Fifteen Going on Grown Up (43 page)

Corrinne stated. Hally felt the same way and was sure Clia did too.

Finally with June bringing wonderfully warm weather and light evenings Hally walked with Corrinne and Clia out of their very last exam. Wes had sat his last one the previous day and was waiting at the bench with Gregg and Rhys. Wes had talked his dad into letting them off work early to celebrate the end of exams. Squealing with relief and delight, all three girls jumped into their boyfriend’s arms and were kissed and spun around. Then hand in hand they trotted through the school gates to freedom. Officially they had finished school and since all three were almost certain they were going on to College they would only have to return for the award presentation evening. Outside the gates Hally stopped and looked back. The year eleven’s had been given a special leaving assembly that morning and it seemed strange to be out of school before the school day finished. Other year elevens were milling about too, drifting off in pairs or groups with celebration plans of their own, but all the other year groups were still in lessons.

“So to the Hotspot then?”

Wes interrupted her thoughts. She smiled and linked her arm through his as the six set off for the town.

The café was busy when they arrived, other students having found their way there. But a surprise awaited the three girls when they went in. A table had been reserved near the window and Wes led them over and seated them all saying he would just be a minute. He disappeared behind the counter and soon came back carrying a large chocolate cake with three sparklers sizzling on top. Hally, Corrinne and Clia all looked on wide eyed but it was obvious Rhys and Gregg were in on the surprise.

“Congratulations girls on getting through your exams.”

He said to them as he placed the cake on the table.

“Absolutely.”

Rhys said.

“Well done.”

Gregg added. Behind Wes one of the other assistants brought over a tray of drinks, plates, forks and a knife to cut the cake.

“Thanks mate.”

Wes told him and offered the knife to Hally. She took it indicating that Corrinne and Clia should hold it too, so all three girls clumsily and giggling sliced through the cake. The boys clapped, taking photos on their mobile phones; and then waited whilst the girls passed out slices of cake.

The rest of the day was spent lazily wandering around the shops and just doing nothing in particular. It was really quite hot and eventually the six gravitated towards the park where the open space was a little cooler than the town centre. Mothers sat on benches and rugs on the grass chatting whilst watching their children play. Other teenagers the same age as Hally were scattered about enjoying the end of school and students of all other ages were milling about too. Hally lay back on the grass next to Wes and closed her eyes soaking up the sunshine. She felt so relaxed almost to the point of being sleepy.

“Anyone want an ice cream?”

Gregg said and Hally opened her eyes. Wes was looking down at her, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly.

“You look like you’re somewhere else.”

He said smiling. Hally lifted herself onto her elbows, squinting as her eyes got used to the bright sun.

“It’s such a lovely day. Thanks Gregg a strawberry cone please.”

Gregg and Corrinne headed off to the small shop near the lake. Rhys was teasing Clia with a stalk of grass and she was playfully batting at his hand, pretending to be cross but giggling and really thoroughly enjoying the attention. Hally smiled to herself.

“What are you thinking about?”

Wes asked her. She looked up at him, his shadow laying over her and so blocking the sun from her eyes.

“I don’t think I’ve ever felt happier.”

She sighed. Wes leaned over her and kissed her and as usual her immediate thoughts went straight to her dream that was now recurring on a regular basis. She had spoken to Corrinne and Clia about it, both offering their views. Corrinne had simply said ‘Hals you know this means you want it to happen don’t you?’ whereas Clia had said ‘Sweetie, I think you’re dreaming about it because you’re not sure about the real thing.’ Because of this Hally was still just as confused in her own mind. But she still thoroughly enjoyed Wes’ kiss and kissed him back.

Gregg and Corrinne returned carrying ice creams and laughing about something that had happened at the shop. Handing out the confections and still chuckling they managed to tell the others what they had seen. A little girl had been given the wrong ice cream, her brother getting hers instead. Their mother had been about to swap them over when the girl too impatient to wait had tried to do it. As she leaned towards her mother and the mother leaned to her, the ice cream now beginning to melt in the heat, slipped off the cone and down the front of the mother’s dress. Picturing the scene Hally and the others laughed eating their own ice creams.

They left the park around six in the evening heading for home. Hally and the girls had called their parents earlier to let them know what their plans had been for the afternoon and now the three were all going to Hally’s. Wes was working that evening and Gregg and Rhys were going to get some materials with Wes’ dad as he’d given them the time off earlier. Mum, dad and Nathan were all enjoying the weather in the garden when they arrived. A large jug of lemonade was on the table on the deck and dad had the barbeque going.

“Thought we would eat out here this evening.”

Mum said. Hally went into the kitchen and brought out glasses and filled them with lemonade for each of them.

“So how does it feel now the exams are all over?”

Dad asked. They all three spoke at once exclaiming how wonderful it was.

“Whoa! Can’t understand a single thing you’re saying.”

Dad said backing away as though he was afraid but laughing at the same time. Hally went to her father and standing on tip toe planted a kiss on his cheek.

“Now don’t go cremating the sausages.”

She giggled. Dad waved her away saying.

“Cheeky little monkey.”

The girls all giggled and pulled over garden chairs to sit near mum.

“So, now we can really get down to preparing for your prom.”

She said to them. They all nodded enthusiastically.

“I’m so glad the school decided to change the rules this year.”

Corrinne said happily sipping lemonade.

“Oh me too. I can’t imagine going without Rhys.”

Clia said.

“What rules?”

Dad asked coming over with a plate of perfectly cooked sausages and putting them down on the table. Nathan, ever hungry came galloping over and mum put a sausage in a roll adding ketchup and handed it to her son.

“Well, before, the year elevens had a prom and the sixth formers had their own. And you could only take a guest from your own year group who had to go to the school. Well over the last couple of years, the numbers have gone down at each prom ‘cos so many people have boyfriends and girlfriends who aren’t the same age or go to our school. So this year they are combining the two proms into one and we can bring any guest. Well only if they are under twenty. So of course that means I get to go with Wes and these two get to take their guys too.”

Hally told her father happily, at the same time slicing open a roll and loading it with sausage, mustard, brown sauce, ketchup and onions and taking a bite.

“Well that sounds like a good idea, so long as no one brings along one of those delinquents to ruin it for everyone.”

Dad said seriously loading his own roll the same way as his daughter.

“Oh, nothing like that is going to happen. We had to give the name and address of our guest when we ordered our tickets so the school could vet everyone first. They made it clear to us all that they wouldn’t accept anyone who they believed would cause trouble.”

Clia told dad. He nodded approval as he took a huge bite from his hot dog, the sauces spurting from both ends and splattering his clothes. They all laughed, including mum, although she frowned saying.

“Colin Mackeller you are worse than Nathan.”

Dad dabbed at his shirt with a paper napkin grinning at his wife.

“I know but you love me anyway.”

As though there had been no interruption in the flow of the conversation Hally said.

“Well we did hear that Penny and a couple of her friends are not going because the school said no to the boys they wanted to bring.”

“Well that’s a blessing then.”

Mum said. Dad had now added burgers to the plate of sausages and was putting one in a bun for Nathan who was actually waiting quite patiently, he too with sauce down his T-shirt.

“You’re having some salad and rice with that darling.”

Mum told him spooning some onto a plate. Nathan pressed his lips together tightly but didn’t argue with his mother. Lately he had been trying the fussy with his food trick but mum was far too tough to let him wear her down. He had tried throwing the odd tantrum, folding is arms, refusing to pick up his cutlery, and clamping his mouth tightly shut when he didn’t want to eat a particular food. However mum held firm and using various tactics was winning the battle. Now he took the plate and giving a sulky look slowly put tiny amounts of salad and rice in his mouth. After a while when he thought no one was looking, Hally noticed him forking larger amounts in and smiled to herself.

Later that evening when Nathan was tucked up in bed and the barbeque was cooling down, Hally sat with her parents and friends on the deck enjoying the summer evening. It was still very warm and small moths and night insects fluttered about especially close to the tea lights on the table. Mum and dad had a glass of wine each and the girls were sipping mum’s lemonade, which they all preferred to the sweeter shop bought soft drinks.

“Have you two got everything for the prom?”

Mum asked Corrinne and Clia. Hally wondered why her mum was asking this because they had discussed their outfits many times with mum present.

“Yes I think so.”

Said Clia.

“Mmm…me too.”

Corrinne agreed. Mum nodded and then stood up.

“Won’t be a minute.”

She said disappearing into the house. Hally looked at her friends and shrugged. Dad smiled.

“Just wait.”

He said. A couple of minutes went by then mum returned with a bag in her hand. She sat back down and took a sip of her wine prolonging the curiosity now aroused in all three girls.

“What have you got there?”

Hally asked.

“Just a little something for all of you.”

Mum said lifting three identical boxes out of the bag. The girls gave her very surprised looks and dad gave them a very knowing look. Mum handed each girl a box and they looked at each other, none of them wanting to be the first to open their box. Silently they came to an agreement and almost at the same time lifted the lids. All three gasped with delight. Nestled on silk cushions each girl found a beautiful delicate tiara, each one identical, tiny bright crystals gleaming in the candlelight.

“Mum these are gorgeous.”

Hally said emotionally.

“Oh thank you!”

Corrinne exclaimed. Clia sat speechless and as they looked at her they saw tears flowing down her cheeks. Mum was instantly on her feet putting her arm around her daughter’s friend.

“Clia, what is it?”

Clia wiped away her tears and with a little sob said.

“Oh I just got all choked up. Stupid I know. It is beautiful, thank you so much.”

Mum gave her a little hug and returned to her chair.

“You three have had a tough year. Not just school. Corrinne and Clia, you have given Hally so much support through so much and you have helped us as a family through a very difficult time. You are both like daughters to Colin and me. So well we wanted to give all three of you a little gift just to add to how special your prom night is going to be.”

The girls stood up and hugged both of Hally’s parents then settled back down taking the tiaras out and trying them on, exclaiming to each other how gorgeous they looked and how the boys would be stunned.

So it was with visions of sparkling jewellery, ball gowns and handsome boys that Hally went to bed. She slept deeply and dreamed of princes and princesses, dancing and glamour.

Hally woke to a tapping sound and bleary eyed tried to locate the noise. Light was coming through the blinds but glancing at her clock she saw it was only just after five. The tapping came again and a little more alert she raised herself up in bed and looked around the room. There was no obvious source of the noise and she turned her head gauging where exactly it was coming from. It seemed to be emanating from near the window. Climbing out of bed she quietly crossed the room, an idea of the source forming in her head, and not wanting to disturb it if she was right. She reached the window and without touching the blinds carefully peeked through a tiny slit. A chaffinch was perched on her window ledge pecking quite furiously at the glass for no apparent reason. Hally stood silent and motionless watching the little bird. Eventually it gave up its seemingly pointless task and flew away, so Hally raised her blind and looked out. The sun was already bright and promised to be another hot day. Now she was fully awake she had no intention of going back to bed, so very quietly she gathered her things and went to the bathroom to get showered and changed.