The expression 'time flies' could never have been truer. It was now the day Marco was going back to England for a week. He felt a sense of excitement, but also a sense of trepidation with not being around for the lead up to Erin and Orla's party. As he woke early that morning to get himself ready to venture across to the Quinn house. He sat and thought back on everything he had done the previous day.
The day before started with one last study session at the restaurant before his departure. He had received some 'flak' from the other apprentices about his new glasses, but he knew it was all just playful banter. He couldn't deny that the rim was very similar to Chirstopher Reeves Superman glasses. However, he couldn't deny that he wasn't struggling as much now he had them. And the head chef/owner Mickey wished him all the best when he finished for the day.
He then thought of the first farewell he made, which was to Clare. It had become a new tradition since she'd moved to Strabane that they would meet up either at the restaurant or at a café near her new school where they could just catch up, and Marco would fill her in on any shenanigans that the other girls and James were getting up to, except things had been amazingly quiet on that front.
During their meet up that day, along with the talk about the Good Friday agreement, Clare had the misfortune of telling him that she couldn't make the film night the group had planned later. She already made plans to have dinner with Laurie, her Mum and Laurie's parents. Also, Laurie was not able to make Erin and Orla's party. She had made a commitment to march at a rally for Lesbian rights, which also fell on the same day as the party. When Marco brought Claire back to her new school, she made a point of giving him a caution about his trip.
"Oi, you say hello to Laurie for me later, yeah?" Marco asked her.
Clare frowned. "I will. She said she hopes ye have a grand time. Still sorry we can't make tonight."
"Ah, come on. Don't worry about it." Marco replied.
"WELL, Mind yourself when you're over there, ye here?" Clare said in her panicky tone.
"Course I'll be careful. I did used to live there, Clare….. remember?" Marco chuckled.
"I know….. But just keep yourself to yourself, and for the love of sweet suffering Jesus, don't get into any fights or headbutt anyone again, promise?" Clare shrieked slightly.
Marco stuttered, not sure what else to say, other than. "Ok… I promise."
"Ok…. Bye Marco. See ya when ye get back, aye." Clare said, giving him a hug.
"See you at the party. Fingers crossed." Marco replied, embracing his wee friend.
The excitement about the Good Friday agreement was undeniable. Clare had effortlessly explained the concept of the vote to him, having read the entire booklet during their catchup. Marco could understand the excitement everyone was feeling. There was a sense of change throughout Derry. Which no doubt was radiating through the whole of Northern Ireland. A palpable feeling that the past was paving way to a future no one ever dreamed possible. He couldn't help but feel the exhilaration that everyone was feeling.
However, the Good Friday agreement was also about reflecting on what had been a tumultuous time in the history of Northern Ireland. When he was back at the Mallon's house later that day. Marco listened intently to James as he went over the complexities of events during The Troubles and the history behind it all. Finding a small parallel to his own experiences. There was an irony that Marco could relate to on the Catholic side of the conflict. Yet there was also a conflict of conscience when it came to 'striking back'. While the idea of purposely going out and hurt someone else was not in his nature. Marco understood that sometimes, things weren't so black and white when one felt their back was up against the wall… Remembering his tribulations with his Mum and her on/off partner, Billy Forman.
But then, there was the subject of Niall, Michelle's brother. The Mallon's had come to treat Marco as if he was like family, so he was every tuned into the tragic situation that surrounded them and what Niall had been involved in and supposedly done. Deidre Mallon no longer spoke about him, something that he knew bothered Michelle immensely, as James had told him. Although Michelle would always find a way to deflect it. That brief insight to the Mallon family when he first arrived in Derry, where Deidre had comforted him during his darkest time. Marco couldn't help but feel the upmost sympathy for Deidre and the burden she carried along with the family. His heart went out to Deidre when, despite all this, and her hardened exterior, like her daughter, she always seemed to soften towards him.
For the film night. The group chose to watch Cool Runnings and The Goonies. Marco chuckled to himself as he remembered the 'compromise' they needed to come to given Orla's stern stance on Pizza not being as nice as Fionnula's chippy. James, always the peaceful negotiator, came up with the idea that they would get Orla a large battered hot dog and 12 chicken nuggets. Marco then remembered the tag team teasing he got from Erin and Michelle when they were ordering the pizza.
"Orla not liking pizza's not gonna be a deal breaker in your relationship. Is it now?" Erin joked.
"Haha, No. Takes more than that to get under my skin….. Just." Marco quipped.
"Aye, It could've been worse….. She could have wanted Pineapple on her pizza." Michelle teased.
"Oh, don't start that again!" James moaned.
"You know, in Italy, that counts as blasphemy!" Marco pointed out.
"Does it?" Orla asked, an astonished look on her face.
"Catch yourself on! He's just havin a craic." Erin laughed at the insinuation.
"No, I'm serious!" Marco insisted.
Michelle felt a smirk creep on her face. "Is it now?… JAMES! Get us an extra-large Hawaiian with extra pineapple!" She cackled at Marco's grimace.
"… Vaffanculo!"
"Hello to you too!" Michelle shot him the middle finger.
"You're sick, you know that?" Marco shot.
Back at Jim's house. Before the film night started. Jim had gotten out a spare large green holdall bag for Marco to use for his journey. He sat on the bed and listened while Jim meticulously went through the features of the bag.
"Now, in case ye don't get a chance to wash your smalls. Don't fret, son. There's a spare compartment on the inside seam where ye can store dirty clothes in. It acts like a sort of segregation compartment. And on the opposite side here, there's a smaller compartment that I find particularly handy to store all your toiletries….." Jim explained.
"Ah, that's great, Jim. There's not a compartment where I can stash a dog in, is there?" Marco asked. Coco Pops' ears shot up. "Oh, I'm only joking, you tart!" Marco laughed at Coco Pops.
Jim chuckled as Coco Pops climbed up on the bed and sat between them. "Ach, don't fret about leaving him, son. He'll be grand. Cara's proper excited to see him." Jim ruffed Coco Pops head. "Right, I'll leave yer to it, son."
"Thanks, Jim." Marco said.
Before he packed. Marco's first task was to wrap Orla's present. It was an easy task. He looked over to see Coco Pops ripping at some of the discarded wrapping paper. His small companion then started to whine. Undoubtedly, he must have sensed the inevitable parting between himself and his young master. Marco picked up Coco Pops and smiled as the dog licked his hand.
"Oh…. Don't go all Clare on me, alright? I'm only going a week…. The others will take care of you, also, little Cara's coming round, you like her don't you ?….. couldn't take you away of Anna either could I now?" He asked.
He melted at the gaze from Coco Pops' large brown eyes. "….Oi, I'd take you….. but if I did, Orla would just worry about you….. You gotta stay here and look after James and the girls for me…. Do ya hear me, huh?"
He huffed at Coco Pops whine. "Yeah….. I'm a bit nervous….. doubt I'll see her….. I mean….. She didn't even ring me on my birthday, did she? Pretty much sums it up….. Anyway, not going back to see her. It's me and Dad going to Wembley….. of course I'll miss you, ya little plonker."
"Ya know, talking to yourself's the first sign that you're mental." Marco looked up and saw Michelle sniggering at him with her arms crossed.
"Hey. What you doing here? Where's James?" He asked, smiling.
"Dicko's out getting the pizza with Erin. That was half an hour ago. Sure, they just went out early to get a snogging session in." Michelle answered, sitting next to him.
"Well, that's a mental image I could without….. You….. Ok?" Marco asked. Noticing Michelle's appearance was a bit down.
"Aye, I'm grand. Just stuff on my mind. That's all. Where's Orla?" Michelle asked.
Marco looked at her quizzically. "She's getting changed across the road….. Something wrong?"
"… Just… thinking bout things." Michelle shrugged, her eyes wereon the floor.
"… Wanna talk about it?" Marco asked.
Michelle shook her head and brushed it off. "Nah! Ye don't wanna hear me moaning before ye head off tomorrow. Don't get into any fucking bother over there, ye hear?"
"Yeah. Already promised Clare." Marco smiled.
"Grand… But seriously. Mind yourself when you're there, aye?" Michelle's breath hitched. She leant over and warmly shoulder barged his arm. "Come on. Let's shift."
"Yeah. Ok." Marco got up from the bed, he was then met with a subtle hug from Michelle. He put his arm around her. "Heeeey….. What's the matter?... You can tell me." Marco insisted.
"Just….. don't ask, aye?" Michelle resigned to just the hug.
"Ok." Marco couldn't help but feel worried for her as he hugged her.
After they finished the film night. Orla gave them all a demonstration of her dancing routine she'd been practising with Declan and the rest of the class. The faint sound of Rhythm Nation could be heard pulsating from her headphones. Seeing her smile so jubilantly in her element, knowing how much she'd been practising warmed Marco's heart, it also reminded him of how much he'd miss her come tomorrow.
As Marco concluded the day's previous events in his mind. He walked across the road to the Quinn house with Orla's present. Joe, also the early riser let him in.
"Morning, son. Coffee." Joe said.
"Oooh Yea ple….. You mean for you, right?" He then asked knowingly.
"Ach. Grand, Thanks. I take two sugars." Joe said cheerfully. Marco chuckled as Joe moved to sit in his chair. He made them both a coffee as they waited for the house wake up. The elder McCool smiled proudly at the lad as they spoke quietly about his upcoming trip. There was then a strange clanging noise coming from upstairs.
"What's that?" Marco asked.
"Eammon trying to unclog the toilet….. That fecking wet lettuce." Joe answered.
"I can't believe you're actually allowing that imbecile to try and unclog the toilet, Mary!" Gerry sad as they came down the stairs.
"Well, he said he did it, Gerry. So, unless ye wanna go up there and do it yourself, let him carry on." Mary answered.
Anna raced into the living room towards Granda Joe. Erin and Orla could be heard making rousing noises as they came downstairs. They walked into the kitchen without noticing Marco was sitting in the living room.
"Daddy, why's the bathroom locked? I'm desperate to go!" Erin groaned.
"Eammon's unclogging it." Gerry scoffed.
"Urgh! Boke!" Erin groaned.
"If yer desperate for a wee, Erin. Ye can always go in the back garden. Coco Pops seems to do alright." Orla suggested.
"I hardly think that would be appropriate, Orla!" Mary cried.
"That's cos he's a dog, Orla! And there's no way I'm going out to the back garden baring my arse to the whole of….. Morning, Marco." Erin's face turned red, seeing him sitting on the sofa. Orla yelped happily and joined him.
"Just go next door and use yer Aunt Sarah's bathroom, Erin." Mary suggested. Erin's face contorted with desperation as she ran towards the front door. Marco sniggered as Orla sat next to him, embracing him.
"Do ye want some breakfast before ye head off, son? Bacon sandwich or something?" Mary called from the kitchen counter.
"Yeah, please Mary." Marco called.
"Morning Loves." Sarah chimed as she walked past the sitting couple.
"Morning, Mammy." Orla smiled.
"Morning, Sarah." Marco echoed.
"Why is Erin using my bathroom, Mary? She practically mowed me over on my way here." Sarah asked, walking into the kitchen.
"Eammon's clogged our toilet." Gerry moaned.
"Ooooh. Hope he hasn't clogged mine." Sarah said worryingly.
"Has he actually used your toilet, Sarah?" Gerry asked.
"No chance. I wouldn't let that train wreck change a fecking light bulb in my house!" Sarah answered.
"Well, chances are he hasn't." Gerry stressed.
"Mind the way you speak to her!" Joe snapped.
"For the love of God!" Mary stressed with a whisper.
Sitting away from the usual spew amongst the family. Orla nuzzled herself into Marco on the sofa. Children's BBC was on the TV so Anna was distracted. It was only a few hours before Marco would be heading off to England.
"You OK?" Marco whispered.
"Yeah…. Just…. Getting as much of you as I can." Orla sighed, her eyes were closed as she breathed in his scent.
"Me too…. What's your day look like today?" He asked.
"Well. I got and exam…. revision….. Couple of lessons…. Ooooooh! I'm gonna go get my voting card today!" Orla beamed happily.
"Ah cool…. That's the second thing you're getting today." Marco teased.
"Why? What else am I getting?" Orla asked, her eyes grew wide with anticipation.
"Look down the side of the sofa." Marco sniggered. Orla shot her head over the sofa arm. She gasped as she pulled up a present.
"Oh my God! What is it?" Orla asked, shaking with excitement.
"A mouth organ." Marco said flatly.
Orla scrunched her face but then started to grin. "Ach….. You're being sarcastic again aren't ye?" She giggled.
Marco shuffled his shoulders. "….. A bit….. Go on, open it….. This is just a little something from me." He said. Orla eagerly dove in and ripped the wrapping paper. She gawped; she couldn't inhale anymore if she tried. Her voice went croaky as she lifted up a new monkey onesie.
"It's the one I saw in the shop! How did ye know?!" She cried, hugging Marco tightly.
"Michelle told me….. You like it then?" Marco asked knowingly.
"I….. LOVE IT! IT IS SOOOO CLASS!... Awwwww…. Thank you." Orla felt giddy as she smiled.
"Ach. Surprisingly, that suits you, Orla." Erin huffed with amusement. Joining them on the sofa.
"Ach. Feel much better now, Erin?" Orla asked.
"…..Aye! Thanks for asking!" Erin scoffed with embarrassment.
"Alright, what's up with you?" Marco sighed, chuckling.
"Ach, nothing. Only Declan told Orla he can't make the party." Erin groaned.
"He's got some sort of meeting with a dance contest. He said if he sort it, me and the class have to go and audition!" Orla said excitedly.
"Yeah, well I just wish he could have waited till afterwards. It's like everyone's bailing on us…. You're going to England, Laurie's on a march, and Declan's got this meeting. Not to mention exams and the vote coming up…." Erin stressed dramatically.
"OK, calm down 'Clare'." Marco joked, earning a glare from Erin. "Maybe this'll cheer you up…. Orla, pass us the other present down there." He asked.
"Ooooooh!" Orla chirped. She leant over the sofa arm and brought up another present.
Marco handed it to Erin. "James said you'd like this. Didn't wanna leave you out." He said.
"Awwww. You didn't have to." Erin melted, she quickly s opened it. Her eyes lit up when she saw what it was.
"Oh, my God! A new CD Walkman!" Erin cried happily.
"Whoaaaaa! That is sooo cracker!" Orla beamed.
"Cheered you up a bit, has it?" Marco teased.
"Ach shuddup…. Thanks, Marco, it's class." Erin said warmly as she hugged him. Just then, they heard Eammon come downstairs.
"Right now! All seems to be well on the auld toilet front, Gerry." He proclaimed proudly. "One slight hick…. There appears to be a wee chip on the auld cistern." He said, walking into the kitchen.
"A chip? What chip? There was no chip on the auld cistern….. Eammon, why would there be a wee chip on the cistern? Ye were only unclogging it….." Gerry asked suspiciously.
"Ach, Well. I say a wee chip, Gerry…. But it might be a wee bit bigger than a wee chip." Eammon said nervously. The parents all glanced oddly at each other.
Gerry narrowed his eyes at Eammon. "…..How much bigger?" Gerry asked, his voice raising.
"Right, come on Orla. Let's go get ready for school." Erin grabbed Orla's hand and led her up the stairs. Erin took one step into the bathroom and her face contorted with utter disbelief. "… Daddy! Ye might wanna come look at this!" She cried.
Gerry rolled his eyes with frustration and made his way upstairs to survey the damage. He called down "See you later, Son!" to Marco as he ascended the stairs. James and Michelle then arrived just as Marco was then swamped by the mammies who wished him a good time on his trip. James smiled while Michelle rolled her eyes, remembering how gushy her mam Deidre had gotten with him the night before, but Marco was thankful of their affection as he said goodbye to Mary and Sarah. He then gave Coco Pops one last tight hug before handing him over to Joe and Anna. Everyone couldn't help but smile as they saw the auld man give Marco a big man-sized hug before they left.
"You take care, son. Have a grand time." Joe said kindly.
"And for the love of God, mind yourself." Mary said cautiously.
"And say hello to your father for us." Sarah added.
"I will. Thanks everyone. Hope you get your head round the vote, Joe. You promise you're gonna look after Coco Pops for me Anna, yeah? He asked.
"Yeah…. When will you be back?" Anna asked sheepishly.
"Seven days." Marco answered giving her a wee hug.
As they drove towards Our lady immaculate college, James and Michelle sat with puzzled expressions while Erin explained to them how cousin Eammon managed to crack the cistern while unclogging the toilet. She was still just as baffled about it herself.
"Daddy was absolutely snapping!" Erin explained
"Ye sure your mammy's hex on ya Aunt Bridie didn't linger round and give him some form of bad luck?" Michelle quipped.
"Ach, Christ. Don't start that again!" Erin moaned.
"If that's the case, remind me never to piss your mum off, Erin." James added, Marco couldn't help but chuckle at that comment.
"You've no chance, Dicko. You're in with them now. So, you're bound to get up her hole at some point. Ye already get up mine." Michelle shot.
"What've I done now?" Jamea asked, perplexed.
"What? Besides being an annoying English prick?" Michelle moaned.
"Leave 'im alone, Michelle. Mam didn't hex Bridie, and for information, she really likes James." Erin argued.
"….. Does she really?" James asked, blushing.
"Aye, Aunt Mary does like ye, James." Orla agreed.
"Bit obvious, isn't it James? I mean, coming to my rescue numerous times, and just being yourself. Erin smiled, pinching his cheek.
"Ach, boke!" Michelle groaned.
"God, I'm gonna miss this shit while I'm gone." Marco laughed.
"Yeah, bet it's gonna fail in comparison to being at Wembley, right?" James said playfully, shoving his arm.
"Only if we win." Marco replied.
"Ah come on, Marco. They're gonna smash it. Arsenal have already won the league." James pointed out.
"Yeah….. I know, but thanks for reminding me." Marco laughed.
"For God's sake! You better not gloat when you come back, cos I won't bloody talk to ya." James said, failing to sound sincere.
"Ach, catch yourself on, James! We all know you're gonna miss ya twin ballache over 'ere!" Michelle quipped.
"Well, so are you." James fired back.
"Aye, I'm gonna miss 'im like a smear test, so I am. Michelle quipped.
"Aye, they're a real bitch, so they are!" Orla agreed while Erin's face contorted.
"Sure you're gonna miss all this?" James asked Marco.
"Well, maybe a bit." Marco quipped, making James laugh.
As they arrived at the gates of our Lady immaculate College, James reached into his rucksack and pulled out his video camera.
"What you getting that out for?" Erin asked. Michelle snorted at the innuendo. Jesus! She thought.
"Just something I wanna do for my little project." James said.
As they stepped out of the car. James switched on his video camera and pointed it towards Orla. he then began commentating as he pressed record. While James recorded Orla, Michelle kept her distance, but stopped close enough to hear what Orla would say.
"Ok. It's now officially one week away before Orla's 18th birthday…" He started.
"Aaaaand, one week away from OUR 18th birthday party." Erin gladly pointed out, joining her in front of the camera.
"Yes….. Thank you, Erin. So, with one week to go before your birthday, how are you feeling, Orla?" James asked through the camera.
"Can ye see if I've got any bogeys up my nose, James?" Orla asked, tilting her head. Marco burst out laughing.
"Focus, Orla!" Erin snapped.
"No, you're fine Orla." James sighed. Waiting for her answer.
Orla paused. Her jovial aura radiating from her. "….. I think….. I feel like….. I'm riding on the best part of a roller coaster!….. I get sooo excited thinking about the vote that's coming up…. And the party…. And my birthday…. It's like everything's gonna be sooo cracker when it's time…. Aaaaaand everybody's gonna be really buzzing when the vote happens!" Orla's words were just about heard by Michelle who looked off despondently, which Marco noticed. "Aaaaand I get to share my party…."
"Our party!" Erin interjected. Orla eagerly wrapped an arm round her.
"Aaaaand, I get to share my birthday with the most cracking cousin EVER!" The peck she placed on Erin's cheek softened her.
"Well, she's only human, isn't she?" Erin chuckled into the camera.
"The only thing is…" Orla pulled Marco into view. "I'm gonna miss this cracker fella right here! But…. He's going to see his favourite football team win the FA Cup with his Da, so that's grand." Orla turned and smiled at Marco.
"That's brilliant, Orla." James beamed. Closing the camera.
"Right, well. Let's shift inside. Bye Marco. Have good time. Thanks for the Walkman." Erin hugged him goodbye.
"See you when I get back." Marco called to Erin as she raced to go after Michelle. James had also noticed the manner of his cousin.
"Do you think she's alright? She's been a bit off this morning." James asked.
"I thought that was just how she was most mornings." Orla shrugged.
"Hmmm, you might wanna talk to her, James. Something's….. on her mind." Marco implied.
James nodded knowingly, taking heed of his advice. "Yeah…. Yeah alright. Ok, I will….. Oi, have a great time, mate. See you when you get back." Orla smiled fondly as the two friends hugged each other goodbye.
"I will, bruv. Don't get into too much shit while I'm gone." Marco joked.
"Hey c'mon! What's the worst that can happen? Don't worry 'bout it!" James spoke like he was in Goodfellas.
"Yeah, bollocks!" Marco laughed. They clasped hands. James then left Marco and Orla by themselves.
He felt Orla's hug was much tighter this time. Marco exhaled as he hugged her back. She was the one person he would miss most of all. But this time, there was no dread in his departure. No sadness. Just love. He couldn't help but smile at the fact that Orla was wearing his dark blue tracksuit top, stamping her individuality on the school uniform. Orla then asked him a simple question.
"Put them on for me again, please?" She asked coyly.
Marco gushed sightly as he put on his glasses for Orla. He was then bombarded by Orla's lips as she kissed him gently, but firmly. As she cupped his jaw; they hummed happily together as they made their kiss linger for as long as possible amid the wolf whistles from passing students. When they came up of the kiss, they rested their foreheads on each other's whilst catching their breaths. Orla exhaled deeply as she gazed at him.
"That was cracker… Don't miss me too much now." Orla said, smiling at him.
"Can't promise that." Marco whispered, smiling back at her. "….. I will miss you."
Orla tilted her head, her warm smile radiated immensely. "Aye, I'll miss ya too…. But just think how grand it'll be when yet get back." She smiled. Beaming a wide smile at him as she nuzzled their noses together. "Gone….. Get going. You'll miss ya wee plane."
"Oh…. don't fancy flying me there yourself do you?" Marco asked playfully.
Orla paused and pondered for a second. "….. I would, but I left my swan wings at home. Aaaand I got exams and revision today. So, I'm up to ninety to be fair." Orla said sincerely.
"Ah, Damn." Marco chuckled. "Guess I'll just have to wait till the end of the week when I see you again." He shrugged.
"Aye. Desperate, isn't it? Can't wait." Orla smiled happily. Her jovial mood was infectious as they laughed together.
With one more kiss, he finally made his way to the car and drove away. James came back and held Orla's hand for support as they watched Marco drive off. She rested her head on James' shoulder.
"He will be alright, won't he, James?" Orla asked.
James smiled warmly at her. "Yeah, you know him. He can take care of himself. Come on, Orla. The others are waiting." Orla smiled warmly at her best friend and skipped alongside him towards the school entrance. Her mind full of happiness and anticipation.
It was just before midday when the plane finally took off. As it tilted to make its way towards London, Marco managed to catch a glimpse of the walled city below him. It would only be a short flight to London Heathrow airport. He thought about the tumultuous journey he had made back to England the last time he left. The lonely ferry journey, the lonely train ride, and the lonely walk back to the safe house that he had been placed in by Sister Michael.
But this time, he was feeling a grand sense of optimism. He was going to see Arsenal in the FA cup final. He was spending time with his Dad, and he knew how long he was going be away for, before he would see his friends again. He silently chuckled to himself as he looked at the dark rim glasses in his hand and thought about how unhinged Orla seemed to become whenever he wore them. Every time he thought about Orla, it was a pleasant one. He felt a feeling of longing in his chest, holding out to hold her again.
His daydreaming allowed the flight to go by a lot quicker as he landed at London Heathrow airport. It was a stark contrast to Derry Airport. Throwing his holdall bag over his shoulder, Marco walked up the pathway and into the metropolis sized arrivals area. He glanced around to see if he could catch a glimpse of his Dad. Tony had said that he would meet him in the arrivals, but Marco couldn't see him anywhere. He searched the crowd of eager people waiting for their loved ones to arrive. Marco still couldn't see his dad. He then turned around and there, walking up the pathway looking slightly concerned was Tony.
"Dad!" Marco cried out happily, catching Tony's attention. His dad's look of concern quickly melted away and gave way to elation as he called back.
"Aaaaaay Salve!" Tony cried happily as Marco rushed to into him. "Awwww….. Che bello rivederti!… you alright, Marco?" Tony shook with glee as he held his son tight.
"Yeah, I'm good, Dad. Stai bene? You look a bit flustered." Marco said, emotion overcoming him. Tony's previous disposition returned. It looked as if he was baring some type of burden.
"Uuuuhh….. don't worry about it now. Just….." Tony sighed heavily as he held Marco tight. "Come on. Let's get to the cab." He suggested.
Marco furrowed his eyes curiously but nodded in agreement. He picked up his holdall bag and walked with his dad. An arm draped over each other. Tony tried to distract himself by asking Marco how everyone was in Derry. Marco told him about the situation with Eammon cracking the toilet cistern, amongst the numerous messages from the Quinn family, which made him laugh. As they got to the cab, Tony made haste, and they drove off. Marco could sense there was something off with his Dad and tried to break the tension.
"So, what's up, Dad? We gotta go get the tickets from the box office in a couple of days, or are they at your place?" Marco asked with excitement.
Tony stuttered, unable to give him an answer. His breath hitched as he finally spoke.
"Um…. There's something I need to tell you, Marco… it's about the tickets…" Tony stuttered. Marco suddenly felt a tension in his stomach.
