Stories of Rockfield (Roger Taylor)

Chapter Thirteen

30th September 1964

The bell above the door of the shop rung as the door swung open, allowing George and Robert to walk out with our things. We each handed them the money we owed and took what we had asked for before heading back towards the farm. It was far too late for anyone to be awake so we were careful to be even more quiet than usual. We finally made it to the barn and climbed up on to the hay bails, the eight of us sitting in the same area but Louise, Jennette and I were a little further away from the others.

"So?" Jennette urged, nudging me gently with her foot. I rolled my eyes and tried to force the smile off my face but it was no use. "She's blushing!" She squealed. Being somewhat outsiders, George and Robert looked over in confusion while the others were used to this kind of behaviour from Jennette. "What are you looking at?"

"I am not blushing." I denied, taking the focus off the argument that could break out with the older boys any second. "We just met, it would never happen. And I go home in a few days, it would be pointless."

"Are you mental?" Louise laughed. "I've never seen anything like it, Deb, his eyes are practically love hearts whenever he looks at you." I glanced over at the rest of the group, finding that his eyes were already on me. Cracking a small smile, I broke eye contact and looked at the two girls in front of me. "He's coming over. Good luck."

Louise and Jennette stood up and climbed over to where the boys were sitting. I took a deep breath and somehow managed to keep my cool as Andrew sat down. There was a small gap in between two hay bails, creating a comfortable little crevice for the two of us to sit in. Admittedly, it was a bit snug but I don't think either of us minded. Andrew placed the pizza box and the two bottles down on a reasonably flat surface we could reach.

"Want one?" He asked, holding out the packet of cigarettes George had bought for him.

"I've never tried it." He nodded his head and lowered his hand as he took one for himself. "Fuck it, I'll try one." Leaning forward, I pulled one from the box and placed it between my lips, waiting for him to light it for me. As I let out a small cough, Andrew chuckled and shook his head.

"Okay, have a drink first." He suggested, unscrewing the bottle of wine as I patted my chest, trying to ease the choking. "You alright?" I nodded. "Good. Okay, it'll still feel weird the first time...first, you suck it in." Being the immature thirteen year old that I was, I couldn't help but laugh at the double entendre. "Really?"

"I have a really bad sense of humour, sorry."

"Don't be sorry, it's cute." He said quietly. I was so thankful that it was dark considering how red I could feel my cheeks turning. "Right, no laughing. First, you suck in the smoke." Bringing the cigarette to my lips, I slowly breathed in. "Now hold it...and breathe in again normally." As I followed Andrew's instructions, I felt a slight burning sensation in my throat and my chest but I ignored it, turning my head to blow out the smoke. "There you go. Good?"

"Weird." I admitted. "But good." The two of us sat quietly for a while as I concentrated on smoking correctly, a mild panic in the back of my mind that I would do it wrong and cough my lungs up in front of my new friends. "How come I haven't met you before? I visit here at least twice a year."

"My grandma just moved here, I'm only here until she's settled in." He didn't care to elaborate after that, simply reaching forward and brushing away a hair that had fallen in my face. "You're pretty." I smiled and lowered my head to cover up the fact that I was blushing like mad. "You look cold."

"It's bloody freezing, that's why." I joked to mask my nerves.

Andrew's green eyes twinkled in the moonlight as he shifted closer to me and wrapped an arm around my shoulder. With his free arm, he scooped up my legs and rested them on top of his. From the corner of my eye, I could see Louise holding two thumbs up from her position on David's lap. I ignored her and relaxed in Andrew's arms.

"I'm glad you came out with the girls tonight."

"So am I." I heard a shuffling sound and saw the slightest glimmer of light shine through the window of the tractor behind Andrew. "Shit, that'll be Eric."

"Oi!" I was right. "Get out!" He charged at us, holding a rake above his head as he ran.

With one hand, I grabbed Andrew's wrist to pull him after me and with the other, I picked up my wine before we fled. The eight of us sprinted towards the gate with Kenneth's father closely behind us but it was obvious he couldn't quite keep up due to his old age. As we reached the gate, most of the group chose the easier route of just hurdling over it but Louise and I, being the geniuses that we've grown to be, dropped to the floor and dragged ourselves underneath it, completely ruining our clothes in the process. Luckily, David and Andrew were on the other side with their hands held out already to help us to our feet.

We made it halfway down the road before Eric eventually gave up, leaving our whole group panting on the pavement, clutching on to each other so our knees wouldn't buckle. There was an obvious tension between us all but one simple noise broke it in a second. Andrew snorted with laughter, doubling over in hysterics.

"Whoever that man was, he's my new hero." He stated, pointing a finger boldly back towards the farm. "Where do we go now?"

"Can't be arsed going anywhere else now." George decided. "I'm just going home, you coming?" Jennette nodded her head and immediately followed after him. One by one, everyone started to disappear, eventually leaving just Andrew and I.

"Will I see you again before you leave?" He asked.

"I hope so."

"I don't think I should risk it."

Taking a step closer, he placed a hand behind my head and leaned down to my height, kissing me softly. It only lasted a few moments but it felt like forever. His lips were soft and tasted like cigarettes and cider, a taste that I would usually hate but somehow worked so well for him. He pulled back after a minute and simply looked into my eyes. I practically melted under his stare: it was almost like those green eyes pierced my soul.

"I hope you don't get in too much trouble from Eric." He mumbled, not breaking eye contact for a second. "You'll have to get his autograph for me."

"You'll have it for yourself when he has to sign the restraining order." He smiled momentarily, his tongue peeking out as he wet his lips. "I guess I'll see you in court?"

"I hope so."

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I know this is different and still really short so I'm sorry about that. This night is a memory that sticks out in my mind and as soon as I started writing a book set on a farm I knew I had to incorporate it and Andrew needed a little more backstory so like why not? Anyway, it'll be back to normal next time but I hope you enjoyed this bit of a switch up. Thank you! Xx