Page 30 of Calling Frank O'Hare

‘Who knows.’

‘How did you know about them?’

‘My ma’s man. I heard him talking.’ Billy’s face lit up. ‘Don’t tell me you didn’t get a buzz from that.’

‘You’re fucking mental, Billy.’ Frank looked around again. Still no sign of anyone. They might just have gotten away with it. He laughed, out of relief and because Billy was right. It was the most frightening thing he’d ever done in his entire life. It was also the most thrilling.

20

Loose talk costs lives – 1980

Ma walked in with her shopping bags just as Frank came downstairs. She scanned him from top to bottom. ‘You look ridiculous. Where are you going?’ He’d been wearing his punk clothes openly for a while now and she still hadn’t got used to it.

‘Billy’s.’ He wasn’t lying exactly. He was going to Billy’s first. Then they were away to Good Vibes. Eve would be there. They’d been getting on great since that night in February when Billy showed him the guns. It was probably coincidence but Frank was convinced it had something to do with it. Nothing had happened to them afterwards. Months had passed and the Balaclavas still hadn’t come knocking. They’d gotten away with it, and because of that, Frank had become bolder. Instead of hiding his punk gear at Billy’s, he brought it home. The first time he’d walked into the living room with it on, jaws dropped. It gave him a kick to see the shock on Ma’s face. Da only glanced up from his paper but Frank was sure he detected a little smile. Spurred on by that success, he’d begun to stand up for himself more with the parents, and also with Eve. It seemed to have a positive effect. He didn’t get battered for being cheeky and more importantly, Eve was all over him. She promised when they went over the water, they’d have sex all the time. They’d even agreed which university they’d choose if they got places. Birmingham.

Ma put her shopping down on the table and folded her arms. ‘You’ve made all that effort, in your get-up there just for Billy, have you? You be careful, sonny. You don’t want to be getting some girl in trouble.’

Siobhan came in to help Ma unpack the bags. ‘Dressed like that? I don’t think you’ve any worries there, Mammy.’

They both had a laugh at that one. Frank ignored them. What did they know?

‘Mother of God, there’s another one of them.’ Ma wiped her eyes but it was wasted, seeing as her and Siobhan fell about laughing all over again.

Martin came in wearing his new bondage trousers. It hadn’t taken him long to follow Frank’s lead. He did a twirl for Siobhan and Ma, setting them off again. It didn’t bother Martin. He was all for the attention. ‘Are you away to Billy’s? I’ll come with yer.’

‘Have fun, Sid and Nancy,’ said Siobhan, at which point, Ma was so hysterical she had to sit down.

They left the women splitting their sides and knocked on Finn’s door. It was still morning and he already looked half-cut. He put his arm around Martin. ‘How are yer, Marty?’

Martin pushed him away. ‘You stink like an alchie. Where’d you get that from?’

‘It’s me ma’s medicinal brandy. Just a couple of mouthfuls.’

‘You better pray she doesn’t get a cold or you’ll get battered,’ said Frank.

‘I added some water. She won’t notice.’

‘You need to reel yourself in, before it becomes a habit.’ Frank couldn’t believe he was saying this, but someone had to point out that Finn was getting a bit too mad for the drink. As usual, it was left it to him.

‘He’s not that bad.’ Martin watched Finn nearly fall off the kerb into the road. ‘Okay, maybe he is that bad. Finn, you need to ease off.’

Finn nodded. ‘Okay. I’ll have to stop anyways. If I add any more water, there’ll be no brandy left. Are we going to Billy’s?’

Martin took his arm. ‘No. I couldn’t say indoors, Frank. I saw Billy this morning when I went to get Da’s paper. He said he had to go somewhere first, so he’ll meet us there.’

When they reached Musgrave Park, Martin said they should take a different route. ‘I heard there was some trouble on Lisburn Road. We should go up Malone Road.’

‘Fair enough.’ The last thing Frank wanted was trouble. Next week was his final exams and he couldn’t afford to get picked up and miss them.

They took a right and headed towards Malone Road. It meant they went by the university which Frank liked because it filled him with anticipation for his and Eve’s new life of freedom that was almost within touching distance now.

Just before they got to the university, they passed the edge of the Botanic Gardens. On dry days, people sunbathed on the grass. Today was grey and drizzly and the grounds had a deserted look about them.

‘Is that Billy and Eve over there?’ said Finn who’d been sobered up by the long walk.

They saw Billy and Eve talking on a corner, over on University Road. Billy had his hand on her arm. Finn called out to them but they didn’t hear.

‘C’mon.’ Frank took a few steps closer. But that was as far as he got. Martin pulled him back. Frank saw then that two cars had pulled up next to Billy and Eve. Three men in balaclavas jumped out of the first one, shoved Billy into it, and drove off. Another man got out of the second car. He said something to Eve. She shook her head and backed away, but he grabbed hold of her.

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