I was just tryin’ to go along with what Claire and Gibsie had wanted for me. A nice, fun relaxing camp trip to take my mind off all things stressful.

Uh, huh. That didn’t last very long.

I had tried to keep it a quiet one, what with the U18s around the corner and the scouts for U20s too, but.. a man needs to let loose sometimes. Like what Mam says ‘you are still a teenager, Johnny’ with that disapprovin’ yet worried look, only Mam’s can pull off.

Liz had been talking with Claire before Katie, Hughie’s redhead girlfriend said something to set her off - not set her off in the Bella Wilkinson kind of way, set her off in the small look-up-and-downs, or the scathing remarks on her opinions on something.

Hughie needs to put himself and her out of her misery, me adding my two pence.

Gibs and Patrick were grinning, and Gibs kept shaking his head defensively as Patrick rattled on about the scores from some Hurley game - I wasn’t really payin’ too much attention.

I was way too happy with the girl cuddled into my side. My girl. My girl for keeps. I pressed another kiss to her hair, right after taking a swig of my beer. How many cans had I had? Three, four? Dunno. The buzz was nice though.

She stiffened a little, at the kiss, and a frown creased my brow. “Y’alright baby?”

I pulled away to watch her face, and the discomfort on it. Shite, I’d gone too far. Had I? Was kissing her head too much in front of everyone? Shite. Shite, shite, shite.

“Did I hurt you? I’m sorry-“ I started, but her quiet answer shut me up quicker than my Mam threatening no seconds.

“It’s just- sorry, it’s stupid.” She shook her head. But I didn’t give up. “No, no, tell me.” I ran my fingers through the part of her hair that had come free of her braid.

She swallowed and I could feel the discomfort radiating off of her, but she gripped my hand.

“You- I can really- like, strongly smell alcohol and it- it sent some- I don’t even know. I don’t know. It just.. I smelt it and it doesn’t feel right.”

I had never been sobered quicker in my life. It was like cold water had been dumped, and my eyes widened. I was a feckin eejit. A right, insensitive, prick.

What kind of boyfriend doesn’t think of that?

“Shite, baby. Feck, I’m sorry.” I stood abruptly and walked over to the cool box which had gone lukewarm at best and opened a… a can of sprite. Claire had totally packed this. I opened it and downed half of it in a few seconds, wincing as the fizz burnt in my nose a little.

I caught her staring at me; there was a soft sort of bewildered look in her eyes. Like she had no idea I’d do anything to make sure she was comfortable.

I took a more reasonable sip and sat down next to her again.

“Why’d you do that?” She asked.

“Cause I can’t stand making you feel any sort of uncomfortable.” I said honestly. It wasn’t even the liquor loosening my tongue.

“I’m sorry, I know you were having fun-“ She looked heartbroken, like she’d ruined everything.

I pulled her into a hug, half in my lap and murmured against her hair. “It’s okay. S’alright baby. You did absolutely nothing wrong. Okay? Nout. Now, you ever feel that way again, you tell me. Okay? Please.”

She nodded.

“That’s my girl.” I said as I kissed her hair again.