Derry Girls: A New Arrival Part 2

Chapter 11: A new arrival

James and Michelle grimaced as they walked to Erin's house. It was a very foggy, very cold Thursday morning. Regardless of how many steps they took, it seemed as if it didn't matter. The Quinn house could have been 2 metres away, but they still wouldn't see it. The need to tread carefully was as annoying as enduring the cold. James' mind was racing. He seemed to miss everything Michelle had been saying to him as they walked. Normally, the sole need to focus on where he was going would be more important than listen to Michelle going on about her latest rendezvous with Jason. But this morning. He was a mixture of emotion. Excitement and concern all rolled into one.

"Do you reckon Jim across the road has a spare foghorn?" James asked suddenly.

"For fuck sake, James, I was in the middle of talking... I wouldn't put it past him, why?" Michelle scowled.

"Well, if he does, I wish we bloody had it. I can't see a thing."

"Why ye being such a fucking weirdo this morning? It's not that bad. It's the cold that fucking melts my head."

"How am I being weird?"

"Ya trying to act all comical. I mean I know it's second nature to ye, James; Given the sight of ye. Christ! I dunno what Erin sees in ye sometimes." Michelle scoffed.

"Erin likes it when I'm comical." James said in his own defense.

"Does Erin like it when ya face goes all awkward, and ye act like a fanny like ye are now? Seriously, James. It's embarrassing."

"Oh, and that little quip the other night about MadStab wasn't embarrassing, was it?" James shot back.

Michelle went silent. James had learnt to spot the ever so rare moments where he bested Michelle. But then he felt that was a little too far, even for him.

"Sorry, I was only joking." He said. Michelle crooked her lip to a half smirk.

"Nah; Well played, James." Michelle admitted. They glanced at each other and smiled. No offense was taken.

Their attention was drawn to the bitter cold again. They gasped out large puffs of air as they trenched through the cold, damp fog. Their coats were just about keeping them warm as they finally got to the Quinn's house; James and Michelle were not completely surprised to find Orla standing outside peering through a pair of binoculars.

"Oi, ya didn't answer the question. Why are ye acting so weird this morning?" Michelle asked.

"Is there anyone out there?!" They heard Orla call out.

"Is there anyone in there?" Michelle joked to herself, tapping her head. Orla then spun and spotted them.

"Ach, morning Michelle! Morning James! This fog is cracker. Hi?" Orla waved excitedly, still looking through the binoculars.

"A little over the top, isn't it, Orla?" James laughed as he smiled at her.

"Can ye see my breakfast with those, Orla?" Michelle opened her mouth and "Ahhhh'ed over one of the lenses.

"Urgh! That's manky Michelle!" Orla said. She lowered the binoculars to wipe the lens clean.

"Come on, let's shift. I just heard Uncle Colm is on his way round." Erin said as she came out the door, handing Orla her coat and bag. She hurried to put her own coat on.

"Hold on. Is your Grandad in?" James asked.

"Aye?" Erin was puzzled.

"What do ye wanna talk to Joe for?" Michelle quizzed.