Chapter 5

Claire

”Mark, Shane, I wouldn’t worry, it’s not the right time to talk to her yet, she’s still recovering” I said.
”Recovering from what?” Mark asked curiously.
Mary shook her head as a sign not to tell him.
”I’ll tell you later hun” I said and began to change the subject.
”I don’t wanna sound rude but why the hell are you here at 8.30 in the morning?” I continued.
”Well, our flights tomorrow babe, I wanted to spend my last full day with you, maybe I should of called first”
”It’s ok, Emma just needs some time”
”I’m sorry, I should have thought” he replied.
”Mark, it’s ok!” I said with a smile.

We made our way to the living room. I felt bad, I had brought 5 strangers in the flat without asking if it was alright with Emma, she had been through enough as it was, I felt like I was making it worse.

”I better check on Emma, anyone want tea or coffee?”

”I’ll have a cuppa tea, thanks” Mark replied.
”Me too” chirped up Shane who hadn’t said much since he saw Emma.
”Me three” replied Nicky with a smile.

Bryan and Kian sat talking quietly, they were Marks other best friends. I knew they were talking about Emma but I didn’t want to say anything. I quietly made my way to the kitchen, put the kettle on and went out on the balcony to see her.

”Emma”
She continued to look away.
”Emma, I’m sorry” I said aloud.
”There’s no need to be sorry” came her reply.
“Yeah, there is, I brought 5 strangers into our lives, out of nowhere” I said moving closer.
She turned around.
”It’s ok, I’m fine about it, I’m sure they are nice lads”
I could tell from her tear stained cheeks that she had been crying heavily, I didn’t want to upset her anymore.
”No, it’s not alright, if you don’t want them to be here I will ask them to leave”
”You and Mark seem to have hit it off, I don’t want to spoil things.” She smiled.
”Are you sure?”
”Yes, I want to come out with you’s today again, I need to get out the house” she said.
I hugged her and we went into the kitchen. I made the cups of tea and Emma helped me with them into the living room.
”Here you go Mark” I said handing the tea over.
Emma walked in with Nicky and Shanes, there was an awkward silence.
“So where are off to today then” Emma said and smiled.
Everyone was still quiet.
”I thought we could go for a tour of the city” Mark said. ”This is why we came round so early, why Mark dragged us out of our beds” said Kian sarcastically.
We all laughed.

An hour later we were all ready to set off. We walked up into the town and got on the first tour bus. Surprisingly enough Shane chose to sit next to Emma. He claimed he wanted to get to know her before judging her again.
I sat next to Mark; we had really hit it off. It was the happiest I had been in a long time. Unfortunately he lived in Ireland. How the hell were we gonna keep our friendship blossoming?

”I’m cold” I mumbled.
”Here” Mark said putting his coat round me.
”Claire” he said.
”Can I ask ye something?” he continued.
My heart sunk, was he going to ask me out? Of course he wasn’t, why the hell would he want out with me?
”Sure” I said nervously.
”Do you want to come to Ireland some time soon to visit”
”That would be amazing, yeah of course, I’ve never been to Ireland before it looks lovely” I said getting excited.
”Great!” he exclaimed.
”Can I ask ye something else?” he said.
”Go ahead.” I smiled.

”I was wondering if ye wanted to be more than friends, don’t say anything, I know I’m jumping in the deep end here, but I’ve been thinking about you ever since we met, I think we really should give it a go” he said without taking a breath.

It felt like he had spoke for hours. I was still getting over the shock of what he had said. I had never really been lucky in love before and I was sure he would be a keeper. I had only knew him a couple of days, but we had to got to know each other so well, that it felt like a lifetime.
”I would love that” I said eventually.
He leaned over, put his lips to mine and kissed me.
”Wow” I said when it was over. It felt amazing.
”Wow, is definitely the right word for that” Mark smiled and put his arm round me. We were finally a couple.