Clare's Sister | Derry Girls

Chapter 1: She's Coming Home

The Devlin sisters couldn't be more different from each other if they tried. The only thing remotely the same about them is their hair colour and the fact they share a similar face.
Erica or 'Eddie' is tall and of a slimmer build. Her personality, described by her fourth year history teacher, is bubbly. She's outgoing and popular, and can make friends easily. Eddie is a girl who can float through life. Things seem to fall into her lap, and because of this, she's not uptight and worried about anything. It's fair to say she's the favourite child. Despite being at university, Eddie isn't sure of what path to take in life. She's more often than not, winging it.
Clare on the other hand, is short, a little bit chubby, and as described by her friends, 'a walking cack-attack.' No matter what the situation, good or bad, she somehow always manages to find a reason to panic. Clare's a hard working girl with ambitions. She's constantly fighting to prove to her parents she's just as good as her sister. That she's worth so much more than what people make her out to be. Clare clearly suffers from anxiety, anyone can see it a mile off. And on top of all this, she's gay. She's out and proud, to everyone but Eddie, that is.
-
Clare lay fast asleep in her bed, enveloped in her duvet. Her snoring was muffled by the pillow that her face was smooshed against. The sunbeams streamed in through the cracks in the curtains, dancing across her bedroom floor. A sweet perfume aroma filled her room, a smell that she had become used to, but everyone else was hit with whenever they stepped into her world. But it was pleasant and nobody complained, apart from Michelle Mallon who would find any excuse to complain and make a scene.
The peace was broken by Mrs Devlin, (Geraldine), entering the bedroom. She was armed with clean bedding and a battered teddy bear. Geraldine began to make the spare bed that lay against the wall opposite Clare's bed.
As her mother made the bed, Clare began stir. She stretched her arms out and yawned before rubbing her eyes and propping herself up with her elbows.
"Mam?" She asked in a haze. "What are you doing?"
"Oh good morning, Clare." Her mother replied, not taking her eyes off the task.
"Why are you making the bed?"
"Because your sister's coming home today. She'll be back this afternoon for a short break."
"Really?" This came out riddled with disappointment.
"You could try and sound happier about it!"
"Sorry." Clare apologised.
"Anyway, you need to get up and go to school. Breakfast will be waiting for you."
"Thanks, ma." And with that, Geraldine was gone.
Clare let herself fall back on to the pillow. "Jesus."
-
The small blonde took a brisk walk to the corner of her pal's estate. She awkwardly stood as she awaited the arrival of Erin Quinn and Orla McCool. She began to get antsy as the time passed. The two cousins eventually turned up. Orla was attempting to eat a gobstopper, while Erin was deep in conversation about her love for a new boy who had moved in a couple doors down from her.
"Hi girls." Clare forced a smile on.
"Hi Clare." Erin replied. Orla was too busy to say anything. "So, as I was saying. There's this new fella who moved into our estate, and he's so gorgeous. I think I'm in love!" Erin stated.
"I thought you liked David? Dee? And then John-Paul."
"David has been M.I.A for a couple months and yes, it's been heart wrenching, but I can't let it get me down, you know?" To this, Clare rolled her eyes. "As for John-Paul, we do not talk about him. And Dee, well, that would never happen. Granda wouldn't allow it. I don't think my mam would either. The whole situation is just so messy, I don't know what to do. If David turned up, I'd probably go for him, but this new fella is something else."
"Do you even know his name?"
"No. But that doesn't matter. I don't need to know his name to know we've got a future together."
"I'm gonna boke." Clare commented, which earned her a slap from Erin.
-
The bus ride to the school was very uneventful. The usual routine happened; they were stopped by British Soldiers, who searched the bus and deemed them 'not a danger' then sent them on their way. Erin spent the entirety of the journey, droaning on and on about this new fella, but of course nobody was listening to her.

Assembly was first on the agenda. The girls, and James, all had a lecture on what was expected of them as students, and how to conduct themselves in public, after the school had received complaints about a couple girls wrecking havoc in a shopping centre; stealing items. Sister Michael snorted as she announced the girls had only stolen £2.50 worth of items from Woolworths, and that if they really wanted to cause damage, they should have stolen jewellery or clothes, but not to get any ideas. Everyone was soon excused to go to classes.

Clare, a student who usually takes part in class, was keeping to herself for once. She sat at her desk in history, doodling in her notebook, not paying attention to what was being said. In her notebook she'd scribbled a drawing of Erica with a knife in her head, with the words 'piss off' underneath it. This was usual for the quiet blonde. She wouldn't normally use language like that, or draw such images, but her sister is someone she truly cannot stand. Why? Because Erica is everything Clare wished she was. The constant comparing of the two sisters is something that dug into Clare, and really got under her skin, but who could blame her? Nobody likes being compared to anyone. The bell was what snapped Clare back into the real world.
"Ladies you are excused, Clare stay behind." The teacher said. Clare rolled her eyes as she packed her things up. She attempted to sneak out behind her friends but the teacher caught her. "Miss Devlin." The teacher, Mrs Connelly, motioned for her to stand in front of her. "Is everything okay?"
"Everything's fine."
"Really? You're looking awfully pale. And you haven't said a word. That's not like you."
"I'm just tired." She lied.
"Let me see your jotter."
"What? Why?"
"I want to see how much work you've done today."
"Miss, I really need to go! I'll be late to English."
"I don't care. I'll write you a note. Let me see your book." Clare gave up, realising she wouldn't win. She took her bag off and unzipped it. Clare fished around and produced her book. Mrs Connelly was about to read it but the door opened. Sister Michael walked in.
"Mrs Connelly, I need to have a word with you." She stated.
"Oh, of course, Sister." Mrs Connelly handed the blue book back to Clare. She shoved it back into her bag and dashed out.
-
The rest of the day was much the same for Clare. Teachers questioning why she wasn't participating. And her friends were too wrapped up in their own thoughts to see Clare wasn't herself.
She was so caught up in her anger towards her sister that she didn't see the car that cane tearing into the school grounds. The car screeched to a hault.
"Clare!" James screamed. The tiny blonde jumped.
"Jesus!" She panted from fright.
"Hey!" Michelle snapped. "You almost hit our friend!"
"Yeah, and I almost hit my sister!" The voice replied. The car window rolled down to reveal a girl in the drivers seat, peering over the top of her sunglasses.
"Erica." Clare sighed. "You're home."