Chapter Nine

Harry had retreated into the McQueen household and hasn't left for quite time. He was hanging out with his two friends Cleo McQueen and Holly Cunningham. The trio were watching televison; trying to forget the world for a bit. Though the topic of boyfriends did come up as it always did with close friends. Holly claimed she had enough of them for a long time. Harry's confession however that he dumped Ste and has gotten back with James did cheer her up slightly.

"Well I won't lie...it's not the most stupid thing you have done" Holly remarked; placing her legs comfortably across Harry's lap.

"I love him" Harry simply stated; referring to James.

Holly pulled a face slightly; she has heard that one before; she took a swig from her Pepsi bottle. She wasn't the biggest fan of James; thought he was a bit of a sleazy git. His looks though didn't hurt.

"What about Ste?" Cleo asked.

"I don't even know where he is and I'm pasting caring...James is the one"

"Well he is the best looking one you have gone out with" Holly paused..."No offense Cleo" she quickly added.

Cleo playfully nudged her friend; making her laugh in return.

"I take it you won't be having a big gay wedding then" Holly expressed with a hint of sarcasm.

"No...In fact, I don't want to get engaged to anybody ever again" Harry announced. "Hear..hear!" Holly shouted with a giggle.

Harry felt his phone ringing; it was his dad calling him again for the umpteenth time in a row. He had no idea that Ste was in a coma. He just thought his dad was ringing him to ask him to come back or something and he really couldn't be bothered. He didn't want to discuss his love life with his dad.

"It's my dad calling me again...wanting to give me a lecture about life no doubt"

"Maybe it's important" Cleo suggested however he shook his head; he was adamant that it wasn't anything worth knowing about.

"I doubt it...Hey; why don't we all go out later? Celebrate me and James" Harry suggested. He could do with a night out.

"I'm up for it" Holly interjected.

"Oh I don't know...I will have to ask Joel" Cleo replied, biting her top lip. She wasn't up for it to be honest.

"Why? Does Joel tell you when and where to go now?" Holly teased.

"No! I just wanted to know if he wants to come with"

"I'd rather it just be us three to be honest" Holly told her with a shrug.

...

"I think I done something stupid" Tony told an unimpressed looking Diane. He put his phone down after Harry didn't answer...again.

"So what's changed?" Diane asked him sarcastically.

"I may or I may have not have asked to meet Brendan and he may or he may not have agreed to see me"

"What?" Diane asked with slight disbelief.

"I know what people are going to say but I heard about Ste and it broke my heart" Tony explained; he wanted her to understand his reason for doing this.

"Okay...so you thought the next logical step would be to shack Ste back up with his abusive ex?"

"No you don't understand...Brendan would have done anything for him"

Their discussion naturally caught the attention of the ever so noisy Scott Drinkwell; he looked over from his laptop.

"What's this?" Scott enquired; he couldn't make much sense of it from where he was sitting.

Though he was interested in finding out more. Anything to take his mind away from his own problems. Tony gave a sigh; the whole village will find out about his little visit once Scott gets wind of it.

"Oh nothing Scott...Tony is just going to meet up with some crazy ex-boyfriend of Ste's; no big deal" Diane replied.

"Is he fit?" Scott asked; he was slightly joking about that.

"Well if you're into the type of men who killed their own nan and dad; then sure" Diane answered him.

"Yeah I would pass...I would never let you set me up on a blind date, Tony" Scott declared before turning back towards his laptop.

Tony tutted; shaking his head.

"Look I know what you all think but I remember those days well; Ste and Brendan were happy together" Tony protested.

He got nothing but blank stares back; they all thought he was bonkers. Diane may not have spoken to Ste back then however she did hear the things Brendan did. He was always strutting around like he owned the place. People were either afraid of him or in his pocket back then.

"I remember the day he got arrested and it wasn't pretty but it's your call Tony" Diane deferred.

...

Hours had passed; Harry, Cleo and Holly have been watching televison until the early evening. The girls were currently getting ready for their night-out; coming down in their short dresses and heels while Harry called a taxi. Turning his phone off; he didn't want to deal with anyone else tonight.

"If anyone asks me out tonight...you're my boyfriend" Holly declared; playfully putting her arm around Harry.

"For you; sure"

The trio were planning on just going into town and clubbing it until the early hours. Wanting to get away from Hollyoaks for the night. Around twenty minutes of mindless chatter and a quick last minute rush; they were on their way to the taxi. Harry having accidentally left his phone on the McQueen living room table.

...

Meanwhile a contemplative Tony visited an unconscious Ste in hospital. He looked down upon his friend and wondered if he has done the right thing. He couldn't get what Leela told him out of his head however; Leah, Lucas and Brendan were the last three people he would have mentioned had he died.

"You can tell your kids and Brendan how much you love them yourself when you wake up mate" Tony spoke.

...

TBC