Page 14 of On The Edge

“Your family know how I look David,” interrupted Cat getting more and more irritated.

“Cat please, I just think you need to look a little more…normal. You’re not an art student anymore.”

“Don’t I know it!” Cat snapped at him and played with her food.

“Cat please… It’s time,” he ended in a condescending tone.

From then on, Cat did not know who she was. She had changed. That feeling of being comfortable in her own skin had disappeared, to be replaced with insecurity and a doubting complex.

While she pondered on this, she did not realize the other girls were trying to get her attention.

“Cat! Cat, another drink?” Jess shook her glass like a bell, with ice cubes rattling together.

“Yes, and I’ll get these this time.” She jumped up and went over to the bar, while Michael played a Beatles number. The bar was pretty crammed, so it took her a while to get the attention of the bartender to make her order. A man’s voice came from behind her just as she reached the front of the jam.

“Hi there, do you remember me? We met on the ferry the other day. Well - I met you!” Green eyes shone down at her as she spun around, accompanied by a beautiful smile..

Cat stammered. “I do! er.. yes, the ferry! I spoke to Mikey…your friend… I thought I recognised you!” Cat extended her hand in a formal manner. “I’m Cat”.

He took her hand and laughed. “How do you do Cat, I’m Patrick!” He made a playful bow of his head towards her. “How are you feeling these days? You looked pretty ill the last time I saw you!”

Cat was a little embarrassed thinking how dreadful she must have looked on the ferry, positively green and looking a fright; the thought of it made her cringe.

“Right... Thanks for making sure I was OK. I’m not great with boats, especially ones that rock back and forth like a giant hammock the whole duration of the trip!”

“Yeah, it can get that way some days, it was a windy crossing I remember”.

Just at that moment her drinks arrived, and payment was taken, leaving her a little unsure what to say to him. She stood awkwardly with her drinks while he made his own order. Her face began to flush.

“Well it was nice to meet you Patrick, I better get these drinks to the girls over there. Um.. oh - great singing by the way! So…bye!” Cat made her exit feeling like a complete simpleton: What was wrong with her? Why couldn’t she talk like a normal person?

Once she handed the drinks to Kate and Jess, she slumped herself down on the couch beside them and looked over to Mikey who was now singing Van Morrison.

“What’s wrong?” said Kate her big blue eyes showing mild concern.

Cat sighed, and knew she wouldn’t be able to lie about this, so she sandwiched between the two girls and unburdened herself.

“I’m just such an eejit! I frustrate myself sometimes, why am I so rigid and clueless about things? I just go through my life being so uptight and formal about everything!” Cat drained her glass and sighed again.

The two girls, on either side of Cat, looked at her with curiosity and caution.

“Love…what are you talking about?” Jess asked, baffled.

“I don’t like who I am, this is not me. I feel I’ve spent so many years a certain way, and it’s not... me!” Cat gulped, frustrated.

Jess looked at Kate briefly.

“Love, I’ll ask again – what are you talking about?”

Just then Patrick came over to the group and crouched down to speak. He smiled at all three girls, and said a few words to Kate; Cat assumed they knew each other from similar nights out. Jess gawped at Patrick, and then saw the expression on Cat's face. She had Cat’s hand in hers, and tightened it reassuringly. Patrick rose to his feet, about to leave, when Jess piped up.

“Hi there!” she spoke clearly, “my name is Jess!”

“Oh, sorry!” Kate bit her lip a little, “this is Paddy, Mikey’s mate. I’m usually at pretty much all the gigs on this island, as Mikey - and Paddy - play them all!” she explained. “These are my friends, Jess and Cat.” Kate pointed to the girls, while Cat kept her eyes firmly on the ground.

“Very nice to meet you Paddy!” Jess nodded to him, and noticing Cat was saying nothing, she leaned closer and continued: “You were really good tonight, you have a lovely voice!”

“Thanks very much!” Patrick smiled and sipped his beer, appearing a little embarrassed at the compliment.

“I really enjoyed it…but not as much as Cat here! She goes to gigs all the time in Glasgow, and she told me you were the best thing she’s seen in ages, quite taken aback really, weren’t you Cat?” Jess indiscreetly nudged Cat in the ribs.

“Yes... yes that’s right” Cat came to her senses, still unsure how to form complete sentences when it came to engaging with the most beautiful man in the room.

The musician's face broke into a smile, showing off shining eyes. “Really? Thanks Cat. I know it’s very different here compared to the big city.” He continued smiling her way, and Cat was hypnotised. “What bands have you seen recently?” He sipped his drink and gave his full attention to Cat as she listed some bands she had seen over the past few months.

Jess quickly got up from her seat. “Listen Paddy, sit here, I’ve got some gossip to catch up on with Kate.” Allowing Patrick to perch on the couch beside Cat, Kate and Jess squished in beside one another with very pleased looks on their faces.