I'm Sick, I'm Tired Of Staying In Control - RW

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

September 1996

It has been twenty-eight minutes. Almost half an hour of Cathy sat on her staircase at home looking at her boxes of belongings piled up in the hallway. Tomorrow she will go to Oxford so tonight is her last night with Rick until term is over...it breaks her heart.

As soon as the first day of the month hit, her boyfriend's whole demeanour changed slightly towards her like it suddenly hit him that soon they won't be able to see each other daily anymore. They've tried to make the most of each other's company as much as possible, they even went away to Runswick Bay for a night where they stayed in a B&B, walked along the beach and ate some delicious food. But it felt like a goodbye.

At first her father complained when she said that she wanted to spend her final night in Leeds at Rick's house but he was given a stern talking to by her mother so now he seems to understand. This night is important. How they leave things might make how their future goes. That is what Maria says anyway. 'Shouldn't you be going sweetheart?' Cathy hears her mother ask behind her and she finds herself nodding. 'I know it is going to be hard but you two are very tight. You will be fine.'

'What if...what if it isn't fine? What then?' She questions and sucks in a breath to stop herself from crying.

'Then it isn't meant to be.' Ouch. 'But I don't think that's the case. It is not even that far.'

'It is over one hundred and sixty miles...how is that not far?' Her mother doesn't reply. 'I'm sorry. It is just going to be so hard but you are right, I should be going.'

She pulls on a pair of white (now quite mucky) slip-ons and grabs her shoulder bag before standing at the front door. Her dream from last night flashes in her mind. They had run away together, somewhere down South but she can't remember. Both forgetting about their university courses and their destined future. It sort of seems tempting but neither of them could do that to their family or friends.

After saying goodbye to her mum she leaves her house and heads towards the city centre where she is meeting Rick in the pub. He and his band played in the pub during the afternoon but she couldn't bring herself to go. When she saw them last week at a club she became emotional during a particular number and it hit her hard how much she is going to miss seeing him on stage. It is the little things.

He wasn't offended that she didn't want to go today. She was busy anyway with all her packing whereas he doesn't have to think too much about that. Knowing him he will be taking his washing back to his mum on weekends. Cathy chuckles at the thought before entering the pub.

Her hazel eyes search around the pub which is bustling with people enjoying their Sunday evenings and hopefully having enjoyed the force that is Runston Parva. Ricky is sat having a pint with Nick and Whitey – their other two bandmates having left to go home – but when he spots her, he immediately stands to greet her. 'You alright?'

'Yeah.' She lies, 'You?'

'Not bad.' Whitey and Nick exchange eye contact before announcing that they should be going. Before they depart, they both say goodbye and good luck to their pal's girl making it hit home that today is her last night. This is it. 'Do you want to stay for one or go grab some chips to eat at mine in front of a film?'

'Chips and film.' She doesn't even have to think about it.

His fingers lace with hers before they wander out of the pub after he says goodbye and thank you to landlord for letting them play. Being polite is not difficult and it might help their case to gig here again in the future. Maybe.