The funeral had place on Monday morning, in Hollyoaks, when Cheryl and Ellie finally had agreed it'd be the best place to bury his body, since he never had any good memories of Ireland. It was big surprise for Ste to see the whole village standing around the grave, everyone in black, even sadness written over some faces. Brendan didn't has any friends, but still everyone were here. Most of them came probably for Cheryl's Sake, when the others showed up out of curiosity, to check if great Brendan Brady was really dead.

'You should stand with us, Ste.' Cheryl insisted as he and Amy stood in the crowd, far away from the coffin. 'You were the only friend Brendan had.' She added softly with a little squeaky voice and for moment he thought she's going to cry again.

'No, Cheryl. I'm sure Brendan wouldn't like me to stand with you, Ellie and kids.' He shook his head. 'It's not my place.'

'Oh, Ste, you really don't have any idea how important you were for Brendan?' Ste shuddered. Did she know about them? But how? Brendan couldn't tell her…Could he? 'You were like his little brother.' For a short moment her face broke into smile, eyes lit up slightly. 'He never said anything bad about you, and he always was protecting you.' Ste felt a big knob in his throat. 'That's all Brendan. Playing tough, but in deep he was carrying about everyone…Sometimes I was too harsh for him.'

'You weren't.' He disagreed.

'Yes, I was. I made a hell when he has been arrested and I couldn't watch the Royal Weeding because of him. I can't believe I could be so shallow…' She shook her head, close to tears.

'I'm sure he knows you didn't mean what you said to him, Cheryl.' He assured her quickly. 'You were his sister. The only person who always cared about him.'

'Not only me.' She ran a hand up and down his arm and with a slight smile turned toward Ellie. 'Don't ask me to beg you. Your place is there. Even Ellie agrees with me.'

'Do it for Cheryl.' Amy whispered to his ear and secretly pushed him forward, so he didn't has any option like join them.

'Fine.' He gave up and let Cheryl dragged himself between Ellie and her. Brendan's ex wife didn't say a word to him, only briefly glared at him and wrapped arms around her two boys who with red eyes were watching the tombstone. Only yesterday Duncan had his birthday and waiting for his dad to come around, and today he was standing above his grave.

Cheryl tensed slightly and she pulled her chest forward, when Mitzeee arrived on the ceremony as the last, late, and unceremoniously tried to slip between him and her, but Jackie and Rhys stopped her in a right moment. She sent her an evil glare, but Mitzeee seemed to not bother about it, only improved her black dress and set her eyes at Ste, small smirk playing on her lips.

'Where do you think you're going?' Jackie asked her sharply, pulling her for a dress.

'To where my place is.' She replied and tried to move, but she didn't let her.

'There's place for Brendan's family, and since what I know, you don't belong to it, so move back.'

'So what Ste is doing here?' She asked loud enough to catch everyone's attention. 'He's not his family, either, or maybe I missed something?' Jackie gave her a heavy glance. 'That's what I thought.' She turned around toward Cheryl. 'Why Brendan's little boyfriend can stay there, but me, his ex-girlfriend can't? I feel discriminate.'

'Why don't you take your broomstick and just get lost, Mitzeee?' Amy asked her sharply. 'It's not a right time for making a scene.'

'Well, I think Cheryl has rights to know a little more about her lovely brother's life.' Ste wanted to hurt her, very badly hurt.

'What are you talking about?' Cheryl snapped to her, confused.

'She again downed a few drinks too much, Cheryl.' Nancy said with a slight smirk. 'I swear that if I don't know you so good, I'd thought you have problems with alcohol.' She added louder, so everyone could hear her.

'Excuse me?' She scowled, outraged. 'I don't have any problems with alcohol. I just…'

'Can you talk about it later?' Ellie asked sharply and pointed at her sons, glancing toward them from time to time. 'They don't have to hear that.'

'She's a liar, Ellie.' Cheryl snorted. 'Don't pay any attention to what she's talking.'

'If you don't want to face the truth, that's only your problem. I was only trying to show you your brother's true nature.' She smiled sweetly and if Ste and Ellie didn't catch Cheryl, she'd probably slap her straight on the face. 'Oh, dear you're not far away from your brother. Now, I see the similarity.' She grinned. 'All the time I just thought you're the same height and that's all what is connecting you two.'

'Just go, Mitzeee.' Jackie snapped at her. 'Calm down, Cheryl. You'll deal with her later. Not on your brother's funeral.'

'Yes, I will. And this time she'd get what she's asking for.' She snarled, when Mitzeee disappeared in the crowd, and looked at Ste. 'Liar. Can't believe she just had an audacity to imply that you and Brendan were together. My brother wasn't gay, he always was ladies man.' She snorted and shook her head. 'I wonder with what else she'll come out next time.' Ste looked down at his shoes, didn't dare to speak to her.

'It came with today's post.' Rhys informed her as he handed a pack to Cheryl. 'It's from hospital.'

'Okay. I'll be in my flat.' She said quietly as she looked down at the pack.

'What about guests?' He asked puzzled as he looked around the crowd club.

'I'm sure you and Jackie will take care about them. I'd be back soon. I just need to rest a little. Prepare bed for Ellie and kids. They're gonna stay for night.'

'Are you okay, Cheryl?' He gently touched her arm but she roughly pulled back from him.

'My brother died few days ago. How can I be okay?' She said sharply and immediately made her way between mourners and without any word of explanation, moved toward her flat. The first thing she did when she locked herself inside the apartment, she opened the door of Brendan's bedroom and stepped in with tightened throat. She promised herself to not cry anymore, but she couldn't stop few tears escaping her eyes as she looked around untouched room. It looked the same like Brendan left it. She didn't dare to touch any of his things or come to his bedroom since she heard about accident. Although she knew he's not going to snap at her for sniffing around his things, but force of habit was too strong to break.

She slowly sat down on his bed and rotated in hands the pack from hospital. She gently opened it and with shaking hands removed its components. Brendan's bracelet landed on her black skirt along with his documents and other a little damaged pack, neatly wrapped with colored paper and with big, green bow on the middle. Present for Duncan. She sobbed quietly as she hugged the pack to her chest and she let herself fall down on Brendan's bed, in nostrils still feels his strong, unique flavor, like he was just lying next to her…She didn't know how she's going to accept a thought he's not going be back and she just lost the only family she has.

'Where's Cheryl?' Ste asked quietly as he leaned toward Rhys, didn't want to be hear by anyone.

'In flat. She wanted to be alone.' He replied as he poured a beer for Riley.

'And you let her?' He almost growled. 'She shouldn't be alone right now. You know how her and Brendan were close.' He whispered back, irate.

'So what you want me to do, eh? Stand on her way and say to stay with guests?' He snorted. 'I don't have nothing to Cheryl, but well, she's quite big isn't she? I wouldn't have too much chance with her.'

'Right.' He rolled his eyes and almost bristle up as he noticed Noah leaning against the counter on the other end of room and asking Jackie for pint. 'Can you take care about everything for few minutes?'

'If I have to.' He replied reluctantly. 'But not for too long. I don't know when Cheryl is going be back.' Ste moved along the counter and threw himself almost on it in front of his boyfriend, before Jackie have a chance to come back and serve drinks. 'What are you doing, Noah?' He asked him harshly.

'Ordering a pint.' He replied with a cheeky smile. 'Why? You want one?'

'We're not on the party, Noah.' He reminded him.

'Well, Brendan was kind of a playful guy, and I think we both can agree with that.' He smirked. 'So I'm sure he'd like to see everyone having a good time on his funeral and make a toast to him, instead of crying in corners.' He retorted.

'Yea, like you're making a toast to Brendan.' He stared at him heavily. 'At least pretend you liked him when Cheryl is around. I don't want to upset her, it's enough she needed to deal with Mitzeee today.'

'So you want me to lie to her?' He cocked his eyebrow with disbelieving.

'No, I want you to show some respect when she's around.' He corrected him.

'Don't you think she already heard enough lies from Brendan? I even don't know if there's even one thing about which he didn't lie to her.' He snorted. 'At that moment you're turning into him, Ste. You really want to continue his lies?'

'Brendan is dead and I don't see any sense in opening Cheryl's eyes for some things. She doesn't need it. Let her remember him the way she knew him.' He said quieter, through the teeth.

'Look, I'm not going to say her anything about Brendan, okay?' He sighed and laid hand on Ste's one. 'But I'm not going to pretend I liked him, either. I hate this guy and I'd lie if I say I feel sorry that he's dead. He was asking for that from a long time.'

'You're happy because Brendan is dead?' Ste shook his head with disbelieving. 'How you can be happy about someone's death?'

'Look, it was you who started the whole conversation.' He said irate. 'I just want to drink my pint, go back to home and maybe play on the play station for the rest of my day. I came here only because I knew you would make a hell if I don't come with you, and well, I like Cheryl. And I really feel sorry for her. She doesn't deserve to had a brother like Brendan.'

'Right. So go back to your flat and play in some stupid game. And don't bother to see me today.' Ste snarled and moved away from the counter, making Noah growled.

'Is Cheryl sure Brendan is death? Cause it looks like he's still between us and again trying to destroy our relationship.' He called after him.

'You don't need Brendan to destroy everything, you're good in this by your own.' He fired back tly and left the bar before they could say something nasty to each other. Today he was in too rebellious humor to think straight and talk with Noah. He needed to calm down and hid until the whole party ends.

'Talking about people not knowing how to behave, I see Mitzeee is taking a part in the competition for the most beautiful and desperate widow in Hollyoaks.' Ellie glanced toward the woman standing in the flashes of camera, crying loudly as she was responding to journalists questions. 'She's good isn't she?' She turned around to might look at the man who decided to give her company.

'She's good in making a show, I think.' She replied reluctantly, not quite interested with Mitzeee, and shook her head when he proposed her a drink.

'You're Brendan's ex-wife, aren't you?' He leaned nonchalantly against the counter, whiskey in one of his hand. 'I have to admit, he has an eye for women.' He grinned slightly.

'If you say so.' She shrugged, amused.

'I'm Warren Fox. I was Brendan's partner in business.' He flashed her a grin full of teeth, but she seemed to be not impressed.

'Partner in business?'

'The club. I own the part of it.'

'I thought the club belongs to Cheryl and Brendan.' She noticed, eyeing him up suspiciously.

'Brendan decided to share with me his part.' He replied evasively. 'You know, we have some common interests in the past, so he…'

'And Brendan gave you the part of the club from his good heart?' She glanced at him skeptically, didn't let him finish. 'I think you mistakes Brendan Brady with someone else.'

'I'm sure I know the right guy.' He grinned, didn't let her to baffle himself. 'So, I heard you're going to stay with kids for a little longer in Hollyoaks.'

'Only for one night.' She replied evasively and moved her eyes at Mitzeee watching them with furious in her eyes. 'Your girlfriend seems to be nervous about you talking with me.' She noted.

'Who?' He glanced above her shoulder. 'Mitzeee? She's not my girlfriend. Not my type.'

'Well, it looks different from this distance.' She smirked, giving him full attention.

'I can't help I'm magnet for a women, and Mitzeee is searching for an idiot who would pay for her all clothes and do whatever she wants. She glued to me few weeks ago, when Brendan dumped her.'

'Charming.'

'Sure I am.' He grinned, didn't notice a hint of sarcasm in Ellie's voice.

'So, Warren, are you going to tell me your purpose of visit or you're going to pull this silly game longer?' He frowned a bit. 'Being with Brendan taught me a few things.' She added with a smirk.

'It's nice to talk with the woman at the same level.'

'Whose level?'

'Look, Ellie, you look like someone who would be able support me in my business.' Warren said, deciding to ignore her another remark. 'You're strong, beautiful woman…'

'I'm not going to run any business with you. I don't care what kind of connection you had with Brendan, but I'm sure I'm not going to risk and taking a part in your monkey business.'

'Now, who is saying about any monkey business?' He raised his hands in defensive.

'Then what kind of interest you have in mind?' She asked reluctantly, not quite convinced to man's true intentions. 'And why you think I'd be interested?'

'Let's say I have nose to people.' He grinned. 'Trust me, you'd like my offer.'

'Maybe I would…' She shrugged. 'But the other day. Now I don't have head to anything.' His face dropped.

'I know it's maybe not the right moment to talk about business when Brendan has not gone cold yet…Wait!' He called after Ellie, when she grabbed her handbag and unceremoniously moved toward other end of room.

'I think we already finished talking about our business, Warren. Now, excuse me, but I need to go to bathroom.' She tried to get rid of him, but he was still following her, until she stopped and turned around to face him.

'I'm sure it's gonna be a really hard for you to be a single mother for two sons.' He decided to change his strategy.

'Are you trying to ask me for a date?' She cocked her eyebrow. 'I'm already with someone.'

'I'm only worrying about your kids. Brendan was a family guy, wasn't he? I'm sure he'd do anything for his sons, so I only can imagine how devastated he'd feel now knowing you wouldn't have enough money for cure Duncan, let alone provide them prosperous life.' He sighed.

'And what interest you have in that?' She crossed her arms against the chest.

'Why don't we move into some quieter place, hmm? Like I said I'm sure you'd like my offer and we both can take advantage on it.'

'I'm not sure…'

'I'm only offering you something, you have rights to get after Brendan's death.'

'You mean inheritance?' She asked confused.

'Yea, something like that…' He nodded and licked his lips. 'So, are you interested? I'm sure Cheryl won't give you better offer than me.' He added and grinned as he noticed that Ellie caught the bait.

'Well, I always can say no, if I won't like the offer.' She shrugged and smiled slightly when Warren pointed at some door at the back of club.

'How our patient is feeling?'

'Still sleeping.' The nurse replied as she connected another drip to his hand. 'But at least he's breathing independently.'

'It'd take a few days before he returns to live, but he's on the good way to reach it.' The doctor stated and gently touched man's bandaged face. 'Someone was asking about him?'

'No. The police officer who was here yesterday said he doesn't has any family.'

'If they don't find anyone, we'd have to move him into nursing home, when he only feels better. We can't keep him forever.'

'Maybe police would find someone…' She sighed and gently improved the pillow under man's head. 'Maybe it'd be easier if we have his photograph.'

'He didn't have any documents with himself when he has been found.'

'Poor guy.'

'Indeed.' He nodded and took a look at the card pinned to man's bed. 'Keep inform me about his health condition.'

'Of course, Sir.'