BACK		One Week In Tabatha

By Sofie Hagan

Day one – “Love at first sight”

“It’s not that I only talk about her, I mean… Yesterday I talked about my mom, right?” Nicky asked.
“No, it was about Georgina too…” Kian said, and sighed.
“Oh… Well, this morning I told you about that funny present I bought, right?” Nicky tried.
“You only told us about how Georgina would react when she got it…” Shane mumbled.
“Wow… I guess I really miss her…” Nicky mumbled, and blushed.
“Are we there yet?” Bryan complained.
“We’re arriving in Tabatha in five minutes…” Anto said, and smiled at Bryan. They’d been in Niama for one day. Niama – The sunny island!
“I love this island!” Mark said, when he woke up. Bryan looked out the window. He saw happy people walking around, wearing almost nothing. They all wore sunglasses.
“Hey, Mark, you’ll fit in perfectly!” Kian laughed, after spotting the sunglasses too.
The sun was shining, and the grass was green. Some people were talking, some laughing, and some snogging. And the best part – no one knew Westlife! There were only one TV-show in Niama, and it was the news. The only music they had, was the music they made them self. Bryan smiled.
“Remind me to give Louis a big kiss, when I see him again!” he laughed.
He looked out the window again. He saw a sign with the name “Tabatha” on it. He smiled,
“We’re now in Tabatha!”
They all clapped, and acted like a bunch of babies.
They stopped in front of a fine hotel, and went out the bus. Bryan looked around. No screaming girls, and no press. He smiled even more. They all went in, and found their rooms.
“Bryan, you share with Shane, Nicky with Kian, and Mark with me!” Anto said. They all nodded, and Bryan went upstairs with Shane.
“I love my life!” Shane yelled, and started to jump in the bed.
“I love Tabatha!” Bryan yelled, and jumped in his.
When they’d cooled down, they unpacked.
“What on earth am I gonna wear?” Shane asked, while looking at two shirts, looking exactly alike.
“Hey, no one will notice! No press knows where we are!” Bryan smiled, and found his white T-shirt.
“You’re so right!” Shane said, and put on a totally different shirt. When they were done, changing, they went down to the bar.
“We’ll have… Uhmmm… What ya got?” Shane asked, when the waitress arrived at the desk.
“You gentlemen looks like you could need a ‘Tabatha Special’!” the waitress said, and smiled.
“Give us two doubles!” Bryan laughed. The waitress laughed, and left them.
“Are all girls this beautiful?” Shane asked, and shrugged. A minute after, their drinks arrived.
“Non-alcohol…” the waitress confessed, and smiled, “We don’t drink alcohol on this island…”
Bryan and Shane took a zip of their drinks,
“Man, this tastes better then Irish beer!” Shane whined.
“Everything here tastes better than Irish beer…” the waitress flirted, and left them.
“Wow…” Shane mumbled, “I better go talk to her!”
Bryan didn’t have time to answer, before Shane was gone. He finished his drink, and went out side. The sun was shining, so he put on his sunglasses. He’d brought his disc man, and listened to their new CD.
Some boys and girls looked at it, with a weird look, but let it slip their minds.
He went by the school of Tabatha. All the children were playing games, and laughing. Bryan knew he was gonna be a dad someday. He just wanted to find True Love first.
He walked on, and came to a cosy little café called “Rose”. He went in, and felt the heat surround him.
He sat down on a bench, at a one-man table.
“May I take your order?” a voice asked. He looked up, and saw a girl. She was prettier, than any girl he’d ever seen in his life!
“Uhmmm… Sure!” he mumbled, and blushed. She was unbelievable,
“Just a coke!” he said, and looked deep into her eyes.
“Here we call it a ‘Rose Special’” she said, and smiled.
“Then give me a Rose Special!” he laughed. She wrote something on a piece of paper, and left him. Her beauty overwhelmed Bryan! He’d seen many many good-looking girls from all over the world, but he’d never seen anyone like her! She was special, in some kinda way. Her very long brown hair, made Bryan smile. Her pretty brown eyes, shined like two little suns in Bryan’s. A scarf held her hair away from her forehead. He shook his head.
“Here you go…” she was suddenly standing beside him again. Bryan smiled, “Thank you…”
“You’re welcome! Enjoy…” she said. Her cheeks turned red, and her eyes glittered. She left him sitting with a coke - Or a ‘Rose Special’ as they called it.
She was standing by the counter. Bryan watched her in silence, while drinking his coke. When he was done, he left the café.

- But all night, he could only think of her! He decided to go to the café again the next day! Maybe bring someone with guts, like Shane for example!

Day two – “No doubt!”

“Bryan, what’s with you?” Kian asked, while they were having dinner at the porch of the hotel.
“He hasn’t slept all night…” Shane informed everyone, while taking bites of his bread. The sun was already shining, though it was early in the morning. The elders were taking their morning-walk, around the little city.
“Bryan? Wake up!” Nicky said, and waved a hand in front of his face. He woke up from his daydream,
“What?”
“Bryan, is something wrong? Are you feeling homesick?” Kian asked, while looking concerned.
“You don’t have to be so concerned, Kian. I’m fine!” Bryan said, but he knew they didn’t buy it.
“Is it a chick?” Kian asked, and laughed.
“Is that all you think about?” Shane asked, and took another bite of his bread.
“Hey, would some of you mind going with me to a café today?” Bryan silently said.
“I have absolutely nothing to do!” Mark quickly said.
“Well, I have a date…” Shane said, and winked at the waitress.
“And I have to write Georgina! And call her… And look at her picture…” Nicky started, but got cut of by Bryan,
“So we have a deal?” he asked Mark. Mark nodded.

When they were done eating, Bryan and Mark went to the little café. “Oh, it looks cosy…” Mark mumbled, when they stepped inside.
“I know…” he said, and looked towards the counter. She wasn’t there. He got kinda disappointed, but sat down beside Mark.
“Hello again!” a bright voice said. Bryan looked up, and saw the girl from yesterday. He was in need of words,
“Hi…” he just mumbled. Mark gave him a little kick under the table, so he woke up.
“Uhm, we’ll have two Rose Specials!” Bryan said, and smiled. She winked a little, and left them. Mark smiled at him,
“So that’s the problem…”
“What?” Bryan asked, acting all confused.
“You, my friend, are in love!” Mark said, and laughed. Bryan wouldn’t deny it, but he wouldn’t confirm it either.
“I’ve never talked to her…” he defended himself.
“Have you never heard of love at first sight?” Mark asked, and kept laughing. Bryan didn’t answer.
“Now, the next time she comes here, you ask for her name!” Mark said determined. Again, Bryan didn’t answer.
“Here you go!” she said, and gave them their cokes. Mark gave Bryan “the look”, but Bryan didn’t react.
“Excuse me, but do you work here?” Mark asked her. Bryan blushed like never before, and kicked Mark under the table.
“Yes. My dad owns it!” she said, and smiled at Mark,
“Oh, okay! You’re doing a great job!” he said, and smiled. She smiled back at him, and left.
“You see? She’s not dangerous! TALK TO HER!” Mark whined. Bryan looked away,
“And looking away, doesn’t solve your problem!” Mark continued.
“Excuse me?” Mark yelled, so the girl would come over to them. She did.
“My friend Bryan here, would like to ask you something!” he said. She smiled, and looked expecting at Bryan.
“Uhh…” he mumbled, “I just wanted to know… Uhh… Do you work here?” He asked, and blushed immediately.
“Uhm… strangely enough, I still do!” she laughed, and left.
“Now that was just stupid!” Mark said, while Bryan was knocking his head down the table.
“I know…” he whispered.

“I remember when we went roller-skating… I kept falling, but she grabbed me…” Nicky explained. The other guys didn’t listen. They sat on the porch again. They’d just eaten dinner, and were enjoying the sight.
“Hey, why don’t we all go drinking tonight?” Kian asked, interrupting Nicky.
“Sorry… they don’t do alcohol on this island.” Shane said, and looked at the waitress. Kian's face turned serious,
“What?”
“They don’t drink alcohol. It’ll ruin their religion, or something…” Shane said, and laughed.
“I’m gonna go to sleep… Goodnight!” Bryan said, and left the table.
“Now, seriously, what IS with him?” Kian asked concerned.
Mark started to explain.

Day three – “Blushing Queen”

“You could do as I did with Georgina – just kiss her!” Nicky said, smiling.
“Nix, she slapped you, when you kissed her!” Shane reminded him.
“No, you should write her a letter!” Mark added.
“No way! That’s so typical! You should get her drunk, and propose!” Kian laughed.
“C’mon! No, you should go to her restaurant after it’s closed, and make her let you in! Then you tell her everything!” Shane said.
“Look, guys, I don’t need your help! She’ll find out!” Bryan just said, and took a bite of his apple.
“I’ll come with you today! I know how to flatter a woman!” Nicky said, and winked.
“Yeah right…” Shane whispered, and received a whack from Nicky.
“Thanks, Nicky!” Bryan just said.

A few hours after, they sat at ‘Rose’.
“There she is!” Bryan whispered, and turned his head against the girl.
“Man, she’s pretty!” Nicky said, and smiled.
“Please! Just get her attention!” Bryan begged.
“Waitress!” Nicky yelled, and she came to their table. She smiled, when she saw Bryan.
“Two double Rose Specials!” he said, almost without any mistakes. She smiled, and left.
“Now, are you ready?” Nicky asked, and smiled.
“For what?” Bryan asked. He was ready to do almost anything.
“When she gives you the…Whatever-it-is, you try to take it from her, so she drops it all over you!” Nicky said. It was actually a good idea. Bryan smiled.
“Here you go!” she said, and handed Bryan his coke. He reached out for it, but didn’t let his hands grab it. She dropped all over his shirt, and he stood up.
“Oh, I’m so sorry, sir! Sorry!” she said, confused. She ran into the kitchen and came back with a towel. She started to rub his chest with it. She blushed, and looked him in the eyes at the same time.
“I’m sorry, mr. …?” She said, and kept rubbing his chest with the towel.
“Bryan!” he quickly said.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Bryan…” she mumbled. Bryan took her hand, and removed it from his chest.
“It doesn’t matter!” he said, and was almost unable to breathe. She blushed and smiled even more, and left him. He sat down and smiled,
“Thank you!” he whined, and laughed.
“I knew it! She likes you, man…” Nicky said, and clapped.

That evening, Bryan told the rest of the boys what was going on, and they were very helpful.

Day four – “Freedom”

Bryan went down the little street of Tabatha. He looked around, and stopped. Kids were playing, elders were talking, and young people were kissing. Everything was perfect in the little city. He looked towards the little beach, where people were having fun. No one was teasing each other. Four days on the island, and yet he hadn’t seen any arguments.
“Mr. Bryan!” Someone suddenly yelled. He looked in the same direction, and saw the girl from ‘Rose’. She was about to open the café. He smiled, and almost forgot to blush. He ran over to her, and kept smiling,
“Hi!”
“So Mr. Bryan! What are you doing on such a beautiful morning?” she asked. Her smile was happier than all the smiles on the island put together.
“I’m running away from breakfast!” he laughed, and was surprised, that he could talk at all.
“Running away? But why?” she asked, and wrinkled her forehead.
“I just needed to get away… I have a lot of things on my mind…” he said, and could only smile.
“You’re welcome to have breakfast here! On the house!” she said, and smiled. She had two dimples every time she smiled.
“Thank you!” he said, and smiled wider.
She opened the door, and they went in. It was still very hot. She pointed at a table near the counter, and went out in the kitchen. A few minutes after, she came out with a plate. On the plate were one egg, one piece of bread, some salad and a sausage. Bryan smiled, when he saw it,
“Wow, looking good!” he said, and couldn’t believe that she was standing right in front of him. He started to eat, and it tasted wonderful. When he was done, more and more customers came.
“You better watch out! Today’s a busy day!” she said, while serving for a happy couple. Bryan smiled, and left without saying goodbye.

“Where have you been, you big cow?” Mark asked, when he stepped inside the hotel. Kian, Shane, Mark and Nicky were standing with their bags.
“What are you doing?” he nervously asked.
“We’re going to some beach in the city Viana!” Shane said and smiled. Bryan ran up stairs to pack a quick bag, and after that, they took the bus.
They ended beside some beach on Viana, and went out.
They lay on the beach, and soon after, they were bathing in the clear blue water.
The rest of the day, they had fun on the beach. They enjoyed, that no one was taking sneaky pictures of them, and that they could swim without any screaming girls chasing them.

When they got back to the hotel, they had a smaller party on the porch. Other guests from the hotel joined them, and they had a great time!

Day five – “Determined Love”

“Are you going to see her today?” Shane asked, when he woke up. Bryan was standing in front of the mirror,
“Yep! And I’m gonna invite her over!” he said, determined but nervous.
“Oooh, so I finally get to meet her?” Shane laughed, and took of his nightshirt.
“Yep! But if you embarrass me or her, I’m gonna kill you…” Bryan mumbled. Shane just laughed.

“Hey, Mr. Bryan!” she said, when he entered the café. It was over five already, and there were no costumers in the café.
“We’re about to close! Want a last drink?” she asked, while picking up some plates.
“No, thank you…” he said, and grabbed a broomstick. He started to sweep the floor.
“Hey, what are you doing tonight?” Bryan yelled, while she did the dishes in the kitchen.
“I’m visiting my grandma in Daylami!” she yelled.
Visited her grandma? Wow, this was a friendly place.
“Oh, What about tomorrow night?” Bryan yelled. He could hear that she turned of the water, and came out. She took of her scarf, and her hair fell down. She looked stunning!
”I’m free tomorrow night!” she said, and smiled.
“Well…” Bryan mumbled, trying to catch his breath, “Do you wanna come with me to the hotel? We’re having a small party…”
He sighed, and expected a ‘No’.
“Of course!” she said, smiling. Bryan sighed, and smiled. He was relieved!
“I have to go now. My dad’s gonna kill me, if I don’t show up at time!” she laughed, and went outside. Bryan went with her, and she closed the door after him.
“You’re the best, Mr. Bryan…” she said, and embraced him. He put his hands around her small waist and hugged her back. She gave him a small kiss on his cheek. Then she left. She took her bike, and drove down the road. Bryan was stunned!

He went home in silence to tell everyone.

Day six – “This is it!”

“Great! A party!” Kian interrupted Bryan.
“Kian! It’s gonna be a quiet party! Easy music. Not much light. Slow dance…” Bryan dreamed, “And in the middle of it all, I’m gonna kiss her!”
Nicky smiled at him,
“Great, Bry!”
“Yeah, I’m really looking forward to see her!” Shane said. Bryan just laughed at them.

“Bry! Wanna come with me? I have to go buy some candy?” Kian asked. Bryan put up a small lamp,
“Nope, I’m busy!” he said, and took another lamp from the box.
“Bry, you’ve been working on that, ever since we woke up!” Kian laughed. It was true. Bryan wanted it to be perfect! Kian shook his head, and left.

It was about 5 o’clock, when Bryan left the hotel. He went down to ‘Rose’, to find her. He stepped inside, and she came out.
“Ready to go?” Bryan asked, and smiled.
“No… I’m sorry! I can’t make it tonight… My dad wants me to help him with his car!” she said. Bryan’s heart broke in two. He felt so disappointed, that he mostly wanted to cry.
“Oh, okay… well… I’ll see you later…” he said, and stepped outside. He started to walk down the street. He heard her call him, but he couldn’t bear to look back. A tear fell down his cheek.
He went to the hotel, and up. He opened the door to the porch, and Shane, Nicky, Kian, Mark and some girls yelled “Cheers!” When they saw Bryan, they pushed the girls out.
“Where is she?” Nicky asked. Bryan broke down in tears,
“She couldn’t make it!” he cried. The guys looked at each other.
“I’m sorry, Bryan…” Shane started, but he interrupted him,
“I don’t need anyone’s pity…” he said. The guys left him alone on the porch. The music was still playing, and the lights were still turning.
He finished crying, and went to the railing. He could see the whole city from up there. The music changed to ‘Moments’. He forced towards a smile.
“Mr. Bryan?” someone suddenly said. He quickly turned around, and there she was! More beautiful then ever! Her hair was hanging down her shoulders. She had a long green dress on, and a simple necklace.
“We’ll leave you two alone…” Nicky said, and him and the guys closed the door. She smiled,
“Your friends told me about you…” she said, he went towards her, and put his hands around her waist. She continued,
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
Bryan tried to smile,
“I was to scared.” He admitted, “I love you!” he whispered. She slowly leaded her lips towards him. At the moment they kissed, Bryan felt the magic all the way down his stomach.
“I love you too…” she said, and kissed him again. They stood like that for a long time, while the music was playing. In the window Mark, Kian, Shane and Nicky watched.
“They’re adorable!” Shane whispered. The other guys nodded.

Day seven – “This Is Where I Belong”

“Wake up, Mr. Bryan!” Nicky teased. Bryan woke up. He remembered last night, and smiled. He’d followed her home, and given her a big kiss.
“Ready?” Mark asked. Bryan looked around. All around the floor, there were bags standing.
“Oh no…” he sighed, when he remembered. They were going home today!
“When are we leaving?” he quickly asked, and got out of bed.
“In about an hour, we’re going away from the hotel…” Nicky said, but Bryan was already dressed. He ran out, and down the street. He got to ‘Rose’, but nobody was there. He sat down, and let a tear fall.
“Mr. Bryan?” he heard that memorable voice. He looked up, and saw her. He raised, and kissed her. She laughed,
“What’s the matter?”
Bryan looked her deep in the eyes.
“We’re leaving today…” he said. Her eyes got filled with tears,
“No! You can’t!” she said, and hit her arms around Bryan. He started to cry, and embraced her.
“Please… Don’t cry…” he begged.
“I can’t… I’ve never loved anyone more than I’ve loved you!” she cried. Bryan felt the hurt and pain in his heart,
“Do you think I wanna leave?” he asked, crying. She didn’t answer.
“I love you…I love you!” he cried.
“I love you too…” she cried back. They gave each other a big kiss. The sun was shining, and the grass was green. But both their eyes were filled with tears.
“Can I call you?” Bryan asked, trying to fight against his tears.
“We don’t have phones on this island…” she sobbed.
“Can I write you?” he asked, letting a tear loose.
“You can’t…” she cried, “No one on this island can read or write…” Bryan hugged her,
“I’ll always love you…” he cried. She started to cry even more.
“Bryan, I’m getting married…” she cried.
“What?!” Bryan yelled, still crying. He looked her in the eyes.
“It was decided when I was born! I’m getting married in a month! I’ve never met him!” she cried. Bryan kissed her,
“You can come with me!” he begged.
“I can’t do that! I have to stay here to support my family!” she sobbed, and dried her eyes.
“But I love you….” Bryan mumbled, and kissed her.
“And I love you…” she sobbed, and kissed him.
They heard a hunk behind them. Bryan turned his head, and saw the bus. Nicky jumped out,
“I’m sorry Bryan… We have to go!” he said. Bryan’s eyes got filled with tears,
“Please! Give us just five minutes!” he prayed.
“In ten minutes, we’ll be in the flight towards Dublin…” Nicky slowly said.
“You have to leave, Bryan…” she said. He gave her a hard kiss, and she pushed him against her.
“You have to leave me now… But promise me, I’ll never leave your heart!” she said, fighting the tears.
“You’ll be in my heart as long as I breathe…” Bryan said, and let go of another tear.
She gave him a final kiss, and let go of his hand. He went into the bus, and sat down in the back. He leaded his face against the window. The door closed, when he suddenly yelled,
“HER NAME! I NEVER GOT HER NAME!”
He looked out, and saw her crying.
“Stop!” he yelled, but the bus started driving. He knocked the window, but she didn’t hear it. She’d turned around.
“No! Stop! I have to know her name!” he yelled, but they kept driving. Bryan sat down, and started to cry. He cried like never before.

When he walked out of the flight, it rained. A thousand of screaming girls were standing beneath the flight. Bryan put on his sunglasses, so the girls couldn’t see his eyes. He went past them, and they grabbed him. He just ignored their yells for attention. It was cold, and his heart was aching.
He went inside the big, black limo, and drove away. The rain hit against the window, while Bryan was crying.
He’d known and loved her for seven days, but he never got to know her name. But she would always have a special place in his heart.



In Honour of Bryan McFadden:
Bryan McFadden – He deserves all the happiness in the world! If something brings him down, he should always have someone to trust and seek comfort at. I love you, Bryan McFadden – And I want you to know that!
You’re always on my mind, and in my heart. You’ll never leave me, in any kind of way. I promise!
I wish you all the luck in the world with Molly, Kerry and the rest of your family. I hope you’ll live the rest of your life with happiness and laughter!

Yours Forever,
Sofie