In My Sister's Shoes by Sinéad Moriarty

father but lived with his mother and sister. He had just broken up with a girl called Alice, whom he had been dating for a year. She was absolutely devastated and, according to Conor, had taken a bitter pill and was now telling everyone that Sam was awful in bed and had a very small penis. Tara was a bit alarmed to hear this – was Alice being catty or was it the sad truth? Conor was not very helpful in this department as he hadn’t slept with Sam.
    ‘Well, does he have a small willy?’ asked Tara, going for the Best Friend of the Year award.
    ‘Tiny,’ said Conor.
    ‘Shit.’
    ‘Why do you care? I thought you were going out with Damian?’
    ‘I am. I just feel sorry for anyone with a small penis.’
    ‘Sure you do. It’s OK, Tara, I’m kidding. You can tell Kate that his nickname is Horse and there’s a very good reason for that.’
    ‘Why would I tell Kate? She has no interest in Sam.’
    ‘I was there yesterday when they were sparring. She’s keen.’
    ‘She is not. In fact, she thinks he’s a pig.’
    ‘Yeah, right. Whatever you say.’
While Tara relayed all the information to me, Conor told Sam that he had been grilled by his cousin, who happened to be my best mate, and as far as he could tell, Sam was well in. The next time we met was a week later at a party. I knew Sam was going to be there and had spent ages getting ready – eventually opting for a very short denim mini-dress.
    The minute I saw him, my heart jumped. He looked even better the second time. He glanced up and waved, so I made my way over to talk to him, but as I got close he turned his back on me and began to chat up some girl with a really annoying laugh. He studiously ignored me for the entire night. Eventually as everyone was leaving he came over to me.
    ‘Look who it is! The girl who thinks she’s too good for Ireland.’
    ‘You owe me an apology.’
    ‘For what?’ asked Sam, raising an eyebrow.
    ‘For being so rude to me last week when we met.’
    ‘I think you’re the one who should be apologizing. You insulted my career aspirations.’
    ‘I did not.’
    ‘I think you’ll find that you did.’
    ‘Apologize to me and I’ll apologize to you,’ I said, flicking my hair back and giving him my best pout.
    ‘The mini-dress and pouting might work for some guys, but I find it a bit obvious.’
    ‘Fuck you.’
    ‘My sentiments exactly,’ said Sam, walking away.
    I was left open-mouthed, shaking with rage, embarrassment and lust. No one had ever wound me up like that before.
    A week later, we crossed each other again, outside the college gates.
    ‘Hello,’ said Sam.
    ‘Hi,’ I said, wishing I’d made more of an effort to look good. The woolly-jumper look was not exactly femme fatale .
    ‘I’m surprised to see you here. I thought the BBC would have head-hunted you by now.’
    I smiled, then burst into tears. Sam was unprepared for that, although, having lived alone with his mother and sister all his life, he was not as uncomfortable around tears as most guys. ‘Shit, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. I take it all back.’
    I shook my head. I was mortified. ‘It’s not you, I’m fine.’
    ‘We can safely say that that is one thing you’re not. Can I buy you a coffee or a stiff drink? Would thumping me help?’
    ‘Coffee would be great. It’s my mum’s anniversary today,’ I said. ‘I never seem to get used to it.’
    We spent the afternoon together and never looked back… until I broke up with him when I moved to London three years later.

12
    I arrived exactly ten seconds early to pick up the boys. I walked into the room and was met by a happy-looking Bobby, whose hands were covered in paint. ‘Hi there,’ I said. ‘You look like you’ve had a good time. Where’s Jack?’
    ‘He’s in the corner cos he was bold.’
    I looked up and saw Jack facing the wall, looking very small and forlorn. I went over to Mrs Foley. ‘Hi,’ I said. ‘Remember me? Kate O’Brien, the twins’