Chapter four – Secrets revealed

I arrived in Enfield this morning, the bus journey seemed to last an infinity but I was too consumed with thoughts and worries for Steven that I couldn't have cared less. I got an address from the hospital for Steven's legal next of kin and now I'm on a manhunt - I will find out why this mysterious person is claiming he has the right to mess with my man's life.

As I navigate my way around the streets of Enfield I can't help but be suspicious of everyone I make eye contact with, I mean do they know who I am? Or what I have come here for? Have they been waiting for a dark secret they possess to be unveiled? Or am I just being unusually paranoid because I haven't slept right since Steven disappeared?

I can't move. I don't feel pain; I don't feel anything. I'm slowly slipping away into eternity. Please come soon Bren – I'm dying…

Edmonton Green – Enfield, a large housing estate; the home of Steven's legal next of kin. 12C is in my sight after climbing many stairs to reach it. They better be in – it's just rude not to be now I have come all this way.

I knock, I wait, I wipe my nerves from my forehead and the door opens…

"Yeah?" A skinny young man answers. He looks me up and down like an airport scanner.

"The name is Brendan Brady I'm here on behave of Steven Hay" My voice is trying to sound strong but breaking slightly at the mention of Steven.

"I don't know no one called Ste Hay" He slams the door hard but I lodge my foot firmly in between, he isn't going nowhere.

"You mean Steven?" I reply – building to my point.

"What?"

"You said Ste and I said Steven, if you haven't ever heard the name before why would you automatically shorten it in such a way that is tailored specifically to an individual you have never met?" Oh he isn't getting out of that one and by the look on his face he knows it!

He sighs and opens the door for me to enter.

There are two other people in beds on this ward, the nurse comes around every ten minutes and I can hear people shouting across the hall at all hours. I just want Bren to arrive, what is he doing that could be taking him so long…?

The flat is small, dark and barely furnished. I am led into what seems to be the living room; it looks untidy, there are take away containers, empty beer cans and just general rubbish scattered around the place.

"Sit" He points to a stained, floral patterned arm chair. I don't want to offend him in case he doesn't co-operate so I sit down.

"What do you wanna know?" He asks earnestly.

"You are stated as Steven's legal next of kin, why?"

He sighs. "Has he ever talked about a man called Mickey Colesmith?"

"No"

"Well Mickey and Pauline his mum had a thing but it ended when her man, Terry found out and they never spoke again."

"What does this have to do with Steven?"

"Pauline got pregnant didn't she, silly cow, by Mickey but he didn't want nothing to do with the kid"

"So what did she do?"

"She went missing for nine months; no one knew where she was until one day she just turned up on the door step again – minus the baby"

"Do you know what she did with the baby?"

"Nope, no one knows" He pulls out a packet of cigarettes and lights one up.

"So what has this got to do with Steven?"

"My name is Nathan Colesmith… Mickey Colesmith is my dad…"

Sorry this chapter is so short – it was hard to make the ideas I have fit the story.

Hope you enjoyed however, and review as you sit fit once more. I would also like to say all of the feedback so far has been wonderful (thank you) and if you have any suggestions for future chapters please let me know :)