Derry Girls: A New Arrival Part 2

Prologue: Erin's Letter

As Marco stared out onto the ocean from the Ferry deck, The cold, gusting wind cut through him. The cold wind cast his mind back to that first morning in Derry when he'd met Orla in Brook Park whilst out training. Except, now that he was going back to England; the loneliness that he'd lived with for so long began to cut him deeper again. The coast of Northern Ireland had been out of sight for a while now, as he scanned the horizon. He thought of the friends he'd made and had left behind, from his best friend who he saw more like a brother, to the Derry girl who had healed his wounds with her tenderness, who had helped him to dream again.

Marco shivered with sadness and the cold air. He clenched his fist and began to regret not telling Orla how deeply he truly felt for her, choosing to spare her any further pain with his departure. Inside his pocket, Marco then felt the letter that Erin had given him. Marco made his way back inside towards his seat. As he tore the envelope open. He pulled out the folded piece of paper to find a polaroid of the girls, James and himself from the night they went bowling. Marco felt his eyes sting as he smiled at the image of Orla and himself making funny faces in the picture. Marco found himself in the same spot that James had been in when they had made their way to Derry only two weeks ago, Marco then turned the paper over to read a letter from Erin. Marco could practically hear her voice speak as he read.

Dear Marco,

By the time you read this, you'll be sitting on the ferry, travelling back to England, or you might be sitting on the train riding back to London, or you might be sitting a park bench, whatever. The sad thing is that wherever you are reading this letter, you won't be here with us. We're missing you already.

I cannot begin to Thank you for giving me the courage to face my feelings for James. I promise you that I will never hurt him. and I honestly have never felt so lucky in my life to have him as my best friend, and now my boyfriend, I love him so much, and now we're together, and it's all because of you.

I wrote a letter like this for James when he almost left us, but never showed him. The thought of losing him was honestly the worst feeling I have ever felt. I can only imagine the pain he must be in now, having to see you leave.

You have been every bit of the friend that James described you to be, despite all you've been through... we just want you to know that we all think you are a seriously class fella, and we are truly buzzing to have you as our friend. Michelle agrees especially. That is a minor miracle in that of itself, given how much she hates the English.

Clare says she will do her best to watch out for Orla, but so has Michelle, and James, and me. Well. WE ALL WILL. PROMISE! Orla only told me that she'd keep her wee fingers and toes crossed for you regarding Belfast. If I'm honest, I think it's safe for me to say that Orla's fallen for you. But You might already know that because by the time you read this, you would have left, and Orla might have beaten me to it and told you herself. (Hope I didn't lose you on that)

I hope you like the photo. It was a great craic that night at bowling. Well, everyone agrees that there wasn't a bad day when you were here. But now, we feel like we've lost one of our own. Michelle told me to write this bit in for you.... "Being a Derry girl is a state of mind. It doesn't matter if ya bits are different from our bits. You're one of us. You're a Derry girl, ya English prick!" (Michelle's words)

Clare says... "Please remember that no matter where you go or what you do. You'll always have us. We all want ye back here, even if it is in Belfast for a time. One way or another, if you can, get back here where you belong." I couldn't have said it better myself.

Take care, Marco.

Love from your friends Erin, James, Michelle, Clare.... And especially Orla xxxxxxxxx

Marco's eyes stung again as he finished reading. He glanced again at the polaroid. He then closed his eyes. As the singular tears fell from each eye, he muttered a silent prayer.