Chapter Four

Brendan took a fragile Ste back to the village as requested. Getting out of the cab felt like leaving the safe zone and entering the main area of territory. Brendan had no money on him therefore he searched Steven's pockets to find nothing but loose change.

"Take it or leave it" Brendan spoke hoarsely as he handed over two twenty pence coins and a ten pence coin.

The taxi driver of cause retaliated immediately as he watched them both leaving. He shook his head; getting out of his taxi as he wouldn't let them out of his sight. He crossed his arms as he spoke...

"You pay up or I will phone the police; I promise that mate"

Ste was clinging onto Brendan as if it was for dear life. Tony Hutchinson was looking over from outside his restaurant. The two men looked at the taxi driver without saying a word though that soon stopped after he got out his phone...

"No!" Ste shouted, knocking the phone out of his hand before clinging onto Brendan again.

All that could be heard was a small bang on the ground. The phone's screen broke as did the mood. The taxi driver went to lunge at Ste which resulted in a scuffle between them all. Tony shook his head as he rushed over.

"Hey! Break it up!" Tony shouted as he tried to get in the way of the small scrap.

Ste trying to hold Brendan back while Tony moved the taxi driver away and out of reach. He was asking what the problem was. Shouting was going on about them not paying for the taxi ride.

"Look I will pay" Tony announced before urging Brendan and Ste to leave and they did.

Brendan looked embarrassed as he took Steven away and up the stairs to his own home; now belonging to Leela. Both of them were in silence as they walked up the familiar steps towards it.

"Still giving me the silent treatment?" Brendan asked as they arrived right outside the door.

The younger man shook his head however he still didn't say a word. He was giving him the silent treatment though it still didn't stop him trying to deny it. He has denied the drugs too but Brendan could see right through him. Ste knocked on the door as he listened in and heard footsteps. The door opened in the form of Peri Lomax.

"Ste? What are you doing here? Leela kicked you out remember" Peri reminded him, she couldn't help but notice Brendan besides him.

More footsteps were heard as Lockie Campbell came to see who was at the door and he smiled when he noticed Ste. Brendan was just speechless as he had no idea who anyone was, nor their relation to his Steven.

"I don't remember" Ste admitted, feeling downhearted about not being able to remember this.

Peri pouted before opening the door wider. She seemed to be the only one who felt sorry for him. Everyone else disowned him yet she couldn't do that. She welcomed him in with a small smile.

"I'm pretty sure that Leela only said that as a figure of speech or something like that. I don't think she really meant it" Peri spoke softly.

As both of the men wandered into the house. Shutting the door behind themselves as they both walked towards the couch and sat down upon it. Lockie went back upstairs at this point leaving the two men and Peri alone.

"So where is Leela?" Ste asked his niece however he still likes to think of her as his little sister.

She shrugged as she couldn't keep her eyes of Brendan. His whole appearance alone fascinated her. With his black hair and facial hair. Even though he had a beard, you could still see traces of his moustache.

"I don't know where she is...So where did you stay last night?" Peri questioned however she was itching to ask about Brendan.

Guilt came across Steven's face as he couldn't bear to tell the truth. He had another one night stand last night after the man offered him drugs. He had sex and fell asleep in his bed before the unnamed man did as promised and gave him drugs. That's why he was drugged up when Brendan found him.

"I don't remember" Ste lied while gritting his teeth; he really didn't want to discuss last night.

Peri didn't quite believe him though she let it slide before turning her attention back to Brendan.

"Sorry but who are you?" Peri queried Brendan, she presumed he was a supplier of some sort.

The door opened just as he spoke the name...

"Brendan Brady"

...

TCB