Derry Girls: A New Arrival Part 2

Chapter 1: Dinner Date Night

Erin beamed happily at the reflection of herself in the mirror. 'The Cranberries-Dreams' was playing in the background as she finished applying her makeup. 'Subtle but seductive' Aunt Sarah coined the phrase as Erin practiced her seductive expressions, raising her eyebrows, pursing her lips, and attempting to smile alluringly.

Erin was preparing herself for a dinner date with James. She was meeting him round the Mallon house where he was cooking her dinner, along with a rented movie afterwards. Unfortunately, they wouldn't be alone; Michelle had been put under strict orders from Deidre and Mary to chaperone their date to make sure there was no funny business going on, much to Michelle's chagrin. Erin had spotted that James had been preoccupied over the last couple of weeks, but truth be told, they all had. It had been a month since Marco had gone back to England. Normal business had resumed at school now that they were all focusing on tackling their A-Levels.

Erin and James had especially been working hard in school solely for keeping in line with the ground rules that Sister Michael had laid down with their blossoming relationship. They hadn't realized just how hard it would be to not show any grand signs of affection in public, even though the whole school now knew they were dating.

However, with James being busy, Erin had been able to lend a shoulder for Orla to lean on, who had not been her usual chirpy, quirky self since Marco had left. But there had been moments where the old Orla emerged, whenever she had her Walkman on, she smiled at the selection of songs that Marco had mixed for her. But then where were moments where even the music brought her to tears. She would sometimes sit right next to the telephone, hoping for it to ring. As annoying as her cousin's antics would normally have been, Erin always poised herself when gently reminding Orla that Marco also needed to focus on passing his GCSE resits.

Ironically, it wasn't the lack of calls from Marco that upset Orla. It was outside influences; Marco had managed to call James sporadically, which had become the only reliable alternative when it came to pass on messages to Orla and the gang. Somehow, there had been a scourge placed on every time Marco tried to call the Quinn house. As if some force of nature was always preventing Marco from getting through to speak to Orla. The scourge was in the form of Uncle Colm. The most overbearingly boring member of the Quinn/McCool family had been laid up at home with a broken leg and had been told to ring whenever he felt the need for any company. The only problem was that it had become as regular as clockwork, sometimes on the hour, every hour. With the conversation sometimes going on for an hour.

Erin walked into the kitchen and saw Mary looking up at the ceiling, rubbing her eyes with despair; Uncle Colm was on the phone to her again, melting her brain with his latest nonsensical monologue about nothing.

"Ye look nice, Erin." Gerry said.

"Ach, thanks Daddy." Erin replied. Gerry smiled proudly.

Erin then investigated the lounge and saw Orla lying on the sofa. Erin felt a sincere sense of guilt as she regarded her sad cousin. Orla had always been a beacon of cheerfulness, whatever the situation. Erin walked towards her.

"Hello, love." Joe said. Catching her attention.

"Alright, Granda?" Erin smiled as she regarded him.

"Ye look lovely." Joe said with a smile.

"Thanks." Erin smiled again.

"Aye, ye do look cracker, Erin." Orla croaked slowly. Erin turned to see Orla looking up at her.

"Ach, Thanks, Orla.... Anything ye want me to do?" Erin implied.

"Aye, ask James for me." Orla replied.