I apply my foundation, mascara and blusher. I stop short of using the red lipstick I have as I know Dad won’t approve. For some reason he hates me wearing lipstick. I heard him mutter something to Mum about me looking like a tramp. Mum told him off and said it was a sign I was growing up and he should simply accept it. He did a bit more muttering after that. Still, I won’t wear it in front of him if it upsets him. I don’t want to cause problems between him and Mum.
I wriggle into the black stretchy dress, with really pretty lace sleeves, I bought. I’m sure Dad won’t be keen on that either, so to keep the peace I put on my long maxi skirt over the top. I’ll slip it off when I get into Niall’s car. Just have to remember to put it back on when I come home later.
Mum taps on the door and comes in as I’m stepping into my Amish get-up. She raises her eyebrows but says nothing. I continue with my disguise.
Mum stands next to me and we look at ourselves in the full-length mirror. Our hair colouring is identical. She hasn’t got the curls, though; I have Dad to thank for those. Mum and I both have the same lily-white skin, although mine is a shade darker due to the foundation I’m wearing.
‘You look pretty,’ says Mum. She gives me a hug and we smile at each other’s reflection.
‘Thank you.’ I want to say she looks tired and is working too hard but I don’t. Instead, I tell her she’s pretty herself and I must take after her. Her green eyes crinkle as she smiles at me and lets out a little laugh.
‘Now, you will be back by midnight, won’t you?’ she says, a more serious look settling on her face.
‘Do I have to? Can’t I stay out a bit longer? One?’
She looks at me for a long moment before finally speaking. ‘Okay, one o’clock, but no later.’
I give her a big hug and plant a kiss on her cheek. ‘Thanks, Mum.’
‘Don’t mention it to your dad. I’ll sort it out once you’ve gone.’
I keep a look out from my window for Niall. I’ve told him to park over near the road leading to The Spit. It’s easier that way. I don’t want Dad questioning him about what time I’m coming home.
‘I wish Dad wasn’t so strict and uptight about everything,’ I say.
Mum sits on the bed and smoothes out imaginary creases in my duvet cover. ‘Your dad is not that bad,’ she says. ‘He’s just a bit over-protective, that’s all.’
‘Controlling,’ I respond.
‘It’s out of concern for your well-being. He’s got your best interests at heart and he does love you.’
‘He has a funny way of showing it. I wish he wasn’t so stressy all the time. If he could relax and not be so uptight about everything, it would be so much better, but he wants to control everything I do.’ I drop myself down on the bed next to her. ‘It’s his way or no way. That’s why Fiona left.’ I register the look of pain on Mum’s face. ‘I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.’
‘I know what you mean about Fiona,’ says Mum. ‘And I don’t want the same thing to happen with you. That’s why I’m trying to help. So things are different this time. He does know he needs to give you more freedom and choice in matters. It’s hard for him to change, that’s all.’
With silent mutual consent we leave the conversation there. I take another glance out of the window. I can see Niall’s car under the streetlight.
Mum follows me out of the bedroom and down the hallway. I pass the living room and casually call out a goodbye to Dad.
‘Okay, have a nice time and don’t be late,’ he calls back.
I don’t respond, but hastily close the door, leaving Mum to break the news to him.
Like most parties, Shane’s birthday bash takes a while to get going. As Niall is one of Shane’s closest friends, we arrive early, when it’s mostly just the family there. Shane comes from a big family and they are all very close.
Niall’s parents have been invited: Diana and Pat. Out of politeness, explains Niall.
‘My parents and Shane’s parents are very different,’ he says. ‘You know what my mam’s like at times.’
‘I didn’t realise they were friends,’ I say.
‘They’re not really. They know each other from living in the village so long and because Shane and I have been friends since we were kids.’
My dad says Diana and Pat Marshall like to think they are very middle class, with their money, fancy cars and expensive holidays. Diana is a GP at the local surgery in the village and Jeff works from home. Niall says he does something in IT. He doesn’t really know what, but it means his dad has to go up to the Dublin office regularly.
Shane and Joe’s parents are very down to earth. They go to the pub a lot and are into their motorbikes. Shane’s dad, Max, has the bike shop he’s just opened across the road from the café. Dad keeps moaning about the motorbikes and the noise they make.
Diana and Shane’s mum, Louise, are chatting when we arrive. Diana has that funny look on her face, like she has something really nasty stuck underneath her nose. Louise has an empty wine glass in her hand and is doing most of the talking, by the look of it.
Diana spots us first, then says something to Louise and the two women come over to greet us.
‘Hello, darling,’ says Diana to Niall. ‘I thought you were going to wear a jacket and tie?’
‘No, Mam, I told you, it’s not a formal do. I’m not going to a wedding or something. It’s just smart-casual.’
‘I think you look lovely,’ I say.
Diana turns to me. I hate the look she gives. ‘Hello, Erin.’ I watch her eyes take in the black mini dress I’m wearing. She has that same disapproving look I’ve seen in Dad’s eyes. Before she can say anything else, Louise is hugging us and thanking us for coming.
As more guests arrive and the adults return to their conversation, we make our way over to rescue Shane, who has been cornered by an elderly relative.
‘Thanks, man,’ he says as we bundle him away. ‘I hope the others get here soon. Much as I love the olds, I can’t do any more small talk.’
Within an hour The Smugglers’ function room is filling up and the party gets going. The DJ starts off with some rather more party-like songs that get some of the older guests up dancing. I have to say, Louise and Max Wright are pretty cool on the dance floor. They are having an absolute whale of a time. Everyone is watching them.
Someone nudges my shoulder. I turn and inwardly groan. It’s Jody Wright.
‘All right, Bunny?’ he shouts in my ear above the noise of the music. He peers around me and nods at Niall. ‘Want to come outside, for a bit of, you know, fresh air?’
‘Okay,’ says Niall and takes my hand. ‘Come on. Don’t want to leave you alone. You might get dragged onto the dance floor with Max.’ He grins as Max and Louise are now literally in the throes of a very energetic jive. At least, that’s want I think it is.
The night air cuts through the lace sleeves of my dress, sending little goosebumps along my arms. Shane, Roisin and Rebecca, a girl in the year below us at school, are already there. We huddle round the corner, away from prying eyes. There’s also a blond boy there who I don’t recognise. He’s laughing with Shane about something as they share a cigarette. I wonder for a minute if it’s one of Jody’s brothers, but I think they’re older than Shane and this one looks about the same sort of age. He looks over and nods at us but doesn’t break his conversation.
As