Tender (A britpop era fiction)

Cast No Shadow

And here it is, the second part of that far too long chapter. But it's neccessary - a real turning point between the Gallagher siblings. I can solemnly announce that from now on, we move the story forward regarding the year 2014 and in 1995 there will be a little time jump. Oh and we'll have a new perspective I can't wait for you to read. So far no one's guessed it right so I'm excited for your reactions.

Lots of love for all of you,

Sally, x. 

I remember how I came into the common room and greeted everyone. I clinged to Liam, looking with worry at the cast around his foot and the bruises on his arms. He brushed it of with a dismissive gesture.

"Does it hurt?" I mumble and point to his plaster cast. Liam shakes his head.

"Nah. They give you fuckin' good pills, you should try it out" he says giddy, but I can see he's lying. I spread my arms and he snuggles in, his head buried on my shoulder. 

"Im still angry at you, knobhead" I whisper and rub slowly over his back. Liam nods and murmurs something unintelligible. When he raises his head, he smiles at me.

"Cla, you smell like horseshit, y'know that?" I pinch him in the side and grinning he falls down on the sofa, placing his plastered foot on the new table with a relieved sigh. The furniture has been replaced at noon, but it stills smells of plastic wrapping and chemicals, a sickening, synthetic smell. I walk over and open a window to get some fresh air in, but it doesn't vanish.

I sit down next to Liam and listen quietly to the conversations around me, fidgeting a coaster between my hands. Bonehead gets in and drops his bag on the front door, pressing a kiss on my temple as he walks past the sofa and giving Liam a pat on the shoulder. Alan arrives shortly after. He only dares to smile at me shyly and when he comes back from the kitchen with an arm full of beer cans, he throws two of them to Liam. My brother catches and opens them, handing one to me.

"Good to be back" he mumbles. He talks with the other like everything's normal, but I can see his eyes flicker towards the door whenever there's a noise outside. 

"Don't worry" I say with a quiet voice. "He's gonna be here any minute." Liam doesn't say it, but I can feel that's exactly why he's worried. I put my head on his shoulder and stay like that, listening silent to the conversation around me.

In the corner of my eye I spot the newest NME next to Liam, him half sitting on it. 

"Thank fuck, I've had nothing new to read since we came here" I sigh and lean over him to grab the magazine. To my surprise Liam stops my hand.

"Why don't we go and look for our kid? Fucker's still gonna be sulking in his studio, let's say hello." Struggling Liam gets on his feet, hiding the magazine behind his back. 

I'm instantly suspicious.

"If there's another article about me and Weller, get fuckin' over it Liam." I reach out my hand and wait for him to give me the damn NME. He still hesitates.

Curious I tilt my head.

"Have you talked shit again about someone? Please tell me it wasn't someone I like."

"Haven't talked to any press geezers, me!" he protests. 

"Yeah, because they kept you away from them" I mumble and try to snatch the magazine from him, but he holds it over his head and out of my reach.