.
"No worries." Marco waited until he was sure Jenny was gone. He let out a breath of relief as he walked over to the changing room, knocking on it quickly.
"Is she gone?" Orla darted her head out from behind the door. Marco nodded.
"Wha?... Orla?" Erin gawped.
"Alright, Erin." Orla retorted casually.
"What are YOU doing in HERE?!" Erin stressed, keeping her voice low.
"I am here on official business." Orla answered. Smiling playfully, mimicking Jenny Joyce.
"Oh, and what official business might that be?" Erin scrunched her face at her cousin who pondered what she reason she could possibly give.
"….. I'm….. here to try something Marco's made for lunch time. Can I?..." Orla asked, tilting her head towards the large fridge.
"Yeah, but don't go mental, OK?" Marco pleaded.
"Too late for that." Erin huffed.
"Ach thanks!" Orla bounded with excitement towards the fridge.
"So…. What's up Erin?" Marco asked.
"It's…. well…. Have a look." Erin pulled the birthday card from her school bag. Marco took a moment to read it, his eyes raised and furrowed as he read. Their sordid overtones made him gawk with surprise.
"Jesus Christ, Erin!" He exclaimed.
"Aye, I know!" Erin nodded. "Are you alright?" She asked him.
"Well, I'm not sure if I should be reading this….. I mean…. What you and James get up to…. That's your business." He said.
"Wha….. CATCH YOURSELF ON! I DIDN'T WRITE IT!" Erin stressed. She then saw the cheeky glint in his eye.
"I was only joking. Orla told me about it." He said, Erin huffed out a breath of annoyance, but was also relieved.
"Surprised she manages to say anything to ya." Erin teased. "Well, what do ya think?" She asked, turning back to the card.
"Well, you could never read this out loud in assembly. Y'know, Sister Michael might…." Marco stopped saw the sad frown on Erin's face. "OK. It's not a joke…. OK. Well, honestly, I wouldn't let this bother you, Erin. It's only a card."
"Is that all you can say?!" Erin huffed.
"Well, yeah! So what if some girl wrote some stuff down about what she wants to do with James. Doesn't mean he's gonna go look for her and do anything, is he? I mean look…. There's no name, no way of knowing who it was. Is there?" Marco pointed out.
Erin huffed her frustration out through her nose. "I suppose…. I dunno…. It just bothers me that someone's thinking about James like this. And they had the nerve to put this in his locker! Knowing how special James is to me, and how I feel for him, and how much of a ride I think he…. Look, It's just not right ya know?" Erin frowned her eyes sadly as she leant against the kitchen top.
"Yeah, I get it….. but like I said, It's not like they've left a phone number for 'im, have they?" Marco pointed out, moving to stand next to her.
"Yeah… Yeah…. Ach! But what if they do…. What if they keep sending him cards and letters?... What if James decides he wants to find out who this is? What if he takes them up on their offer and meets them?... What if he ends up getting seduced by this wee bitch?…. What if he turns round and dumps me because…..?!" Erin's voice echoed louder with each question.
"Whoa, calm down, calm down... Oi, come 'ere." Marco motioned Erin towards him. Wrapping his arm around her. Feeling her shake from anxiety, Marco swayed her gently. "Calm down…. it's ok." He said softly.
Erin felt her heart pound relentlessly within her chest as she shifting into Marco, resting against him. Erin gripped Marco tight as she took deep breaths. Marco's presence, his gentle embrace slowly began to take effect.
"…I'm sorry." Erin muffled.
"It's alright…. Oi, Come on…. You KNOW James wouldn't do anything to hurt you. Don't you?" Marco said, assuring, keeping his voice soft.
His words finally allowed some rational thought to enter Erin's mind. She exhaled heavily. "…..You're right! I know James wouldn't….. Jesus… Thanks, Marco." Erin's voice shook as her eyes stung, allowing two tears to escape, realizing the stupidity of the state she got herself in.
"It's alright. What are mates for, right?" Marco rested his cheek atop Erin's head. The simple gesture tugged at Erin's lips as she melted into a thankful smile.
"Ohhhhhh my Gorrrrrrrd! I… Wooooove….. Thiiiiiifffff!" The pair turned to seeing Orla's face lit up in abundance of joy. Her mouth still full.
"Ah, she's found them." Marco chuckled.
"Whatever it is, she don't sound too pleased." Erin joked.
"Erin! You gotta try one of these! These are soooooo class." Orla bounded over, joining them. Erin at the cream filled pastry looking thing in Orla's hand.
"What is it?" Erin asked.
"It's a Cannoli. I made them this morning. Go on, try it. Let me know what you think." Marco said.
Erin took the shell shaped dessert from Orla. The shell was half coated with melted chocolate. She took a bite. The cream was thick and full of flavour. Vanilla cream, crispy pastry and chocolate chips mixed on Erin's tongue, lighting her tastebuds up. Darting her eyes between Marco and Orla, her mouth full of taste.
"Are these those things you said yer Gran used to make?" Orla asked Marco with excitement.
"Yep." Marco smiled.
"Ach….. They're cracker, aren't they Erin?" Orla nodded, smiling at Erin's contorted expression. She let out a prolonged, gratifying moan as she devoured the Cannoli.
"Ohhhhh…. Ohhhhhh…. OH. MY. GOD! Oh yes! OHHHH YEAAASSS!….. Marco….. This is sooooo gooood!" Erin moaned with pleasure.
"WHAT IN THE NAME OF GOD IS GOING ON IN …. Oh, thank heavens for that!" Sister Michael darted round the corner and into the kitchen, followed by a gawping Jenny Joyce. The trio turned round, startled by her voice. The nun then stopped in her tracks. Appearing relieved.
"Morning, Sister Michael. You're looking well. Hey, watch this! It looks like I'm going down the to the cellar." Orla moved behind the central kitchen top; walking from left to right, she lowered herself, creating the 'illusion'. Sister Michael was not amused.
"Well! This is certainly an odd situation, is it not, Sister? I mean, not to sound presumptuous or anything….." Jenny said.
"Ach, no worries there, Jenny. Ya sound the same as you always do." Orla stated. Marco and Erin turned their heads away to hide their sniggering.
Jenny was slightly taken aback. "…..But as you know Sister, the school kitchen is not….."
"Jenny. I don't need the rulebook read back to me, thank you." Sister Michael interrupted her again. "Erin, Orla. Can you explain why you are here in the school kitchen when you know it's out of bounds?" Sister Michael asked sternly.
"They're here to help me, SIster." Marco spoke up.
"Riiiight….. And how's that?" The nun asked.
"Uhhh….. Marco asked us to come and try these." Erin held up the half-eaten Cannoli.
Marco quickly jumped in. "Yeah! I haven't made these for ages and was gonna serve them at lunch time. I just… wanted an honest opinion."
"They are cracker, Sister." Orla beamed.
"Yeah! What Orla said. Cracker!" Erin agreed.
"Ya should try one." Orla offered the plate.
Sister Michael shot a suspicious look at the trio as she took a cannoli from the plate. Turning it from side to side. She hummed curiously.
"I remember seeing these when I went to Rome…. They have cinnamon in them, do they not?" She asked.
"…. A wee tiny bit, yeah." Orla said.
"Ugh, no thank you. Cinnamon is my kryptonite. Jenny, you try it." She shifted the cannoli into Jenny's hand.
"Oh, uhhhh…. Of course, Sister." Jenny curiously took a bite. Her face lit up at the taste. Agreeing with Orla's verdict "Mmmmmm….. that's incredible!" Jenny exclaimed happily.
"Oh, thanks Jen." Marco smiled.
"That's all well and fine. But you KNOW the kitchen is for staff, not students. Now you three get yourselves on to your next class! Shift it!" Sister Michael ordered the girls out.
"Oi, thanks for that." Erin patted Marco's arm before leading Orla out.
"Bye Marco. Bye Dave!" Orla called out as she followed Erin.
Jenny smirked at Orla's call. "Dave? Who's Dave?" She chuckled.
"Oh…. That's Dave up there!" Marco pointed.
Jenny's scream echoed loudly as she saw a large black spider sitting in the corner of the kitchen ceiling. The bell for the next lesson rang. Jenny now had a look of panic on her face. Marco sniggered as she ran out to catch up with Erin and Orla. The lad then turned to see Sister Michael looking blankly at him.
"Don't think you can pull the veil over me, young man. Those two weren't in here to try the dessert. Were they?" She asked knowingly.
"No, Sister. But they doing anything wrong….. There was… another reason." Marco answered reluctantly.
"Then I think you need to tell me, if you value your position here?" Sister Michael hinted. Marco appeared to be embarrassed as he pondered how he was supposed to answer her.
James waited along with Michelle and Clare outside the English class. He glanced up and down the hallway anxiously waiting for Erin. He had been worried about her during Business Studies and wanted to talk to her to clear the air. As the class waited outside, Mrs Sadhbh walked up, carrying a stack of books. Seeing she was struggling; the wee English fella opened the classroom door and took some of the books from her.
"Thank you, James. You…. Are a dear." She shot a wide, warm smile as she entered the class.
"Oh, smooth, James. Arse kissin' prick." Michelle mocked as she barged past him. James sighed as he looked up the hallway, but Erin was nowhere to be seen. He sauntered sadly into the class, carrying the books, he set them on the front desk.
"Problems, James?" Mrs Sadhbh asked him.
"No, it's nothing really…. Well, it's Erin…. We…. She….." Mrs Sadhbh waited attentively but James was hesitant to reveal anything.
"No bother, James." The teacher answered. "How bout ya tell me later? Go on, go sit down." She said kindly. James was relieved and went to sit at his desk.
"Right! Quiet now, let's get started….. Everyone here?" Mrs Sadhbh addressed the class. Already sighting who was absent. The teacher went over to the classroom entrance, she then heard a commotion, along with a chirpy voice singing a song to the tune of Wannabe- Spice Girls in the corridor.
"There's a spider on the ceiling, and I'm gonna name 'im Dave… Oi, Spider Dave, you'd better behave!" Orla's voice was undeniable.
"Orla, will ya shut up and hurry now!" Erin huffed as they hurried up the corridor.
"I swear to God, Erin! You delight in putting me in these sticky awkward situations!" Jenny moaned.
"Yeah, well no one told ya to stick yer nose into our business!" Erin argued as they ran right into Mrs Sadhbh, who shot them an unimpressed expression.
"And exactly what time do you call this?!" Mrs Sadhbh barked.
Jenny went to explain. "Sorry, Mrs Sadhbh, but we…"
"YOU'RE LATE!" The teacher interjected loudly, causing a shiver to rivet through Orla's ears.
"Only a few seconds, Miss." Erin explained.
"Do not argue with me, Erin! Go and sit down! All of you!" She ordered.
Jenny's face turned white, while Erin huffed as she walked towards her desk, shooting James a slight smile before she sat. Orla followed with a startled expression. The others sat silently as Mrs Sadhbh started the lesson. Going over the subject of Othello, which had already been swirling in Erin's head, the brunette teacher shot out questions about the different characters and the issues they encountered, Resentment, Jealousy, Suspicion, Deception and Manipulation. While standing at the back of the class. Mrs Sadhbh spied something; she slowly began to walk up past Erin when she accidently knocked her textbook off the desk. Mrs Sadhbh swooped down to pick up the loose item that fell out from between the pages. Erin's eyes shot wide open with panic as she saw Mrs Sadhbh pick up the sordid birthday card.
"Oh, Mrs Sadhbh! That's not…." Erin went to speak. But she sat frozen as she saw the teacher's eyes grow bigger and bigger as she read the card.
"WHAT IN GOD'S NAME IS THIS, ERIN?!" Mrs Sadhbh shouted.
"Shiiiiiiiiiit." James whispered under his breath when he saw what Mrs Sadhbh was holding.
"DO YOU HONESTLY THINK THIS SORT OF THING IS SUITABLE TO BRING INTO SCHOOL?! THIS…. THIS….. OBSCENE FILTH!" She stated loudly, causing a collective gasp from the whole class.
"Filth?!" Jenny Joyce stressed with repulse.
"It's not mine, Miss!" Erin blurted out innocently through a reddened face.
"IT FELL OUT OF YOUR BOOK, ERIN! EXPLAIN THAT?!" Mrs Sadhbh demanded, holding up the card. Her eyes were stern and cold. "WELL….. WHAT IS IT?!" She repeated.
"Jesus, Miss! It's only a dirty letter!" Michelle chuckled, causing the class to gasp.
"Don't you ever know when to keep it shut?" Clare whispered.
"QUIET!" Mrs Sadhbh bellowed.
Erin tripped over her words. "Mrs Sadhbh, I know it looks bad. But it's not what you're thinking!" Erin stuttered.
"ERIN, DO YOU THINK I'M STUPID OR SOMETHING?! DO YOU NOT THINK I CAN'T SEE IT'S BEEN WRITTEN IN YOUR HANDWRITING?!" Mrs Sadhbh's eyes were wild with anger as she pointed at the card. Erin shot a bewildered look. She then noticed that the writing was in fact very similar to her own, if not the same.
"….. I didn't write it, Miss!" Erin insisted again.
"No! Erin DIDN'T write it, Miss! James just found it in his locker this morning! James! Say something!" Michelle ordered.
"That's right, Miss. It was left in my locker. I found it but Erin didn't write it." James insisted.
"Absolutely not, Miss!" Clare added.
"Do ya not get birthday cards anymore cos you're much older, Miss?" Orla asked innocently. The teacher glanced coldly at Orla as the class started to snigger.
"I would like to point out, Miss. That this isn't the first time Erin's been associated with 'controversial' material." Jenny blurted out.
"Shut ya hole, Jenny! This is none of your business!" Michelle barked.
"QUIET! THE LOT OF YOU!" She shouted loudly, so loud, Orla had to cover her ears.
Mrs Sadhbh took a deep breath. "Well, clearly I underestimated you, Erin. You and your friends….. Clearly you don't have any respect for my class or my authority! Well let's see what Sister Michael has to say about this during lunch time!" She barked.
The group all glanced worryingly at each other.