Daisies - NEIL SUTHERLAND

048

Clara sat across the table from her mother, as the pair at breakfast.

"So what are your plans for the day?" Evelyn questioned her daughter as she shrugged. "I'm going to pick Neil up from work, then maybe we'll go hang out with Jay"

Evelyn nodded. "Well make sure you say goodbye to your father before you leave" Clara nodded, as she made her way to the door. Life had changed since her father got out of Jail.

"Oh Clara, darling love, please can you get your mother to let me inside. Just one conversation"

Mainly because he spent most of his time in the front yard trying to get back into the family.

It had taken some convincing, but Evelyn had decided that instead of letting the man back into her life, she would file for divorce. That didn't stop him from trying to get back, insisting that with the help of the community, their family could be fixed.

"Goodbye Dad" Clara just simply sang, getting into her mother's car. Though she didn't have a car of her own, she had finally gotten her driving license: being the last one of the group that gained the ability to drive.

As her father tapped on the window begging for her to talk to him, she turned up the radio and began driving. Arriving at the grocery store, she found Neil working at the deli counter, serving an older guy. As soon as the clock struck 6, Neil dropped the food he was serving, and Clara had to cover he mouth to keep herself from laughing.

"Excuse me, My prawns" the man Neil was serving complained. "Sorry mate, I finish at six" Neil shrugged, before noticing Clara smiling on the other side of the counter.

Not wanting to wait to meet her, he swung himself over the counter, instantly connecting his lips with hers. It didn't really surprise the girl anymore.

Once they separated, the couple smiled at each other. "Cheers for that," Neil spoke dreamingly and Clara laughed. "You don't have to thank me every time."

"Oh, right. Cool." Neil seemed to get lost in Clara's face "You're so fit." He mumbled, leaning back in, and kissing her again. As much as Clara loved it, she pushed him away slightly "Alright lover boy, we're still in public" Neil looked slightly upset, but smiled as Clara quickly pecked his lips one last time.

Intertwining their hands they began making their way out of the store. "So what's the plan?" Neil questioned

"I was thinking maybe we could drop by Jay's since Simon's with Carli and Will's out" Neil nodded slowly "Buuuuttttt, you also have a free house so maybe we could have some alone time. Unless you would rather-"

"Alone time, definitely alone time" Neil spoke, not even wanting to hear the other option.

"Alright then, go grab your stuff and we can head out" Neil shook his head "Nah takes too long, I want to be with you as quickly as possible." Clara blushed, knowing 'be with you' meant 'have sex with you'.

Clara sighed, grabbing his hand and leading him out.

"Fine, we can get started in the car" She pretended not to be just as excited as Neil, who couldn't be following the redhead any closer.

---

"I will forget each and every one of you almost immediately."

Clara raised her eyebrows at Mr Gilbert's words.

Though she hadn't expected him to say anything too kind, she wasn't expecting him to start off so strongly.

"So, if you do find yourself at a loose end next year, and think it might be nice to pop in and see how we're getting on, don't. This isn't the Dead Poets Society and I'm not that bloke on BBC Two who keeps getting kids to sing in choirs. I especially don't want to hear about how well you're settling down at uni or how much growing up you've done in the past 12 months. At best, I am ambivalent towards most of you, but some of you, I actively dislike, for no other reason than your poor personal hygiene or your irritating personalities."