wild child (A Tony Perry love story)

chapter 4

TONY

I walk outside the shop to see Mike waiting by his new car. It's practically his baby. I grin and walk over. How he knew I was here I don't know until I get closer and spot Lowri sitting in the car. She must have seen me in there and told him. I get in the front seat and Mike gets in and pulls away. It only takes 5 minutes to get to mine. I help Lowri out of the backseat and before either of us can do anything, Mike drives off. I shake my head. He's a strange one. I turn to Lowri to ask her if she wants to come in, being as she's here but she's already walking off. I call her name and she stops walking and turns back, a shy look on her face.

''Um, do you want to come in?'' I finally manage to ask. She smiles shyly but shakes her head.

"Got work to do" she mumbles.

LOWRI

I want to kick myself. A gorgeous guy like Tony just acknowledged my existence and I walked away. Why am I so damn awkward? I get to my van and open one of the bottles of Jack. I take a huge swig and get my jewelry making stuff together. I collected a load of sand dollars earlier this morning so I use a tiny hand drill to make holes in them before adding various beads and making them into bracelets and necklaces. I sell these for $5 each and sell about 50 in a good week. It's an easy profit. I take another swig out of the bottle. I see it's getting dark outside. I go outside for a smoke, slumping against the wheel of my van, bottle in my hand. I feel a tear make it's way down my face and I angrily wipe it away. I can't say I miss my family back in Newquay because I had none. All gone. I just feel really alone right now. I'm more than a little drunk and for some reason I think it would be a good idea to go and talk to Tony. I walk over to his house but then I freeze. I can't do it. I turn and start walking back.

TONY

I look outside for some reason and see Lowri standing at the bottom of my drive. Then she abruptly turns and walks off, swaying slightly. I run to the door and go after her. If she's as shy as me, she just chickened out of knocking.

"Lowri" I call out to her. She turns around and I see the bottle of Jack she's clutching. She sways slightly on her feet and I reach out just in time to catch her from falling. I help her back to her van and open the door for her, helping her up the step. She slumps on the sofa that's in there and in the light I see her eyes are red from crying. I put my arms around her to hug her. I wouldn't normally but she looks so upset. So alone.

LOWRI

Tony is in my van and I look like crap. My eyes are red raw and I'm drunk. I think most of the Jack has gone. I lie down on the sofa and the tears just come. He strokes my hair tenderly and within minutes I'm asleep.

When I wake up next, I'm alone but I have my blanket over me. The sun is streaming through the small window and I wince. I sit up and open the door. I feel sick. I can't believe how much I drank. I use alcohol as an escape but that was too much. I vow it will never happen again. I light a cigarette and hear a voice to my right. I wince as I look up to see Tony standing there, holding a Starbucks coffee cup out to me. I smile gratefully. I take a sip and feel the caffeine work it's way through my body. I finish my cigarette and stub it out before putting it in the ashtray I keep by the steps.

"You ok?" Tony asks, concern in his voice. I nod as I tilt my head backwards, to rest it on the side of the van.

"I'm sorry I disturbed your night" I mumble.

"You didn't. I just thought you must have nearly come to mine for a reason" he tells me.

"I was drunk and felt so alone" I whisper. I feel his arm wrap around me and I lay my head on his shoulder. I can't believe I just told him that.