The Lyric Theatre was situated in a mutual part of Belfast. On the edge of the River Lagan, between the prominent catholic and protestant communities, it was a stone throw from Queen's University. As the class disembarked from the bus, Clare still had Mrs Sadhbh's harsh words ringing in her ears about her work, but more so about her dad, and Laurie. The teacher called for the class to listen. While Michelle furrowed her eyes with uncertainty at Clare's composure. James had noticed that Orla appeared uneasy.
"Are you ok, Orla?" James quietly asked, he reached to hold Orla's hand to put her at ease.
"Thanks, James." Orla answered, resting her head on his shoulder. James then felt Erin give his other hand a gentle squeeze. He glanced to see her smile warmly at him.
Mrs Sadhbh soured as she addressed the class. "Alright. Pay attention, girls. We have a couple of hours before the doors open. So, I suggest you amuse yourselves until then."
While the class warmed to the idea of having a taste of freedom, Jenny Joyce appeared to be apprehensive.
"But Miss…..We've never been to Belfast before. We don't know where the boundaries are! As Head Prefect, might I suggest that we stay in one collective group?" Jenny asked, her voice pitched high with apprehension.
"Are you trying to tell me how to do my job, Miss Joyce?!" Mrs Sadhbh hissed with a cold stare.
"Well, no, Miss…." Jenny stuttered nervously. "….. But…."
"Good! Now. If ya wanna know where you can go; Up this way is Stranmillis Road, there are some shops, you'll be grand there. It's 4:45 now, so I want you all back here by 7pm. Now get on." Mrs Sadhbh shrugged and walked off, ordering Father Peter to follow her.
"Well….. I guess we'll see ya all back here at 7pm. Mind yaself girls." Peter scurried quickly after Mrs Sadhbh. Leaving the class where they stood.
"Well, that's just fecking typical, innit?" Erin scoffed dramatically.
"What you moaning about?" Michelle asked. "You heard her. Who wants to go get wallpapered? There's gotta be a pub nearby!"
"Aye, ok!" Orla exclaimed.
"We can't get drunk, Michelle. We're here on a school trip!" Clare stressed.
"That DOES sound a bit risky." James agreed.
"How? She'll never know! She's likely gonna go get pished so she don't have to pay attention to this bag of balls play!" Michelle argued.
"I'm sorry. Did you just call Shakespeare a bag of balls?" Erin scoffed.
"Aye. She did." Orla nodded.
"No way! No way ….Jose!" Clare exasperated.
"Why the fuck not, Clare? You look like you could use a wee drink to get Laurie off ya mind. Ya old enough now!" Michelle pointed out.
"She does have a point, Clare. You've been a right misery guts lately." Erin admitted.
"Well, I've had my reasons, Erin. And. Slight issue with the plan, Michelle…. Erin and Orla aren't 18, and even though your 18th isn't far off, neither are you! Which might pose a wee problem when it comes to getting served." Clare shot back.
"What if we find an Off license and send Clare in to buy us some drinks?" Orla suggested.
"Yes! Orla, you're a genius!" Michelle exclaimed. Orla bowed with gratitude.
"No way! I just had Mrs Sadhbh read the riot act to me on the bus. I'm not giving her an excuse to send a scathing letter to UCAS accusing me of bootlegging!" Clare growled.
"Urgh, that sounds manky." Orla grimaced.
"No, boot LEGGING Orla, not boot licking." James said.
Michelle snapped her fingers. "Better idea. Ballache can go into the off license."
Erin rolled her eyes. "Catch yourself on! You can't send James into an off license! Soon as he opens his mouth, he's likely to start a riot! No offense, James." Erin turned to give him an apologetic gaze.
"None taken." James sighed.
"I stand corrected. Your accent's a bigger bag of balls than that play! Useless English Prick!" Michelle snapped angrily.
"You girls looking to get pished?!" A voice called from yonder.
The gang turned to see a tall, dark, slim fella with shoulder length dark hair and a scraggy beard standing by a cycle rickshaw, which was decked with multi coloured Christmas lights. The gang ventured over cautiously towards the fella. Erin held tightly to Orla's hand who was eager to investigate the alluring lights. The mysterious fella appeared to be a university student.
"Ya talking to us?" Michelle asked the fella.
"Aye. Very much so. Heard ya saying you were looking to get pished. You lot from Derry?" The fella asked in his deep Belfast accent.
"We might be." Erin shrugged, furrowing her eyes curiously.
"Ah grand! if ya wanna get wall papered, I know a place." The fella said.
"Where's that exactly?" James asked.
"Just a bar where the students go….. Jesus Christ! I wouldn't give this one much chance with that fucking accent!" The fella stressed.
Michelle bit her lip while Erin quickly jumped at the chance to defend James. "There is NOTHING wrong with James' accent! For your information…."
"Don't listen to him. He's just an exchange student. We got lumbered with the wee fucker! But yeah. We're new round here. We just enlisted." Michelle shot insistently.
"Enlisted? But we're not in the army." Orla chuckled.
"Hush, Orla." Michelle whispered. "Yeah, we go to University here. We're just finding our way round." She lied.
"Michelle, what are ya doing?" Clare growled anxiously.
"Just follow my lead….. So, you know a place we can go and hang out, aye?" Michelle asked the stranger.
"Aye. It's a class place. Normally, ya need an ID, but I can sneak yous in." The fella said.
Michelle's eyes lit up. "You could get us into an actual university bar?" She asked excitedly.
"Aye. ye up for it?" He smiled.
"Class! We're in!" Michelle smirked.
"WHAT?!" Clare cried.
"Shut up, Clare…. What's ya name then fella?" She asked.
"…..Hectar." The young man answered, shooting Michelle an alluring look, which Michelle knowingly shot back. "Word of advice, tell the English prick here to keep his mouth shut. Jump on! I'll give yous a ride there."
"Ach Class! We gonna ride in that?!" Orla cried happily. Pointing at the rickshaw.
"Can you just excuse us a second, sir?" Clare spoke up, pulling the girls into a huddle.
"What's got your ovaries in a twist?" Michelle asked.
"Michelle! We cannot go with this fella! We've only just met him! Plus, I don't like the way he was looking at you. Didn't you learn a thing from those public information films? Remember Charley Says!" Clare panicked.
"Ahhhh! That wee cat was sooooo cracker!" Orla called out.
"Don't be such a ballache, Clare!" Michelle groaned.
"I have to agree with Clare on how he was looking at ya, Michelle. He does seem a wee bit shifty." Erin said.
"I can't help it if he thinks I'm a ride." Michelle smirked proudly.
"Well, what about me? it's alright for you lot! You heard what he said…. I open my mouth; I'm likely to get my head smashed in!" James exclaimed worryingly.
"And your point is?" Michelle shrugged.
James went on. "My point is….. Why would he be so eager to sneak us into a place where you need ID? Also…."
"Don't you be a fucking craic killer, James! I'm going to that bar! Yous do what ya wanna do." Michelle came out of the huddle and walked towards Hector's rickshaw.
"Oh no, wait Michelle! We should all stick together!" Clare panicked, following her inadvertently towards the rickshaw, Orla bounded after them, leaving Erin and James.
"Well? What do ya reckon?" Erin asked him.
James sighed. "I dunno, Erin. I mean, we are better off staying together. But I'm just a bit…." He stumbled. "Look, I don't want you to miss out." He admitted.
"Yeah, I don't want you to miss out either. I mean, it'd be grand to get a glimpse of campus life, so they call it….. How about…. the first sign of any trouble….. We'll leave." Erin suggested.
"Are yous two fuckers coming or what?!" Michelle shouted, eager to get to the bar.
James still felt hesitant, but he nodded silently. The couple darted over, and Hector set off on the rickshaw. His ability to peddle five people in the seated carriage was nothing short of impressive. The illumining Christmas lights shone as Hector rode along the main road, passing other rickshaws riders, cars and pedestrians as he headed towards the unknown destination. Orla darted her head everywhere with excitement, taking in the sights as she sat next to Michelle who cried out crudely to passing lads while Erin and James snuggled together in the back seats. But Clare sank into her seat, feeling apprehensive about the whole affair.
Sitting on the edge of her bed. Laurie looked indignant as she forced herself to listen again to the harsh voice on her answer machine. Marco listened intently as the caller threw vile insult after insult towards Laurie, mocking her relationship with Clare, listening to lie after lie that came, insinuating that Clare had been going behind Laurie's back. Marco shook his head in disbelief at what he was hearing as another message started.
"Hello Laurie. It's me again… hehehe, it's 10 o'clock now….. just got off the phone to Clare. Had a nice…. Wee chat….. hahahaha…..Jesus…. What can I say? She can sure talk, that's for sure….. guess you wouldn't know though would ya? Christ thing things she said she wants to do to me. We're gonna meet up before she goes to that party. Don't worry, I'll show her a real good time…. You haven't got a clue, have ya? Bet you wish you was still riding fellas, don't ya? Well, Clare reckons the same…. Said something about you dating some prick before ya turned Gay….. Hahahaha… Probably only turned lesbian cos no fella would touch ya with a fucking barge pole, aye? You wanna know what's so pathetic…. Laurie? Is that you think….."
"Jesus Christ, Moan! Aren't you fucking done on the phone yet?"
"Ach, for fuck's sake enry! I'm doin something here! Will ya fuck o…"
The line went dead.
"Hold on. What was that?" Marco asked, rewinding the tape. He leaned in closer. Listening intensively, rewinding and repeating the dialogue a few more times.
"Moan…..? Henry?" Marco repeated the words in his head. His eyes darting everywhere, seraching. His jaw dropped as a lightbulb went off in his head. "Oh my god! I know who that is!" He shouted.
"WHO?!" Laurie asked, startled.
"Mona Malarkey! I knew I heard that voice from somewhere!" Marco exclaimed.
"Who the fuck is Mona Malarkey?!" Laurie asked.
"Mona Malarkey was at the social club at mine and James' party!" Marco explained.
"What, with Clare?!" Laurie asked, still confused.
"No! NOT with Clare! Oh, my good gawd!...Laurie, Mona is just some mouthy girl from Derry. She was at the social club with her cousins, they goaded us into playing a game of Rings for money! They thought they had us done up like a couple of kippers, but we beat them!... Hold on…. Yeah, I remember…. Mona actually insulted you and Clare that night, I'm sure of it!" Marco exclaimed; a wide-eyed smile was etched on his face.
"…. What are you saying?... You're saying you know this girl, and she's NOT with Clare?!" Laurie asked again, still sounding uncertain.
"YES! OH MY GOD YES! Laurie, Clare's not with her…. Or ANYONE! I dunno what this is all about, but it's not what you think! Clare's NOT been cheating on you! She's been trying to talk to you to explain it all! And this proves it!"
He then saw a despondent look on Laurie's face who walked a short distance to her window.
"Lauire?... I thought you'd be pleased about this… You ok?" Marco asked.
"No…. No I'm not!" Laurie began to sob. "SHIT…. I've made another fucking mistake!" She stressed.
Marco moved over and put an arm round Laurie. He softened his tone to ask her. "Laurie, what is it? What mistake?" He waited to let Laurie speak, the girl sobbed into her hand.
Laurie took deep breaths before she spoke. "Clare's obviously not said anything….." Her face softened somewhat. "Truth is, I've been in this spot once before, Marco…. Sort of….. It was my first proper gay relationship…Clare knows about it. It was a few years back. Kara was her name…. Jesus, I thought the world of her…. We were together for about a year, it was fecking beautiful, she made me feel good about myself for the first time since I came out….. I felt like it would last forever… but then, soon as she started going to college… she wanted me to move into her digs with her, said she wanted me to be near… so did I…."
"So, you moved in together?" Marco asked.
"Yeah. At first, it was class…. All that freedom, independence, no one judging us… feeling loved….. But then….. things changed….. I'd come home, and she'd start asking me these…. odd questions….. she started asking where I'd been, and who I'd been with….. then one time she just came out and asked if I was cheating on her….. I couldn't believe it…. I promised her I wasn't… But things just got worse….. She'd start ranting and raging at me, accusing me of cheating when I hadn't done a thing…. Then I came home one day after college and found her in….." Laurie stopped, closing her eyes firmly, hurting at the memory.
"What?" Marco asked.
"I found her….. with an older woman…. turns out, Kara had been cheating on me….. with her tutor, no less. Said it was MY fault…. That I pushed her into it…." Laurie's breath hitched as she began to sob.
"Oh my God." Marco gasped. He tightened his arm round Laurie for support.
Laurie went on. "I didn't trust anyone for a long time after that….. I couldn't. Took a while, but I got over it, somehow. Just didn't wear my heart on my sleeve as much….. then I met Clare….. At first I thought it'd be just a passing fling…. But when her Da died, my heart just went out to her. The more time I spent with her, the more we started opening up to each other…. About everything…. And then, I found myself falling for her. I felt safe with her…. And all of yous….. I felt like I could trust people again…. But when all this started…. All I could hear in my head was GET OUT…. GET OUT….I just got scared." Laurie said sadly.
Marco nodded silently. "It's ok…. I'd be scared too. Especially if I had Dennis screaming in my head." Marco tried to quip. Laurie rolled her eyes but spluttered at his attempt of humour. "Sorry….. wrong time?" He asked.
"No, It's alright." Laurie chuckled through her tears.
"Laurie, why didn't you say something? You've been like a rock to Clare. You must have known she'd never…." Marco said gently.
"I didn't know what else to do, Marco. The things she said in those messages, it got too real for me…. I was angry…. I was hurt, plus, all of you would have taken Clare's side anyway, so I was fucked either way…. I just thought the best thing to do was walk away. That way I wouldn't get hurt… But now it looks like ive made another mistake…" Laurie huffed sadly as she sobbed through gritted teeth.
Marco gave her shoulder a comforting squeeze. "…..It's alright, Laurie. I understand….. I know what it's like when someone plays on your emotions, getting pulled every which way, being made to feel like you're the one who did something wrong…..I know…. it fucking hurts."
"How do you…?" Laurie asked softly.
" …. My mum did the same thing to me…..."
Laurie looked shocked. "… Oh Jesus, yea! Because of….." She went to speak, but Marco waved his hand. "Right, let sleeping dogs lie, aye?" She said.
"Yeah… But there's one thing I learned from all that; is you can't let one bad relationship stop you from trusting people and being happy. I almost made the same mistake." Marco admitted.
"What stopped you?" Laurie asked knowingly.
"Well, James did, then he brought me here….. then I met Orla." Marco turned and smiled. "Laurie, you need to talk to Clare. Sort this thing out."
Laurie looked as though she was considering Marco's words, but then she scrunched her face. "….Ach, there's no way she's still gonna wanna talk to me! Not now! Not after I've blanked her all this fecking time! Let's face it, I fucked this up!" She stressed.
"No, you didn't…. and Yes she does! I know she does. Laurie, I wouldn't lie to you." Marco said supportively. "Hey, we all make mistakes, but you can put things right. You do want to, don't you?" He asked.
The blankets provided a small level of warmth. But the Belfast night air quickly cut through the girls as they huddled together in their rickshaw seats, despite travelling what felt like a short distance. Hector slowed his pace as they came closer to their destination. The appearance of the apparent student bar looked a far cry from what the girls had imagined. It looked like a large, abandoned, one level building with a pointed, lead tiled roof, a short distance from the university. The jovial cries and base music emitting from inside made it seem less intimidating. Michelle nodded with approval as the girls dismounted the rickshaw.
"Fuck a doodle doo!" Michelle said slowly.
"Right, come on. Follow me." Hector beckoned them down the side of the building without the bouncers noticing them. With a swift move, Hector opened a side door and darted in. Michelle followed immediately; Orla practically bounced to the beat of the music as she followed Michelle.
"Orla….!" Clare called out, but it was too late. "Oh, sweet suffering Jesus! What are we gonna do?"
"Well, it's too late to back down now, Clare. It's floundering out here, now let's go!" Erin shot.
"Erin, are you mad? This place is probably crawling with drug dealers, stoned decadent students, or even worse…. PROTESTANT DECADENT STUDENTS!" She shouted worryingly
Erin shot round in a panic at Clare's loud exclamation. "Jesus, Clare! Say t a bit louder! I don't think those bouncers quite heard ya!"
"We can NOT go in there, Erin! If Mrs Sadhbh knew what we were doing, or even worse, Sister Michael… this could be the only time we'll ever be anywhere NEAR a University!" Clare shrieked.
"Look, Clare. It's bound to be warmer inside, why don't we just stick together and go in? If it's bad news, we'll get Hector to take us back." James suggested.
"James has a point, Clare. We'll just have a quick look round, and then we'll go, aye?" Erin echoed.
"Oi! You lads need to get in here!" Orla beamed as she stuck her head out the door. "This place iiiiis sooooo cracker!" She cried happily, quickly disappearing back inside. Erin and James shot a look at each other and took an arm on Clare and walked towards the entrance.
"See? Come on Clare. If Orla says it's ok, it can't be bad! Right?" James asked.
"Aye, Ya say that James… But bear in mind that Orla also said the Orange Order was cracker too!" Clare reminded them. "She also said it'd be a craic if she ever met Oliver Cromwell… We're probably about to stare into the ninth circle of Hell for all we…. know…."
The trio stopped in their tracks as they took in what was in front of them. The acoustics of the room were perfect as Bump n flex- R U Sleeping thumped through the building. The plethora of students cheered and drank as they danced, with couples caressing each other with a carefree abandon. Worries and suspicions quickly depleted as they looked round. The mood was jovial but somewhat mellow. The room was lit with rows of hanging light bulbs, with neon pink and blue stream lights spread throughout. It looked like a self-made den, only much better.
"Well, is this what you expected?" James remarked.
"Aye, it IS class!" Erin exclaimed. "Sorta reminds me of that scene in Dirty Dancing."
While the music flowed into Feela-Sweet Temptation, Erin, James and Clare walked past the sporadic sofas that were propped against the wall, with students either talking or snogging. James had conveniently brought his handheld camera with him. His attention was first drawn to Orla who was bouncing happily and carefree on the dancefloor with the other students looking oddly at her. He then regarded the Art students who were hard at work painting an ongoing mural wrapped around the entire inside wall. Erin's attention was then drawn towards the stage. She rolled her eyes in despair as she saw Michelle messing around with the DJ decks with Hector, both of them already with drinks in their hands. The feisty Mallon cackled happily as she swayed to the music behind the decks. Erin then turned to see that James was filming her.
"Ach, James! Don't!" She cried, chuckling as she tried to cover her face.
"What? I've gotta film the best-looking girl in this place." He smiled. Erin felt her cheeks burn as she blushed at the compliment.
"Well, I guess ya just doing ya job aye?" She teased, fluttering her eyes at the camera. "Come here, Clare!" Pulling her into the shot.
"Oh, no. James!" Clare moaned as she tried to hide her face. But then Orla came into the shot, smiling happily, bobbing to the music and making funny faces at the camera, making James chuckle.
"It is absolutely incredible!" James agreed loudly, looking around.
"Motherfuckers!" Michelle cried, now joining them. "Fucking cracker this place is, isn't it?!"
"Aye. Very much so." Erin agreed.
"Let's not forget, We need to be back at the theatre in a short while, girls. So, let's not get carried away, ok?" Clare reminded them.
"Ach. Fuck the theatre! I see you lads later! Hector's getting us another drink." Michelle shouted with joy as she quickly disappeared.
"Michelle! Wait!" James called out, but she was gone.
"Where's Orla gone now?" Clare asked, looking around in a panic.
"She's over there with that girl painting the mural." Erin pointed. "Come on Clare. How about we go have a dance?" She suggested. Seeing the crowd on the dancefloor get bigger.
"No thanks. I'm not really in the mood. You two go." Clare insisted.
"Ahh come on Clare, please?" James pleaded.
"No thanks, James. Three's a crowd. No doubt you two wanna have some time alone. I'll be grand." She said, her voice weighty with sadness as she excused herself. Erin and James stood as they watched her saunter off.
"Will she be alright on her own?" James asked.
"I guess….. so….. ya wanna dance? I fancy dancing with the fittest fella in the place." Erin smiled, taking his hand.
"Really?" James smiled and gave her hand a gentle squeeze.
"Aye! But I need ya to help me find him first!" Seeing the dumbfounded look on his face. Erin laughed as she leaned in to place a kiss on James' lips before leading him off onto the dancefloor.
As Erin and James disappeared into the dancing crowd. Clare found herself a lonely spot at a crafted bar area. Sitting on a stool. Clare felt the sting of loneliness. Her mind was a mixture of sadness, anger and trepidation. Her eyes looked low as he made patterns on the bar top, as she started thinking about Laurie.
"Cheer up now. It might never happen." A voice said. The deep Belfast accent caused Clare to look up. She saw a girl standing opposite her with a sympathetic expression. "It's alright, I know that look." She said. "My name's Violet. Fancy a drink?" The girl was older than Clare. She was tall, wearing a white vest with purple bib overalls, with matching deadlocks that were tied into twin buns. She sported a nose ring with dark sparkly purple eye shadow.
"Oh, no thanks, I'd…." Violet swiftly placed a drink in front of Clare. It appeared to be coke. Slowly taking the first sip, she could tell there was more than coke in it. She tasted a hint of Bacardi rum. Her lower lip then began to quiver as her eyes welled up. "This was Laurie's favourite drink." She sobbed.
"Ach. I wouldn't get so broke over her, babes." Violet shrugged.
"Well, it's easy for you to say. Besides my friends, Laurie was the first person who ever made me feel….. H-How did you know I was upset about a girl?" Clare asked her, startled.
"Well, Let's just say I've developed a way of spotting our kind." Violet answered.
"Really? You're a lesbian.? You mean to say ya can just…. Tell?" Clare asked amazingly. Violet nodded. "I didn't know we possessed that sort of telepathic ability." Clare thought.
"Oh aye. Trust me, You're not the first lezzer to sit here with a broken heart, sweetheart…. Take it from me. There's only one thing ya can do to feel better about yourself, if ya catch my drift…." Violet said suggestively.
"Talk about it?" Clare asked innocently, with a hint of hope in her voice.
"…Aye. Ya can talk about it…. I mean at first." Violet said, a small smirk tugged on her lips.
"Thanks. I guess getting a few things off my chest might help." Clare agreed.
"Hmmm. Cracker chest too." Violet remarked.
"Sorry, what was that?" Clare asked.
"Fancy another drink?" Violet quickly answered.
While Violet listened 'intently' to Clare; The surrounding sound of Last Rhythm hung over the dancing crowd in which Erin and James found themselves surrounded by a wall of solitude as they swayed to the music, enjoying a passionate snogging session. The couple mirrored warm smiles at each other in-between kisses. Erin grinned from ear to ear as she felt James boldly and slowly move his hands below her waist.
"Ya getting bold, Mr Maguire." Erin sniggered into his ear.
"Sorry." James chuckled bashfully. "I've missed you. I mean, I've missed this."
"Aye. A levels have been a wee bit hectic, aye?" Erin agreed, wrapping her arms round James' neck. "What yer thinking 'bout?" She asked, smiling knowingly.
"A few things." James shot a goofy smile.
"Really? Ach, gone. Tell me." Erin said teasingly.
James' actions spoke louder than words as he slowly lowered himself to meet Erin's lips. They brushed together slowly and gently amidst the house music. Erin pulled away and cupped James' cheek, running her hand along his jawline.
"Me too." Erin said knowingly. "We're gonna have to try and sort something out again, aren't we?" She suggested. Just then, someone bumped into them. James checked on Erin before turning to see who had bumped them, only to find a tall fella standing near him. He had piercing blue eyes, with a mixed-race complexion.
"Oh, sorry about that." James apologised quickly. The music just about drowning out his accent.
"Ach no worries, fella. My fault." The other lad apologised too, putting his hand up.
"Stall the ball! You look familiar…. Don't I know you?" Erin asked.
The fella look curiously at them both. "Uh….. Don't think so." He answered., shaking his head.
James furrowed his eyes towards the fella. "That is so strange. I think I've seen you somewhere as well….. but I can't remember where." He admitted.
"Well, I ain't ever seen yous two before." The fella shrugged.
Erin then realized who it was. "Oh my god! You're Othello!" She cried.
"Course I'm a fella! I couldn't pass for a girl, could I now?" He called through the music. Pointing at his trimmed moustache.
"No, Othello!" Erin emphasized. "You're playing Othello at the lyric theatre tonight, aye?" She exclaimed.
"Yes! That's it! We saw your face on all the posters!" James agreed.
"Ach, ya saw that, did ya? What did ya think of it?" The fella asked in a jovial tone.
The pair looked puzzled. "No, we haven't seen it yet." James said.
"Ach, right… Well, hope ya enjoy it when ya do. It's nice to meet ya both. I'm William." The fella introduced himself, holding out his hand.
"Hi, William. I'm James, and this is Erin." James introduced them both.
"Your name's William? And you're in a Shakespeare play?... WOW. That's a unique coincidence." Erin chuckled.
"Yea. I HAVE heard that a wee bit." William remarked.
"Sorry, was just having a craic." Erin said nervously as she shook his hand, but she then looked puzzled. "But shouldn't you be like…. Getting ready?"
"Yea, we're meant to see you in about an hour?" James asked, checking his watch.
"We're not performing tonight." Wiliam said in a puzzling tone.
"What?" James asked, just as puzzled.
"No, we're not on tonight. Come with me, I can barely hear myself." William motioned Erin and James away from the dancefloor. "Ah, that's better. Can hear ya now. Right. Ya see that lot sitting over there….? That's half the cast. The other half are off sick." William explained. Pointing towards a group of people sitting on a few sofas.
"Oh my God! And when exactly did this happen?" Erin exasperated, throwing her arms up.
"Sorry 'bout that. Don't know what to say to yous….. Tell ya what? Why not come over and sit with us?" William asked. Inviting them over.
The pair looked at each other. "Yeah, ok." They both said.
William lead them over and introduced them to the cast. Just as they settled down into the sofas. Orla came in between them. Startled them both.
"Hiya James. How bout ya, Erin?" She cried happily. Wrapping an arm round each of them.
"Just grand, Orla!" Erin grumbled.
"Orla. What you been up to?" James asked, seeing her tracksuit was lightly stained with paint.
"I've been painting some of the mural with Maria here." Orla explained with excitement. They spotted a long-haired brunette girl draped in baggy paint-stained jeans and a baggy striped jumper standing next to them.
"How goes it? She a friend of yours?" Maria asked warmly. "She's pretty class with a brush."
"Yeah, she is. Hi, I'm James." The wee English fella chuckled.
"And this is Erin Quinn. She's my cousin!" Orla said proudly. Erin rolled her eyes as Orla hugged her tightly.
Maria couldn't help but snigger at Erin's annoyed expression. "S'alright…. I got a sister that makes me go all broke. So, you guys new on campus?" She asked.
"No, Maria….. They're here to see our play. Apparently." William interjected.
"Oooooh. Bad timing." Maria shook her head, chuckling slightly.
"Aye. so we've heard. How come half of yous got sick?" Erin asked.
"Happened a couple of days ago." One of the other cast members said. The others murmured in agreement.
"Aye. The University reckons it was a bad batch of fish in the cafeteria. Now we've gotta wait till they all get better." Another said, but the comment went unnoticed.
"Do you reckon Mrs Sadhbh knows the play's been cancelled?" James asked Erin.
"Who's Mrs Sadhbh?" Maria asked.
"She's our English teacher, and a right psycho bitch, so she is." Erin exclaimed.
"Really? Why's that?" Maria asked.
"Well, where do I start?" Erin huffed.
"Well, ya can start by saying she has a very distinct Dublin accent, and she wears these suits with a skirt that make her bum look big. She gets our Erin raging every time she talks to James here, especially when she makes these fluttery eyes at him. Erin reckons she fancies James!" Orla said.
"What?" James exclaimed.
"Orla!" Erin grunted desperately.
"She gets proper steaming real quick and she's very rude. When you try to talk to her, she acts like she doesn't hear you." Orla explained.
"Yes, thank you, Orla!" Erin jumped in.
"What she look like?" Maria asked suspiciously.
"Petite, green eyes, long brunette hair, slim, slender figure. Sort of in her late 30s or early 40s?" Orla described.
"Jesus Christ, Orla!" Erin snapped again.
"Huh, sounds like someone we know." William chuckled.
"Really? Who's that?" James asked.
William went to speak. "Well, bit of a story behind it. The university had an issue last year with a performing arts teacher called Shona Sian. Sounds a wee bit like your teacher. Anyway, to cut a long story short…."
"She tried to ride Will here." Maria cut in.
"No, that's not… I mean I didn't, I mean we didn't…." William stuttered clumsily.
"Sorry, are you two together or something?" James asked.
"Aye, very much so." Maria said, taking William's hand.
"Ach, that's class. Ya make a cracking couple." Orla regarded.
"Aww, thanks Orla. But this bitch tutor, Shona almost split us up. So she did." Maria confessed sadly. She turned to look affectionately at William. "We've known each other since we were teenagers. Been together since our A-levels started…." She said fondly. "But as soon as she set foot on campus, I should have known that bitch would be trouble. She spent more time flirting with William than she did taking the class." Maria grimaced.
"Many of us even reckoned she wasn't an actual teacher." William added.
"Really?! Didn't ya report her like?" Erin asked.
"Oh aye, but she just laughed it off. Said William was the one who had a wee infatuation with her. Absolutely full of herself, she was." Maria huffed.
"Jesus!" James huffed.
William went on. "She then started dating one of the other tutors, next thing we heard, the fella gets sacked due to some sexual harassment claim, and around the same time, Shona got released from her contract with a hefty payout."
"Sweet Jesus! Do ya reckon she was the one who made the harassment claim?" Erin asked.
"We never found out. We never saw her again. But that's what a lot of folks reckon." William concluded.
"Aye, imagine if it were…. The slag drools over my fella here, then goes and cries wolf like a wain, and she gets a fecking payout for it! There's no fecking justice in that!" Maria exclaimed. Erin nodded in agreement.
"Ach, come now, Maria. It's over now, aye? Right, we're gonna shift. Was nice meeting you all. Maybe we'll see ya when the play's back up and running." He said cheeringly.
As the couple and other students said their goodbyes. Erin, James and Orla were left on the sofa, James turned to look at Erin, who appeared deep in thought.
"So…. Did you really think Mrs Sadhbh fancied me?" James finally asked with a puzzled expression.
"Catch yourself on! Of course I didn't" Erin huffed unconvincingly.
"But then why did ya write that in your diary, Erin?" Orla asked.
"Orla, I swear to GOD!" Erin lunged for her, but James caught her before she managed to get hold of Orla, leaving them alone. Draped across James, Erin turned to look awkwardly at him.
"You did think it, didn't you?" James asked.
"I…. might have thought it…. For a second." Erin admitted awkwardly
James took a moment; his expression began to soften. "Well, for what it's worth…. I don't think Mrs Sadhbh is THAT good looking."
"Catch yourself on, James. As much as I hate her, you can't deny she's pretty striking." Erin admitted.
"Striking, yeah….. But she's not you. Couldn't hold a candle to you if her life depended on it." James said softly.
Erin blushed uncontrollably. "What? Marco teach ya that line?" She shrugged.
"No. That one's mine." James smiled as Erin lunged into him, snogging him all over again.
Now a safe distance from her raging cousin, Orla ventured around again on her own. She beamed when she walked past the bar and saw a tub of strawberry pencils just sitting there. She walked over and swiftly snatched the tub and made a beeline for a blue door and went through it. She found herself at the back of the stage, Orla hid behind a draping curtain where she thought she would not be disturbed.
"Don't worry yous guys…. I'll give ya a good home." Orla whispered to the tub of strawberry pencils.
Pulling one of them out. She was about to chew on one when her attention was then drawn to a strange sound. Peeking round the drape. Orla's jaw opened slowly as she spied Michelle and Hector in the middle of a snogging session. Michelle was propped on a storage crate with her legs wrapped round Hector. Orla tilted her head, munching on the strawberry pencil as she curiously watched the erratic way they were kissing.
"Christ, but you're a ride!" Hector said in a gruff voice, regarding her figure.
"Thanks." Michelle smirked back.
"You wanna come back to my dorm?" Hector asked bluntly.
"What?" Michelle asked.
"Come back to my dorm, it's only round the corner. We can get more privacy there." He flashed his eyebrows.
"Uh….. maybe another time?" Michelle suggested. "Don't exactly have all the time in the world at this moment. Ya know, theatre shite and all." Michelle admitted.
"Ach, it won't take long." Hector answered. "Uh….. I mean…. The distance won't take long." He tried to correct himself desperately.
"Um, look. I'm flattered, but I just don't have the time." Michelle repeated, jumping down from the crate.
"What? Ach come on! I bought ya those drinks." Hector complained.
"Yeah. And I told ya I don't have time. What bit are ye having trouble understanding?" Michelle said angrily, moving to walk away.
"Ach no, wait. Wit now. Look, ya haven't finished ya drink. Come on now…. I'm sorry. Can we just finish our drink before ya go?" Hector asked Michelle.
The feisty Mallon paused for a thought. "…Yeah, alright." She agreed.
Hector moved towards the two drinks that were placed near the Decks. Orla watched him slide his hand into his pocket. Her eye widened as she saw Hector slip something into Michelle's drink.
"Here ya go now. One for the road." Hector said handing Michelle the cup.
"MICHELLE DON'T DRINK TJHAT!" Orla shouted, darting out from behind the drape, she swiped the drink from Michelle's hand.
"Jesus, Orla!" Michelle gasped.
"Where the fuck she come from?!" Hector snapped.
"HE JUST PUT SOMETHING IN YA DRINK! I SAW 'IM!" Orla exclaimed.
"What? What ya saying? I put something in her drink. Hahahaha. Ach, she's a bit of a loop, this one is!" Hector chuckled.
"What did you just call her?" Michelle snapped.
"Ach, come on now. What does she reckon? That I need to drug girls to get my leg over? Catch yourself on. Do I look like I'm THAT desperate?" Hector remarked arrogantly.
"Ya seemed desperate enough a few moments ago." Michelle answered sternly.
"What ya saying? Don't tell me ya actually believe this nut job?" Hector laughed.
"I'm not lying!" Orla stressed.
"Oi. Nut job she might be…. But she's my best friend, Shite face! And she wouldn't lie to me! Right, prove her wrong! Empty ya pockets now!" Michelle demanded.
"Ach, feck off! Like I'm gonna do that!" Hector shrugged.
His words were all the proof that Michelle needed. "Well, let me just say this, Hector! Even if I was a fucking corpse, you STILL wouldn't have a chance of riding me!"
"Come on Michelle. Let's go." Orla took her by the hand and hurried away. As they opened the stage door, Hector slammed the door before they got out. The stage door was now open, but Hector stood in their way.
"You pair of catholic brassers aren't going anywhere!" Hector shouted. "I'm taking both of yous back to my dorm! You and Dopey Dumbo here!" He sneered.
Michelle and Orla panted fearfuly as they backed away from him. "Uh…. Do you mind repeating what you just said?" Michelle asked suddenly.
"You what?" Hector asked.
"Aye….. can ya repeat that?" Orla echoed; a mischievous smile now spread across her face.
"Something ya said about Orla being a 'Dopey Dumbo?" Michelle asked playfully.
"Aye I said that! What of it!" Hector shouted.
The fella felt himself turned round and felt a thunderous force smash him in the head, flooring him. "Dumbo's my favourite Disney film, wanker?!"
"Fuck….. me!" Hector groaned, holding his face, he looked up at the blurry silhouette. He then felt himself being pulled by the collar, coming to face to face with the figure standing over him.
"Mind your language in front of the girls, arsehole." Marco growled.
"Who the fuck are you?" Hector stressed, dazed in agony.
"I'm your worst nightmare!" Marco threw his head into Hector's again. As he fell to the floor, a small bottle of pills fell from Hector's coat pocket. "Arghhhh, why did I do that twice?" Marco groaned, holding his own face now.
"Oh my God! Marco!" Orla shouted happily. Running around Hector in panic to wrap her arms round him.
"Thank fucking Jesus!" Michelle gasped, joining them.
"Come on…. Let's go." Marco calmly lead them out the stage door, holding his head.
"Your worst nightmare? Seriously? Who the fuck d'ya think you are? John Rambo!" Michelle quipped.
"No that's Orla." Marco chuckled.
"Awwww, thanks, Bear." Orla hugged him tight as they walked away.
"Hold on! Shouldn't we call the old Bill on him?" Marco asked, pointing back.
"Fuck off! If we do that, then we'll get in the shit for being here!" Michelle argued.
"But he just tried to DRUG you, Michelle!" Marco shot back.
"Hey. Those guys seem to be handling it pretty good." Orla pointed.
They turned to see Hector being hauled out by a pair of broad bouncers. One of them holding the bottle of pills.
"Ach. What did we tell ya Hector?!" One said.
"Didn't we say we'd catch ya sooner or later, ya wee prick?! Let's see what the fuzz has to say about you and ya wee drugs here!" The other said as they escorted a dazed Hector past them and out of the club.
"Come on. Let's got find the others." Michelle suggested.
The glass of Bacardi and coke was still full and grasped in Clare's hand. She had been speaking about Laurie for the past 30 minutes without a break to Violet. From their meeting to their first kiss, to their first time together and everything in between. The purple draped girl rolled her eyes in despair and tilted her head towards the ceiling as she waited for an opening that wouldn't come. Clare took a moment to catch her breath, seeing the exhausted look on Violet.
"Oh, Sorry. I guess I went on a wee bit, aye?" Clare asked anxiously.
"Really, ya think so?" Violet tutted. "Anyway…. Like I said, it's good to get it all off your chest. But there are other ways of unloading…"
Clare started up again. Her voice exemplifying anxiety and longing. "I mean, the key to any good relationship is communication, right? I mean, here I am trying to do just that with Laurie, knowing exactly what she went through, and she didn't deserve to be treated the way she was by her ex-partner. But here I am now, in the same position she was in, and you'd think she would be understanding enough to at least hear me out….. After telling me about what happened between her and that Kara girl….. You would think she would at least give me the chance to let me tell my side of the story, which in all fairness, there isn't anything to say, because nothing's happened. I have no idea who this person was who's been spreading these lies about me. And trust me if I were to EVER find out who did…. How dare they insinuate I was cheating on someone who I have the utmost respect for and someone who I love with every inch of me… God I miss her… I know they say love hurts… and I DO love her….. I love her….. I really love her!" Clare stressed.
"Ach, for Christ's sake! You are an absolute craic killer, ya know that?! Ya know what? Forget it! I was gonna offer you a free sympathetic ride… But Jesus Christ! A hooker wouldn't wanna be paid if she had to sit through this shite!" Violet cried, huffing in annoyance as she left Clare by herself.
The wee Lesbian sat dumbfounded. She slowly went to take a sip of her drink when the rave music suddenly came to a stop. There was a puzzled murmur amongst the gathered mass. A tune began to play. It was Toni Braxton-Unbreak My Heart. As the song played, Clare thought back to the times she had heard the song when Laurie would hug her in comfort when she was mourning her Dad. Clare's lower lip began to quiver again at the thought of those tranquil moments with her 'rock'
"And I love you too, ya fecking cack attack. An anxious voice said from behind her. Clare shot round, recognizing the voice.
Clare's jaw dropped to the floor. "LAURIE?! IS IT YOU?!" She asked desperately. "How much of that did you hear?"
"Enough?" Laurie answered sheepishly.
Laurie's expression was a mixture of regret and affection. Her arms shook as she stood only a few inches from Clare, who mirrored the same look, regret, sorrow, angst and affection all rolled into one. Clare shuddered a breath of gratitude as she saw Laurie slowly open her arms. Clare broke into tears as she shot out of her stool and into Laurie's arms.
"Laurie!" Clare sobbed into her,
"I'm sorry, Clare…. I'm so sorry, babes!" Laurie sobbed into Clare's ear, holding her tightly.
"I didn't….. I'd never….." Clare said desperately. Seizing the chance to finally explain.
"I know, I know, I know you didn't babes…" Laurie sobbed regrettably. "It wasn't your fault….. it was mine." She admitted, tears flowed down her cheeks
Clare reached and cupped Laurie's face and planted a tender, loving kiss on her lips. The tension and doubt melted away in an instant as their lips found their rhythm. The kiss quickly became deep, but loving. Clare and Laurie held each other snugly as they poured everything into this one moment. When they finally released each other from their solitude. Both cupped the other's face, gazing at each other with love and affection.
"I love you too." Laurie said. "And I'll NEVER doubt you again. I promise!"
"How did you find me? And…. How….?" Clare went to ask.
"I've got a lot to tell ya, Clare. But I'll just say I've have a few things explained to me….and I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to blank ya. I know you didn't cheat… and I'm sorry." Laurie repeated herself.
"….. Calm yourself down, Laurie. You'll have yourself a cack attack!" Clare shot. The newly reunited couple burst into a joint laughter as they went in for another kiss. "… I've missed you." Clare sobbed.
A short distance away. Erin, James, Michelle, Orla and Marco gazed happily at the sweet reunion from one of the sofas.