Free Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon

else. This whole place was a lesson in jaywalking. I followed Caitlin and Jennifer onto a small lane that led to a maze of narrow cobbled alleys. Caitlin told me it was called the Huguenot Quarter. It was a really old part of the city and a treasure trove of boutique shops and restaurants. We browsed through them, picking up bits and pieces for ourselves in the process.
    We were just looking for somewhere to have lunch when we heard loud knocking on the window beside us. We peered in through the fogged-up glass and beyond our reflections. Inside, smiling and waving at us, were Killian and Darren.
    “What is Darren doing here?” Jennifer said, putting her hands on her hips and tapping her foot. “I told him we were having a girls’ day.”
    Caitlin bolted for the door. “Come on,” she murmured. “Maybe I won’t have to wait for the party. Let’s put some of that plotting into practice.”
    Killian moved over on his bench, pointedly making room for the suddenly very shy Caitlin, while Jennifer immediately launched into a deep discussion with Darren about his invasion of her girls’ day.
    “What are you all doing in town?” Darren inquired, breaking away from Jennifer. “If we had known you were going in too, we could have come in together on the same bus.” This earned him a look of pure poison from Jennifer.
    “I was getting an introduction to the delights of Cork,” I replied.
    Jennifer scowled at Darren’s back and raised a very pointed middle finger in his direction.
    Suppressing a smile, I kept babbling to keep Darren’s attention on me, as Jennifer continued the sign-language attack behind his back. “I really like it here.”
    Seeing Killian laugh, Darren turned to look back at Jennifer. She quickly flicked her gaze over to me and looked suitably aggrieved. “I can’t imagine why! I can’t wait to start university, so I can get out of this dump!”
    “Hey, that’s a little harsh,” Darren said.
    “Whatever,” she bit back.
    “Ouch! What’s up with you?” Killian asked, looking at her.
    “Nothing.” She stood up and pouted at Caitlin and me. “Girls, want to ditch the boys and do some shopping?”
    “Ah, Jen, we just got here, and I’m starving,” Caitlin said.
    “Suit yourselves. I’m outta here,” she announced, turning to leave. “Text me when you’re finished.”
    “And that, unfortunately, is my cue.” Darren frowned. “Man, is she high-maintenance,” he whispered to us before he ran to catch up with Jennifer.
    We ordered lunch and Caitlin and Killian chatted easily about school and the impending midterm break. Talk moved on to the big Halloween party, and I think Caitlin noticed I was starting to feel like a third wheel, because she suddenly turned to me and asked if I thought I would be able to go.
    “Probably; I’ll have to run it by my dad.”
    “You’ll be there, Caitlin, won’t you?” Killian asked eagerly.
    “I sure will.” She smiled.
    “You know, I might meet up with Jennifer after all,” I said, getting out of my seat. “I still have to buy something for the party. Do you mind?”
    Caitlin looked at me, not quite sure what to say. I quickly intervened. “Killian, you can take good care of my friend here for an hour or so, can’t you?”
    “I’m sure I could manage that. It will be a burden, but I’ll cope.” He laughed.
    “Great, so I’ll see you guys later then!” I raised my eyebrows at Caitlin to let her know that she should use the time with Killian wisely, and set off down Patrick Street in the direction of Grand Parade. I texted Jennifer to see if she was up for more shopping.
    Within seconds my phone beeped:
Definitely. Let me just ditch Darren. Meet you in five at the fountain on Grand Parade.
    Darren was kissing her good-bye when we met up. Then he waved to us and set off.
    Jennifer sighed once he was out of sight. “I guess I shouldn’t be so hard on Darren. It turns out it was Killian who coerced him into ‘accidentally’