Chapter 3
EVIE
Then
Evie’s parents were fuming, having just been called into school by Sister Maria, Evie’s headmistress, yet again.
Evie and her best friend Ginny always joked that Sister Maria was a frigid old cow who just hated her pupils because they were young and pretty and had the world at their feet, whereas she chose to be married to the church.
Evie had been caught with Ed, from St Augustine’s School, kissing at the bus stop around the corner from her school, and although they’d managed to get away from her by jumping on the bus, they had certainly been clocked by her.
Ed and Evie had run up the stairs to the upper deck and managed to get the back seat of the bus, where they had a bird’s-eye view of Sister Maria shaking her fist like she was possessed by the Devil, rather than being a devout sister of Christ. Ed didn’t help things, as he flipped her the finger.
They thought she was going to have a fit.
They got off the bus a couple of stops later, quite close to Ed’s house, and walked the last few minutes, hand in hand.
Amazingly, his mum and dad were out, so they had the whole place to themselves.
Evie loved being at Ed’s house – as it seemed so cool and bohemian, compared to hers, complete with her sanctimonious mother insisting on having a crucifix displayed in the hallway.
It gave Evie the creeps. Both Ed’s parents were artists, although his mum was also a teacher and his dad was a part-time singer in a band, so there was always something happening.
Sometimes his dad had his mates round for a smoke and a jam.
Evie loved it when Ed joined in, and his dad let him play guitar.
He’d promised Evie that he was going to write a song for her one day so everyone would know just how much she meant to him.
As soon as they got in and Ed realised no one was around, he suggested going upstairs to his bedroom.
He put one of his mixtapes into his stereo.
With the melancholy and haunting sound of The Smiths singing “This Charming Man”, he gently pushed Evie onto his bed, with his kisses becoming more and more forceful.
Evie enjoyed being with Ed but made it clear that that was a far as she was willing to go.
After the kissing stopped, Ed rolled a joint, took a big drag and passed it to Evie.
She tried to copy what he’d just done but ended up coughing her guts up.
‘You really do have to put in a bit more practice, you know?’ Ed laughed as he sat up in bed and traced his finger around the contours of her face, finally resting on her lips. He kissed her mouth once again and smiled at her.
‘Christ! I’d best get going before mum sends out a search party for me!’ Evie said, breaking the sexual tension.
‘You sure you’re off now?’ Ed said, pulling her so close she could feel his heart beating next to hers.
‘Yeah. I gotta go.’ she replied, trying half-heartedly to release herself from his tight embrace.
‘One more kiss.’
‘Just one more.’ she agreed, knowing she had to get home quickly, her body betraying her by just wanting to stay there with Ed.
Ed grabbed her again, pushing her back down on the bed. They kissed again, Ed only releasing her when he heard a key in the door.
‘Wait here.’ instructed Ed, placing his finger on his lip to indicate to Evie to keep quiet.
‘Mum, Dad? he called out, stumbling out into the hallway.
‘Hi, Ed. It’s Paul.’ a gruff voice replied. ‘Your dad said to use the spare key, as I need to lay low for a couple of nights.’
Ed continually talked about Paul. He was Ed’s uncle, his dad’s half-brother.
He was cool and never treated Ed like his parents did.
He was nearer in age to Ed than he was to his own brother, as Ed’s dad and Paul had different mums. Ed always said that Paul was more like an older brother to him than an uncle.
‘Alright, mate. Just coming down.’ Ed signalled for Evie to follow him.
She grabbed her bag and followed Ed downstairs.
‘This is my girlfriend Evie.’ Ed said proudly introducing Evie to Paul.
‘Pleased to meet you, Evie.’ Paul said as he cast his eyes appreciatively over her body. ‘You’ve done well there, Ed.’
‘Hi Paul. Great to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you.’ Evie replied politely, wanting to make a good impression on the man who Ed thought so much of. ‘But, I’d best be off.’
Ed walked Evie to the door, planting a passionate kiss firmly on her lips and watched her until she was out of sight.
Evie had never run so fast in her life to get home.
All that training she’d done for Borough Sports had clearly paid off.
As she turned the corner, her bus had just arrived at the stop.
She did a final sprint and managed to jump on just as the bus started to move.
She sat downstairs on one of the long seats near where the conductor stood and daydreamed about her afternoon with Ed and how she couldn’t wait to see him again.
Just wait until I tell Ginny, Evie thought.
She’ll be fuming. Ginny had always fancied Ed, but he’d decided that it was Evie he wanted to be with.