Back at Laurie's flat. The girls, along with James and Marco listened intently to the answer machine messages. Although she was initially happy that Clare and Laurie had seemed to patch things up, Erin couldn't help but feel uneasy towards Laurie for simply blanking Clare without giving her a chance to defend herself. Knowing this action had caused her girlfriend a tremendous stress over the past few weeks. Laurie expected some form of backlash. She knew that Erin needed to hear what Marco had heard earlier to give herself any chance of being accepted back into the group without any hostilities.
While the others gathered around the sofa, Erin stood with her mouth gawping. Instantly recognizing Mona's voice, Clare clenched her lips tight and sported a severe expression rare for the wee lesbian. As did Michelle. Erin's former stance quickly crumbled when she heard the multitude of vile messages that Laurie had received. Erin glanced towards Laurie; frowning with embarrassment as her heart went out to the couple who were sitting closely together.
"Hope that satisfies you, Erin." Michelle snapped. Clare finally cracked, turning into Laurie, she hugged her partner tight. Making Erin melt, now understanding the magnitude of the situation.
"Jesus….. I'm really sorry about that, Laurie." Erin apologised. She saw Laurie nod at her in acceptance.
"S' alright. Ye had every right to think the worst. Blanking Clare was my fault." Laurie sighed as she hugged Clare.
"I am raging right now." Orla huffed angrily, feeling her head throb.
"Not as much as I am, Orla. As soon as I find that mouth, Mona. I'm gonna tear her a new hole!" Michelle barked as she paced back and forth.
"No, Michelle….." Clare stood up. "Ya let me get MY hands on the wee bitch first, and I'LL TEAR HER A NEW FECKING ARSEHOLE!" She shouted, her wee body shaking with rage.
"Alright, calm down, Clare. It's alright." James said, holding her hand.
Laurie came from behind Clare. Embracing her, feeling Clare shake. As they locked eyes with each other, both Clare and Laurie felt a surge of affection and withheld desire wash over them.
"Can you girls excuse us?" Clare asked.
"Aye ok. You're excused." Orla said.
"No, she means they wanna be alone, Orla." Marco corrected her.
The couple stood in each other's arms, the others took the hint and left to give them some space. Clare took heavy breaths as she faced Laurie. Her eyes, full of affection shifted between her eyes and lips. The couple crashed into each other. Pouring every ounce of love and passion into that one kiss. Gently cupping each other's faces, they quickened they pace. Finally breaking free from their deepened kiss, Laurie stole the moment to catch her breath.
"What time is it?" She asked.
"Just gone 6…." Clare answered, shaking.
"What time do ya have to be back at the theatre?" Laurie asked anxiously.
"Seven…." Clare squeaked, holding Laurie tight. Her breaths becoming more rapid with excitement.
"OK…. Do…. Do ya wanna…..?"
"Aye. Absolutely! 100%" Clare said rapidly, kissing Laurie again.
Now sitting outside Laurie's residence building. Michelle still paced with anger about Mona Malarkey. The rest sat on the edge of a nearby wall, listening to her rant. While Orla kept an ice flannel on Marco's swollen forehead, Erin shot an annoyed gaze at him. As Michelle's cries of revenge became more intense, James stepped in to calm her.
"Look, Michelle. I agree, Mona deserves to get pulled up on this, no doubt. But don't you think you'd be playing into her hands if you just went charging in on her?" He asked.
"How's that, Dickface?! Your lot seemed to do quite well every time you invaded us and every other place in the fucking world!" Michelle snapped.
"Yeah, but there was more to it than just charging in. Like strategy for one thing." James stated.
"Didn't stop this one, did it?" Erin huffed, thumbing at Marco.
"What's ya point, James?" Michelle asked.
"My point is, think about it. What did Mona have to gain by doing this to Clare and Laurie? She doesn't know Laurie, right?" James asked.
"I wouldn't think so." Erin answered.
"Right. So, this wasn't just some random prank, cos of the amount of messages." James explained.
"But on the other hand, it's not really personal either." Marco grimaced.
"Right. So, that must mean she was put up to it by someone." James paused, looking for an answer.
"Who's that then James?" Orla asked, her curiosity piqued.
"… Well, I dunno who THAT is. I mean I could be wrong." James admitted.
"Fucking useless, he is." Michelle rolled her eyes.
"Well, we know it was Mona. We also know what and where. But we don't know why." Marco agreed.
"Ohhhh, ya mean like in Cluedo? Can I be Colonel Mustard?" Orla asked.
"Focus Orla" Erin stressed. "Maybe James has a point. We need to try and find out who put her up to this." She rasped.
"Ach, balls! We need to go and smack her one like what Marco did to that prick Hector!" Michelle claimed eagerly. Grabbing him to mimic a headbutt motion, causing Marco to flinch.
"Careful, Michelle!" Orla groaned.
"How's your head feeling, mate?" James asked with concern.
"Like I headbutted a brick wall." Marco chuckled with a groan. Orla squeezed his arm tight.
"That were fucking class, that was. My Niall would've been proud of that headbutt!" Michelle beamed.
While the group laughed amongst themselves. Erin walked off with a strop towards a nearby payphone.
"Where ye going, Erin?!" Michelle called.
"I'm calling home! Gonna let my mam know we're alright!" She snapped.
"What's the fuck is her problem?" Michelle turned to the ask the others, who were just as baffled.
The tone in Geraldine's voice was undeniable to Mary following a phone call from her friend. She hastily made her way round to the Devlin house with Sarah and Deidre in toll. Pulling up outside, Gerry opted to stay in the car to give the mammies space to deal with the matter at hand. In the car, Gerry sadly reminisced over Sean's death. Like the mammies, Gerry and Sean had been the best of friends for many years. From courting their future wives to entering fatherhood together. Sean's passing was still as fresh in Gerry's mind as it was from nearly a year ago.
Mary, Sarah and Deidre barely got halfway up the path when Geraldine swung the front door open and hurried towards them. Much like her daughter, she was a walking cack attack. This time, however, Mary had a sneaky suspicion as to why the Devlin matriarch appeared so trepidatious.
"Thanks for coming girls." Geraldine said with a shaky voice.
"Ach, Geraldine. What's happened love?" Mary asked with concern, putting an arm around her, she lead her back into the house. "Sarah, go put the kettle on."
"I might need something stronger than Tea, Mary. I saw someone today…. You're not gonna believe who it was. I don't wanna alarm any of yous…..But…." Geraldine shook.
"Calm down love." Mary said as they moved into the living room.
"Jesus, If she says she saw her Sean, we might need to get her a strait jacket." Deidre whispered to Sarah.
"Well, that certainly won't look too flattering on her, that's for sure." Sarah remarked as she walked off into the kitchen.
"Shifty…..I saw Shifty today!" Geraldine whispered once Sarah was out of earshot.
"Shifty McGuilicuty….. I thought as much." Mary huffed with regret.
"The very same, Mary! I just finished speaking to the solicitor. I was walking along, and my head was spinning….. I turned the corner and of all things to do…. I slammed right into her! Hold on, what do you mean, you thought as much?" Geraldine exclaimed in panic.
"Did she go down?" Deidre smirked.
"Quicker than a protestant breaking lent." Geraldine stated anxiously.
"Ach feck! Wish I saw that!" Deidre groaned.
"We saw her earlier today as well, Geraldine. Keep ya voice down." Mary whispered. "Did she say anything to ya?" She asked.
"Aye. That woman hasn't changed a bit from the day she left school." Geraldine said sadly.
"Spiteful bitch!" Deidre shot.
"Geraldine. I don't mean to press ya, love. But did ya say anything back to her?" Mary asked.
"I wasn't prepared for her, girls. I just stood there like a deer in the headlights." Geraldine groaned. "And then she started asking questions about you, Deidre….. and then Sarah….. and I'm not quite sure whether I said anything back or not…." She panicked.
"Ach, fucking hell! We need to tell Sarah, Mary." Deidre stated.
At that point, Sarah came into the living room. "I found a nice bottle of scotch here, girls. Sure, this will calm Geraldine's nerves?... What? What is it?" Sarah saw the others glancing at each other with conflicting expressions.
"Well, Sarah….. There's…. There's something Mary really has to tell ya. It's really important, love." Deidre said. Mary shot her a glare.
"Oh well fine. What is it, Mary?" Sarah asked.
"Well….. It's a bit delicate, Sarah. So I'd brace yourself if I were you." Mary warned.
"Oh Christ, Mary! No! Not that! Please tell me it's not what I think!" Sarah gasped, holding her head in despair.
"I'm afraid so, love." Mary nodded.
"We've gone over this a million times, Mary! Brunette does nothing for ya cheekbones!" Sarah huffed.
Mary rolled her eyes in despair. "Sweet suffering….. No, I wasn't talking about that!" Mary cried.
"Oh, thank God! Sure, I remember the last time she tried going brunette." Sarah gasped with relief.
"Yes. Thanks, Sarah!" Mary stressed.
"She looked like a wee badger when it started growing out!" Sarah remarked.
"Can we stop talking about my fecking hair?!" Mary cried louder. "That's what I'm trying to tell ya Sarah!"
"Well, what are ya trying to say, Mary?" Sarah asked.
Mary felt the tension growl in the pit of her stomach. Sarah looked at her sister with concern while Deidre and Geraldine waited to hear what she was going to say. Mary felt her breath hitch as it took all the willpower in her to speak.
"What it is, love… is…."
RIIIINNNNNNNG…. RIIIIIINNNNNG
Mary counted her blessings as the phone rang, breaking the tension in the room. The mammies all made a desperate attempt to answer the phone to avoid Sarah, but Mary was quick enough to get to the phone first.
"Hello, Devlin household… Ach, is that yourself, Father Peter? … Yes, this is Mary Quinn speaking…. No….. No, we haven't heard from our girls or James….. Why? What's going on?..."
Mary's eyes grew wider and wider as she listened to Father Peter.
"Right… She did WHAT NOW?!... So, where are the girls?!... JESUS WEPT! Father, Are you trying to tell us that this English teacher just let our girls loose on the streets of Fecking Belfast and you don't know where the FECK they are?!"
"WHAT THE FUCK ARE THEY PLAYING AT?!" Deidre shouted.
"SWEET MERCIFUL JESUS! MY WEE CLARE!" Geraldine screamed, making Sarah cover an ear.
Mary took charge. "NOW YOU LISTEN HERE FATHER PETER, I WILL GLADLY DRIVE US TO BELFAST THIS VERY INSTANT AND RAM THIS PHONE STRAIGHT UP THIS MRS SADHBH'S ARSE IF SHE DON'T FIND OUR GIRLS ASAP! HAVE I MADE MYSELF CLEAR?!" Mary had to stop herself when she heard another incoming call. "YOU WAIT RIGHT THERE, FATHER! THERE'S ANOTHER CALL COMING THROUGH!" Mary shouted with an anxious anger as she switched to talk to the other incoming caller.
"HELLO?!" She shouted.
"Mammy?"
The Quinn mammy froze "…. ERIN? ERIN IS THAT YOU LOVE?!... OH, THANK YOU JESUS! IT'S ERIN!" Mary cried to the others.
"Yea, of course it's me, Mam. What are ye doing round Clare's house?" Erin asked.
"ERIN, WHERE IN GOD'S NAME ARE YOU?! ARE YOU ALL TOGETHER?! ANSWER ME RIGHT NOW, ERIN JOSEPHINE QUINN!"
"Yes! Yes, we are! We're all together! We're at Queens University with Laurie." Erin answered in a panicked haste.
"Ohhhh thank god! They're all together. They met up with your Clare's Laurie." Mary explained, pressing the phone to her chest.
"Ohhh, saints preserve us!" Geraldine sighed with relief.
"Mammy?…. Mammy?... Are ya there? I'm trying to tell ya something." Erin called down the phone.
Mary returned the phone to her ear and barked down the line. "Right, you've got a lot of explaining to do, Erin! What are you all doing sauntering around Belfast on your own? I've just had Father Peter on the phone telling us your play's been cancelled, and they've been looking for yers."
"But, Mammy. It was Mrs Sadhbh who told us to…."
"Oh, and if Mrs Sadhbh told ya to jump in the foyle, you'd do that too, aye?!"
"Course I wouldn't! But we found out the play got cancelled ourselves, I was only trying to be responsible to let you know we were alright!"
"Mind your cheek, Erin! Or I'll have the wooden spoon waiting for yers when you get back! Get your arse back to the bus! All of you! NOW!" Mary ordered.
"Yes, Mammy. Ok, Bye." Erin sighed as she hung up.
Mary exhaled deeply, her emotions were a mix of relief and anger. She struggled to remember how to switch calls again. Deidre snatched the phone from her and switched calls.
"Father Peter…. Deidre Mallon here. We just spoke to our girls….. Aye they're fine, no thanks to this Mrs Sadhbh, whoever she is. The girls will be back at the theatre shortly. You just tell that woman she better pray we don't try and hunt her down like a dog!"
"I take full responsibility for this, Mrs Mallon. And I offer my sincere apologies for any distress caused." Father Peter stuttered a nervous reply.
"Aye. You do that." Deidre hung up the phone. "Great wet prick!"
Erin now felt the same anxiety that coursed through her Mammy's veins, but for a much different reason as she hurried back towards the group.
"Marvellous! Just fecking marvellous!" Erin stressed.
"What?" Michelle asked.
"Our mams know the play's being cancelled. Father Peter only went and called them!" Erin cried, her voice cracking.
"Oh, terrific!" James echoed.
"We need to get back to the bus, and I mean like right now!" Erin stated panicking.
"Well, we better tell Clare." James said.
"Not me! I don't fancy walking in on those two doing a fantango dance!" Michelle declared.
"Oh, heaven forbid you should want to put yourself in an awkward position!" Erin snapped.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Michelle shot back.
"Uh-Oh…." Orla groaned anxiously, she covered her ears and hid behind Marco and James.
"Well, need I point out, Michelle! It was YOUR bright idea to go to that bar. It was YOU who went off with that Hector fella. It was YOU who almost got drugged by that arsehole…."
"And me and Marco stopped him!" Orla pointed out, still hiding behind the lads.
"Look. Girls…." James went to speak.
"That's right! Orla and Marco stopped him. And if ya think about it, we're not in any trouble Erin! It was Mrs Sadhbh who TOLD us to go for a dander. If anyone's in trouble, it's her!" Michelle argued back.
"Girls…..?" Marco called.
"That doesn't excuse the fact that Marco here now looks like he's got another head growing. And the fact that our mams know we're not with the school group isn't gonna stop them from wiping us out! If not them, it'll be Mrs fucking Sadhbh! So, forgive me if I'm acting a wee bit overdramatic here!" Erin screamed. Her eyes bulging and arms flinging everywhere.
"Do I look like I'm bothered? I'm not the one who's getting MY knickers in a twist just cos you reckon Mrs Sadhbh has some sicko crush on James!" Michelle blurted out.
"Hold on! What was that?!" Marco gasped with surprise.
"Oh my god!" James sighed, rolling his eyes.
"You promised you wouldn't say anything!" Erin stressed.
"Girls?!" James and Marco said together.
"SHUT UP LADS!"
"WE CAN HEAR YOU GUYS FROM UP HERE, YA KNOW THAT?!" A squeaky voice cried. The group turned and looked up to see Clare peering out from a window.
"WHAT THE FECK'S GOING ON DOWN THERE?!" Laurie then poked her head out.
"ACH, HI YOU GUYS! ARE YA STILL DANCING THE FANTANGO UP THERE?!" Orla called up. Laurie bit her lip to stop herself from laughing.
"ORLA!" Clare cried with embarrassment, her face went dark red.
"CLARE! OUR MAMS KNOW THE PLAY'S BEEN CANCELLED! WE NEED TO GET BACK TO THE BUS!" Erin cried up.
"OK…. I'M COMING NOW!" Clare called down in a panic.
Marco began to snigger. "… SORRY, WHAT WAS THAT, CLARE?!" He called.
"I SAID I'M COMING! I'M COMING! RIGHT NOW, I'M COMING!" Clare repeated.
"WELL, THANKS FOR LETTING US KNOW CLARE! YA HORNY WEE LEZZER!" Michelle called up, sniggering. Thee was a slight pause.
"….. THAT'S NOT FUNNY, MICHELLE!" Clare shouted; Laurie threw her head back laughing as the couple disappeared back inside.
Erin pulled a disgusted face at Michelle, who was now doubled over, laughing. "JESUS CHIRST CAN YOU NOT BE SO IMMA….. TURE?" She stumbled.
Erin then turned to see James and Marco biting their lips. Orla's eyes were wide after Marco had clued her in on what had just happned. As they looked to see the shocked look on her face, Orla's shoulders started to shake, unable to hold it any longer, all three broke out into hysterics. Erin shook her head, unable to stop the corner of her mouth crooking, she quicky found herself chuckling along with them, releasing some of the tension. They were quickly joined by Clare and Laurie who walked straight into the mass giggling.
"Jesus Christ! I can't take you girls ANYWHERE!" Clare huffed.
Her cheeks were red with an obvious embarrassment. Which only made the others laugh even more as they all made their way back towards the theatre which was only a short distance away from the campus. As they walked through the campus grounds towards the nearby Botanic Gardens. Finally at ease with herself, Laurie was finally able to relay to the group about university life; the classes, the community, the nightlife, the freedom of being away from home, the independence, the individuality, the self-expression. All the things that the girls were eager to feel and experience for themselves. Laurie laid it out like a euphoric picture which felt like it was close enough to touch, which distracted them from their troubles.
"My God! Sounds like heaven!" Erin exclaimed.
"Or Neverland." Orla added dreamingly.
"Oh, it is. Without a doubt, it IS class." Laurie agreed.
"I am so coming here! I WILL come here!" Erin stated excitedly.
"Yeah, sounds like a great way to doss around and have a wee craic." Michelle nodded.
"It's much more than that, Michelle! You set yourself up for the rest of your working life in these places!" Clare explained.
"What about you, lads?" Laurie asked.
"I definitely can't wait to come to university. I'm sure I passed the creative arts building on the way in." James smiled widely.
"Aye, ya did so. They got everything here. TV studio, editing rooms, video capture rooms. Standard stuff for university." Laurie explained.
"Wicked!" James beamed.
"How about you, Marco? Think ya might join us?" Clare asked excitedly.
"Aye. They do culinary arts here too." Laurie added.
"….. Hmmmm, I dunno….. It's an idea." Marco pondered.
"Ach that'd be grand! Hey! We could all live together in a wee house!" Orla cried happily.
The others gave a mixed response of chuckles and ironic jubilance at the idea of living together. As they drew nearer towards the Lyric theatre, they spied the school bus.
"Right. I think we better leg it." Erin suggested.
"What? Back to the student bar?" Orla asked.
"NO!" Erin groaned. "We better go by ourselves. Sycho Sadhbh might try and blame you two or something." She said to Laurie and Marco.
"You know what, she's got a point. I need to get back anyway. I gotta drive Sister Michael back." Marco sighed.
"Are ye sure ya should be driving with that head?" Michelle asked.
"Ach, Michelle. He drives with his hands." Orla answered, furrowing her eyes. "Bye Bear. Drive carefully." Planting a firm kiss on Marco and sprinted after Erin and James.
Michelle spotted Marco grinning. "You say one word, I'll give ya a matching bump!" She shot as she quickly. "SEE YA LAURIE!" She called out.
"Laters, Michelle!" Laurie called. She was met with a warm embrace from Clare.
"Call me, aye?" Clare asked.
"I'll give it a couple of hours and I'll call you at home, aye?" Laurie asked with affection.
"Aye, OK." Clare nodded. She rushed in and planted a kiss on Laurie.
"Clare! Shift!" Michelle called from a distance.
"I'M COMING!"
"WHAT? AGAIN?!" Michelle joked.
Clare grimaced as she darted after them "I love you, Laurie!" She shouted.
"Love you too babes!" Laurie called out. She turned and smiled at Marco. "Thanks, mate." She said. The pair turned and made their way back to the campus.
The group were a short distance from the bus. The other class members peered out the windows to see what was going to happen. The five suddenly halted when they saw Mrs Sadhbh, followed by Father Peter and Jenny Joyce walking towards them with a hastened pace.
"Ohhhh Shhhiiiiiiit!" Erin groaned worryingly.
"WHERE IN GOD'S NAME HAVE YOU BEEN?!" Mrs Sadhbh cried angrily.
Jenny began to chime in. "You guys better have a really good excuse for…."
"Be quiet, Jenny! Do you have any idea what bother you've all caused me?!" Mrs Sadhbh shouted.
"We couldn't find you, girls. So we had no choice but to get in touch with your parents." Father Peter
"Uh, stand corrected Father. We were the ones who rang our parents!" Erin protested.
"Aye, and we haven't missed the play. We know it's been cancelled." Orla added.
Mrs Sadhbh glared coldly at Orla. "I'm aware the play's been cancelled, you stupid thicko!"
"With all due respect, Mrs Sadhbh. That is not necessary." Clare cried, shielding Orla.
"Aye! It's not our fault half the cast got the scoots!" Michelle protested.
"Just get on the bus! I do not want to hear any of your pathetic excuses!" Mrs Sadhbh shouted. The group sauntered towards the bus in defeat.
Jenny Joyce couldn't help but smirk. "Well, I guess we told them, right Mrs Sadhbh?" She hummed.
"Shut up, Jenny!" Mrs Sadhbh sniped.
The atmosphere on the bus was somewhat tense as Father Peter began the drive back towards Derry. He chose to keep quiet. He now felt a less endearing attitude towards Mrs Sadhbh. While Clare spoke happily to the group about Laurie, truly relieved that they were still an item. The teacher stewed angrily by herself in the front row. Huffing out short breaths as she stared out the window. Erin couldn't help but notice her demeanour was very hostile, as did Michelle.
"If she huffs anymore she's gonna steam up all the this bus." Michelle whispered.
"D'ya reckon she's raging cos she didn't get an ice cream?" Orla asked, as she drew pictures on the misted windows.
"Yeah, that's PRECISELY why she's raging, Orla." Erin scoffed.
"Could be worse." James said lightly.
"How?" Clare asked.
"Well, she could have had food poisoning like the cast of the play did. I can't imagine anything worse than that." James answered. The girls tilted their heads, agreeing with his suggestion.
"I had food poisoning one time when I was a weeun, do ya remember, Erin? Right melter, so it was." Orla said, turning away from the window.
"What?... YOU had food poisoning?" James asked Orla in astonishment.
"Aye. Hard to believe, right? Orla ate a rotten battered hot dog and boked for 2 days." Erin chuckled.
"I remember that." Clare nodded.
"Weren't you sick too Erin?" Michelle asked mischievously.
"No!... No I wasn't sick." Erin said defensively.
"Aye she was." Orla reflected. "But Erin didn't boke….." She added.
"Aye. Very much so. I was just….. poorly, at best, or worse." Erin added in haste, her nervous tone betraying her.
"No, she had the scoots instead." Orla stated.
"Jesus Christ Orla!" Erin cried; she lunged to cover Orla's mouth. The others sniggered while Erin's face went red with embarrassment.
The nearing lights of Derry were a welcome sight for the class. The disaster of the trip was now nearing an end. However, before they came to the drop off point for the pupils, Mrs Sadhbh gathered her things together. She jolted from her seat.
"Stop here. I'm getting out." She said nonchalantly to Father Peter.
"What's that now?" The priest asked, surprised.
"Stop here! It's near my flat! I've had a long day, and I wanna go home!" Mrs Sadhbh snapped.
"But what about the girls? What about the parents? What if they have questions?" Peter asked.
"They'll be NO questions!" Mrs Sadhbh argued. Father Peter furrowed his eyes at her.
"I think Erin's parents might have some! Or Michelle's, or Clare's?" Peter explained.
"I have NO intention of making a mountain out of a molehill, Father. Besides, if there is. You can handle it! Now pull over!" Mrs Sadhbh demanded.
Father Peter was still having trouble understanding her reasons for avoiding any sort of potential confrontations, but he did as he was asked and pulled over. Mrs Sadhbh stepped off the bus, and briskly strolled back up the street. Leaving the Priest and the class looking on with confusion.
"… Right. Well, let's get you all back to the drop off." Father Peter announced, taking charge of the situation.
The priest began to feel more and more nervous the closer they came to the drop off. He hoped that Mrs Sadhbh's words would ring true, and there would be no repercussions to deal with when it came to the…. Sure enough, he turned the corner and saw a sea of parents awaiting the bus's arrival. Word had spread quickly. Father Peter had no need to imagine the 'storm' that was about to hit the fan. He rose slowly from his seat. The bus door opening. He took a step back and let the pupils disembark first, quickly dismissing them. The five quickly came upon the lineup of mammies, fronted by Mary Quinn. Each of them incapable of not scolding them before asking the all-important question of whether they were alright before turning their attentions, and their rage towards the timid Father Peter.
A short distance up the road. The Delorean turned the corner. Sister Michael was just chuckling pleasantly while reading 'The Exorcist' when she looked up. Peering out of the passenger window in bewilderment as Marco drove her past the huddled mass of mammies that encircled Father Peter. The Nun looked around and saw no sign of Mrs Sadhbh but could only see Father Peter desperately attempting to calm the enraged mothers who bombarded frantically, while others, including some of the Dads shamed him for not being more assertive in looking out for the class. Questions were called about who and where Mrs Sadhbh was. Miraculously, no one seemed to notice the car drive by.
"Do you want me to pull over so you can get out?" Marco asked.
"Why in God's name would I want to do that?" Sister Michael asked.
"Well, he looks like he's deep in it back there, if you know what I mean." Marco remarked.
"Yes I suppose you're right. I say let him sit in it. Drive on." Sister Michael ordered.
Mary pondered to herself in the solitude of the kitchen. The house was now quiet after everyone had gone to bed. The Quinn mammy had dreaded terribly over the thought of her daughter and niece possibly coming to some sort of harm in Belfast petrified her. But she thanked the Lord that the wains had been sensible enough to stay out of trouble, given that they'd all returned without a scratch, with the exception of Marco. The story they gave that he ran into a door didn't seem to sit right with her for some reason, but she dismissed it when she heard the news that Clare had reconciled with Laurie, which warmed her heart seeing their wee lesbian happy again.
It was a welcomed distraction from the fretting of the past few days; from Joe and his fish poaching business with Jim and Cousin Declan; to the issue of 'Shifty' McGuilicuty, and her unwanted historical affiliation with Sarah had plagued Mary's mind. Especially on how she was going to break the news to her sister of her return. But now, she and the other mammies had another issue to deal with. The lacklustre approach of this teacher, Mrs Sadhbh. Always the one for respecting a teacher's position, this woman's attitude stirred Mary with confusion as to why she would just allow their wains to venture off into unknown territory without watching out for them.
The next morning, Mary's mind was still swimming as she sat on the sofa alongside Sarah. James brought her a cup of tea while the wains sorted themselves out. Marco had taken on the task of making breakfast while the TV blared out the latest news about the events in Stormont where substantial talks of an actual permanent peace in Northern Ireland had begun. Although ceasefires had been declared, withdrawn and re-declared in recent memory, the victory for the 'New Labour' party in the UK election had brought a call from new Prime Minister Tony Blair to push for an end to the hostilities. Granda Joe sat and listened intently with Anna and Coco Pops in his lap, taking in what was said on the news. The wains sat around the kitchen table, also listening intently.
"I must say that Tony Blair has a striking set of teeth on him." Sarah remarked as she watched the TV.
"Looks like that mad eejit from The Shining, just with more hair on his head." Joe remarked.
"Do ya reckon it might happen this time Daddy?" Sarah asked.
"Who knows, love. I've heard shite like this before from these government sorts and it's all the same…. Nothing but a fancy punchline to them. Daft English pricks! Oh, no offense son." Joe said, turning to take a bacon sandwich from James.
"Oh. None taken, sir. Tell the truth, he does look a bit like Jack Nicholson" James answered lightly. Meanwhile, Sarah had moved into the kitchen.
"Are ye sure ya don't wanna go see a doctor with that bump, Marco love?" Sarah asked, resting her hand on his shoulder.
"Nah, it's not that bad thanks, Ms McCool. I'm fine." Marco answered smiling.
"Aye, he's had worse, Mammy." Orla added.
"Well, I guess that just proves my theory." Sarah shrugged.
"What theory is THAT, Aunt Sarah?" Erin scoffed arrogantly.
"My theory is sound, Erin. If you're going to be handsome, you should have the common decency to be a bit thick." Marco couldn't help but blush slightly at Sarah's comment.
"Doesn't really to apply to James then." Michelle sniggered.
"I heard that!" James called.
"I'm not thick." Marco said quietly. "Who said I was thick?" He asked, turning to James who'd rejoined them.
"Goes without saying." Michelle shot. "Told him to slow down, Sarah. But he wouldn't listen. Great thicko!" She said. Marco shot Michelle an annoyed look.
"Morning all." Jim called as he came in.
"Ach, morning Jim. What about ya?" Joe asked.
"Not too bad, Joe. Got a few buyers for the last batch of the fish, then they'll be out of our hands." Jim said proudly.
"Thank God!" Gerry stressed.
"Wasn't as profitable as ya imagined, was it now?" Mary shot.
"Brought a wee bit of money in, didn't it now?" Joe said optimistically.
"Brought a whole lot more bother as well, Joe!" Gerry argued.
"Mind your tongue, boy!" Joe shot.
"I don't wanna hear any arguements this morning. Just get rid of them. The sooner the better!" Mary ordered.
"Morning everyone!" Clare cried cheerfully as she came in.
"Morning Clare love." Mary answered.
"Oh, you're looking very chirpy this morning, Clare." Sarah smiled.
"Aye, she got steamy with her lezzy lover last night." Michelle quipped.
"Honestly, Michelle!" Clare huffed as Marco handed her a bacon sandwich.
"Michelle! There's no need for that! Erin, cover your ears." Mary ordered.
"Ach, Mammy." Erin chuckled, she then grunted when she felt Orla covering her ears.
"Ya know. I'm getting some very strong vibes after that whole thing last night with your teacher, girls." Sarah remarked, placing her tarot cards onto the table.
"Oh, Jesus. Not this again!" Erin rolled her eyes.
"What are ya feeling, Mammy?" Orla asked with intrigue, looking down at the cards.
"I'm not sure love. I'm getting a sense that….. there's something connecting all these things that have happened?….. Like there's an aura hanging over us all…..." Sarah said in a mysterious tone. Orla tilted her head to look up.
"That's just the smoke from your cigarette, Aunt Sarah." Erin sniped.
"Oi! Less cheek from you!" Mary sniped back.
"Is it bad Mammy?" Orla asked with concern.
"That's the vibe I'm getting….. I'm sensing a strong presence of someone who wants to do harm to us… There's definitely going to be some sort of departure….."
"Please, let it be Gerry." Joe groaned to himself.
"Catch yourself on." Erin moaned, more to herself.
"No offense, Sarah, but that's a load of balls!" Michelle remarked.
"Language!" Mary snapped.
"The cards never lie, Michelle." Orla remarked emphatically.
"Yeah right, Orla. I'm still waiting on that massive ride your mam promised me that I'd meet. Remember the future husband?" Michelle pointed.
"Maybe your future husband is the fella in your dreams, Michelle." Orla suggested. Michelle's face suddenly went red.
"Christ! I hope not!" Michelle answered, sounding flustered.
"What? D'ya have the dream about the fella ya don't like again?" Clare asked.
"…..No! I didn't say I didn't like him. I just said it was…. Awkward. Given who he was." Michelle said.
"Who was he, love?" Sarah asked.
"…Oi! Little chef! Give us another sarnie." Michelle called to Marco, wanting to shift away from the conversation.
"Catch yourself on, Clare. Michelle reckoned that Emmett fella with the ginger tinge was meant to be her future husband. So, ya know, slides and roundabouts." Erin huffed.
"Well, the spiritual world is a powerful entity, so it is. Plus, there was more than one of ya in the car, girls. So, to be fair, I might have been channelling multiple frequencies when I made that reading." Sarah admitted.
"So what ya saying? That it was balls!" Michelle asked.
"Language, Michelle!" Mary snapped again. "Wains. You need to shift now."
Taking a drag from her cigarette, Sarah felt a peck from Orla before she left with the others. She then thought to herself. "Well, I said there would be a fella who was an absolute ride, and if I remember….. I was getting marriage vibes from him..." Sarah pondered to herself; she then turned her head and looked at the one person who was still in the kitchen. Marco.
Before school was even open. There was an issue for Father Peter to address. Still reeling from the aftermath of the disastrous trip to Belfast and being thrown to the wolves by Mrs Sadhbh. He paced in the main foyer of the school with an overwhelming urge to give the teacher a piece of his mind, awaiting her arrival before any of the pupils. When Mrs Sadhbh strutted into the school, seemingly without a care in the world. She caught the priest's eye; her figure-hugging skirt and blazer was distracting for a mere moment.
"Morning, Peter." Mrs Sadhbh said. The teacher simply walked past him without stopping.
"Mrs Sadhbh…. I want to talk to you." Peter said, following her up the hallway.
"Ahhh… can it not wait till I've had my morning coffee, Peter?" She groaned.
"Father Peter! If you don't mind!" The Priest raised his voice, causing her to stop and turn back to finally acknowledge him.
"I want you to know; I don't appreciate the fact that you left me to clean up the mess you made yesterday. I had parents who were worried sick for the wellbeing of their children, and I was the only person who they saw as the cause of their concern. Now, I understand that you may have come from more laid-back institutes, Siobhan. But here, our responsibility, is to take care of the pupils. Also, I am NOT here to be used as some sort of doormat for you. The next time you find yourself in a pickle….. I am not gonna be there to bail you out. The one thing I'm gonna do is have a discussion with Sister Michael about this, I can promise you that." Father Peter went to walk away.
"So, I guess you think you can just say that to me and just walk away, aye?"
Mrs Sadhbh's smug tone now caught Father Peter's attention. Then, her tone changed very sinister.
"What? Am I supposed to be concerned? Let me make things clear for you, Father Peter…. No one tells me what to do, and how to do it. Especially some wee drip of a prick like yourself…. Cross me, and I will make your life a living hell. That whole issue with the slutty hairdresser, you're gonna wish you stayed being her doormat, cos if I feel like it, I will make you eat shite and you will like it. Now, we're not gonna tell Sister Michael about what I did, cos if you so much as utter a word to her….. I'll have you up for sexual harassment, and I'll make it stick." Mrs Sadhbh's eyes were like wild animals.
Father Peter couldn't help but swallow hard as the teacher now walked away.