Page 36 of Calling Frank O'Hare

‘You get used to it.’ Frank was trying to put them at ease but one look at Billy told him he’d come across like he was showing off.

‘Will you catch yourself on? You’ve only been here five minutes and you’re acting like you’ve lived here all your fucking life. Just because the cops don’t have guns, doesn’t mean they won’t kick your head in. Same goes for the rest of the Brits.’

Billy’s words cut him down and he felt ashamed. Ashamed that he’d been crowing, rubbing their noses in it, showing off his newfound freedom. ‘Sure, it’s not perfect. You still get shifty looks from the locals when they hear you talk, but I’m just saying, it’s a wee bit easier once you get used to it. That’s all, Billy.’

‘Is that so?’ Billy scanned Frank’s room as he let them in, like he was on reconnaissance. Like he was expecting to find a stash of petrol bombs under the bed. It wasn’t like Billy at all.

‘Are we going drinking? I’m gasping.’ Finn dropped his bag on the floor. He was working for a builder friend of Da’s now. It had put some muscle on him, and he’d grown a few inches since leaving school so although he wasn’t eighteen yet, he could pass for it.

‘There’s a party later on, but we can start at the Hope and Anchor. It’s a bit scuzzy but the beer’s cheap, and Adrian will be there.’ Frank said it all casual like, as if they knew Adrian. They didn’t. He’d mentioned his name to Martin and Finn a couple of times over the Christmas break, but he’d held back with Billy.

Billy stopped his room check to give Frank the evils. ‘Who the fuck is Adrian?’

‘He’s a mate. A good guy. He likes the Undertones.’

‘Oh well that’s all right then. Is he some kind of fruit? Must be with a name like that.’

‘No he’s not, and leave off, Billy. What the hell’s wrong with you?’

Billy took a sudden step back, as if Frank had just hit him, then he laughed. ‘Just kiddin, Frankie Boy. C’mon let’s go. Sure, I’m desperate for the craic.’

Frank glanced at Finn and Martin. They didn’t look like they thought he was kidding either, but no one said anything.

The pub was full, as it always was on a Friday night. Frank spotted Adrian and the rest of his drinking mates squeezed together in the middle of the room. He held his breath while his Belfast gang eyed his Birmingham gang. It was the way you did things back home but it was out of place here.

It was Martin who eased the tension: ‘Frank says you like the Undertones, Adrian.’

Adrian’s face broke into a big grin. ‘Mate, I fucking love ’em.’

It got everyone talking about music and for once in the whole entirety of his life, Frank was grateful to have a brother who could talk to anyone about anything.

After a couple of drinks, they moved on to a pub that was less crowded. Some girls Frank and Adrian knew came over to join them. Straight away, Finn and Martin were chatting them up. Martin was having more success than Finn.

Adrian nodded in Martin’s direction. ‘Runs in the family then, does it? Shame it was him got all the looks.’

‘Up yours, mate,’ said Frank. He hadn’t noticed before but Adrian was right, Martin was good looking. Good looks and charm. Bastard.

‘Isn’t that the Lady of Shalott over there?’

Frank looked over to a table on the far side of the pub. It was her, the flame-haired beauty from his first day. He and Adrian often talked about her. They’d even given her that nickname, but they hadn’t seen her since that day in the kitchen. ‘Aye. Methinks the lady hath returned.’

‘Methinks she hath.’

It was their private joke, this way of talking, whenever they mentioned her. They were being daft, but that was the fun of it. This was another of Frank’s epiphanies since coming here. It was okay to be daft and say silly things, and it was even better when you had a friend who knew that. Billy was staring at them. More reconnaissance. It felt like being back home, always being watched. A not yet forgotten uneasiness crept over Frank.

They’d been at the party for a few hours when Frank saw her again, floating through the crowd like a vision. With her height and those flame-red locks she stood out among the ordinary people. He nudged Adrian. ‘She’s here. Twice in one night.’

‘It’s a sign. Go for it, mate.’

‘You don’t mind?’

Adrian snorted. ‘She’s way out of my league, Frank. You might stand a chance with your Irish charm and your good looks.’

‘I thought you said I was ugly?’

‘Only when you stand next to Martin. Get over there before he gets to her.’

Frank didn’t need telling twice, especially as he could see Martin had noticed her. He went for her without really thinking what he was going to say. She was alone and had her back to him. Then she turned and looked him in the eye, as if she’d known he was there all along. He said the only thing that sprang to mind: ‘Did you find her?’

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