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Bells Of Ballintoy

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15

Eilidh sat there in the living room, so deep in thought, that when she looked up, Nicky was standing in front of her.
"Hi!" Nicky said.
"Oh Nicky, what are you doing to yourself?"
"Why should you care?"
"Yeah, Eilidh, why should you care about Nicky?" Mark said, wandering in.
"I care because I want to. And Nicky is like a good friend, who's in a rough patch, but he'll see that it's not where he wants to be, and will take care of himself better."
"Eilidh, I want to thank you for sticking up for me. I'm glad someone does."
"Nicky, all you have to do is call, and I'll listen. I can't promise miracles but I can promise long-lasting friendship, and an open heart."
"Eilidh, would you excuse us a moment, I think me and Nicky need to have a private conversation." Mark said, smirking.
Eilidh walked out the room, and went to see what Kerry was up to.
"Hey."
 "You okay?" Kerry said.
"I don't know, and now Mark is talking with Nicky, and I know it's not going to be very nice. Probably more a war of words."
"Really? I'll get Bryan to go and investigate."

"Mark, calm the feck down, I don't know what has gotten into you, but all I was doing was trying to have a harmless conversation with Eilidh." Nicky said, sitting on the sofa.
 "Harmless?? I don't some how think so!"
"Gawd, it's like talking to a child, you are so controlling over her, and you can't even let her talk to other people, without you being there. Do you think she'll be like that, once you've married her? Does she know about all your previous girlfriends and how you treated them? Have you told her how she should act in public, and how to dress and all the other things you want her to be? She's not a doll; she's a free spirit, who needs to be free."
"Save the lecture, and how come your marriage didn't work out?"
"My Marriage has nothing to do with this conversation!"
"You're in denial, that Georgina left you because you always wanted to be free, and not tied down in any commitments."
"That's rubbish, and you know that yourself Mark. Nicky's been through a lot, this past month, so don't go accusing him of stuff, that isn't true." Bryan said, standing in the doorway.
"Look, obviously I shouldn't be here, so I'll say my goodbyes and go. Thank you Bryan, and say goodbye to the others." Nicky said, grabbing his jacket, and walking into the hall.
"Nicky, you're not going are you?" Kerry said, wiping her hands on her apron.
"Yeah, sorry, I don't think I'll stay for dinner, don't really want to offend anyone else."
"You could never offend us, and don't take what Mark says to heart!" Kerry said.
"Could you say goodbye to Eilidh for me. I don't want to cause any more heartache between her and Mark."
"I will, she'll be annoyed that you've gone."
"Sorry!"

Kerry walked back into the kitchen, where Eilidh was sitting, watching Molly and Lily playing together.
"Nicky just left, he told me to say goodbye to you."
"What!!!!!!!" Eilidh said, shocked.
"Yeah, he would have said it himself, but he felt he should leave without seeing you."
"Why does Mark have to ruin everything? Do you mind if I go out for a while?"
"Sure, you know that Nicky's folks actually live about 5 houses away if that's helps."
"Thanks Kerry, what would I do without you?" Eilidh said, walking back to where she put her coat.
"Where are you going?" Mark said, standing in the hall.
"Out for a walk!" Eilidh said.
"Then I'm coming with you."
"Mark, I need time to think alone, you've changed, since I first met you!" 
"Where are you going?"
"Mark, I'm going to try and mend some bridges that you have broken."
"What?"
"Never mind. I'll be back later, maybe!"

Eilidh walked down the road, she remembered Kerry's hint, and found the house. Breathing deeply, she walked up to the door. Knocking lightly on the door. 

"Eilidh?" Yvonne said, in shock, when the door opened.
"Hi, is Nicky here?" Eilidh said.
"Yes, but I don't know if he's up to seeing anyone. He's in his room."
"Would it be possible to come in?"
"I know it must be hard on you, to see him like this, would you like to come in and have a cup of tea."
"Thanks!"
"You know when Nicky came in before; I knew that he and Mark had words about you. I don't know if I really should say this but Nicky loves you so much, he doesn't want you to get hurt, he's worried about you. He never stops talking about you, and then he goes on about some previous life where he met you and lost you, and I think he doesn't want to lose you again. I know that he's right. I can see it in your eyes, you're like a spirit locked away, just wanting to be able to fly about in freedom."
"Eilidh, what are you doing here?" Nicky said, walking in.
"I came to find you, and to see if you were alright?"
"Nicky, I'll let you two chat in private." Yvonne said, grabbing the cups and walking into the lounge area.

16

"Eilidh, I don't know how to really begin?" Nicky said.
"Nicky, you don't really need to say anything, I just needed to come and make sure you were alright, I was really worried about you, and the fact you didn't say goodbye to me, just made me thought you didn't really want to be my friend anymore." Eilidh replied.
"Never ever think that, I would never give up on our friendship, when's it's the one thing that holds me together. Just knowing that you think of me as a friend, makes every dull day seem bright. Its not like I don't have other friends, but you are one of the ones I'd always cherish, and be thankful for everyday!"
"It just annoys me that Mark can be such a pain sometimes."
"It's Mark's own silly fault. He needs to grow up, and start acting like an adult. I couldn't blame you for having doubts whether to marry him, but answer me honestly do you really want to live your life like how you're living it with Mark?"
"Honestly? Well, I don't really want to be the woman Mark wants me to be. I just want to be able to come and go as I please. I know that he's slowly trying to change me, but I just thought he was being polite, in giving advice, but now I'm not so sure."
"Why let him control you. He doesn't own you. Can't you see that sooner or later, he'll get what he wants, and you'll be stuck in the house with the endless children you will have, while he's out there, making deals, and meeting people? And you'll wonder where he is, and who he's with and he'll tell you nothing."
"I would have thought that he wouldn't have waited so long for me to meet you all, but I think he was scared that you all would tell me what kind of person Mark was. I think his parents were a bit surprised when he introduced me, his mother was very polite, telling me about his previous girlfriends, and then it kind of clicked, and I knew then that I was being moulded into his ideal girlfriend. All his other girlfriends have had to fit his ideal girlfriend!"
"Or that one of the lads would realise that you weren't really suited for Mark, and try and steal your heart."
"So true. Well, I better head back, otherwise Mark will no doubt send out a search party for me. I'll see you at the studios tomorrow, unless Mark has other plans." Eilidh said, standing up.
"I was going to ask if you wanted to stay here, but?" Nicky started to say.
"But what?" 
"But I thought you wouldn't want to, and you'd rather go back to Mark."
"Nicky, in that case, could I borrow your phone, and I'll ring Kerry to say I won't be back tonight, and where I am."
"Sure. I'll just go tell Mam to make up the spare room."
"Nicky, thanks again!"

Eilidh dialled the number, praying that Mark wouldn't answer.

"Hullo!" Mark said.
"Hi Mark."
"Eilidh, where the hell are you? Do you need a lift home?"
"Mark, I'm at Nicky's and I think its best if I stay here tonight. I just need some space."
"Oh, At Nicky's???"
"Look, Mark, I can't be who you want me to be. If you had forgotten, I'm me, and I don't have to change who or what I am, just to please someone else."
"I don't get you. Come back and we'll talk."
"Not tonight Mark, just tell Bryan and Kerry that I'll see them in the morning."
"I don't believe you, how dare you come all this way and then get it off with Nicky. Cant you not see how unattractive he is at the moment."
"It's what is inside a person that really matters at the moment, so Good Night Mark!" Eilidh said, putting down the phone.

Nicky showed Eilidh where everything was, and gave her a goodnight kiss.
"See you in the morning!" Nicky said.
"Yep.' Eilidh said, sitting on the spare bed.

Eilidh undressed down to her singlet top and her underwear, and got into bed. Just as she was about to turn out the light, she heard a light knock on the door.
"Sorry," Nicky said, walking into the room.
"Huh?" Eilidh said, confused.
"I should have asked if you wanted to be alone tonight, I know you've been through a lot."
"Its okay, Nicky, if you want to stay, I think we're both mature enough to share a bed."
"If that's what you want!"
"Nicky, at this time of night, I don't really mind."

Nicky climbed into bed, next to Eilidh.
Eilidh snuggled into Nicky.
"You know what, I couldn't think of a better place I'd rather be than with you."
"What about Mark?"
"He'll get over it. I mean its not like we're in the news or anything, he's managed to keep it out of the papers."
"But you said yes to marry him."
"Nicky, I know, and I was very foolish."