The next day Sheelagh arrived for work early to escape from the house and even more Patrick and his mates. The briefing might as well been attended by zombies cause their would have been more life in them. Gina stood at the front giving out the pairs Sheelagh and Des were paired together in the area car again.
"and lastly, I would like to congratulate Sheelagh for showing us how to pull a party off with style." finished Gina. The room grunted in agreeance seen as that was all they could manage.
"erm.. Thanks….I guess" Everyone got up and went to get on with their shifts.
"You coming Sheelagh were in the area car. that's this way." Asked Des pointing the opposite way to which sheelagh was going.
"yeah one minute.. I'll meet you down there" Des walked off wondering if Sheelagh had fell out with him because of what happened at the party. He sat in the car with his hands against the stirring wheel resting his head on them. Thinking of a way to show Sheelagh how he could tell her how he feels about her. Meanwhile sheelagh was in the toilets redressing the bandages on her arms and stomach. The pain was so intense she didn't notice she was crying by the time she got back to the area car (des did though) it hurt him deeply. Sheelagh loved being in the area car with des. This was the only place she felt happy. (apart from when she was with her kids). Sheelagh had noticed that her feelings had grown dangerously strong for des over the last couple of days and he could never find out, never could Patrick. They drove out of the station and after about ten minutes of silence they pulled up at the park.
"Are you OK?" Question Des
"Yeah im fine just got a bit of a hang over that's all" lied Sheelagh
"So you always cry when you've got a hang over do you" Des wiped a tear off sheelaghs cheek making her flinch cause it touched a bruise
"Im sorry I didn't mean to hurt you" Apoligised Des. Sheelagh could tell how upset Des was cause he thought he had hurt her.
"Its alright I just got a sore there"
"Why"
"I walked into summat." Why wont she just tell me then I can help her. Thought des
"You sure"
"Yeah." Sheelagh knew des didn't believe her
"Alright, but when you decide to tell the truth just ask yeah" Des squeezed Sheelaghs knee
"Thanks" Sheelagh dipped her head.
"Do you want a hug?" asked Des
"Yes please" Des put his arm over her shoulder and pulled her into him. They stayed like this for over hour just enjoying each others company. Des moved his arm and rested it on her back a bit lower down trying to get comfier.
"oww" cringed Sheelagh
"Sorry, I thought I was being gentle"
"You are. Its just me"
"why what's wrong with your back"
"Nothing"
"Show me then" Ordered Des.
"There's nothing to see." Sheelagh tried to move Des's arm from around her.
"Ill move it when you show me Shee"
"There's nothing to show." Des still didn't move cause he knew there was and he wanted to find out what.
"Its my fault isn't it. I hurt you yesterday didn't I, when I pulled you in the pool." Des was crying he couldn't believe how much pain he had caused her, the woman he loved. Sheelagh saw this making her burst into tears to. She couldn't let him think that he had hurt her she had to tell him the truth.
"No you didn't. its something else." Explained Sheelagh
"Don't try and cover it up Sheelagh I know what I've done." Blubbered Des
"It wasn't you. OK. SAY THAT DES. SAY IT WASN'T YOU." Shouted Sheelagh getting wound up by Des. Des could tell how much sheelagh meant this maybe she was telling the truth. But if it wasn't des then who was it.
"OK. It wasn't me. But if it isn't me then who is it." Asked Des
"I cant say"
"I don't believe you then"
"It was Patrick. Please don't tell anyone Des." stuttered Sheelagh .The tears poured heavier. Des had now stopped.
"let me look." pleaded Des. Sheelagh lifted her top to reveal the black bruises and blood stained bandages. Des looked and anger just blew up in him. He could tell by the shape of the bruises that these had been caused by bare fists, belts, chains and cigarette burns. Sheelagh put her top back down.
"Promise you wont tell anyone." Sheelagh said
"How could he the bastard"
"Des promise you wont tell anyone"
"I'M GONNA KILL HIM"
"DES. You cant say anything to anyone or he'll kill me"
"LEAVE HIM." raged Des
"I cant"
"WHY NOT"
"Cause he said if I did that then he'd kill me and the kids"
"WHAT SO YOU JUST LET HIM BEAT YOU UP DO YOU"
"yes. PROMISEYOU WONT SAY ANYTHING DES"
"Alright. I wont say a thing just, just tell me why he does it"
"He doesn't need a reason he just does it"
"Did he do this last night"
"Some of them. Some are from his mates." explained Sheelagh
"WHAT? HE LETS HIS MATES DO IT"
"Yes. Stop shouting! Your scaring me"
"I'm sorry." Des comforted hugging her.
"look I wont say anything but if you want me at anytime at all I want you to ring me OK"
"OK"
"Come on lets go back to the nick. I need a drink."