Summer Soap: Eve lays down her weary head for a night on Pana (Episode 5)

KATIE’S eyes were focused intently on the camera, and her lips were set in a determined line.

Eve guessed that Katie was younger than she had said she was during their first meeting in the library.

“D’ya know her or what?” Tommy asked.

“Ya, she’s my friend. I’ve been looking for her too. I... I didn’t realise she was a runaway.”

“It’s no city for young girls. The amount of messers and head-the-balls around the streets... I wouldn’t like my sister out there, not one bit. If ya won’t come into town with me, the least I can do is walk ya home. Where d’ya live anyway?”

“I’m in the city centre. Anywhere around Pana would be grand, thanks.”

Tommy and Eve left the City Hall and walked towards town.

“We could get the bus in,” he said.

“I like the walk.”

She tried not to grimace at her feet swelling inside her too-tight shoes. The sounds of celebrations poured from the bars on Washington street as young people stepped onto the road without looking. Some of the girls carried their shoes and didn’t realise they were walking on broken glass.

“Jesus, they’ve no sense. Would ya look at the state of that?” Tommy said.

Eve was secretly keeping her eye out for a pair of discarded size sevens.

“I never pass a group but they’re swigging on vodka in some kind of bottle.”

A taxi pulled up on the Grand Parade and four young fellas got out of the car. They discarded two empty wine bottles on the side of the road.

“Beside the dust bin. Beside it! Lads, ye forgot something!” Tommy shouted after them.

“Jesus, don’t, Tommy, don’t draw them on you. They’re full of drink.”

“Yarrah, that drives me insane. They think they can come away up here to my city and do whatever the hell they want. Thick culchie heads upon them.”

“I’m a culchie too, ya know.”

“Ah, ya, but you’re a softie. I can tell.”

Eve smiled at Tommy.

“You’re only a charmer.”

“I am, that and more. Will you come out with me tonight?”

“No, not tonight. Maybe another night. My boy will be expecting me tonight anyway.”

“Fair enough. Can I have your number?”

Eve gave Tommy her number. What was the harm? He seemed like a nice fella.

“Give me a call sometime.”

Tommy’s curly head disappeared into the Saturday night revellers. It was 1am and they’d been walking and chatting all night. He had surely missed meeting his friends.

Eve doubled back and walked down Cornmarket Street, she’d never make it back for the bag of food tonight. She pulled a triple-wrapped black bag from behind a sign in the abandoned car park. The bag was wide and tall and almost covered her face. She needed both arms to carry it.

On Paul Street, Eve heard a shout. It was Tolsat: she recognised his Polish lilt.

“Where are you going? I’ll come with you.”

“I’m fine, Tol — thanks anyway.”

Eve hurried on, not looking back to where Tol’ was sitting. He meant well, but with drink on him he was his own worst enemy.

The lights from the stores lining Opera Lane seemed especially bright that night. They looked like they belonged to another world.

Eve pulled out a sleeping bag and a tightly packed duvet. And how’s Peter tonight?

The Echo Boy stood in front of her. Her protector. Her boy. When people passed, they looked at the statue. They didn’t notice the figure beside the steps of Le Chateau, sheltered from the wind.

Eve was layered up to her head. She didn’t notice Tommy walking towards her.