Headshrinker

Chapter 5

5

In class we were given the results from the exam at the very beginning of term. The tutor dragged it out throughout the seminar. He told us some of us had done well and others not so, I was convinced that I was on the not so side as he went on.

We were handed our papers right before he was letting us go. I did good, good for the state of mind I went into it with. I needed to do better though.

“No, you can't resit. You all passed, if you're not happy you'll have to try harder on the rest of your assignments.” the tutor announced unforgivingly, as if he was answering my thoughts directly.

There were groans but mostly people chatted as we left. There was only one person I wanted to talk to once I was free for the afternoon. I left quietly, praying the tutor wouldn't suddenly ask to talk to me. Even though they had never done yet.

Claire and Debbie were out, the rats were sleeping. I was in no mood for any kind of studying, academia was letting me down. I had to do better but I was already doing my best. I didn’t see how I could do better especially if I couldn’t resit that test. I needed to get out the flat and well away from it all. I threw my bag and went to get the phone.

I got the yellow pages out and found Guigsy’s work number. I was sure that was the company he worked for anyway. I had no idea if I'd even manage to talk to him let alone get him to skive off but I couldn't not try.

Someone picked up, it wasn't him. “Hello, Neil speaking.”

“Hi, can I speak to Gu- erm, Paul McGuigan, please?” I asked having a hard time saying the name I rarely used.

“What's it about Love?”

“I just need to speak to him about something.”

“He's working. I'll take a message.”

“It's a family emergency, I'm his cousin. Please let me talk to him.”

“Cousin Who? Cousin It?”

“No, cousin Kass. It's serious.” I tried to make out his joke was in very poor taste.

“I'll get him. Wait there.” he sighed.

“Paul McGuigan.” he announced himself.

“Hey. I said excitedly. “Is Neil there?”

“Yes. What’s the matter, what’s the emergency?”

“Gran’s had an accident, you need to come home.” I told him as if Neil was listening.

“You, you what?” he asked confused before catching on. “Gran’s had a fall, I've got to get to hospital?”

“Yeah, if you can take the afternoon off. The doctors said we can't wait.”

“Oh shit, I can't believe it.” he explained the “situation” to Neil.

I expected him to get permission to go and I’d tell him where to meet me. It didn’t work out like that though.

“Neil thinks it can wait so I’ll be right there when I’ve finished. Tell gran I’m sorry but we’ve got a lot on so I’ve got to go.”

“It’s okay, she’ll find something else to do.” I told him before telling him where I wanted us to meet.

I was so disappointed I couldn’t have him. All the times I skipped sixth form when he wanted and now he wouldn't, couldn’t this one time. My eyes were opened to the fact that I was expecting too much of him.

Since I was trying to get away from uni there was one person I could turn to more back home than I’d intended. I got the bus to her place. She was in and she was more than happy to see me. She was my best friend but I was neglecting that relationship because of being at uni because she didn’t have that and she didn’t like history. We were living completely different lives now school was over. It was hard staying connected.