Just Friends

Chapter 10

"Hey brat...everything ok?" 

Maria looked at Colm, she wasn't sure if it was the concern in his voice or the kindness in his eyes that set her off but she felt the tears welling up in her eyes. 

"Please, just drive." 

Colm looked past her at Keith, then started the engine and pulled off. His mouth was set in a straight like and he was staring ahead. About 5 minutes into the drive Maria had composed herself enough to talk.

"Sorry about that, I just....Vicky saw Keith kissing someone else" 

Colm pulled onto the side of the road

"What the ffff... are you serious? Why didn't you tell me that when we were back there? I would have punched the head off him" 

Maria gave a soft laugh 

"That's exactly why I didn't tell you. He's not worth it" 

Colm slapped the steering wheel.

"Yeah, you can say that again." 

He reached over and opened the glove compartment. He pulled out a pack of tissues and handed them to Maria.

"Thanks....can we just not mention him anymore today please? I'd like to forget about him and have a good day." 

Colm pinched her cheek and smiled at her. 

"No problem Brat, Keith who?" 

She laughed as she wiped her eyes and blew her nose. 

It took then just over twenty minutes to get into town, traffic was always much lighter in town on Sundays. Colm parked the car in one of the quieter car parks and they started their 10 minute walk to the museum. They passed McDonalds on the way. Maria's stomach growled as she got the smell of food. Colm laughed 

"Jeez, are you hungry or did a lion escape the Zoo?" 

"Oh ha ha, yeah I had some toast earlier but I didn't finish it." 

Colm stopped

"Ok want to go get something to eat first? The tickets don't have a particular time on them so we can go after we eat." 

Maria smiled

"Yes please, that would be great. I didn't realise how hungry I was until I got the smell of food."

They walked back to McDonalds and ordered their food on the self service screen. Before Colm could get his card out to pay Maria tapped hers on the machine. 

"My treat, you paid for the cinema that time" 

Colm laughed

"That was ages ago, and I told you it was repayment for all of those crisps I've stolen over the years. Thank you though." 

After ordering they took a number stand and sat down to wait for their food. A few minutes later it arrived. Maria opened her big mac and took a huge bite. Colm stared at her open mouthed. She swallowed and looked at him with furrowed brows.

"What? aren't you hungry" 

He laughed

"Yeah yeah I am but....I didn't realise your mouth was that big." 

She laughed and rolled her eyes at him

"I enjoy my food, sue me" 

"Nah, I like that you enjoy your food. It's a nice change from ordering and having half of my food stolen because she didn't want to order but couldn't resist eating mine. Stealing my food is not cute, I'd much rather you order a huge meal and eat it than order rabbit food and stare longingly at my food until I feel uncomfortable enough to ask if you want some"

Maria burst out laughing 

"Jeez...must happen to you a lot" 

He took a bite out of his burger and nodded his head

"mmhmm, it does" 

They finished their food, tidied up the table and threw the rubbish in the bin before leaving and heading to the museum. On the way Maria's phone rang, she pulled it out, looked at the screen then put it back into her bag. Colm side eyed her but didn't say anything. When they got to the museum her phone rang again. She ignored it again. 

"Listen I know we're not talking about he who shall not be named but...if you want me to answer and tell him to leave you alone..I will" 

Maria linked her arm in his and put her head against his shoulder.

"I know you will, thanks but I'll just put it on silent" 

They spent the next hour looking around the museum and laughing at the figures. Some of them were very realistic looking and others looked nothing like who they were supposed to be. They both posed with the figures taking photos. A lovely Japanese woman and her boyfriend even took a photo for them, they were posing with Freddy Krueger. When the woman gave Maria her phone back she smiled and told them they were a very cute couple. Maria was going to correct them but Colm just said thanks and laughed so she didn't say anything. 

Back outside Maria felt sad. She didn't want to go home and have to deal with what had happened but she knew she had to. Colm must have picked up on this because she suggested that they go for a coffee. Maria gladly accepted. 

They sat in the little coffeeshop with their coffees, Maria ordered a danish pastry with hers and Colm ordered a chocolate slice. They laughed and chatted as they ate and drank. When the waitress came around and asked if they wanted anything else Colm ordered another two coffees. As the waitress walked away he smiled at Maria. 

"Hope you weren't in a hurry to get home?" 

"No definitely not" She laughed. 

Two hours and another coffee later they decided they couldn't drink anymore and had to leave. They walked back to the car in the cool crisp air. 

"Maria...listen I know you don't want to talk about it but....if you change your mind, you can always call me. Day or night...ok?" 

She turned her head to look at him

"Thanks Colm, that really means a lot."