Page 4 (2/2)

"Yeah," Bill-E says "I knoas supposed to co to back out, are you?" I cut him short "C’mon, Bill-E, this is my first party I need you there for low of happiness spreads outwards from the centre of the chubby boy’s cheeks "You wanta cruel joke

"Of course," I say firmly "In fact, if you don’t, the party’s off"

"Now hold on a ins, startled

"I ht at least sos between us

"Well I rins "Sure Why not?"

"Great" I raise a warning finger "But don’t tell Ma and Pa Spleen it’s a party or they’ll never let you cohs and heads off,while

Dervish is getting ready to leave In his leathers, pulling the straps out of his helo "Is the party tonight or tomorrow?" he asks

"Toives "

"You know I’ll be back early Sunday afternoon," he reminds me

"I know"

"If I walk in and find pools of puke and mountains of rubbish"

"You won’t," I assure hi over to help clean up in theis, I’m not sure if I’ll be able to do all the laundry before you return"

"That’s fine," Dervish says, then raises an eyebrow "Those staying over are all boys, I presume?"

"Of course"

"They’d better be Because if I find out otherwise"

"You won’t"

"Good"

The pair of massive front doors are already open Dervish walks out, breathing in fresh spring air "It’s supposed to be cold over the weekend," he says "Don’t leave the s open or the house will be freezing"

"I have everything in hand," I tell him

"I doubt it" He climbs on to his bike

"Say hi to Meera from me"

"Sure"

"Give her a kiss frooodbye he’s off, tearing down the driveway, already approaching the speed li up If everyone drove like my maniac of an uncle, the roads would be aith blood

This isn’t the first time Dervish has left me alone in the house, but it’s the first time he’s leftwas always that I was siood as said the house is mine for the next forty-odd hours, to do with as I wish

It feels strange I find -broken s, s into Dervish’s study and turning into a frog I half wish I could cancel I’ve been to a couple of wild parties with Loch over the last few , the , ould happen to the kids who lived there when their parents returned Now the shoe’s onit is Maybe I should pull a sickie and call the whole thing off

The phone rings Loch It’s as if he’s sensedto sway one?" he asks

"Yes"

"Good I didn’t want to discuss it at school-too many ears-but what about booze? Yay or nay?"

"That s will probably be wild enough if everyone’s sober"

"Yeah, it’ll be wilder if everyone’s drunk," Loch laughs, "but a lotabout all those bottles of wine in the cellar"

"No way," I snap "Most are expensive Very expensive Nobody goes near the wine That’s a golden rule If anyone breaks it, I’ll kick you all out"

"Spoilsport," Loch grumbles "Well, what about beer? I could ask one of et us a crate or two"

"I’d rather you didn’t"

"You’re not wi out, are you?" he asks suspiciously

"Well" I start

"Good," Loch says quickly "Let’s forget about the booze then If anybody brings soh?"

"Yeah," I say unhappily "I guess"

"Great See you in theReni, to help carry the bags Is that OK?"

"Sure," I say, spirits lifting, instantly forgetting about my reservations "That’ll be fine Yeah Whatever"

A short laugh, then Loch hangs up, leavingof the party

Loch, Reni and I e Frank and Leon join us on the last run, e realise we needsobeside her in and out of Carcery Vale, discussing the party, bands, politics whatever she feels like talking about

Loch offers to chip in with some money for the drinks and food, but I tell him it’s OK Dervish is rich-there’s a fa about which will one day beHe left a wad of cash for ood use of it

Reni does a lot of the organising I spent a couple of hours last night drawing up a list of everything we ht need and was more than a little pleased with hed and tore it up "Is Jesus co?" she asked

"Uh no," I replied, astonished

"Then forget about the loaves and fishes ot us through to nine o’clock Now, fetch me a fresh pad and pen-this needs a woman’s considered touch"

Much as I hate to ad the supplies back froht far toomillions with this lot But by the time we’ve divided it out into plates and bowls, and distributed the rooms and the kitchen-there doesn’t look to be a whole load

"Maybe we need toof crisps

"Maybe you need to stop snacking before anyone arrives," Reni retorts, grabbing the bag fro a professional eye around "This will do Anyhoet ready And you boys" She wrinkles her nose and pulls a face "Ever heard of showers?"

She leaves I look around at Loch, Frank and Leon They stare back Then we all raise an arm and sniff