As we made our way out of the camp, we fell in step beside one another. There was a moment of comfortable silence before I spoke again.
“Y’lookin’ forward to the fair?”
“I would be if I wasn’t hangin’ out me arse,” Declan grumbled, kicking an empty can into the undergrowth.
“Nothin’ a couple o’ shots won’t fix, fella,” I replied, clapping him on the back and laughing when he groaned in response.
“F’sure this weekend is gonna kill me.”
Appleby was absolutely heaving, crowds of travellers and tourists everywhere. Strings of horses trotted by us, the din of hooves clattering on tarmac was deafening and as we made our way over the river bridge, I could see many more down below being ridden into the Eden as they were washed off, ready for showing later in the day.
The fair wasn’t like I remembered, not anymore. It was huge these days, no longer just about buying and selling horses. There was a seemingly endless array of stalls selling traditional traveller clothing, food, crafts…
Declan tapped me, drawing my attention. “Where to first, fella?”
“Y’up f’eatin’ yet?” When Declan grimaced, I chuckled. “Let’s get a wee drink in ya then. Nothin’ like hair o’ the dog t’ shift a hangover, aye?”
I ignored my mates complaining, weaving my way through the crowds to one of the many pop-up bars. After wrestling my way to the front, I caught one of the attendant’s eyes.
“Two vodkas an’ Coke if ya would, fella,” I shouted.
He nodded, darting away to fill plastic cups. I dug out a forged note, knowing full well that the lad was well overrun here and too busy to check for fakes. He returned, placing the cups down and snatching the note from me without evena second glance. I grinned, taking the change that I didn’t rightly deserve before carefully making my way back to Declan.
“Here, get that down ya neck.” I passed over the drink, laughing when Declan raised it to his lips and immediately baulked.
“Feck, I can’t,” he groaned, covering his mouth with his fist as he fought not to heave.
“Don’t be a wee fanny, now,” I chastised playfully. I took a mouthful of my own, ignoring how my stomach churned as I forced myself to swallow the bitter spirit. “Get it down ya.”
Not one to be out done, Declan steeled himself and tipped the drink back with a grimace. When it didn’t make a reappearance, I clapped my hand against his back with a grin.
“Ya’ll be feelin’ better in no time.”
“Don’t mind tellin’ ya I doubt I’d be feelin’ much worse, like,” Declan replied, taking another dutiful sip.
We wandered about a wee while, looking at the stalls and chatting with familiar faces. There was nothing here either of us wanted to purchase – we weren’t in the market for a wee nag, nor the plethora of souvenirs that were peddled to the tourists. After doing a slow circuit around the fair, Declan and I found ourselves loitering around the food stalls and pop-up bars.
Despite how I fought to keep him off my mind, I was searching for Ronan at every turn. He’d be here today, I knew that for certain and though the likelihood of us crossing paths by chance athirdtime was exceedingly slim, I couldn’t help but scour the crowds for his cute, wee fecking face. I was keen to have another go with him before the fair was over and we both went our separate ways for good. Something about him had gotten under my skin. It had been hot as all hell, raw, real… I hadn’t felt that way since Eoghan and it excited me.
Declan and I didn’t remain a twosome for long. Soon enough we were joined by Seamus and a few of the other lads.
“Oi, oi! Howsagoin’ y’wee pair o’ langers?”
Ilaughed whilst Declan sized up to Seamus, spoiling for a playful sparring session. Just the same as he had to me, Declan easily got the better of Seamus, trapping him in a headlock.
“A’right, ya made y’point like!” Seamus spluttered, leaping away and straightening the collar of his polo shirt when Declan eventually released him. I smirked at him, earning myself a scowl.
“Dunno what y’gurnin’ ‘bout,” he muttered. “Dec whoops y’arse just the same, now.”
“Aye, but I don’t go ‘round givin’ it the big ‘un an’ talkin’ out me arse either, like,” I retorted.
Seamus was still fussing with his shirt, Declan having moved on to greeting some of the other lads. I couldn’t resist another opportunity to rib our mate.
“What y’feckin’ fannyin’ ‘bout wi’ y’wee collar like a melter for, now?” I asked, taking a sip from my drink. “Y’tryin’ ta impress?”
“Aye, well, y’never know. Plenty o’ wee fine feeks about the fair, eh?” He sniffed, standing up a little taller.
“Y’think they’d be interested in a wee gobshite like yourself?” I teased. “Can’t polish a jobbie.”
