The Bonefire by Rosemary Jenkinson

Author:Rosemary Jenkinson
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781408147368
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Published: 2019-12-18T00:00:00+00:00

Scene Seven

Later that night. Tommy and Warren carry Davey into the living room. Jane follows. Warren shows more concern for his plastic bag containing Buckfast than for Davey.

Jane Watch it!

Warren Look, what about my carry-out?

Jane But you nearly lost him his head there.

Warren Well, he won’t be missing it tonight, will he, like?

Tommy and Warren throw Davey onto the sofa.

Tommy Put him in the recovery position, Warren.

Warren half-heartedly yanks Davey onto his side.

Tommy opens the Belfast Telegraph, finds a suitable page and puts it under Davey’s head, patting the photo which is just at Davey’s mouth.

Tommy Sinn Fein councillor.

Warren Enough to make anyone boke their ring up.

Tommy Well, just so long as it’s not on the sofa.

Jane My God, she runs over this flat like a plague of locusts. If she kept the cobwebs, she might find they’d catch the flies. Not one living, breathing dustmite has survived her household holocaust. I’m surprised you’ve lived this long yourself.

Tommy Well, it keeps her entertained.

Warren She’d’ve knacked his immune system years ago if it weren’t for the drugs he necks down him.

Jane You should stand up to her for once, Tommy.

Tommy Ah, Jane, I would, but would she ever listen? Besides, I’m all for the quiet life, me. Here, Warry, but didn’t she pull that oul stunt on me again, saying I was brain damaged. Fucking lies.

Warren (pause) But you did get a boot in the napper.

Tommy Aye, but I tripled the fucker after. Anyway, Jane.

Jane (looking worriedly out the window) The kids shouldn’t be playing on the bonefire, should they?

Tommy Sure it’s fine, it’s not lit.

Jane But they might … disturb something, have an accident.

Tommy What, impale themselves on a splinter? Relax. (Rubs his hands together.) Sure, it’s the big night tomorrow.

Jane I know, and I’d better go home. (Smiles.) Just to be in top form for it.

Tommy And cheers for the stuff you put on our boney. Fuelling our fire.

Jane Well, I want to play my part.

Tommy Oh, I think you will.

Jane You look fantastic in that colour by the way.

Tommy (looks down at his red T-shirt) It’s because it’s on me, Jane. I brighten it up.

Jane (of Davey) I hope he’ll be OK for tomorrow.

Tommy Sure, isn’t he getting a headstart on all of us with this wee rest?

Jane He can’t take it like you can. He’s not as strong.

Tommy See, some folk just aren’t up to the task of self-abuse, they lack the willpower. But never you worry, he’ll be back to his old self after the Twelfth.

Jane I daresay he will.

She strokes Davey’s head.

Jane Good man.

Tommy Here, what about me?

He attempts to touch her hand and she slaps his hand away with surprising force. Tommy laughs and so does Jane.

Jane Till tomorrow then.

Tommy (walks with her to the door, gives her a long, lingering look) See you.

Jane (returns look) See you.

She leaves. Tommy stands watching her go.

Warren (mimicks) See you. Here, did you not get your hole with her yet?

Tommy All in good time, Warry. Just putting in the mental groundwork.

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