Red

Chapter 74

Passing the 'Welcome to Llandudno' sign, waves of yellow light wash over us as we drive through the streetlamps guiding us along the otherwise dark roads.

Driving when it's dark has always been when of my favourite things. It's especially good in the summer when the air is still a little warm from the lingering heat of the sun and you can open the windows and feel the wind roaring through your hair as your favourite music plays and you feel nothing short of invincible. Alas, being cramped into the backseat of my auntie's mini with a cousin who might possibly hit me if I dared to open a window and allow the billowing wind to mess up a single strand of hair on her head, it's fair to say tonight's road trip is not one of the better ones I've had.

I don't mind too much though, it's just nice to not have to get the train. Means I can relax a little more and have some company during the journey. 

Not too long after arriving in town, we reach my house and after popping inside for a few minutes to drop off our things and greet my family, Kate and I disappear into the night again to finally quell our hunger. 

''Shit man, this place hasn't changed at all," Kate says looking around nostalgically at our surroundings as we walk side by side along the seafront.

''Oh yeah, it's definitely consistent. You remember when your lot visited years ago and we all went down the beach? Us two carved our names into that bench?''

''Oh shit yeah! I do remember that! Was one of the first times I came here.''

''It's still there, y'know. The bench and our names. I check every so often when I'm down that way.''

''You're kidding! Haha that's class. Hey, we should go back there and update it while I'm here.''

''Oh my God, yes!''

Stepping inside the brightly lit fish and chips shop, the familiar greasy smell instantly whacks my nostrils and elevates my hunger. We order a sausage and cone of chips each and, after paying, take them out into the open air to sit on the wall overlooking the beach. For miles all across the town, lights pepper the darkness like little torches amongst the black, meanwhile, on the promenade, streetlamps and solar lights keep the area well-lit as well the artificial lights various shops and eateries that still currently remain open provide.

''So, about tomorrow.. what's the plan?" Kate inquires before stuffing a trio of salty chips into her mouth.

''I don't know, really. All I know is we're all meeting at Spoons at 7, then we'll just see what happens from there. I've got to warn you, Llandudno still only has like 2 decent places so don't get your hopes up.''

''Oh, I know. I remember from last time I was here but it was still a great night. I remember that mad mate you've got - Ellie - she was fucking crazy, she was climbing up the DJ booth and all sorts. Made my night that," Kate recalls, causing me to picture in my mind the state we all got into that night, particularly Ellie.

''Yeah. I don't think Ellie's going to be coming this time around, though.''

The sadness in my voice is evident.

''How come?" Kate asks with a frown.

''She's.. I don't know.. she's just been a bit weird recently. She and the gang aren't really speaking at the moment.''

''Really? Why's that?''

I probably should have filled Kate in about all this before bringing her amongst it but, in fairness, I had other shit on my mind. Instead, I explain now how Ellie's been getting increasingly more distant from us and basically cutting us out of her life for reasons unknown to us. With not having seen much of Nao or Alana since all this has been going on, I haven't had the opportunity to discuss things with them like we all definitely should do. Talking with Kate will have to suffice until I can steal my best friends from their busy lives and sort it out properly. Besides, I've been thinking it over loads myself and it's starting to mess with my head. I know how brilliant Kate is with listening to my problems so it can't hurt to talk about it with her, especially if she's going to be around the gang for a bit, she needs to know the score.