3
They’d gone to Kelley’s on the following Saturday then they said there goodbyes.
They’d packed everything into the car and got in. Phoenix pulled away and drove down all the backstreets, which were darkened by the tall overgrown trees and hedges. Phoenix turned onto anther dark end street, going through more woodland. He parked up outside the hut. They all got out the car closing the doors, Phoenix looked them slipping the keys into his pocket.
They pulled their bags out of the boot. Phoenix closed it and they all walked up to the hut where Phoenix pulled out a key and unlocked the door, they all stepped in dropping their bags, as Phoenix closed and locked the door behind them. They all stared checking out the fully equipped hut. ‘So what do you think?’
‘Sound.’
They all leaped on the sofa’s Ashleigh lay down on Phoenix, Kelley on Kieran. They were all bushed they’d been up since the crack of dawn un-able to sleep for different reasons. It had grown dark as the girls eyes finally gave in closing.
‘Looks like some one’s tired.’
‘That makes two of them.’
‘So you okay with me and Ash being together?’
‘Yeah as long as she’s happy I’m happy.’
‘Cool.’
‘Have you been here before?’
‘Many times this is the place I want to bring Ash to be alone, that’s if she agrees.’
‘It’s perfect of you don’t want anyone to know where you are.’
‘I know.’
Day break slipped through the windows. ‘Well I’m going for a fag, do you want one?’
‘Yeah I’m gasping.’
They pulled themselves up, placing the girls head down on the pillows. They walked out of the hut silently closing the door behind them. They sat down on the steps. Phoenix passed Kieran a cigarette and they lit them smoking.
‘I want to tell you something can I trust you to keep it to yourself?’
‘Yeah sure.’
‘I lied to Ash.’
‘What about?’
‘My dad.’
‘Why?’
‘I told her I’d never saw him, but I have.’
‘So why didn’t you tell her?’
‘He’s in prison.’
‘Oh.’
‘He’s been in since I can remember.’
‘What’s he in there for?’
He looked at Kieran. ‘This must go no further okay. This is between us.’
‘Sure.’
‘He’s in for murder, he’s serving a life sentence. He’ll be out in a few years.’
‘Who did he you know?’
‘Not sure all I know he got sent down when mom got caught with me, and she never forgave him.’
‘So your mom’s on her own?’
‘Sort of Mark comes and goes, but she never got over dad and never forgot what happened between them. I don’t ask. So can you please not tell Ash I don’t want to loose her.’
‘Sure.’ He smiled.
‘There you are.’ Ashleigh said sitting down
Kelley sat next to Kieran. ‘We wondered where you were.’
‘We were talking.’
‘What about?’
‘Stuff.’
‘Oh.’
‘You started smoking again?’
‘Yeah school’s stressing me.’
‘Coming up to your exams?’
‘Soon. I’ll be glad when they’re over.’
‘I was glad when school was over.’
‘Why go to college then?’
‘I like college it’s more relaxed. Don’t you think?’
‘I guess.’
They all pulled themselves up. Kieran, and Phoenix doubted out their cigarettes and they all went back into the hut.
They all had something to eat and drink, and soon another day turned to night.
‘Ke your room is opposite the bathroom at least you’ll be getting to use it tonight.’
He smiled.
‘Well see you two in the morning.’
Phoenix took Ashleigh’s hand and they went into the bedroom closing the door.
‘What’s up Ke? You’ve been quiet all day.’
‘Nothing.’
‘KE!’
‘I’ll tell you when we get back tomorrow I promise. I’m going to bed coming?’
‘Yeah.’
They pulled themselves up and went into the bedroom.
‘So what do you think of this place?’
‘It’s nice.’
‘So how’s about we move in here?’
‘I don’t know.’
‘Just think about it.’
She smiled.’
He placed his lips on hers kissing her.
Kieran, Kelley, and Ashleigh got out of the car. ‘I’ll give you a lift home Kelley if you like.’
‘It’s okay Phe. She’s staying at mine tonight.’
‘Sure.’
He placed his lips on Ashleigh’s kissing her hungrily. He pulled away. ‘Don’t forget what I said.’
‘I won’t.’
He slipped into gear and pulled away,
Kieran, Kelley, and Ashleigh all went into the house closing and locking the door behind them. They all descended up the stairs sleepily. ‘We’ll see you in the morning sis.’
‘Yeah night.’
‘Night Ash.’
‘Night Kelley.’
Ashleigh closed the bedroom door behind her. Kieran and Kelley went into his room collapsing on the bed. ‘What’s wrong babe?’
‘What did he say to you?’
He looked at her. ‘This must go no further than this room. I shouldn’t even be telling you.’
‘Spit it.’
‘Phoenix’s dad he’s inside.’
‘What for?’
‘Murder.’
‘You mean the same as Ashleigh’s dad?’
‘Yeah.’
‘You don’t think they’re in the same prison do you?’
‘I don’t know. All I know is that the circumstances are the same as Ash’s dad.’
‘Does Ash know?’
‘No.’
‘Has Ashleigh seen Ice?’
‘Not since summer. He’s changed just say I hope they never meet, he’s psych.’
‘What if his dad is too?’
‘Then we’re all in the shit.’