Part Two

'Come on Paddy.'

The door opened and Paddy shook his head solemnly. His heart which had been beating too fast a few seconds earlier had suddenly stopped and he let out a heart wrenching cry of agony.

"No. Not Clyde."

"Come and say goodbye."

"I can't. I'm not ready."

"Aaron we did everything we could. He is in pain. It wouldn't be fair to leave him like that. Sit down please. Aaron had sprinted to the door and forgetting it was locked he stood shaking it violently. Aaron. Come here."

Paddy tried to hold him, but he punched, pushed and kicked out, crying inconsolably until finally he gave in and held onto Paddy so tightly he was squeezing the breath out of him.

"I'll just be in the pub. Rona excused herself from the room, using her spare keys to unlock the front door and patting Aaron's arm briefly as she passed him. He was a lovely dog. It's a shame really."

"I have to go."

Aaron tried to escape Paddy's grip and follow Rona out of the door.

"Come and see him. You'll be okay I'm here."

"Where's Jackson?"

"Probably at the pub since you didn't answer his call earlier."

"I know but…"

"I'm not having a go. Call him."

"I can't. He'll blame me."

"Don't be stupid. You paid the money back didn't you? Wiping his eyes, Aaron turned his back on Paddy. Aaron?"

"I get it I'm an idiot. I've got to go."

"Where to exactly? You're not to go anywhere near that idiot. Not after this. Not all the time, but sometimes I know what I'm talking about."

"I know, but he's killed Clyde."

"I know and still you've learnt nothing. You need to end this now. It will only get worse. Do you want to lose Jackson too? You know what he thinks about violence. Just give him the money and walk away. He's a thug."

"I can't. He won't get away with this."

Recognizing the signs Paddy released his hold on Aaron. Although he was still crying, Paddy could tell he was fuming, his face was puce and his eyes had darkened, it was like a red mist had descended before him and Paddy (and most of the village to be fair) knew what he could be like in one of his moods. Being on Aaron's bad side usually meant being on the wrong end of his fists or his boots and any chance of him being appeased was slim to none.

"Can you please just take a breath and think this through?"

"THINK. THINK WHAT THROUGH. HE'S JUST KILLED CLYDE."

And with one final rage fuelled yank, he pulled the door off its hinges.

"Okay. Well don't do anything too drastic."

Paddy mumbled pathetically to his retreating back. He watched him storm across the village and climb into the tow truck Cain had let him borrow to go out on a job that afternoon. Knowing he couldn't stop Aaron on his own he called in reinforcements.