Seeing You - Boys of Tommen

Neil Sullivan's Day Off

September 29th, 2001

Katie:

This whole month has been like a dream, getting walked to all my classes by Hugh, sitting with him and his friends at lunch, I'm on cloud nine. This afternoon I'm watching my first in person rugby game, although Hugh most likely won't be playing, I still want to support him and I'll hopefully get to see him after the game.

"Psst" I look around my English classroom to find where the sound is coming from, until my eyes land on the doorway looking into the hallway where a mischievous substitute flanker is whisper-yelling to someone. "Quick, while she's not looking" Gibsie says in the same hushed tone, I look around the class to see who he's talking to, until he speaks again "Katie...quick" without thinking I get up quietly and walk over towards the open door and step into the hallway.

"Took you long enough" Gibsie says, moving me away from the open door,

"I didn't realize you were talking to me." I responded somewhat defensively.

"What other first year would I bother with? Hmmm?" He answers as if it was obvious. He brushes off our conversation and starts in on a new one "Okay, so the game's today, and I'm guessing you want to see your boy in action?" I nod, although he clearly didn't actually need an answer "I have an absolutely genius plan to make that happen." I nod again, still confused as to why I'm here "I'm going to need your help with this, are you up to it?" without thinking I nod again "Brilliant, we better get a move on."

We walk quickly through the hallways, before stopping at one of the science classrooms, "Psst" Gibsie's calling out again to someone in the classroom. This person however gets the message much quicker than me and is in the hallway quickly with his backpack on.

When he looks up his eyes widen in surprise, a similar reaction that he had in the music room, rather than the bored look at the lunch table that he greets me with. I hadn't been back to the music room since our encounter, my lunches were filled with Hugh. A few times I noticed, especially on more chaotic lunch periods, Patrick would leave, and I would assume go to the music room for a break. To be honest, there have been a few days when I've considered following him, but I always decide against it. Besides, he goes there for a reprieve from the noise and I don't want to interfere with that.

Patrick speaks up, "What is she doing here?" Gibsie just cackles and drums his fingers together.

"This is an important mission, should you choose to accept it." I can't help but giggle at the Mission Impossible reference, Patrick offers me a rare smile before continuing.

"What are you up to now Gibs?" Gibsie continues walking forward without another word, and we follow.

Gibsie has us sneak out of one of the back doors of the school, and leads us to a pay phone about ten minutes from the school. "Now my dear Katie, you have a very important job." I nod slowly, apparently I've completely lost my voice around these two "Okay, I'm going to dial this number to the school and you're going to say that you're a concerned parent and need to pull Neil Sullivan out early, tell them that he needs to leave the school immediately for an emergency or an appointment or something, you have complete creative control, I trust you implicitly" Gibsie explains, and I ask.

"What does this have to do with Hugh playing rugby?" Gibsie smirks.

"Hughie is Sullivan's sub" before I can say anything else Feely is speaking.

"No way they'll believe she's an adult lad, also what if this gets tied back to her?"

Gibsie takes this in stride "One, it's called acting, and two, one of Dee's soaps is on right now and I guarantee you she won't think twice about it."

I find my voice "Will she believe that I'm old enough?" Gibsie seems annoyed at our questioning "Yep, play it up, I trust you."

Patrick speaks up again "Why did you need me for this?"

Gibsie responds "If for some reason Dee doesn't believe her, then she'll hand the phone over to her 'husband' and you can threaten to sue the school or something." Patrick doesn't seem convinced.

"Why can't you be her husband?"

Gibsie winks and says, "Dee has this voice memorized, of that you can be certain" I don't know what he's talking about but I've learnt it's better to not ask questions with him.

"Okay, I'll do it, for Hugh" I state more confidently than I actually feel, Patrick looks a little surprised and Gibsie beams.

Thanks for reading! I thought it would be fun to explore some of the boys' early days at Tommen, specifically the trouble they would get up to!  - H <3