Ride On by Stephen J. Martin

when we get inside.’
    â€˜What shapes for fuck sake?’
    â€˜Just pretend you’re on the stage.’
    â€˜But I’m not on a stage, Aesop. I’m at a fifteen-year-old girl’s birthday party.’
    â€˜It’s a stage tonight, man. No offence, but Daytime Jimmy is a bit of a boring fucker sometimes. We need Rockstar Jimmy to put in an appearance this evening.’
    â€˜I’m not boring.’
    â€˜Are you not?’
    Aesop did a Jimmy impersonation.
    â€˜Ooh, look at me, I’m Jimmy the artist … I’m so confused … life is heavy and sad … I can’t say two words to a woman without falling arse-about-tit in love with her … hang on till I find a dark corner so I can write a nice song about rabbits … sad ones … and candy floss … and being so into some tart, that I don’t know who I fucking am any more … oh, what does it all mean …’
    â€˜Aesop …’
    â€˜ … I wish I was in Radiohead …’
    â€˜Get fucked. I’m not like that.’
    â€˜Ah, you are a bit, but, aren’t you?’
    â€˜No. Jesus, just because your life revolves around your cock, it doesn’t mean other people don’t have things going on in their head.’
    â€˜Whatever, Jimmy. I’m just saying that when we go in there tonight you’re to be all cool and chilled, right?’
    â€˜You keep fucking telling me! Will you fuck off?’
    â€˜Okay, okay. Look, this is Sandymount now. We’re nearly there. Where’s your shades?’
    â€˜Jesus fu … they’re in me pocket.’
    â€˜Grand, grand. Just checking.’
    Five minutes later they pulled up outside Mena’s place. Aesop had called her Dad and he was already standing outside the front door waving at them as the car stopped.
    â€˜Right Jimmy, now …’
    â€˜I know, I know. Come on. We’ve only got half an hour and then we’ve to get to the gig.’
    â€˜Help me with this, will you?’
    â€˜What’s in it?’
    â€˜Ah, t-shirts, posters, a few bits and pieces. For the young ones at the party.’
    â€˜Here, give me one of the bags.’
    Mr Flanigan was all smiles for them at the porch. He shook their hands and welcomed them inside. Jimmy looked back at the car from the hall. There was already a bunch of neighbours starting to gawk.
    â€˜Tommy Flanigan,’ said Mena’s Dad. ‘You’re very good for coming.’
    â€˜Not at all Tommy. I’m Aesop, and this is Jimmy. We’re chuffed we could make it. Is she inside?’
    â€˜She’s on the couch in the living room. All her mates are in there with her. She can’t get about, so the party is kind of arranged around her.’
    â€˜Does she know we’re coming?’
    â€˜No. And I didn’t tell Liam or Conor either or they’d tell her.’
    â€˜Grand so. How’s Liam?’
    Tommy sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
    â€˜He’s not great Aesop, to be honest. He was always a bit of a handful, God knows, but himself and Mena are … y’know, when they were growing up and all, they were very close. Listen, he thinks the world of you too, same as herself. You wouldn’t … you don’t think you might just have a little word with him? Just, the two of you. A bit of attention. He’d love that from you, so he would. He’s nearly a bigger fan than she is, sure.’
    â€˜No problem, Tommy,’ said Aesop. ‘I’ll have a laugh with him.’
    â€˜Thanks. Look they’re just in here.’
    Tommy nodded at a door just off the hall.
    â€˜I’ll go in first and say we have a surprise for her. Wait here a sec.’
    â€˜Okay.’
    Tommy went inside and the lads could hear him hushing everyone.
    â€˜All right?’ said Aesop to Jimmy.
    â€˜I’m grand. And listen man … this is a good thing you’re after doing. Fair play to