Chapter 16- A Visit From Santa

*Sean’s POV*

The key turns smoothly in the lock though I find my hands are shaking with nerves. I feel as though I’m breaking in, breaking in to my own home. Slowly I push it open, freezing as it creaks. Silently I slip into the dark house, smiling at the familiar walls. I close the door behind me, locking it again before slipping my shoes off, placing them on the shoe rack, next to Cally’s favourite pair of converses.

Quietly I creep upstairs, avoiding the habit of going straight ahead and instead turning left into Cally’s room. The old fairylights on her wall illuminating her beautiful, peaceful face. I feel tears come to my eyes but blink them away, softly placing the red paper covered box on the end of her bed before gently kissing her head. She stirs slightly, muttering in her sleep and I smile fondly at her.

“Merry Christmas sweetheart.” I whisper before slowly, reluctantly, backing out of the room.

Next I head over to Adam’s room, smiling as the sound of his snoring quietly seeps through the door. I walk gingerly through the sea of objects hiding the floor, having to grab his guitar as it begins to fall as I pass. I freeze for a moment, holding my breath but he is in too much of a deep sleep to wake. I carefully replace the guitar and grin as I see him, sprawled out on top of his bed, shoes and clothes still on, his black hair sticking out in all directions. I smile, picking up a blanket from the floor and draping it over him, smiling fondly at my son, grinning at the posters on his wall; Nirvana, The Smiths, The Rolling Stones, Arctic Monkeys, and so many more. I smile, ruffling his hair a little more before kissing his head; he doesn’t even stir, just keeps snoring on, a dead weight.

“Merry Christmas, son.” I say, placing the box wrapped in green on the end of his bed before navigating my way back through the sea of clothes and CDs and out onto the landing. I pause for a moment, looking at the door to the room I once called mine, before sighing and making my way back down the stairs to the sofa, the Christmas tree tall and sparkling in the corner of the room. I plug the lights back in before lying down, watching the small white lights fading in and out as my eyes slowly close.

*Joey’s POV*

I had forgotten about the bit I don’t like about Christmas; colds. I wish I still had those lovely gloves, and that hat and scarf Amber got me, she was never exactly friendly to me, but at Christmas, she seemed to be softer, when Dan wasn’t around of course, she saw the cold makes me sick and so she gave me them to help even though she didn’t have to, I always thought that was kind of her. I wish I hadn’t lost them.

The streets of Dublin are very wet at Christmas, even the air feels wet, and I don’t like that, but I needed a present from Santa to Gale, and the best place for gifts is the streets, well, the bins anyway.

I sniff loudly, whipping my nose on my sleeve as I put the finishing touches to her present. I wasn’t sure what to give her at first, until I saw a big shop window, full of shiny gems around body-less necks. It took a lot of searching to find a decent length of string and enough buttons and shiny bits of rubbish, and even a small key, but it’s worth it, even worth getting sick from it, cause it will give Gale a Christmas.

Another girl, called May, helps me to thread it all, tying a small knot in the string at the ends to stop it all falling apart. When she is done I place it, along with a bird feather, inside an old fish and chips box as wrapping paper, the smell of fish and chips still so strong my stomach growls. May smiles at me,

“That’s really sweet you know.” She says and I blush, I don’t think anybody has ever called me sweet. “You’re a nice guy Joey, Merry Christmas.” She says before leaning over and pressing her lips to my cheek. I don’t understand why she did it, but I feel a odd warmth in my chest and I grin, brushing my thumb against where her lips touched. I look round for her but she has already disappeared in with all the people. I smile to myself again before picking up the flimsy white box and heading to where Gale is sleeping in the corner. Carefully I place the box by her head, smiling at how small she looks lying under the blanket. Suddenly a yawn pushes its way through my smile and I lie down next to her, it must be Christmas day by now.

“Merry Christmas Gale.” I whisper, smiling at her before my smile falls a bit. “Merry Christmas Amber.” I whisper even though I know she is too far away to hear me wherever she is. “Merry Christmas Dan.” I say, smiling at how he would have smacked me round the head for that, but it quickly falls as water fills up in my eyes as I think of how he is gone now. My eyes begin to close as my body seems to grow heavier and suddenly I feel like my lips will never smile again. “Merry Christmas.” I whisper again, covering my face with a blanket and letting myself drift off to sleep.

*Louise’s POV*

“Right everyone, drink up.” Mrs O’Donoghue says, pushing glasses of water around the table, the tablets still fizzling in the bottom. I smile at the hungover faces sat around me as they pass another glass along. Danny is sat at the head of the table, his head in his hands, Glen next to him, a hand under his chin but smiling at Dan, then Cat nudging Eoin beside her to get him to lift his head off the table, Rosile and Mirran quickly talking across the table, Guy between them at the other head of the table looking more bored than hungover. I smile as nudge Simon, pushing two glasses at him. He looks at them confused for a moment before slowly turning to Leo and gently grabbing his hair, lifting his head off the table with it. Leo groans a little before Simon puts the glass to his lips. Leo takes it, moving his head sideways to lose Simon’s grip on his hair.

“I’m going to have to start looking for a bigger table.” Mrs O’Donoghue says looking at us all with a smile. It’s by no means a small table but it’s still quite a squeeze, and Luke and Sean aren’t even down yet. Luke is probably still asleep; he loves a good lie in. I shake my head to move the image of him lying on the white sheets from my mind and feel my cheeks flush a little; stupid, childish teenage fantasies. Luckily everyone is either to hungover or busy in their own affairs to notice my blushing. Mrs O’Donoghue continues talking about the day but I’m not listening, I find myself staring at the door, waiting for Luke to come through it. I have missed him so much these last two years, not that I should have had much reason to, but I have. I don’t normally miss people, I have had to get used to trying to forget and move on, but I don’t think I ever could with Luke, even if he won’t have given me a moment’s thought, love is blind and love is stupid and love is very, very persistent.

“Where’s Luke got to?” Mrs O’Donoghue mutters and Mirran sighs,

“Probably still in bed.” She says and Rosile smiles.

“I don’t think so; he wasn’t there when we woke up.” Simon says and Guy and Leo give grunts of agreement.

“Well, I’m sure he will be wanting this.” Mrs O’Donoghue says holding another glass, “Would someone mind taking it to him while I put the kettle on, please?” She says, placing it on the table and scuttling off into the kitchen. I take a second to look at the glass, waiting to see who volunteers for a moment, I see Guy push his chair back, chances are not to volunteer though, but just in case I quickly take the glass, pushing my chair back and heading up the stairs. Who knows, maybe the act of taking this glass to him will be the thing that makes him realise he is secretly in love with me…yeh, right, dream on Louise, dream on.

*Luke’s POV*

Smooth; the ground is to smooth. Not a bed, not cloth...tiles?

My eyes flicker open and suddenly it feels like a piano has been dropped on my head. A groan escapes my mouth as I curl up on the white tiled floor. I try and breathe steadily, trying to control the feeling of nausea rising up from my stomach. My ears pulse strangely as the sound of a dripping tap fills them, beating loudly around inside my skull. Suddenly a near sound erupts inside my head, much louder and much more painful than the dripping. I bring my hands up over my head trying to shield my ears from the noise but it's no good.

 Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock...

"Luke, I know you’re in there." A woman's voice calls, "I'm not going to stop till you open the door."

Knock, knock, knock...

I groan slowly pushing myself up from the floor, putting all my weight on the sink as the world spins.

"Okay, okay." I mumble as I stumble over and slide the bolt back on the door. No sooner have I let go of the bolt the door is pushed open and I see Louise standing there. She smiles rather timidly at me before her face falls into one of pity.

"Ouch, you look rough." She says and I huff.

"Yeh, feel it." I moan stumbling back into the room and dropping down by the toilet, rather concerned that if I'm not careful last night’s drinks may end up on her.

"Oh, umm here, I brought you this." She says handing me a glass. I peer into it, sniffing it but all I can smell is spirits.

"Thanks." I say, taking a sip, leaning my elbows on the side of the toilet. My head still pounds, as if someone has wired a loudspeaker into the centre of my brain, making it pulse and vibrate to the sound waves.

“Everyone’s downstairs, I think your Ma is making breakfast.” Louise pipes up suddenly and I grunt.

“I don’t think I could stomach breakfast right now.” I mutter, focusing my energy on getting the water down me and keeping it all down. She smiles, chuckling a little,

“I guess not.” She says but I’m not really listening. The smell of bacon has slowly drifted its way into the bathroom, swirling around me, seeping into me. Suddenly the speakers in my head are no longer playing loud, party themes; now the track has changed, changed to the sounds of battle.

I remember a day when they bombed a civilian town; the screams of children, the smoke in my eyes, and that smell, the smell of burning, burning flesh from a blazing apartment block making me gag. I can see it so vividly, smell it so vividly.

I take a shaky breath, trying to stop the shaking starting up in my arms. Suddenly this small bathroom doesn’t feel like my safe, hiding place it did last night, now it feels like a small, enclosed prison.

“Are you okay?” Louise asks and I nod, trying to get my breathing under control. I nod quickly, afraid if I open my mouth I will sob or retch or scream. “Luke?” She says, bending down and taking my hand, her eyes looking into mine with a mothering sort of warmth and concern. “Just breath, okay? In…and out…in…and out.” She says, breathing with me. I find myself gripping her hand like a lifeline as slowly, my breathing calms. She smiles at me and I look down, unable to look at her, feeling embarrassed I lost myself in front of her.

“I’m sorry.” I mutter, gazing at the clear water in the toilet bowl, releasing my grip on her hand.

“Don’t be, it’s fine, I hate bacon too.” She says, squeezing my hand with a smile and I can’t stop the corners of my lips rising a little.

“Sorry, it’s just, memories.” I say and she nods.

“I understand.” She says, but not how people normally say it in these situations, I get the feeling she really does. “You going to come down? Face the bacon with me?” She asks, standing up and smiling at me.

“I’ll be there in a minute.” I say and she nods.

“Okay.”

“Louise.” I say and she stops in the doorway. “You won’t…” I trail off, not sure of how to put my thoughts into words.

“Tell anyone of your fear of bacon?” She says with a smile. “Of course not, your secrets are safe with me.” She says and I smile.

“Thank you.” I say and she blushes a little.

“No problem.” She says, her eyes lingering on me for a moment before she slips out of the bathroom, closing the door behind her.

I sigh, pulling myself up and walking over to the mirror. I groan at the image staring back at me and begin to run the taps. I splash water on my face, trying to wash away the hangover, and the memories; neither work.

Suddenly, something else slips into my head; the date. December 25th; Christmas Day. I smile sadly, closing my eyes and seeing his face. “Merry Christmas.” I say, my lip quivering slightly. I take a shaky breath, splashing my face one more time, washing away the tears building in my eyes, putting on a brave face.

Conceal, don’t feel, don’t let them know; where have I heard that before? Probably a song or a film or something. Whatever it is, I must do it, after all it’s Christmas, you are practically legally required to enjoy it, so I guess I better at least try and put on a decent show.

*Joey’s POV*

“Joey, Joey, wake up.” A voice whispers as someone shakes me awake.

“Okay, okay.” I groan, rolling over, keeping my eyes closed.

“Joey, get up.” The voice says, a littler sterner and I slowly rub my eyes, Kara’s face blurry above me. She holds out a hand to me and I take groggily it.

She leads me into the small room she took me to when I first arrived where the boy I met before is waiting.

“Harry has been tracking down the Danny O’Donoghue man, the one Dan mentioned.” Kara says, closing the door behind us. “He needs you to tell us if you recognise him.” She says and Harry grins, jumping down from his perch on the side of the table, something jangling in his pockets as he does.

“I think I’ve got your guy, something of a celebrity, well, sorta, in a band, obnoxious little prick probably, band sorts always are, didn’t take too long to track down.” Kara huffs as she takes a seat on the table and Harry lifts his hands slightly as he says,

“What? I have more than one job you know!” He says before bring out a phone from his pocket. “Anyway, you recognise this guy?” He asks, showing me a picture of a man with a dark quiff and his coat collar turned up covering some of his face. I stare at the man, trying to think, he does look familiar, I’m sure he does…

He hit him, right in the back of the head with the butt of his gun, I don’t know who he was but he won’t get in our way. I follow silently behind Dan, pausing as he stops to peer round the wall.

 “Danny, do you even know where we are going?” A woman whispers.

“Nope, not really.” A male voice mutters. Dan turns to me, pointing at the tall dark haired woman,

“Restrain her, I’ll deal with the guy.” He says and I nod, slipping out from behind the wall and towards the woman.

“Just…this looks strangely familiar…” The woman says, looking around. “Danny this-” She says, cutting off mid-sentence with a muffled cry as my hands wrap around her mouth, she struggles but I’m stronger.

“Ca-” The man says but stops as he sees me.

“Hello again Sunshine.” Dan says, appearing behind the man and Autumn “Have you missed your dear old brother?” He spits. The man turns away from me slowly, pushing Autumn protectively behind him.

“Leave her alone.” He says and Dan laughs,

“Oooh the tall, dark hero, ‘Leave her alone!’ love it!” He says smiling.

“Just, leave her!” The man says again, his voice shaking.

“Yeh…not so impressive that time.” Dan says before slowly moving forwards into the dim lights of the street and I watch Autumn grab the man’s hand and the woman in my arms struggles harder. “Now Sunshine, come on out.” Dan whispers, looking round the man so he can see her however the man moves sideways more, blocking his view.

“I don’t know what is going on between you two but please, Autumn doesn’t want you anywhere near her, so I am asking you nicely; leave her alone.” He says putting on a strong voice.

“Oh, well in that case I will forget the whole thing and go and never come back.” Dan says, confusing me.

“But boss, you never give up!” I say, wondering why he could even think such a thing.

“Of course I am not going to fucking give up! You have a price to pay Sunshine and you know it! You ran from me, but you can’t run forever. This can only end one way!” Dan snaps

“You will not lay one finger on her!” The man growls and Dan smiles.

“That’s what he said.” He grins, “His last words I think, only fitting that they be yours as well.” He says as he slowly brings the gun up towards the man’s chest. The woman begins to struggle harder, trying to scream and Dan nods at me and I quickly punch her in the side, just like Dan taught me.

“You get off her!” The man yells at me but I keep my orders.

“Oooh calm it.” Dan says and the man turns back to him. “Listen, hand her over and we won’t hurt you or your little lady friend. But get in my way, and I will kill you both in a heartbeat.” He hisses. “Come on, it’s decision time, do want to see the sunrise or not?”

“I told you before; you will not lay a finger on her.” The man says, suddenly sounding more confident. Dan sighs, looking down at the gun, my chest is pounding as I wait, watching to see Dan’s response and I can feel the woman’s speeding heart rate beat through her.

“I see, well, you can’t say I didn’t warn you.” I watch as Dan cocks the gun. She begins to struggle again and I start to feel a little sorry for her, she looks like a nice lady, she shouldn’t have to see this.

“She’s still mine, but if you wish to join her in her fate, who am I to stop you.” Dan says, smiling. I watch as Dan’s fingers rest on the trigger, the gun pointed at the man, tall, dark haired with a quiff; and then he pulls the trigger.

“That’s him.” I say slowly, shaking slightly at the memory.

“Are you sure?” Kara asks, looking at me closely.

“Yeh. He tried to stop Dan getting at Autumn. I remember.” Kara nods.

“Okay, thanks Joey.” She says, “You can go now.” She opens the door for me and I hear Harry begin to talk about ‘stage 2’ or something before the door closes behind me. I stand still for a moment, thinking back.

It was wrong, wasn’t it? It’s why I’m not on Santa’s list any more. I let Dan do that to those people. Rory and Autumn. Autumn was quiet, she didn’t seem bad, but Dan said she was, and Rory, he was nice, but he helped her, and so Dan said he had to go too.

I don’t deserve Santa’s presents.

“Joey!” Someone calls my name and I look up to see Gale running towards me. I bend down to her as she jumps into my arms. I hug her tightly, smiling, feeling a little happier again.

“Hey Small, merry Christmas.” I say and she grins.

“Look!” She says, holding up the necklace and feather.

“I told you Santa wouldn’t miss you off Small!” I say and she smiles, holding it out for me to tie around her neck. It’s fiddly but eventually I mange, slotting the feather into her hair. She smiles, hugging me again, even tighter than before so her feet are off the ground.

“I love my Santa.” She whispers in my ear and I feel tears come to my eyes as a huge smile appears on my face and my chest feels warm. “Thank you.” She whispers,

“Santa loves you too Small.” I whisper and she grins happily, taking the feather from her hair and putting it behind my ear. 

“Why are you crying?” She asks, her smile suddenly falling. I quickly wipe my eyes, surprised to find water there.

“I don’t know, Small. I’m happy.” I say and she smiles, putting her small hand into mine and suddenly it looks far too big.

“I’m happy too.” She says, smiling again. “I like Christmas.” She says and I smile.

“Me too.” I say and she smiles,

“Can we go and see the tree?” She asks and I grin and nod.

I am her Santa, and I think that is the best Christmas gift I have ever had, even better than the gloves and fish and chips.

*Sean’s POV*

I lay on the sofa, watching the faint shreds of light trying to slip in round the curtains. I look around at the living room; at my living room, and wonder how I came to feel so alien here. My children have grown up in this house; my son played to me for the first time in this room; my little girl learnt to ride her bike on the other side of those curtains; my wife spent all night comforting me on this sofa after my father passed away; it’s crazy how one house, one room, can have so many memories.

But now, now I know it is no longer my house, it is her’s. I have lost Kayla, I still love her but there is no point trying to deny that fact, but one thing she can’t take are my children, I won’t let her take them from me as well as my marriage.

Suddenly the light flicks on and I see a figure pass me in a dressing gown, unaware of my presence. Kayla walks over to the fireplace and turns it on, the fake flames flickering as heat starts to radiate out. She turns and lets out a small shriek as she sees me, a hand flying to her chest. It takes her a second to go from shocked to angry, but I haven’t the energy to move from the sofa.

“What the hell are you doing here?!” She snaps, her words cutting into me.

“Merry Christmas to you too, Kay.” I say sadly.

“It’s been weeks! You can’t do this! You can’t waltz back in here on Christmas after two months!” She snaps

“It’s my house too Kay.” I say quietly.

“No, no it’s not; you have to have actually lived in a house for it to be yours! You hardly ever did that.” She says harshly.

“I know, I know, but my job…” I begin before trailing off, we have had this argument before, I don’t want to reopen it. “I wanted to see my children.” I whisper and she scoffs.

“Well I doubt they want to see you! You abandoned them Sean.” She says and my heart finds a whole new level of darkness to fall down. Slowly, I stand up, walking towards her.

“Kay, please.” I begin but my voice cuts out, my words failing me. Suddenly there is a sound behind me; the creak of a floor board.

“Da?” Her voice asks, and I smile, my heart finding something to grab onto, stopping it’s fall. I turn to see her, wrapped in a blue dressing gown, her hair all over the place and her face sleepy, but still beautiful, still my little girl.

“Da!” She cries, running towards me and I open my arms to her. Tears rush to my eyes as I hug her to me, kissing the top of her head, never wanting to let go. My baby girl, the one girl I could never stop loving, no matter what she did.

“Where have you been?” She asks but I just shake my head,

“I’m sorry sweetheart.” I whisper, “I promise I won’t do it again.” I say and she smiles.

“The camera, it was from you, wasn’t it?” She says and I smile.

“Merry Christmas sweetheart.” I say and she smiles.

“Thank you Da! I love it so much, thank you. Merry Christmas.” She says, hugging me again.

“No problem sweetheart, you deserve it.” I say and she smiles.

“Adam!” She calls back up the stairs, “Adam! Da’s here! Adam!” From somewhere upstairs I hear the familiar sound of Adam reluctantly waking up and smile, quickly wiping my eyes before turning to see Kayla, staring at Cally sadly. She looks back to me for a minute before dropping her gaze and shaking her head, quickly setting about trying to tidy the already spotless room.

Suddenly Adam appears in the door way, looking a little rough but staring in awe at the instrument in his hands. “Is this what I think it is?” He whispers, looking totally star struck. I grin at him and chuckle,

“Sure is.” I say and he bites his lip.

“A Fender Classic Series 50s Stratocaster Electric…Thanks Da!” He says, looking up at me with that boyish grin on his face and I smile, patting him on the back.

“Merry Christmas son.” I say, my hand on his shoulder as he looks back down at the guitar in his hands.

“Merry Christmas Da.” He says, his voice quiet again as he looks at the instrument. Suddenly there is a flash and I look up to see Cally with her large professional looking camera pointed at us.

“Oi!” Adam cries and she laughs, “Delete that!” He demands, carefully putting the guitar down before advancing on her but she is quick to dart under his arms. I smile as I watch my kids chasing each other around the Christmas tree, remembering all the years they have played in here. I was wrong, I am not an alien here, this is my children’s home, and if they are here, how could it be anything but my home?

*Cat’s POV*

I sit watching Glen play a small game of fetch with Cassidy and a cheap bauble cross the living room Rosile and Mirran watching them from the table. I glance at Guy on the other sofa: his eyes closed; finger tapping out a beat on his chest; the tin beat of the music drifting from his earphones. Luke, Louise, Simon and Leo are playing some sort of card game on the table and from Simon’s cheers he seems to be winning.

Suddenly I hear Eoin talking to Mrs O’Donoghue, thanking her for her hospitality and wishing her a Merry Christmas. I quickly get to my feet, heading into the hall.

“You off then?” I ask and he turns and grins.

“Yeh, only what, about 10 hours late.” He says and I smile. “I’ve got to be at my Ma’s for 1pm so ought to start my annual battle with sellotape and festive paper.” He says, grabbing his coat.

“Okay, well, Merry Christmas.” I say, “And, thank you, for coming.”

“No problem Princess, I enjoyed myself.” He says, “Oh, I almost forgot!” He says, reaching into the large pocket in his coat and bring out a box, badly covered in shiny red paper.

“Merry Christmas Princess.” He says, bowing and holding it out to me.

“Aw thank you! You shouldn’t have.” I say, talking it and carefully unwrapping the box. I pull the lid off and grin; inside is a small tiara.

“Fit for a Princesss I think you will find.” Eoin says and I laugh.

“Ha aw it’s beautiful.” I say, carefully placing it on my head. “How do I look?” I ask, giving a little twirl.

“Beautiful m’lady.” He says grinning.

“Oh, that reminds me, wait here a moment.” I say before quickly running up the stairs to find the present, wrapped fairly neatly in blue paper with little penguins wearing scarfs on. I smile, hurrying back downstairs with it.

“Merry Christmas Eoin.” I say, handing it over. He chuckles at the paper, looking at the small tag stuck to the gift.

“Merry Christmas from Cat, Nutmeg, Cherry and Raisin.” He says chuckling.

“The kittens.” I say and he smiles.

“You seem to have a bit of a food theme going on there.” He says as he tries to open the paper without ripping the penguins apart.

“Yeh, well, Nutmeg is the colour of nutmeg, Cherry is the only cat I’ve ever seen like Cherries and Raisin, well, he is named after you.” I say, blushing a little.

“After me?” Eoin asks, grinning.

“I have never seen anyone eat so many raisins in 5 minutes.” I say and he laughs.

“What can I say, I like raisins!” He chuckles as he finally opens the paper enough to reach the contents. He slowly pulls it out, letting it fall open to revel the writing. He begins to chuckle, turning the shirt round and holding it against himself; the words ‘Real men Love Cats’ written on it next to a picture of a happy looking cat.

“Aw, well I certainly know one I love.” He says winking at me and I feel myself blush.

“Oh, I meant, cause, you saved the kittens…not...me…” I stutter and he grins.

“I know Princess.” He says, leaning in and kissing my cheek. “Thank you.” He says and I smile.

“Have a great Christmas, I’ll see you at work.” I say and he nods.

“Farewell Princess, and Merry Christmas.” He says, kissing my hand before, pulling his coat around his shoulders and slipping out of the door. I watch him go with a smile, my hand going up to the tiara still on my head and I laugh, shaking my head slightly as I turn back to the sitting room.

Simon is now loudly celebrating another win at cards, Louise looks embarrassed at her brother but Leo just chuckles, smiling fondly and Luke just laughs, sorting the cards again, expanding the game as Mirran and Rosile join in. Guy is still as he was when I left but Glen and Cassidy have moved to the sofa, Cassidy lying with her paws on his chest as he reads. I walk over to the sofa, squeezing on the end and smile at Danny who is watching me from an armchair. He smiles slightly back but his eyes keep flicking to my head, to the tiara. He sighs, looking down at his phone again and I know what he is thinking, he is still doubtful, he is still jealous of Eoin. He doesn’t quite believe there is nothing between us; but then again, how can I expect him to be convinced if I can’t convince myself? I have only just got Danny back, and I need to be everything in my power to keep him, no matter the cost.

*************************************************************

Hello...been a while...sorry about that! Have had school trips, been ill had some exams etc and its only third week back at school! Anyway,

.....almost 2 week ago now something amazing happened....

NO SOUND WITHOUT SILENCE!

God its amazing! I love ever song on it its amazing! Its the first album where i cant even narrow it down to three favourite songs, i just loved them all!

Also, new tour dates! I have tickets to the sheffield concert! i cant even! It will be my first ever concert im so excited! It's gonna be amazing!

but yeh, back to the story. This chapter took me so long to write! lenght wise its the same as two normal chapters! i seem to have given myself to many characters with their own little stories! But i love them all so yeh...ah well. but just a few things,

the flashbak thing with Joey is pretty much a sectiomn from Millionaires changed to his POV (It was origonally Danny's POV in chapter 30)

When Adam talks about the guitar he got...idk if thats a good guitar tbh i just went on google and took the name of the first sorta guitar that came up, i dont know anything about guitars!

Also because i am now in my last year at secondary school and my GCSEs r this year etc updates will probably be slow so sorry in advance for that!

But yeh thanks so much for reading i really hope u enjoyed it! Please do vote and comment! thank u r all amazing! :)

                                           Jess :)

P.S let me know in the comments ur views on No Sound Without Silence and also if u r going to one of the concerts! And dont forget KETTLE :)