After The Prom

Part 7

"I'm just going to head the library..." said James.

"I'm gonna go to the library..." said Erin.

"Actually no I'm just head home" said Erin

"Wait I'll make my way home with you..." added James.

They had said both in unison. Erin put her head down and started walking towards home. Orla followed her oblivious to the awkwardness. 

Michelle and Claire were still staring at James who reddened and followed after Erin. 

"What the fuck is going on?" Michelle whispered to Claire.

They ended up following Erin home. 

She stopped them at the front door: "Actually I think my mammy's doing dinner and she might not want you all under her feet"

They went to leave the garden and head home with Orla behind them. 

"Orla I didn't mean you..". Erin jumped as Mary opened the door. 

"What are ye wains doing standing on the doorstep in the cold? Come in and have some tea. Actually Michelle I have that big bowl for your mam"

They all headed inside. 

"No really it's grand Mary. My ma's forgotten about it and all".

"Aye if you're sure love" 

It was worth another try she thought.

"How are yas getting on with that history project girls? Our Erin seems to be in that library day and night" asked Mary.

"Grand. Piss of piss really Mary"

"Fine actually thanks Mrs Quinn" said Claire grabbing biscuit from the table. 

"What history project" asked Orla. 

"You all seem very laid back about it? Erin?"

"Mammy do you want me to dish up the sprouts?" She tried to change the subject. 

"Why are you spending so much time on the project?" asked Mary.

"I'm just struggling to find the words that's all" said Erin. She could feel herself going purple. 

"Struggling to find the words? You Erin?"

"Yes Mammy"

Mary eyed her disbelievingly. She was up to something alright.

The gang tucked in the tea and reminisced about the prom. 

"You looked well the other night Joe" said Michelle. 

"Why thank you Michelle. It was a great night. It was an honour to spend it with my wee granddaughter"

"Do you work out Joe?" asked Michelle. 

"I walk up the hill to church of a Thursday so I do"

"It was a terrible what happened to Jenny Joyce wasn't" Erin tried to steer the conversation away from her grandad. 

"Oh aye. It was terrible what happened to you Erin. Did you hear from that boy in the end?" asked Aunt Sarah. 

Erin stared at her peas: "No Aunt Sarah"

"Forget him Erin. He's not worth your time" Grandda Joe stood up from the table and put a hand on her shoulder. He continued: "It was good of your James there to take you? Your mother was telling me. Good on you son"

 He left them and went to watch the television. 

"James went with you? Were you going to tell us or what like?" asked Michelle. 

"Did you not cop on Michelle when we arrived together?" said Erin. 

"I just thought he'd bumped in to you on the way home from the creepy plunger convention"

"It's Doctor Who.." James corrected her under his breath. 

"Well now you know" Erin jumped up to start on the dishes so she could hide her face from the other others. 

She knew Michelle would jump to conclusions but Claire and Orla hadn't said anything. She didn't want them saying anything. 

Michelle turned to James: "You're a sly wee fucker aren't you?"

The dinner wound down and the gang made to leave. Not before Mary tried to sneak the big bowl in to Michelle's bag. 

"Mary honestly it's yours now"

Erin and Orla said goodbye on the doorstep. 

"What's it with mothers and bowls?" pondered Michelle. 

"Aye. It's scary. Will we get like that do you think?" Erin would take a conversation about bowls at that point in time. 

"Claire defo will" said Michelle. 

"I like a good bowl better than anyone but I'll never be like that" said Claire. 

"Forget it Claire. We all turn into in to our parents" said Michelle. 

They said their goodbyes and her and Orla headed inside. 

She sneaked a look at her mam and dad before going upstairs. They were laughing and joking as Mary filled him in on all the gossip from work. 

They could be sort of cute together when they weren't under the eye of her, Joe or Sarah. Most of the time it made her want to boke but she thought to herself if she ended up like them she'd be lucky. 

She headed upstairs wishing she had have been able to see James off on her own.