BACK		The Last Laugh

By Adelle Greenwood

Chapter One

Sligo, 1996

“Shane, wake up! You’ll be late for school!” Mae shouted from downstairs. Once again, Shane woke up with the feeling of dread in the pit of his stomach. He hated school, he was bullied and he had too much pride to tell anyone about it. The only reason he went to school was to see Natalie, otherwise he wouldn’t have bothered. Shane had liked Natalie ever since they started Summerhill College, and now they were in their last few months of school, he was determined to ask her out.

Shane rubbed his eyes then slowly moved from his bedroom into the shower. He appeared downstairs 30 minutes later fully dressed and ready to leave. Mae grabbed the keys and headed out to the car.
“Have a good day dear, don’t forget you are walking home tonight.” Mae reminded him as she kissed him on the cheek.
Shane smiled and jumped out of the car, as he watched her drive away, he started to feel alone. He was only ever truly happy when he was sitting at home writing songs or singing them.

As usual, the day went by slowly for Shane, who was now sitting in his last lesson, which happened to be Maths, one of the rare things he enjoyed. As the bell went, he chucked his books into his bag and ran out into the hall, hoping to miss the ‘popular crew’ as they called themselves.

As Shane walked across the grass towards the road, he was thinking about the next song he was going to write. He was happier than normal, he had dodged the bullies all day so he had an extra spring in his step. As he looked up to see what the traffic was like on the road, he saw Natalie.
‘She’s beautiful’ he thought to himself for the millionth time.
‘This is my chance – nobody else is around’ he found himself thinking.
After much hesitation, Shane decided he would take a chance and ask her out. He crossed the road then ran to catch up with her.
“Natalie!” He shouted as he caught up with her.
She spun round smiling. Shane had never actually spoken to her before; he had never been this close. With her slim figure, blonde hair and blue eyes, she was what Shane thought of as perfect.
“Hi, I’m Shane. We are going to be out of school soon, so I was just wondering if…umm…you would…umm”
“What?” Natalie asked.
“…Go out with me.” Shane finished, his heart full of hope.
Natalie was obviously not expecting it. She looked him up and down and then smiled.
“Shane, that’s real sweet, but you’re just too shallow. I mean you’re in a band, that’s hardly a plan for the future. You need talent to be a singer, and you’re not talented enough. I want to date someone that is somebody, you will never be anybody.” She replied harshly as she turned her back on him and walked away.

Shane could have died. It would have hurt coming from anyone, but from the girl he loved, it was the end of his world. He ran round the corner as he sobbed his heart out, and sat there for hours. He would have stayed there if Kian hadn’t found him.
“Shane mate what you doing? Your Ma is worried sick, she sent me out to look for you. You missed band practise.” He said.
“Sorry, I was feeling a bit ill, didn’t feel like walking.” Shane replied as he stood up.
Luckily, it was dark, so Kian couldn’t see the tear stains covering his cheeks. They walked home in silence.
When Shane got home, he had his dinner and went straight upstairs, where he lay on his bed staring at the ceiling until the next morning. He hadn’t realised how long he had been lying there, but he didn’t feel any better for it. Once again, he got up and went into the shower, then when he was in his uniform, he went downstairs to get a lift. He was glad his mum was picking him up this time, he couldn’t face Natalie again.

As Shane walked into his first lesson, the class went silent. Everyone looked up, then laughed. Shane acted as if he hadn’t noticed and walked to his seat. He was used to the stares and the laughter now.
As usual, the football team sat on the back row, their girlfriends sat on their laps, then everyone else sat in groups. All except Shane, he was sitting alone. Normally he would be sitting with Kian, but he was off ill, so for one whole day, he had to face hell alone.
“So, Shane has a crush on Natalie, who would’ve guessed it?” James shouted for the whole class to hear.
Shane couldn’t believe it, Natalie had told them.
The girl he loved was purposely trying to humiliate him, purposely trying to end his world.

Chapter Two

“Come on Shane, are you ready?” Kian called.
“Yeah, I’m just finding my shoes” Shane shouted back.
By now, the whole school had heard about Shane getting humiliated by Natalie, so Kian and the rest of his ‘band’ decided it was time to take him out, try making him forget Natalie. In their hearts, they all knew it was impossible.
As Shane put on his shoes, he took one last look in the mirror.
‘Am I really that bad looking?’ Shane asked himself as he went over the Natalie incident yet again.
‘Guess I must be’ He finished as he left the room.

“What toppings do you want Ki?” Mark shouted out from the counter.
“Chicken and pepperoni” Kian replied.
Kian, Mark, Derek, Graham and Michael were all treating Shane to a night out at their local pizza house. As they all sat in a corner booth chatting, Mark went up to order. Shane made sure he sat in the very corner, if someone came in, he didn’t want to be seen, however much Kian would stick up for him.

2 hours went by, and they were all still sitting in the booth, laughing and joking. Shane was having fun, but he was still thinking about Natalie. The pizza’s had been eaten, and now they were taking it in turns to go up and buy the drinks. Coke all round though, they were under age.
“Your round Kino!” Mark laughed across the table.
Everyone had so many nicknames for Kian, and nobody knew where they originated. Kian leapt up and walked to the counter, while the other 5 started a game of truth or dare.
“Shane, truth or dare?” Graham asked.
“Truth” Shane replied. Normally he would say dare, but he knew the kind of dares they thought up, so decided to stay safe.
“Okay, out of every girl in Summerhill, who would you like to hook up with most?” Graham asked. The whole table went silent.
“Bad move idiot!” Derek moaned as he nudged Graham, nearly making him fall out of the booth onto the floor. As Shane started to wonder where Kian was, he appeared with a big grin on his face.
“Guys, there is a group of lasses over there and they want us to go sit with them. You coming?” He asked as he walked towards the group of giggling girls. Everyone jumped up except Shane.
“You coming?” Mark asked as he stood up.
“Nah, I would rather be alone to be honest.”
Mark nodded and left, leaving Shane sitting alone.
After a few minutes, he was surprised to see someone sit down opposite him. He looked up to see a girl smiling at him.
“Your friends said it would be okay if I came and talked to you.” She said sweetly.
Shane smiled and looked into the bottom of his glass.
“I’m Jenny.” She continued.
Shane looked up at her
“I’m Shane.” He replied.
“I know, your mates told me.”
As Shane looked at her, she started to remind him of Natalie; only, Jenny seemed nicer, and slightly more attractive.

Another hour went by, and the girls had to leave. Shane and Jenny had been sitting alone talking about anything and everything. He really liked her, and realised that if he could be close to someone like Jenny, he might be able to get over Natalie.
“Come on Jen! Me Mam is waiting!” One of them called.
“Look’s like I gotta go.” Jenny told Shane.
“Yeah, looks like.” Shane added.
“I liked talking to you Shane, you’re the first person I’ve been able to have a proper conversation with in a while.” She said as she stood up and picked up her bag.
Shane stood up with her.
“Me too. I hope…I hope I’ll see you around.” He finished, not knowing what to say.
“Likewise” She said with a smile as she walked towards her friends giving one last wave in Shane’s direction.
‘Nice’ Shane thought to himself as he watched her leave. ‘Lets hope she doesn’t turn into a bitch if I ever tell her I like her.’
As he walked across the pizza house to join the others, he suddenly realised something he never thought he would. He was getting over Natalie.

Chapter Three.

Things were now looking up for Shane. He had learned to live with the humiliation of what happened with Natalie, and even the bullying didn’t bother him as much. Natalie had gone from not even noticing him, to abusing him every time they passed each other. That hurt a lot, but he didn’t say anything; people might think he still had feelings for her. All he could think about was Jenny, and when he would see her again. He really liked her, and more importantly, it seemed as if she liked him too.

As the lunchtime bell went, Shane raced to the vending machine where he was meeting Kian, Mark and Derek.
Kian walked towards him with a big grin filling his face.
“What?” Shane asked, looking confused.
“Guess who I’ve just been talking to on the phone?” Kian asked.
“Who?” Shane replied.
“Shelley” Kian answered with a smile.
Shane looked at him with a blank expression.
“The girl that I hooked up with at the pizza place the other night. Jenny’s friend. Anyway mate, you are well in there. Jenny hasn’t stopped talking about you since Friday night! I hope you don’t mind, but I gave Shelley your mobile number to give to Jenny.” Kian said happily.
A smile spread across Shane’s face.
As Mark and Derek joined them, they started walking towards the canteen. Shane took a quick look at his phone.
*1 message received* Shane opened it.


He sent one back straight away.


That was it, the start of the relationship, neither of them knew how long it would last, but both knew how long they wanted it to.
Jenny often popped into Summerhill with her friends at lunchtime to see Shane, and all the football team had taken quite a liking to her.
“Hi gorgeous! I’m James, and you are coming out with me tonight!” He said smoothly as he walked up to her.
James had come over alone, but all his friends were watching. Jenny was standing with her friends, and Shane and his band mates. Shane didn’t even want to look. ‘Why would she settle for me when she can have him?’ He said to himself, preparing for her to turn round and dump him.
Jenny smiled. “Well hi James, I’m Jenny.” She said sweetly.
Shane’s face dropped.
James’s smile grew wider.
“WICKED! What time you want me to pick you up then babe?” He asked.
Jenny laughed to herself.
“Well James, how about you don’t pick me up. See, I’m with Shane.” She said as she grabbed Shane’s hand. “…And why would I settle for you when I have him?” She asked with a smile.
Shane laughed out loud as James went red and quickly walked away.
Shane pulled Jenny close and looked her in the eye.
“Thanks Jen, I love you.” He said sweetly, complete with a stunning smile.
“I was wondering how long it would take you to tell me that. Love you too.” She laughed as he pulled her in closer.
They slowly got into one of their regular kisses. Shelley looked at them and rolled her eyes.
“Come on guys, they’re gonna be there for a while” She laughed as they walked off leaving Shane and Jen standing in the doorway, with James looking on in envy of Shane.
Shane pulled away and hugged her. A shot went through his heart as he secretly watched Natalie walking across the playground.

Chapter Four

Ireland, 2002.

“I can’t do it!!!!” Bryan screamed from the stage.
“Yes you can mate, just take your eyes off Kim for a few minutes and you’ll be fine” Nicky replied.

Westlife had a show to do as part of their world tour in roughly 4 hours, and Bryan was having trouble concentrating. His girlfriend of 3 years, Kim, had just told him she was pregnant. Bryan was ecstatic, but knew he had to concentrate. Whenever Westlife were in Ireland working, their girlfriends travelled with them. At this moment, they were all sitting chatting and watching Westlife rehearse.

“Kim babe, I can’t concentrate!!!!” Bryan shouted to her with a smile on his face.
“Will it be better if I went away for a little while?” She asked.
“Maybe.” He replied.
She blew him a kiss and stood up.
“Cat do you wanna go and do a bit of shopping?”
Cat looked up and nodded.
“See you a little bit later darling!” She shouted out to Kian.
Kian nodded and waved.

All of Westlife were seriously loved up. Westlife had been out at a club when they got chatting to a group of girls. That was it, they all took a fancy to one and hit it off. All except Shane, he was there with Jenny, his girlfriend of 6 years.

~#~#~#~#~#~#FLASHBACK~#~#~#~#~#~#~

Shane and Jenny had wondered off on their own as soon as they had entered the club, leaving Kian, Bryan, Nicky and Mark standing alone.
As usual, Kian looked around for a girl to meet. When he saw a group of them, he thought his luck was in.
“Look guys! Fancy any of them?” He shouted over the music.
They all looked over and smiled.
Kian led the way, with the others following slightly behind.
“Hello ladies. Want a drink?” He asked smoothly.
All of them turned to look at him, and he immediately took a liking to Cat. He saw her brown hair and blue eyes and went wobbly at the knees. He could tell she was the life of the party.
“Or do you want to go somewhere alone?” Kian whispered into Cat’s ear.
A smile spread across her face. She grabbed Kian’s arm and led him away from the others.
“Hey” Bryan said awkwardly. He wasn’t the type to go in a club and start talking to the first girl he met.
“Hey” They all replied.

An hour went by, and Kian and Cat were still missing. The others were all getting down on the dance floor with each other. All expect Bryan. He watched. Kim had noticed him sitting there, so she went and sat with him.
“Want some company?” She asked smiling.
“Thanks, I’m sorry about this, I don’t dance.”
She laughed. “Shame, ‘cos you’re a sexy little mover on stage” She whispered. He laughed and after much hesitation, agreed to dance with her. They got on like a house on fire, and were inseparable after that.

They all met up outside the club after, all had a girl on their arm. Mark had met up with an old school friend.
“Oh, you haven’t met Shane, and this is Jenny” Bryan said when they joined them. Cat laughed. “Bryan, we know who he is!”
“Course you do, who doesn’t!” Mark added with a smile.
As they all paired off, they were all truly happy. Inside as well as out.

~#~#~#~#~#~#PRESENT DAY~#~#~#~#~#~#

Finally, Bryan had gone through the whole dance for Bad Girls without messing up. They were now sitting at a table having a break. Shane went and sat with Jenny, who was reading a magazine.
“Hey honey. Bored?” Shane asked.
Jenny looked up and smiled.
“Come on Shane, you know I could never get bored of watching you dance in leather trousers!” She replied.
“Why don’t you go and do a little bit of shopping? It might get rid of that headache.” He suggested.
She put her magazine down and put her arms around him.
“How did I ever end up with someone as perfect as you Shane?” She laughed.
“Well what can I say, you were lucky.” Shane joked.
“Yeah I was. Seriously, do you mind if I go out for a bit? Sitting in here isn’t doing my head any good.” She explained.
“Course not. You have fun, you can make it up to me tonight.” He replied cheekily.
“I always do.” She laughed as she kissed his cheek and left.

Shane looked around; the Point Theatre was now empty, except for the other lads and some members of their tour crew.
All the girls had left, been tempted away by a shopping trip into Dublin. As he looked down from the seating area, he saw the other four sitting below. ‘They look so happy’ Shane thought to himself as he made his way to sit with them.
“Life is perfect.” He said out loud.

Chapter Five.

“Typical” Jenny heard someone say as she sat in a packed Carlton Café. Jenny looked up to see a woman her age standing with a cup of coffee and a handful of bags. She was dripping wet from the rain and was looking for an empty table. There wasn’t one.
“You can sit here.” Jenny said pointing to her table.
The woman came walking over smiling.
“Oh thank you, it’s hell in here today!” She said as she put her bags on the floor.
Jenny laughed. “Westlife Mania is kicking in. They’re doing a show tonight so most of these people are probably here in the hope of spotting Shane. That’s what you get for eating in a café owned by one of their mothers!” Jenny laughed.
“Yeah suppose so. I’m going to the show tonight too. You?” The woman asked.
Jenny had to laugh. “Yeah I’m going.”
Of course Jenny was going, she was as good as married to Shane!
“I’m Jenny by the way.” She said as she held out her hand.
The woman shook her hand and smiled.
“I’m Natalie.”

Jenny looked at her watch. 6pm, she had been talking to Natalie for over an hour!
“Look Natalie, I’ve got to get going. I’m meeting Westlife tonight so I have to be there early.” She said as she picked up her bags.
Natalie’s eyes lit up.
“Someone’s lucky day” She replied quickly as she to got ready to leave.
“Do you wanna come with me?” Jenny asked out of the blue. She didn’t know why she had asked, just felt like treating a fan I suppose.
“Are you serious?” Natalie asked.
Jenny nodded.

Dublin Point Theatre was filling up. Westlife had done their meet & greet, and were now chilling backstage. They had an hour until they had to start getting ready.
“Where’s Jenny?” Shane called out, sounding concerned.
“I saw her a minute ago, she’s on her way over.” Nicky called back.
“She’s brought a friend to meet us as well.” Nicky added, unsure of what Shane’s reaction would be.
He smiled. “If it makes Jen happy.”

“Good luck tonight babe, knock ‘em dead!” Kim whispered as she hugged Bryan.
“I always do!” Bryan joked.
“Shane!” Jenny called.
Shane jumped up and ran over.
“Hope you don’t mind but I brought someone along with me. This is Natalie.” Jenny informed as she stepped aside.
Shane held out his hand and dropped it as soon as he realised who it was. “Natalie” Shane said out loud.
Natalie smiled awkwardly as Jenny left them alone while she went to say Hi to the others.
“Hey. How you been?” Natalie asked.
Shane couldn’t believe who was standing in front of him. He went and sat down at a nearby table alone. Natalie followed and sat next to him.
“How have you been?” She asked again.
Shane screwed his face up.
“Why do you care Natalie? You spent your life trying to make mine hell.”
“I know, and I’m sorry. I’ve grown up now, I realise what a bitch I was.” Shane laughed.
“Finally. Or is it because now I have made something of the band that you said would never amount to anything?” He asked sharply.
“Look, I’m sorry. I’ve apologised, I can see it isn’t going to make a difference so I’ll just leave.” She said as she stood up.
Shane grabbed her arm “No. Wait, we need to talk.”
She smiled and sat back down.

“Alrite Jenny, who’s Shane talking to over there?” Kian asked as he went and stood with her.
“Oh some girl called Natalie. I think she knows him, I think she went to school with him but she didn’t make it very clear.”
Kian’s face dropped. He put his drink down and hurried over to Shane.
Are you okay mate?” He asked sounding concerned.
“Yeah. We just need a bit of time alone. Can you tell the others to stay away for a while?” He asked.
Kian thought about it. ‘Shane’s older now, he can handle it himself. He’s got Jenny now’ he said to himself.
He looked at Shane and smiled. “Okay” He said as he walked off.
Shane turned his back on the others. On Jenny.

Chapter Six.

“Jenny, you don’t need to worry, they’re just sorting things out” Mark said as she watched them.
Jenny turned to him, obviously concerned.
“Mark, they’ve been talking for half an hour. He hasn’t even looked up at me. What if he still has feelings for her?” She asked.
“Trust me Jen, he doesn’t. He got over her when he met you. You are what made him get over her. He thinks of nothing but you.” Mark consoled.
“Yeah, well if that’s the case, why hasn’t he ever mentioned her to me? Why did you have to tell me? If he doesn’t feel anything for her, it shouldn’t worry him” Jenny replied.
“She made his life hell. It was a painful time for him. She could have killed him with her words. It’s not the kind of thing you want to remember. He loved her more than anything and anyone, but then he met you.”
“Love like that never dies.” Jenny said as she stood up and went and sat alone.

Mark was in two minds whether to go over and talk to her, or leave her alone. It was plain to see Shane still liked Natalie; he was flirting with her like crazy, in his own special way.
“Laura!” He shouted. She came running over with a smile.
“Yes honey”
“You know what’s eating Jenny, I think it needs a woman’s touch, can you have a word?” He asked.
She smiled at him and walked over to Jenny.

“I thought the world of you Natalie, and you humiliated me. Do you have any idea what that does to someone?” Shane asked. He had lowered his tone now.
“I do now yeah.” She answered.
Shane looked at her confused.
“I was going steady with someone from the day we left school up until 3 days ago. Out of the blue he said he doesn’t love me and he never has. I’m a bitch so he says. And you.” She said, tears filling her eyes.
Shane started to feel guilty.
“No Nat, I said you was a bitch, I didn’t say you are now. I don’t know what you’re like now, but I am willing to forgive and forget.” He said as he reached across the table and put his hand on hers.
She smiled sweetly.
“Thank you Shane. I really do appreciate it, I know you don’t have to, I know it wouldn’t make any difference in your life, but it does in mine.” She said.
“We still need to talk about it, but not until I come off stage. And it does make a difference in my life Nat, of course it does. It would in anyone’s.”

Shane got up and walked over to the vending machine to get a drink. Jenny went running over.
“Hey Shane, can I talk to you?” She asked, tear stains down her cheeks.
Shane looked at her but didn’t realise anything was wrong.
“Can we leave it a little while please honey? I need to talk to Natalie a little bit more.” He said walking off, not even waiting for a reply.
Jenny watched as Shane walked over to Natalie with a smile spread across his face.

“What’s up with Jen?” Bryan asked as he went and stood with Mark.
“Shane is talking to Natalie.” Mark explained.
“The Natalie you told me about?” Bryan asked sounding concerned.
Mark nodded. “He’s acting as if Jenny isn’t even here.”
Bryan went and spoke to Jenny, and was surprised by how upset she was.
Bryan walked towards Shane and Natalie, a serious look on his face.

“Shane, we need to talk.” He said.
Shane looked up laughing.
“Okay mate, in a minute.” He replied.
“No Shane. Now.” Bryan ordered.

As Shane stood up Bryan walked away and waited for him. Shane hurried over.
“What are you doing Shane?” He asked quickly.
“Talking to Natalie.” Shane answered.
“Obviously. I meant, what are you doing to Jen?” He asked seriously.
“Nothing. I haven’t spoken to her.” Shane replied, sounding confused. Bryan stared at him.
“Exactly. You are blanking her to talk to a bitch that f.u.cked up your life. Just remember who stood by you through all the s.hit you’ve had. And yes, it was Jenny. And yes, she did hear you tell Natalie how good looking she is and how much you like her.” Bryan finished as he walked away.

Shane stood alone for a while, trying to work out what had just happened. He hadn’t realised it was bothering Jenny. He didn’t want it to.
As he walked towards her to sort it out, Anto called into them.
“GUYS!!! For the 5th time, COME ON!!!!!!” He screamed.
Shane looked across the room at Jenny, she was looking at him blankly. He stood there for a minute then left the room to get ready. Jenny’s heart sank.
“That’s it! I’m going!” She screamed as she stood up and stomped off.
“Jen wait! Where are you going?” Laura called.
She didn’t get an answer.

Shane might want to talk to her when he got off stage, but he had left it too late. When he got off stage she wasn’t going to be there.

Chapter Seven.

2 hours later, and Natalie was still sitting in the backstage area waiting for Shane to return. The show had finished, and they were now in their changing rooms getting out of their stage clothes.
Kim walked in and spotted Natalie sitting with her back to her. She walked over to her with meaning.
Kim and Jenny had bonded incredibly since she started dating Bryan. They were best friends, and Kim wasn’t going to let anyone take the man Jen loved away from her.
She leant on the table.
“I don’t know what your game is Natalie, but I don’t like it. Don’t think because you come in here with your big smile and fluttering eyelashes that Shane is going to fall for you like he did back then, things have changed. He has Jenny now, he knows a bitch when he sees one.” She insisted as she stared coldly at her.
Natalie was lost for words.
“I know I’m a bitch, that’s why I’m here. To make up for the past. I didn’t come here trying to steal Shane away from Jenny; I didn’t even know they were together until you just mentioned it. But if Shane decides he would rather have me, what can I do?” She asked smugly as she stood up and walked towards the drinks.
“Yeah well just watch your back, because I am.” Kim shouted back as her stare burned a hole in Natalie’s back. If looks could kill.

Natalie stood alone planning in her head. She needed to get Shane. Jenny was an obstacle, but she had left. She still had the rest of the night to get her plan up and running.
Natalie was a Westlife fanatic, when she realised Shane was a member of the band she was gutted. If only she had known he would become a worldwide sex symbol. She genuinely fell in love with him, and needed to get him back in her life. But she had been honest, she didn’t know about Jenny and Shane, and she had met Jenny by chance, but now she had to do what she had planned.
As she looked up to the doorway, she saw Shane walk through.
‘He looks stunning’ She thought to herself as she looked him up and down.
He was wearing a baggy pair of tracksuit bottoms and a cream jumper.
She started walking over to him, but saw Kim get there first.
“Shane, Jen has left. You need to sort this out with her. If you don’t, she wont be there when you wake up tomorrow.” She said seriously.
His smile dropped.
“I was going to talk to her. I thought she would be here. Where is she?” He asked, looking around.
“I don’t know she walked out absolutely devastated. All because of that bitch.” She said looking at Natalie.
“You’ve got her all wrong, she’s changed.” Shane replied.
“Maybe, but who’s more important, Natalie or Jenny?” She asked.
Shane didn’t need to think about it.
“Tell the guys I’ll meet them back here…we’ll meet them back here.” He smiled as he walked off.
Kim walked over to Natalie. “Sorry if I messed things up for you, but Shane has gone out to find Jenny. The one he loves.” She said coldly.
Natalie looked at her and sniggered. “He’ll be back” She insisted.
“Yeah, with Jenny.” Kim replied as she walked away to join Bryan.

Natalie didn’t let her disappointment show in her face. ‘I will get my man’ She thought to herself.
‘Even if I have to kill Jenny.’

Chapter Eight.

Shane stepped out into the night. It was pouring down with rain and the roads were empty. ‘I knew I should have brought a coat’ He kept saying to himself as he ran down the street.
He didn’t know where Jenny was, but he had a fair idea. He wanted to hit himself for being so stupid. He hadn’t meant to ignore Jenny, he was just so surprised to see Natalie being nice to him that he didn’t realise he was. He hated seeing Jenny upset, but it was even worse when he knew he had caused it.
Shane thought back to the time they nearly did finish. A fan had bumped into them at a club, and when Shane went to the bar for drinks, the girl went up to Jenny to tell her about the night of passion they had shared. It was all lies, but it took a long time for Jenny to realise. He had tried everything. He even got a note of explanation printed in the local newspaper. They finally made it up when he wrote a song for her and sang it on their last tour, dedicating it to her, in front of 60,000 fans.

As he saw the sign for Carlton Café in the distance, he started to run even faster. As he ran past the window he saw Jenny sitting at a table alone. The place was closed, but she had a key.
He walked in and stood in the doorway.
Jenny looked up, knowing who it was. ‘He looks so sweet’ She thought to herself. He always did when he was wet. She looked him up and down, he was drenched. His hair was flat on his head and he was shivering like crazy.
When Shane saw the tears rolling down her face he hurried over and sat down next to her.
“Honey, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. If I knew I was, I would have stopped.” He said.
She looked at him.
“I know Shane, that’s the problem. You didn’t realise. When she stepped in everything around you disappeared, like it used to when you was with me.” She said as more tears filled her eyes.
He put his arm around her but she pulled away.
“Jen don’t do that. Don’t even put you and her in the same category. With you, everything disappears because nothing else matters, with her, it disappears because I never expected her to come here and apologise to me. It was weird” He explained, obviously hurt that she had pulled away from him.
“That’s another thing, why didn’t you tell me about her? Why did I have to get it from Mark? When you saw her you should have explained.” She insisted. Shane looked down.
“I know, and more than anything I wish I had. I was scared that if I told you how I felt about her then you would think I still had feelings for her.”
“And do you?” She asked seriously. The tears had stopped, but it was obvious they could come back at any minute.
Shane looked deep into her eyes.
“Honestly? I feel exactly the same way about her as I did back then…” He replied.
Jenny held her head in her hands and sobbed for Britain.
Shane grabbed her hands and made her look at him.
“…But that means nothing to me now. Things change, what seemed like a big deal then is nothing now. So that doesn’t mean I love her, a few years ago it would have done, but not now. The guys will tell you about how much she meant to me if they haven’t already, but I was a kid then. She didn’t mean anything near as much as you do to me now. And that’s what matters isn’t it? How I feel now. I have never loved anyone as much as I love you Jen, and I hope I never have to try.”
He leant over and wiped the tears from her eyes. This time she didn’t pull away, but still looked at him coldly. She wanted to believe him, more than anything she wanted to fall into his arms and pretend none of it had happened, but she couldn’t. Not yet.
“Shane I don’t know. Without us realising, she has come between us. Maybe that is saying something. Maybe you don’t realise how you feel for her.” She whimpered.
Shane couldn’t stand hearing that from Jenny.
“Jenny, trust me, I know. I am…was…so happy. You are my world. Forget everything and everyone; it’s you and me that matter. And to me, you are all that matters. Without you I’m nothing. I will be empty, I’ll have no feeling, no happiness, nothing to live for.” He continued.
He knew he wasn’t getting through to her, but he wasn’t going to give up.
“You would get over it Shane. Like you got over Natalie.”
“No, that’s just it, I wouldn’t get over it. I wouldn’t know how. True I didn’t think I would be able to get over Natalie and I did. But I wouldn’t have done if it weren’t for you. You are the reason I woke up smiling, you are the reason I can look back on my school years and have some good memories. You’re my life Jen, you know that. I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Please, you have to believe me Jen, I don’t feel anything for Natalie, nothing that means anything.” He pleaded.
“I want to believe you Shane, more than anything, but I don’t know if I can. Why is Natalie still at The Point waiting for you?” She asked.
“I told her to wait for me, I felt I needed to talk to her more, but I wont. I’ll ring one of the lads and tell them I want her to leave. She doesn’t mean enough to me for me to lose you.” He insisted.
She looked at him and grabbed his hands.
“I don’t want you to do that Shane, I want you to go and talk to her – sort things out. And when you have, I want you to tell me honestly whether you feel anything for her or not. Until then, I need to be left alone…” Jenny explained. “…Please, just go.” She added.
Shane’s face was full of hurt; he slowly stood up and walked away. The rain was even heavier now, but he walked anyway. He didn’t care about getting wet. If he wasn’t with Jenny he didn’t care about anything.

Chapter Nine.

Shane walked into the backstage area to find everyone laughing and joking. They were all sitting in a big circle, even Natalie.
When Shane walked in everyone went silent and stared at him. Bryan jumped up and took off his jumper.
“Where the hell have you been mate? Put this on.” He said as he passed it to him.
Everyone was still staring at him, Natalie looking smug.
“Oh god mate, what am I going to do?…” Shane asked as he burst into tears.
Natalie quietly laughed until she saw Cat looking at her. Everyone watched and listened to Shane.
“…I’ve tried, I’ve really tried. She doesn’t believe me Bry, Jen’s gonna leave me.” Shane finished.
Bryan was shocked at Shane’s sudden outburst. He had never seen Shane this upset.
He hugged him tightly and led him into another room.
“Come on, we can talk in here.”
Shane went in and Bryan stood at the door and called for Kim. Whenever Bryan was in trouble, or he needed help, he always called for Kim. Together, they could help anyone through anything. Kim joined him straight away. Bryan shut the door, leaving the others sitting outside in silence.
“She’ll come round Shane, she always does.” Kim explained.
“Not this time, I have tried and tried, and she told me to leave her alone and sort things out with Nat, what can I do?” He asked, still crying.
Bryan stepped in.
“Maybe you should do what she says mate. When things are sorted with Natalie it will be finished with.”
Shane shook his head. “No. I cant, not until I know Jen is going to stay with me.”
Outside, everyone had left the circle, all except Natalie who was now sitting alone. After seeing Shane so upset, no one felt like laughing and joking.
Instead, they all paired off to try and think up something to help Shane. Cat walked over to Natalie
“Me and Kim know what you’re doing, and we wont let you get away with it.” She shouted.
Everyone heard and turned their attention to them.
Natalie sat in silence until everyone carried on with their own conversations. “Oh you do, do you? Maybe you could explain it to me, as been as I am completely in the dark about it.” She replied, thinking she had won.
“I’m not stupid Natalie, I have come across people like you before. I know what you are doing, and soon enough, so will Shane.” She insisted.
Natalie stood up and got ready to fight back. Kian was watching, neither of them realised, although Cat should have done, Kian was always watching her.
“Oh really. Maybe that’s for the best. If he knows I want him, we can leave together tonight instead of him pretending to be upset over an argument with that whore.” Natalie smiled smugly.
Cat slapped her, sending Natalie to the floor. Cat stood over her.
“Don’t EVER talk about my friends like that again!! Shane has taste, he doesn’t settle for scum!!! And as for Jenny, you don’t know her enough to judge her! I don’t want to hear you talk to me, or see you look at me again tonight! If it wasn’t for Shane, I would have killed you already. Just stay out of my way!” She screamed.
Natalie jumped up quickly.
“What is it Cat, truth hurt?” She shouted as Cat walked away. She turned around “Do you really think he would get this upset over you? Jen is his life, and I know you are out to ruin what they have. You’re 22, but you still act like a 7 year old. I’m not going to waste my time on you. You’re not worth it.”
“I think you’re problem is jealousy…” Natalie explained as Cat listened. “…You know with the click of a finger I could have Shane, and you know I could have Kian if I wanted him enough. In fact, I think I might put that to the test, just to watch you cry.”
This time, Cat didn’t slap Natalie, she punched her. When she was on the floor, she kicked her until Kian ran over and pulled her away.
“Don’t try ruining our lives because your own one is shit! You don’t deserve happiness!!” She screamed as she was dragged off.
Kian took her out of the room and sat her on a table and stood in front of her. “What’s wrong Cat? What happened?” He asked.
She looked at him and automatically burst into tears, she held him tight. Too tight for Natalie to get her hands on him.

Chapter Ten.

As Jenny sat in the same spot as she had been for over 2 hours, she put her head in her hands and tried clearing her head. She wasn’t upset over Natalie as much as she was upset that she might have lost Shane.
As the tears started for the 19th time, her mobile started to ring.
“Hello” she answered through her tears.
“Hi Jen its Kian. You need to get down here.” He said.
“I can’t Kian, I need to be alone.” She explained.
“Please Jen. Everything’s going wrong. Cat is fighting with Natalie and Shane is in the back room in uncontrollable tears.”
Jen was shocked to hear Shane was crying. She had only ever seen him cry once, and that was when one of his horses had to be put down.
“Kian I can’t, I need to clear my head.” She said as she put the phone down. She knew if she kept talking he would talk her round, and she didn’t want that. She didn’t want to see Shane, she couldn’t.

Bryan and Kim still hadn’t managed to cheer Shane up, and they knew they wouldn’t be able to. They stepped outside the room to discuss what they should do.
“The only person he wants to talk to is Jenny.” Kim whispered.
“I know, but he said she doesn’t want to talk to him. We can’t make her.” Bryan replied.
“Bryan, this can only get sorted if they talk it through together. We can’t do anything, and if it doesn’t get sorted out soon, he’s gonna crack.” She said as she looked through the window at him.
Bryan nodded. He knew that, he just didn’t want to believe it. He hated seeing his best friend so upset and not being able to do anything for him.
“I’m going to go and see Jen.” Bryan suggested.
“No. Bryan you can’t, if she comes, she has to come because she wants to not because she has been made to. We have to leave it.” Kim insisted.
“I can’t stand watching him like this, it’s tearing me apart. There must be something we can do.”
“Wait. That’s all we can do. It’s up to Jenny and Shane what they do now.”

Natalie smiled as she saw Kian walking towards her.
“What’s just happened Natalie?” He asked seriously.
“What?”
“Why have I just had Cat in tears?” He asked.
Natalie laughed. “I didn’t realise she was that weak.” She joked.
Kian glared at her.
“And I didn’t realise you were that evil.” He said sharply and walked off. Natalie’s smiled faded. She had a cut on her face from Cat, and nobody was talking to her.

Back at the Carlton Café, Mae (Shane’s mum) walked downstairs into the café to get a glass of water. She was shocked to see Jenny sitting there in tears.
“Oh dear, what’s the matter?” She asked.
“It’s Shane” Jenny replied as the tears returned.
Mae forgot her glass of water and listened carefully to Jenny.

“…And now he is saying she means nothing but I don’t know. I heard him say how much he likes her.” She finished.
Mae looked surprised. “Dear, trust me, you have nothing to worry about, Shane is honest. He thinks the world of you. Even if he did like her, he respects you too much to keep it from you. You are all he talks about when he is home, even after 6 years. He wouldn’t chuck the whole thing away over a stupid crush.” Mae insisted.
Jenny liked talking to Mae about Shane. She knew him better than anyone, and Jenny always believed what Mae said. In her heart, she knew Shane would’ve been honest about it if he did like her. But she couldn’t help feeling he was keeping something from her.

Shane stepped out of the room and joined the others. His face had no expression, but was clearly stained from his tears. He saw Natalie was bleeding. He went and sat with her.
“Are you okay?” He asked, his face still holding no expression.
“I’ll live” she said with a smile. “What about you?” she asked, sounding genuinely concerned.
“Nat, can you do me a favour, and leave?” he asked bluntly.
She was shocked by his outburst, but refused to be moved.
“Shane, we have things to sort out, I want to sort it out first. I know you’re upset but…”
“Please, just go. We can talk another time.” He interrupted.
“Well when Shane? I need to know you’re not just saying that to get rid of me.” She ordered.
“Come by the café about 2pm tomorrow.” He suggested.
She smiled and kissed him on the cheek, then left.

Shane sat alone until the early hours of the morning. Even when everyone else had left he just sat there waiting for Jenny. She never came.

Chapter Eleven.

The sun was shining brightly in Ireland, and in every street there were kids with water guns, squirting anyone they could.
Shane sat at a corner table in the Carlton Café, he hadn’t slept that night, he had stayed at the arena all night, he had waited up for Jenny.
It was 2pm, and Natalie arrived dead on. When she spotted Shane, she waltzed over to him smiling happily. He didn’t return the smile.
“How ya feeling today honey?” she asked as she sat next to him.
“What do you want to talk about Nat? What is left to discuss?” he asked getting straight to the point.
“Oh I’m fine. Thank you for asking. In case you don’t remember, last night you said you wanted to talk to me when you got off stage but you never got round to it.” She moaned.
He stared at her. ‘She reminds me of Jenny, but Jenny doesn’t remind me of her anymore’ Shane thought to himself.
“Ummm…I don’t remember, we might as well forget it.” He suggested.
“Oh come on honey, now I’m here we might as well talk for a while.”
He looked at her.
“Please don’t call me honey. I’m not your honey, I’m Jenny’s.” he insisted.
She laughed “From how things were last night, I don’t think you are anymore babe.”
“If you’re going to keep calling me luvvy duvvy names then I’m going to leave now.” He said seriously.
“Ok sorry. You look bored, do you want to go out somewhere?” she asked.
He shrugged his shoulders. He didn’t care. He didn’t care about anything. Nothing but Jenny.

“…Is Shane in?” a familiar voice asked from the counter.
Shane looked up from his menu to see Jenny. He jumped up “Jenny!” he shouted, smiling.
She turned and looked at him, she didn’t smile, but she looked happier. Then she lowered her gaze to Natalie. She shook her head and left.
Shane ran after her.
“It isn’t what it looks like Jen, she just came in.” he insisted.
“It doesn’t make any difference to me Shane, you’re only doing what I asked, I cant complain. I still need space, I just wanted to see how you were.” She said as she walked up the street.
He stopped following her.
“I’m dying.” He said.
Jenny stopped for a few seconds, then carried on walking. ‘I need to clear my head’ she thought to herself.

“…Jenny, he was heartbroken. I swear to you, he wants you and only you.” Kim said as she comforted Jenny.
Jenny had gone straight to Kim and Bryan’s house after seeing Shane at the café with Natalie. When she arrived, Bryan had kindly agreed to keep himself out of the way.
“Are you going to talk to him?” Kim asked.
“I don’t know. I don’t know if he wants to talk to me anymore.” Jenny replied. “Jenny, I do know. I spent most of last night trying to stop him crying. He wants to speak to you. Trust me.” Kim consoled.
Jenny looked at the floor.
“I don’t know, maybe we have both moved on. Maybe we were holding each other back. Maybe now we have had a falling out we have both realised we don’t want each other as much as we thought.”
“Maybe you have, but Shane hasn’t. You falling out has made him want you more, it’s made him realise what he has…or had.”
Out of the blue, Jenny started to cry.
“Kim what am I going to do? I need Shane. I can’t live without him. He is my air.” She cried as Kim held her tightly.
“I know he is hun. All you have to do is talk to him.” She informed.
“Maybe” Jenny replied.
“You need to get out Jen, do you wanna come with me and Bry to The Point again today? They’re rehearsing. It will be fun…and it will give you a chance to speak to Shane if you decide to.” Kim suggested.
Jenny nodded. She needed to get out. She needed to see Shane.

Chapter Twelve

“Oh come on Kian, as if I couldn’t do it better than them!” Cat laughed across the stage.
“I am telling you, you wouldn’t be able to be our dancer! You have two left feet woman!” he joked. Cat ran into him and they both rolled about on the floor play fighting.
Jenny watched in envy. She used to be like that with Shane. At the thought of him, she looked around again. He was the only one not there.
Jenny looked lost as she stood alone looking into the air.
“Are you okay Jen?” Nicky asked after noticing how unhappy she was. She nodded and smiled.
She walked down the stairs and left the stage to sit in the seating area that the fans would be sitting in later that day. She pulled out a magazine from her bag and started reading through it.

Everyone stopped messing around when they heard laughter coming from the corridor. They all knew who it was.
Shane walked in smiling, with Natalie following him.
“Hey” he greeted everyone, not noticing Jenny.
“Hey!” they all smiled back, then got into another game of play fights as they waited for the stage director to join them.
Shane and Natalie weren’t joining in the games; they were sitting on the side of the stage talking intimately.
“What are you doing tomorrow?” Shane asked Natalie.
“Hopefully something with you.” she replied as she linked her arm with his.
“The answer I was hoping for!” Shane replied sweetly.

From the stage, Kim had been watching them in disgust. She took a glimpse of Jenny and saw her take a quick look at Shane flirting with Natalie, and then got back into her magazine without making a fuss. Jenny wasn’t making a fuss, but Kim was going to. She walked over to them with fire in her eyes.
“Hey Shane, I can see you’re happy but have some respect.” She ordered.
“What?” He asked with an attitude.
“You don’t need to take that tone with me, and I’m not trying to ruin the little relationship you are having with that…” She looked at Natalie.
“…I’m just trying to protect my friends.” She finished.
“What are you talking about? I don’t mean it with a tone, I just wanna know what you’re talking about.” Shane answered back.
Kim didn’t say anything, but turned her head in Jenny’s direction.
Shane followed her gaze and spotted Jenny sitting alone.
The smile on his face disappeared. “I didn’t know she was here.” He explained, his face going white.
“No, well, you were too wrapped up in her to notice I suppose.”
“Oh God” Shane said out loud as he stepped down from the stage and made his way towards Jenny.

“Hey” Shane said sweetly as he sat next to Jenny. Natalie glared at Jenny. She was smug. As Shane and Jenny grew apart, they were growing closer. She knew she was going to get what she wanted.
“Hey.” Jenny replied without looking up.
Shane looked over at Natalie, who cheerfully waved.
“It isn’t what it looks like.” Shane tried to explain.
Jenny looked up and deep into his eyes. “What does it look like Shane? To be honest I don’t know. Last night you were saying how much I mean to you and now you are spending all your spare time with her.” Jenny said, obviously hurt.
“I know, and I know it looks bad. But I just need to spend some time with someone that isn’t involved in it, otherwise I wont be able to think of you without bursting into tears.” He replied.
Jenny laughed.
“Shane, she is the most involved person here! She is the reason for this whole thing. Maybe you don’t care about that.” She said coldly.
“You had no right to say that Jenny, of course I care. I’m sorry but I cant talk to you when you are like this, it hurts me.” He said as he walked away.
“So is that it?…” she said quickly. “…We’re not even going to talk things through?”
Shane turned and looked at her.
“I want to Jen, how many times have I tried? I don’t want to do it when you are throwing insults at me at every opportunity.” He replied, sounding like a little lost boy.
Jenny patted the seat next to her and he smiled and sat back down.
“Nothing happened between us Jenny. Deep down you know that, you have to. I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you purposely.”
Jenny could feel the tears rising in her eyes, so she quickly wiped them, hoping Shane wouldn’t notice.
“I know. But Shane, I heard you tell her you like her.” She explained.
Shane shook his head. “There was nothing in that honestly. We were talking about the past, about how much I used to like her. As friends, nothing more. We were laughing at it. I could laugh at it because I love you now. If I still loved her I wouldn’t have been able to. I wish I hadn’t even seen her again to be honest. These last few days have been like hell for me. Nothing is worth going through that again.” He said.
This is the Shane she loved. The one that opened his heart to her, and almost cried because of it.
“Can we just forget this ever happened?” He begged.
She looked at him. “I’m going to go home and think things over. I’ll phone you tomorrow.” She said.
He smiled at her and held her hand as she stood up. He stood up after her and put his face in front of hers.
“Sorry.” He said softly as he smiled and walked away.

Chapter Thirteen

It was 5pm the next day and Shane had been sitting in all day waiting for Jenny’s phone call. It had rung a few times, but it had been Natalie arranging to meet up with him.
As he sat at the table by the window and stared up into the dark sky, he saw Natalie walking towards him.
“Hi gorgeous!” she shouted from the door.
Shane had agreed to meet her for a reason; he had something he needed to say.
“I need you to stop seeing me for a while.”
“What?” she asked sounding confused.
“I need some time alone. To get over Jenny.” He explained.
Natalie smiled. She had got her wicked way. He was getting over her.
“Okay, but when you have, ring me!” She ordered as she handed him a piece of paper with her mobile number written neatly across it.
“Okay, thanks.” Shane smiled.
As he watched her leave his heart sank. Not because she was leaving, but because Jenny hadn’t phoned. He put the slip of paper in his jacket pocket and went upstairs.

Shane looked at his watch for the tenth time. 9pm. ‘She isn’t coming’ he said to himself. He took one last look out of the window at the storm, and put on his shoes. He walked slowly to Sandy Bridge. He wanted to drown his sorrows, and he wanted to do it alone. Sandy Bridge was a special place for Shane and Jenny, they always went there and would lean over the edge late at night, and would watch the river flow smoothly.
Now though, Shane was leaning over alone.
‘I’ve chucked my whole life away’ he thought to himself as he watched the rain hitting the water. Tears streamed down his face.

As Jenny walked over the hill she could make out the outline of someone leaning over the edge of the bridge. She knew it was Shane. As she got closer, the rain was drowning out the sound of her footsteps.
She walked up behind him.
“Shane.” She called as she tapped his shoulder.
He turned round and smiled when he saw it was her.
“How did you know I was here?” He asked.
“I just knew.” She replied with a smile.
Both of them were soaking wet, but they still stood there in silence for a few minutes.
“I missed you.” Jenny cried.
Shane ran up to her and hugged her tighter than he had ever done before.
“I missed you too.” He whispered into her ear. “More than you will ever know.” He pulled away and looked deep into her eyes.
“Will you marry me Jen?” Shane asked as he pulled a ring from his pocket.
Her face filled with delight. “When did you get that?” She asked.
“I’ve had it for a while. I was going to ask you after the first night we played Dublin, but with what happened I decided not to. So, will you be my wife?” He asked hopefully.
She nodded frantically.
“ Yes, but I need you to stay away from Natalie for a while. Not for good, I respect that you’re friends, but just for a while, while we get over it.”
Shane smiled, his jacket flying about everywhere.
“It’s okay, she’s gone. For a while anyway.”
She smiled as Shane pulled her closer and gently kissed her.
As they kissed, the piece of paper with Natalie’s number flew out of his pocket due to the wind, and slowly fell into the river.