SKYFALL, Johnny Kavanagh

Private parties

Maeve's Point of View

By the time the lads of the rugby team wrapped up their conversation and Gibsie went to pay for lunch, it was well past 4 p.m.

The same waiter who had taken our orders approached, looking slightly nervous but still polite. "I'm really sorry, but we're closing now." He said.

That was our cue to leave.

Outside, everyone gathered in the parking lot, splitting off into groups – some heading for their own cars, others figuring out lifts to Gibsie's place.

In the end, Claire Biggs' mom decided she didn't want her daughter at the party, which meant that Lizzie Young also now refused to go so Hughie had to bring them both home.
I took the chance to ask him if he could also drop Shannon on the way and he agreed, for which I very grateful about.
Pierce was notably absent for the conversation, apparently he had argued with Lizzie at the restaurant and left in a rush – he only texted Gibsie to let him know he wouldn't make it to the party.

"Did you guys drive here?" Feely asked, turning to Niamh.

"No, we took the bus," she said, flicking a glance in my direction.

Feely frowned. "You took the bus? By choice?" His suspicion was almost comical.

"I just didn't feel like driving," Niamh said with a shrug.

Feely didn't buy it. "But you had no problem driving me around last week."

My stomach twisted, and I shot Niamh a look, but she kept her eyes firmly ahead, her expression unreadable.

"That's different," she said smoothly.

Feely laughed. "Really?"

"Niamh, we really have to go if we want to be in time for the next bus." I interrupted them. I didn't like where their conversation was going.
I had no doubt Niamh would keep my secret, but I felt a bit guilty having her lie for me.

Feely gave Niamh a long look, clearly unconvinced, but he didn't press the issue. He knew better than to try with her.

Instead, he exhaled through his nose, shaking his head slightly.

I felt a knot of tension ease in my chest.

"We really should go," I said again, shifting on my feet.

Niamh nodded. "Yeah. Bus stop's just down the road."

Feely glanced between us before giving a small shrug. "Alright. See you at Gibsie's, then."

With that, he turned and walked off toward Johnny and Gibsie, who looked like they were going to fight for the driver's seat of Johnny's car.
I hoped Johnny won, I doubted they were going to make it to his house safely otherwise.

Only when Feely was out of earshot did I exhale properly. "Thanks," I murmured.

Niamh nudged my arm. "You don't have to thank me."

I wasn't sure about that. She'd been doing a lot for me lately—more than she had to.
But I didn't argue. Instead, we started walking and a bit after a half an hour later we were about to approach the door to enter the Kavanagh mansion.

We could hear the music and the general chaos that came from there from the moment we got at the bus stop.

Niamh rang the doorbell and an awfully familiar voice answered. "Who's there?"

"Gibsie, I know you can see us." Niamh rolled her eyes. "Just open the door before we freeze out here."

"As the lady wishes." He replied and opened the gate.