Nobody Wants To Know Him

XX - Another Year Over

Sunday 31st December 1972
Liverpool, England
11.23pm

John had been invited round for New Year's Eve by my family as his friends had left the day before. Usually, we'd have Tim round, but he was away for New Year's this year at his cousin's, so Charlie suggested we invite John round. And John was allowed to stay the night, seeing as he lived further and it was likely we'd all be drinking. That was something Tim never was allowed to do.

I was quite surprised though, especially since my parents knew that John and I were together now. If anything, I would've expected he wouldn't be allowed to stay as a consequence.

They'd certainly taken a liking to him.

For New Year's, we'd normally throw a small party and watch the countdown of Big Ben on the telly. Dad let Charlie and I drink now (in moderation), so that was something to be looking forward to.

Mum had picked John up at around nine, and he'd come with a bag big enough to fit two of me in. I didn't know what he had in there, and I thought it pointless to ask.

Charlie and Nancy had never met John before, but my brother was much more excited of the two. Plus, Nancy had shut herself in her room. Mum didn't let her go out yesterday to meet with this new bloke, and she wasn't taking it very well.

She'd hardly spoken a word to us all day.

Charlie and John were engaged in a conversation in the room next door while I poured some drinks for us in the kitchen. Listening into their conversation was most amusing.

"John, what music do ye listen to?"

"Good question, good question. Love meself a good bit of Elvis..."

At that, Charlie scoffed. "He's well old!"

"Ey! He's only thirty-seven! The King, yeah? That's not much older than me, y'know."

"Whatever... I mean his music. He was the thing like twenty years ago! Anyroad, go on. Continue."

The atmosphere was lively in the front room when I reentered, a few bottles of beer in hand. John and Charlie gratefully took one from each from my grasp.

"_____, ye got any grapes?"

That was an odd request.

Slinking back into the sofa next to John, his arm snaking round my waist casually, I turned to look up at him. A cheeky smile spread across his face.

"Aye, I think we do... why?"

"There's that Spanish tradition, y'know? When there's those twelve bongs at midnight on New Year's they eat a grape for each bong. Meant to give you prosperity and good luck for the New Year or summin... I don't give one about all that, but let's do it anyway, sounds fun! We are watching Big Ben on the telly, right?"

"Mm, 'course. I'll get grapes in a minute."

"And the champagne!" Dad was certainly eager.

In the distance a few fireworks sounded. "Christ, they're early, aren't they? Yer clock seems a bit off, mate."

______

Monday 1st January 1973
0.00am

On the other side of the front room, Dad popped open the champagne bottle, a cacophony of cheers erupting throughout the space. A chorus of fireworks crackled through the air, both on the little box in front of us and outside.

John, Charlie and I accidentally ended up eating our grapes beforehand. Guess that meant no good luck for the next twelve months. Nancy still hadn't joined us, and no one had bothered to ask her to.