Derry Girls: Impossible to Ignore

Chapter 13: Dinner Conversations

Dinner at the Quinn household that night consisted of only Mary, Gerry, Joe, Anna, Orla, and Sarah. Erin and James were trying out a double date with Clare and Lorie, and Michelle was working, though she'd most likely spend time with Fin after. Orla continued to have a big smile on her face even as she ate, something everyone else took notice of.

"Orla, what's got ye smilin' so big tonight, love? Mary asked.
"Ach, I don't know what ye mean, Aunt Mary," Orla blushed as she picked at her food.
"I'd say it's got somethin' to do with that Champion o' hers, so it does," Sarah smiled warmly, excited to have some girl talk with her daughter.
     "Ach, Mammy," Orla giggled.
"What's this now?" Mary asked with a smirk.
     "Orla met a fella today, she did," replied Sarah. "Over at Brooke Park. He's gonna be workin' there."
     "Some shite is trying to pick up girls at the park!?" Joe exclaimed.
     "I don't think that's what's goin' on, Joe," retorted Gerry.
     "Ach, what would ye know, ye prick!?" Joe shot back. "This fella some kinda delinquent, Orla!?"
     "Ach, no, Granda! He's a right gentleman, he is," Orla defended.
     "Aye, Da, he is," Sarah chimed in. "Met him myself, I did. He was walkin' Orla home after scaring' off some actual delinquents."
     "What's happened, love?" Gerry asked.
     "Don't be interruptin' my Sarah now, ye shit!" Joe exclaimed.
     "Orla says she was walkin' home," continued Sarah. "Two fellas started harassin' her, not takin' no for an answer apparently. One of 'em even grabbed Orla's wrist."
     "Bastards, they are!" Joe exclaimed.
     "But then this Champion fella showed up behind 'em, he did," Sarah continued. "Gave 'em both a good scare, so he did."

     Everyone at the table looked at Orla, who was still smiling after thinking about what happened.
     "Saved me, he did," she said turning bright red. "It was class."
     "Well, he sounds like a good lad then, he does," said Mary.
     "We invited him for dinner, we did," said Sarah. "But he said he had things to do. New to the area I think."
     "Nah, Mammy, he's from Derry," Orla chimed in. "But he told me he'd just been livin' elsewhere the last few years or so."
     "An' ye never seen him b'fore now?" Gerry asked.
     "Ye can't expect her to know everyone in the feckin' city, ye southern shite!" Joe exclaimed.
     "I don't recall ever seein' him b'fore, Uncle Gerry," replied Orla. "But he's not much older than myself."
"What age is he?" Mary asked.
"Said he was 20," answered Orla.
"He's a grown man flirtin' with a wain!?" Joe exclaimed.
"Orla's 18, Da," retorted Mary.
"Is she now?" Sarah asked. "Jesus, but the time certainly flies."
"He wasn't flirtin', Granda," Orla blushed.
"Said he called ye beautiful, he did," retorted Sarah, which made her daughter sink into her chair and cover her face.
"How can ye be be so calm 'bout this, love!?" Joe exclaimed.
"Well, like Mary said, Da, Orla's 18 years of age," Sarah shrugged. "She's an adult now, she is. She's also a cracker judge of character. An' he was a perfect gentleman when I spoke to him."
"I'll have my eyes on that one, I will," Joe proclaimed. "Bastard better watch his arse."

In another part of Derry, a double date was happening between Erin, James, Clare, and Laurie. They hadn't had many chances to spend time with the wee lesbian's girlfriend, and figured a double date would be absolute class.
"So, Laurie, how're things at the record store?" Clare asked.
"Pretty standard, really," Laurie casually shrugged. "New Tori Amos album is sellin' well."
"Aye, she is cracker, she is!" Erin exclaimed.
"Her previous albums have been really good," said James.
"Ye like Tori Amos, James?" Laurie asked.
"My wee English fella has very eclectic taste," Erin smiled warmly.
"Probably helps that she's a ride, too," Laurie smirked.
"Catch yerself on, Laurie!" Clare giggled. "James isn't so shallow! Are ye James?"
"She's alright looking," James casually shrugged. "But she's not really my type." He thin gave Erin a wink, making her smile ear to ear.
"Ye are a smooth one, ye are," chuckled Laurie.
"Definitely not," chuckled James, grabbing Erin's hand. "It's just easy to compliment the person ye fancy most."
"I can definitely understand that," Laurie smiled, lightly squeezing Clare's hand.