Page 55 of On The Edge

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Halloween night arrived, and Cat felt, for once, very organised. She had stocked up on sweets and treats, which were now piled high in a big bowl beside the front door, awaiting her spooky guests. She had mentioned to a few people that she would be home tonight, as news would carry fast on the island, and she prepared for the anticipated little guisers coming to her door. Cat loved the old traditions, especially that of carving out turnips and placing a candle inside, which she had prepared earlier, and the jaggy lit-faces looked out of the window awaiting the arrival of whoever was to call on her that night. Her last few days made her realise that she must enjoy these moments in life, and she shuddered at how stupid she had been: swimming at night and in a storm! Never again! She was determined to make the most of what she had; she always loved Halloween, so this would be first of many good ones to come.

It wasn’t long until she heard cars approaching and a tapping on her door. She welcomed them in, hearing their party pieces and giving them treats in return. Witches, ghosts, devils and monsters showed up one after the other, and Cat loved connecting with the children. She thought of Halloween with her mother, and how they had gone to various parties and dunked for apples. Cat smiled to herself, things were going to be alright; she had her friends around her, and she had herself. Only she could make herself happy in the way that she really needed to be.

The evening grew late, and she was about to blow out the pumpkin and turnip lanterns on the windowsills, when she heard another knock at the door. She opened it to three witches, two tiny girls, holding hands and wearing witches' hats and black dresses, along with their adult-sized companion.

“You don’t recognise me!” came the hoarse voice from underneath a thick layer of green makeup and a black wig. “Any chance of a coffee?”

“Angie!”

“I thought you looked unsure - and a bit scared!” Angie laughed, and tapped the two girls on their shoulders. “This is Abbey, and this is Rachel - say hello to Catherine!”

The girls said hello in small voices, and Cat gave them an extra treat while she poured a strong espresso for Angie.

“We’ve been around the whole village, and there’s hardly anyone opening their doors this year.” Angie took off her wig and sat on the sofa while the girls knelt in front of the fire, eating their sweets and comparing their hauls with one another.

“I think I’ll take them around the next town to a few people I know,” Angie drank her coffee, “but I needed this before round two!”

Another knock came at the door and a crowd of wizards, ghosts and ghouls seeped into her living room, as Angie left with her girls.

“Wow what do we have here?” Cat laughed, and was met with a chorus of different children telling her what they were.

She glanced up to their adult, who removed his Frankenstein mask. It was Patrick. “Hi Cat!”

“Oh... Hi, Patrick.” Cat reddened.

“I lost a bet,” he sighed. “All the parents are down the pub for a few hours while I’m out chaperoning their wee monsters!”

Cat was able to compose herself easier than she had initially imagined, and gave out treats to the kids, applauding the jokes they told her, and pretending to be scared at every roar. Cat laughed at the task Patrick had undertook, as each child started to getting louder and louder, fuelled by the sugary items piled high in their bags.

“Right let’s get you all out of this lovely lady’s house before she kicks us out!” Patrick shooed the boys to the car and ran back to the front door. He ran his fingers through his wavy hair and looked at Cat, somewhat unsure. Cat casually rested against the cold grey stonewall and waved to the rowdy bunch of kids squeezing into the car.

“I hope you didn’t mind me taking them down here, I heard you were welcoming guisers tonight?”

Cat smiled. “Of course Patrick, it was good to see you”

“I wanted to say...” he looked back at the car of shouting boys. “I mean, I wanted to see how you were?”

“I’m fine, you know just working most of the time.” Cat folded her arms to keep warm, and nestled in the doorway.

“I want you to know that you’ve really inspired me Cat. You wanted to paint, and here you are making it happen.” He shoved his hands into his pockets. “I wanted to say that I’m writing an album. The gig that you promoted on the radio, well it was fantastic.”

“Oh Patrick, that’s brilliant news!”

“I’ve been talking to a record label, a small independent one. But it allows me more control than the big brands would, so we’re planning an album. I wanted you to be the first to know.”

Cat couldn’t help herself, she hugged him. “I’m so happy for you!”

“I think I’m beginning to see the path I want in life. I want to be involved in music, and seeing how you’ve taken control of your life, well - it’s made me look at mine.”

Cat stood stunned. Was she in control of her life? She certainly wasn’t in control of her next words as they fell out of her mouth. “I’m sorry about what happened at the ceilidh. I had too much to drink.”

Patrick tilted his head, then his eyes widened. “No, no don’t be. I just didn’t want to... regret anything.” He looked over to the car again, where the boys were now on the car horn and yelling loudly.

Cat clung tightly to herself, against the cold breeze. She was still mortified how she had thrown herself on someone who she had known already to have a girlfriend. She tried to find the words, but before she could open her mouth Patrick cut in.

“I've been meaning to tell you something else, that day at the cafe when we spoke about ourselves... well - there’s something I didn’t say, and I really should have. I just didn’t know how to start explaining at all, and we were having such a good time -” Patrick rubbed his chin in his familiar awkward manner, and looked at the ground. “OK OK! Christ, I’m coming!” he bellowed suddenly at the rocking car-full of cries and shrieks; the boys had the radio on and were howling with eagerness to go on to the next house for more treats.

“I need to go.” He started to step away then hesitated. “Sorry.” He gave a grim smile and quickly got into the car. Cat stood still, her arms still crossed looking at the car as it rumbled down the road, its lights fading into the distance. She wanted to shut off the longing in her heart. Maybe he's only looking for a friend to talk to? Either that or he's a good player. Leading girls on and then sleeping with them at his leisure. Well no more, Cat thought. She was not going to be played for a fool and wait in line as Patrick slowly worked his way through a hoard of girls as and when he felt like it.