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Bells Of Ballintoy

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21

Soon everyone was ready, and they piled into the car. Mark was driving, as he wasn't going to drink tonight.
They drove in silence to the restaurant, already the others were there, as there were some photographers standing at the door, snapping pictures.

"Oh no!" Eilidh said, staring at the group.
"You're not used to this sort of thing, are you?" Kerry said.
"Not really."
"Right, the plan is I'll go in with Eilidh, and then you boys follow." Kerry said, getting out of the car.
"Okay."
"Kerry, darling, who's your friend," one of the photographers shouted.
"Never you mind who she is," Kerry said, walking fast.
"Come on babe; tell us, cos she's a stunner." Another said.
"Would you just push off," Bryan said, storming up to where Kerry and Eilidh were standing.

Kerry and Eilidh walked up the stairs, fast and into the restaurant.
"Why?" one of the guys asked.
"Because you're about to ruin a nice dinner for us."
"Oh, I'm glad the other guys are much nicer than you, Bryan. Mark is that your new girlfriend, Kerry was with."
"No comment, fellas." Mark said, walking up the stairs. 

"Man, that was freaky" Eilidh said, once inside.
"You get used to it, but with you being someone they don't know, and then you'll get it more, until they get the low-down on you and who you're linked with." Kerry said, holding Eilidh's hand.
"Over here!" Gillian said, waving.
"Did you get through those rats?" Shane said.
"Yes, that was an experience."
"They are out there, because it's rumoured that the Ahern's are dining here, and I think when Nicky arrives, it's going to be mayhem. Because we're here, and the Ahern's are here, so they're going to be confused as to whom Nicky is dining with."

"Poor Nicky," Eilidh said, sighing.

Soon Mark, Bryan, and an annoyed Nicky arrived.
"Nicky, what's the matter?" Kian said. 
"The jerks out there, stirring up trouble." Bryan said.
"Oh, don't you know that the Ahern's are just sitting over there." Shane said.
"Oh, so that's what they were going on about. Don't they know that it's over between us?" Nicky said, sitting with his back to them.
"Nicky, don't worry about it, you've got to think to the future, why dwell on the past, when it's filled with hurt." Eilidh said, putting her hand on Nicky's hand. 
"Eilidh, thank you. I hope that they weren't too harsh on you." Nicky said.
"Well, they did ask me, if Eilidh was my girlfriend, but they didn't know her name, but I said, no comment," Mark said.

Eilidh said nothing, she looked over to where Georgina was sitting, and she couldn't get over how familiar one of the guests look. She looked again, and then realised that it was Shamus.
"Mark, isn't that Shamus over there?" Eilidh whispered to Mark.
"Where? Oh my lord it is. What the hell is he doing?" 
"I don't know, but I'd be asking questions when we get back to Ballintoy, how he can cheat on Kara."
"Let it go, I'm sure it's not that bad."
"Alright Mark."

Eilidh and the other girls went to the table, with the others. Mark was ordering some drinks.

"Mark, what the heck are you doing here?" Shamus said.
"I was just wondering the same about you!" Mark said.
"Um, well," Shamus said, as Georgina joined him at the bar.
"Georgina." Mark said.
"Mark, I didn't see you come in, you here with Eilidh?" Georgina said, holding on to Shamus's arm.
"Actually, here with everyone, bar Jodi."
"Even Nicky?"
"Yeah, he's over there, talking with Eilidh."
"Should you be stopping that? Or have you two split up over that sort of thing."
"What's it to you? You were the one to ditch Nicky, so why should you bother with our lives anymore!"
"Steady on, Mark," Shamus said.
"Oh, don't start Shamus, what about Kara? Have you given her any thought while you're down here, wining and dining in Dublin?"
"Well, she thinks I'm on a course. But don't tell her please."
"Well, you better tell her, so when do you get back to Ballintoy?"
"A few days." Shamus said, as Georgina went back to the table.
"Oh, that's a shame, because Eilidh and I are heading up tomorrow, to sort out the house, and no doubt we'll run into Kara or Kathy."
"Don't you dare Mark? I beg of you."
"It wouldn't be right."
"Come on, look, I've been through heaps."
"So what's the story with you and Georgina?"
"I met her a few days ago, when I got here, and she recognised me, and she invited me to stay at her new house, and things just started happening."
"Like you falling in love with her, and out of love with Kara?"
"Something like that! I honestly didn't want to hurt Kara, but since I've been down here, I've felt like my world has just gotten brighter, and there's this new restaurant opening up, in the heart of Dublin, and I've got a job there, as one of the chefs."
"So, now you've got to explain to Kara your news."
"Yeah. So don't say a word, please to Kara or Eilidh."
"I'm giving you 7 days to do it, or else I tell."
"Okay!"

Mark walked to the table.
"Everything okay?" Eilidh said.
"Sure is. Just catching up with the news. Nothing really exciting." Mark said.

22

Dinner was served, and was delicious, everyone sat there talking, and Mark would look occasionally at Shamus. But Shamus wasn't bothering to return the glance.
Soon the Ahern's table left, and Georgina was hanging on Shamus like a security blanket.
"Wasn't that the guy from Ballintoy?" Nicky said, confused.
"It was, Nicky, that was Shamus," Eilidh said, not happy.
"What the heck is he doing with Georgina, then?" Nicky said.
"He told me that he's staying at Georgina's for a few days, then he's back up to Ballintoy, and he'll be back down for the new restaurant opening that he's got a job." Mark said.
"So what about Kara?" Eilidh said.
"I don't know how he could dare cheat on her. I think I'll tell her, as soon as I get back tomorrow, which cares what Shamus says."
"She has a right to know." Eilidh said.

Soon everyone was finished their after dinner drinks, and the bill was paid.
Everyone stood up.
"Eilidh, do you want one last look of Dublin before you go back to Ballintoy." Nicky said.
"Sure, if that's okay with Kerry and Bryan?"
"Sure go on. We'll take Mark with us."
 "Just don't be back too late. Otherwise you'll be grumpy in the morning, when we set off." Mark said.
"Okay!"

Eilidh linked arms with Nicky and walked to the door. Breathing deeply, Eilidh opened the door. 
The press were still there, and as they saw Nicky and Eilidh together, they went into overload.
"Just ignore them" Nicky whispered to Eilidh.
"Or should we just give them what they want?" Eilidh whispered back.
"What are you suggesting?" Nicky said, as Eilidh whispered into his ear, her idea.
"Let's do it."

So Nicky and Eilidh walked down the stairs, and as they got to the bottom of the stairs, they launched into a kiss, that would cause a lot of talk.

Mark was at the door, with Bryan and Kerry, and watched the drama unfold.
"Ha ha! I knew they'd try and play the cameras!" Bryan said,
"Come on Bryan, let's give them more. Oh Gill, Shane are you up for some snogging in public for those media rats?" Kerry said.
So as Eilidh and Nicky still kissed on the bottom of the steps, Bryan and Kerry were going for it, halfway on the steps, and Gillian and Shane were kissing on the stairs too. But it's what was happening in the doorway that caused the biggest frenzy, Kian and Mark kissing.
Soon, Eilidh and Nicky stopped, and looked up, and when they saw what was going on, they were like 'huh?'
Kerry and Bryan stopped in shock as well.
"Thought we'd, um, join in your game." Kian said, straightening his shirt.
"Is there something you liked to say, in your defence?" one of the media guys said.
"Yeah, I wasn't really in love with Jodi, it's just a cover for my true sexuality, and now I want to say I'm gay and I'm proud of it. I wasn't planning on coming out, and I think Mark got a shock too." Kian said.
"And Mark?" 
"No Comment Fellas!" He said, giving them his pissed off look.
"Kian, why didn't you tell us sooner?" Shane said.
"Um, I just didn't want the band to be seen as another 'Boyzone', you know with Stephen!"
"Man, we would have supported you."
"Thanks, now I'm going to be on the front pages of every paper tomorrow, and for the first time in ages, I couldn't care less."

Eilidh got into Nicky's car, and soon they were on their way.
"What a shock that was," Nicky said.
"That Kian and Mark were kissing, or that Kian's gay!" Eilidh said.
"Both, how are you feeling?"
"Alright, I don't think Mark was too impressed, I think he isn't gay, as I think he'll get back to Ballintoy, and be there for Kara."
"Aren't you glad you've got me now?"
"Hmmm, am I glad? I'm absolutely and totally ecstatic that I've got you Nicky."
"God, at least that Kian taken some of the spotlight off us."
"I wonder how bad the papers will be tomorrow. I just hope they don't blow it all out of proportion."

Eilidh and Nicky got back to the house, and the lights were still on.

"Did you want to come in?" Eilidh asked.
"I'd rather not."
"I thought you and Mark were sweet now."
"We are, but it's late." Nicky said.
"Okay, well, I guess its goodbye then," Eilidh started to say. "But don't you worry; I'll be back before you know it."
"That's what worries me, how am I going to survive the weeks."
"Just concentrate on your album, and get the old Nicky back."
"Thanks, hang on, what do you mean, the old Nicky."
"The one the fans love, and I love."
"Oh that one! I'll give it my best!"
"I know you will, I better go in, I could have sworn that curtain moved." Eilidh said, laughing.
"Don't worry; it's probably Bryan being funny." Nicky said, kissing Eilidh on the lips.
"Mmmmm, how am I supposed to leave, when you're kissing like that?"
"Hahahaha!" Nicky said.
"Bye then," Eilidh said, getting out of the car.
"Bye." Nicky said, driving off down the road.

Eilidh walked inside.
"Do you want a hot drink before you go to bed?" Bryan asked, standing in the doorway of the kitchen.
No, I'm fine. Might just head to bed." Eilidh said, walking up the hall.
"Night then."