A few days later Sheelagh was walking up the stairs to Patrick Murphy's flat for the first time. She knocked on the front door and stood back. She was in her own clothes. Sheelagh heard footsteps from the inside and then Patrick opened the door. He didn't have a top on which surprised Sheelagh. Patrick laughed at her shocked expression. He let her in and she noticed the bad bruising near his lower abdomen. She gasped and moved closer to him. Her hands were shaking as she nervously reached forward and lay her hands delicately onto his bruises. Patrick let her and observed her in silence. Sheelagh watched her hands and she felt Patrick slip his arms round her waist. This brought Sheelagh back to reality and she stepped out of his reach, letting her arms fall to her sides.
"I came to tell you that I have found a witness who backs you up." Sheelagh said.
"That's good?"
"Yeah. It means we finally have something to send him down for!"
Patrick smiled. "Glad I could help." Sheelagh laughed.
"Well, I'd better go."
"Don't you want a drink before you go?"
"Do you want me to stay?"
"I don't want to force you but yeah, I'd like you to stay."
"Okay. But only for half-an-hour."
Patrick grinned. "Are you driving?"
"Yeah."
"Tea or coffee then?"
"Tea please." Sheelagh followed him into his small kitchen. Sheelagh looked round while Patrick prepared the drinks. While he was waiting for the water in the kettle to boil, he watched Sheelagh intently. She hadn't noticed him watching her.
"It's small but it's okay for me." he said making her jump. "Sorry, I didn't mean to make you jump."
"It's okay." Sheelagh turned to face him. "It's a nice little place."
"You like it?"
"Yeah."
"What type of place do you have?"
"A flat a bit bigger than this one."
"Do you like it there?"
"It's okay. I would prefer a bigger place but with me and my husband only on coppers wages it's not gonna happen."
Patrick turned and busied himself with making the teas. "Do you have any children?" he had his back to her.
"No." Patrick heard the strangled sob and turned to see Sheelagh put her head in her hands. Patrick put the kettle he had in his hand down and quickly and pulled her so she was leaning against him. Sheelagh moved her arms so they were resting on his right arm. They stayed in the gentle embrace in silence for a couple more minutes. Patrick kissed the top of her head gently. She pulled herself away and looked at Patrick.
"Sorry, impulse."
"It's okay."
Patrick went back to the tea and dipped his fingers into one of the cups. It was stone cold.
"It's cold." Patrick stated.
"Oh, well, I'd better be off anyway." Sheelagh said.
"Will you come round again?" Patrick asked hopefully.
"I don't know." She answered truthfully. Patrick walked up to her. He leant down and kissed her cheek gently.
"I'll see you at the trial then," he smiled down at her.
Sheelagh left and once she was round the corner she leant against the wall, smiling. She touched the spot on her cheek that Patrick had kissed and felt herself involuntarily shudder in delight.