‘Okay.Well, I was looking over at you and thinking how sensational your tits look in that dress,’ he said.
‘They do, don’t they?’I said sadly.
‘They look amazing,’ he said.‘It’s a great dress.’
‘Tadhg doesn’t care what they look like,’ I said.‘He doesn’t care what any part of me looks like.’
‘Are you sure about that?’
‘Fiachra,’ I said, ‘he just got off with some random girl in front of me.’
Fiachra didn’t say anything for a moment.He just put his arm around me again and I laid my head on his shoulder.It felt nice.It felt comforting.
Then he said, ‘Laura?’
‘Uh-huh?’
‘Are you in love with him?’
‘In love with Tadhg?’
‘Yeah.’
‘I think I’ve been in love with him,’ I said, ‘since the moment I met him.’
‘So me and you,’ he said slowly.‘Has that all been a … distraction?From him?’
I put my head in my hands.‘Oh shit, I’m sorry.’
He kissed the top of my head.‘Absolutely no need toapologise.Glad to be of service.It’s been, and I can say this with my hand on my heart, an absolute pleasure.’
‘You and me,’ I said, ‘it’s been really fun.And so good for me.But I love Tadhg.It’s so stupid, but I really do.’
‘And you’resurehe doesn’t feel the same way?’said Fiachra.‘Because every time I’ve seen you on stage there’s definitely a vibe between you.’
‘There is no vibe,’ I said, my voice breaking on the last word.I let out a shaky breath.‘Seriously, Fiachra.There’s no vibe.’
‘Okay,’ said Fiachra.‘Well, if you really feel like that …’
‘I don’t just feel like that,’ I said.‘I know that.’
‘Fine,’ said Fiachra.‘If you know that, then I think it’s a good idea for you to keep your distance from him for a while.When are you off to New York?’
‘The tenth of June,’ I said.‘Just after my last exam.’
‘So in a month, basically.Okay.Well, just tell him you’ve got to focus on your exams until then.No band practice, no hanging out.Nothing.’
‘I can’t—’
‘Yes, you can,’ said Fiachra firmly.‘You can.’There was something about his voice that made me believe him.It hit me for the first time that he could make a very good psychologist some day.‘It’s just for a few weeks.Then you’ll go to New York, you’ll have an amazing time, you’ll meet cool American boys, and you’ll forget about Tadhg for a while.You’re not saying goodbye to him forever – you’ll see him and start your band again when you get back in September.But until thenyou can … get him out of your system.Have fun without him.You can do it.Iknowyou can do it.For yourself.I don’t like seeing you so unhappy, Laura.He’s been making you unhappy, hasn’t he?’
I sighed, slowly.
‘Yeah,’ I said.‘Not on purpose.But he has.’
‘Well,’ said Fiachra.‘There you go.’He looked at me, his brown eyes full of kindness.‘Do you want to stay up here?Or go back to the party?Or do you want to go home?I’ll get your stuff and find you a taxi if you do.Your home, I mean,’ he added.‘I don’t think you want to go to my place tonight.’
I put my arms around him and he hugged me tightly.
