Forgotten Memories

Cheryl took another long breath, not too different to the previous twenty she'd took in this rather…tiring phone conversation with her brother. "Brendan seriously you don't need to come here. I'm fine. I've got Amy coming and… the kids. The kids. They'll keep me entertained. You stay with Dec and Paddy they like having you around more often."

"Chez I really don't mind. Be good to catch up don't cha think?"

"No… I mean yeah it'll be nice of course it will but I'm fine here Brendan. Amy's coming for a visit to catch up with her mates. We was just gonna have a girly night in with everyone and get sloshed. It'll cramp your style."

"Ye don't want me to come do ya?"

"It's not that... It's… Brendan its St Patrick's Day! Spend it in Ireland please; I want you to have fun. The English don't really compare with the parties back home do they? I'm coming over in a few weeks anyway I'll see you then"

"Spose" Brendan chuckled. It was true. Sure England knew how to throw a good party, but St Patrick's day? That was one the Irish would never be beaten on. "Haven't been in Hollyoaks for years though sis…"

"You will someday Bren… I've gotta go! Someone at the door. Speak soon. Love you."

Cheryl quickly ended the awkward conversation with her brother. She couldn't tell him the real reason he couldn't come this particular week. She had half told him the truth. Yes Amy was coming by for a little visit, well technically she was here already and yes the kids were with her. There was just one person she'd failed to mention. One very important reason he couldn't spend St Paddy's day with his little sister. Ste. Ste was that reason.

"Everything okay… erm" Ste stumbled, trying to catch Cheryl's name as he descended the stairs dressed in his trademark hoody and trackies. That's one thing that hadn't changed about Ste since the accident. Most people dressed head to toe in adidas would be labelled a 'chav.' Some stupid stereotype, and Adidas isn't meant to look so good on a person. But Ste, well anything would look good on Ste. She remembered Brendan loved Ste dressed in those clothes…

"Cheryl…" Amy prompted.

"Cheryl that's the one sorry" Ste flushed, embarrassed. She used to be his best friend, they'd spend hours on end together gossiping like an old married couple, pointing out all the fashion disasters lining the floor of Chez Chez. Not anymore though, not since a fateful night almost 3 years ago. A night that changed Ste's life forever…

Cheryl was jolted from her daydream... "It's fine love don't apologise. Are you going out?"

"Yeah gonna take Leah and Lucas to feed the ducks. Aren't we guys?"

"Yay!" Lucas screamed. He may be seven now, but he was still Ste's little boy at heart. Ste had virtually forgotten most of his life and he felt guilty of it. He didn't remember his birth, his first word, his first steps, first day at school, first time riding a bike. Nothing. Zero. Zilch.

"Want me to come Ste?" Amy asked.

"No it's fine. I think I'll be okay for an hour or so Amy. I have independence you know" Ste flashed a smile at his ex, just to show he was teasing her and didn't mean it maliciously. She still meant everything to him and always will do more or less. She had been there for him throughout possibly the most difficult time of his life. Coming to the hospital armed with piles of old photographs, old drawings the kids had drawn – and new ones. She'd tried everything she could do help Ste to regain his memory, and all to no avail sadly.

Ste opened the door, closing it quietly behind him.

"So?" Amy asked, glaring straight in Cheryl's eyes.

"So what?" Cheryl knew full well what Amy was getting at.

"Brendan… is he coming? Because seriously Cheryl if he's coming here, we've gotta g…"

"He's not. Don't worry. I've put him off."

"Okay good. I was really looking forward to this week and I don't want him ruining it like he always does."

Cheryl was just about to fight Brendan's corner, fight that it wasn't his fault. Fight that Brendan still talked about Ste non-stop. Asking if he was okay with his new life with his 'new man.' Of course there was no man; it just slipped out of her mouth one day when Brendan was threatening to track Ste down. She knew Brendan would never fully get over Ste, so maybe inventing this dream guy was a way of subtly asking Brendan to let go. To let Ste be with somebody who was out and proud of it. Somebody who was not ashamed to have a 'boyfriend.' Somebody who was able to shower Ste with kisses out in the open that he deserved. Somebody that wasn't Brendan.

"He won't. I promise. Come on help me with this dinner. You may be a guest, but you are a 100% better cook than I am."

"I'm not gonna disagree with you there Miss Brady."

Cheryl smiled at Amy, whilst in her mind willing Brendan not to turn up out of the blue. After all, Ste didn't even know Brendan exsisted. Cheryl never mentioned him. There were no photos. Nothing for Ste to suspect that the one person he had undoubtedly fell in love with, had never truly let him be rid of him in his head.


Just a little something to set the scene I suppose. Hope it was okay. Review please, let me know if it's crap, how it can be improved, what you want to happen etc etc :)