Chapter 3

Ste rushed through the corridors of the hospital until he found a reception desk. He didn't know what to say. I mean what could he say really? "My ex-boyfriend's boyfriend has called me because they have been in an accident and oh yeah I still have feelings for him." No. He gathered his thoughts and approached the desk.

"Hello how can I help you?"

"Um… I… I am…" (He stopped and looked at the floor)

"Are you hurt sir?"

"What? No." (He suddenly came out of a daze and realised what had just been said)

"Then how may I help you?"

"I am looking for someone."

"Ok what is their name?"

"Brady, Brendan Brady." (Even in times of disaster stating Brendan's name gave him a sense of power and status that he was associated with him)

The receptionist dialled a few numbers and typed various different things into her computer until finally she had found his location.

"Ah yes Mr Brady was admitted to intensive care three hours ago." (Her tone of voice became less full of achievement as she realised what she has just told Ste)" I'm sorry would like me to get someone to take you there?"

"No that's ok."

"Is there anything else I can do for you?"

"Yeah actually can you find another person for me?" (It had just occurred to him the Conal was the one who called him not Brendan)

"Sure what's the name?"

"Conal, Conal O'Malley."

The receptionist repeated the same serious of actions.

"A Mr Conal O'Malley was admitted to A&E four hours ago."

"How do you get there?"

(She gestured to Ste with her hands and her voice was soft as if she was trying to make up for her earlier insensitivity) "Follow the signs down the corridor and when at the bottom turn left into some automatic doors and it is in there."

"Thanks"

Ste walked slowly down the large, spacious corridors looking at the ground and trying to deflect attention from the tears that were welling up in his eyes. He finally came to two automatic doors with A&E plastered in big red letters across the top; people were rushing in and out which knocked Ste off balance leaving him on the floor, vulnerable and alone. A nurse realised he was there and came to help.

"Hello there my name is Caroline can I help you?"

"I'm looking…"

"Ok what are you looking for?" (She leaned down and reached out to Ste who was still looking at the floor)

"His name is Conal O'Malley"

"Oh - Yes Mr O'Malley. He is through here" (She pointed to the door as she extended a hand to help Ste from the floor)

"Would you like me to take you to him?"

"Yeah please." (He grabbed onto her arm and pulled himself to his feet)

There were all sorts of people in the A&E as it was a busy Saturday night. Children were screaming, people were being sick, there was blood, broken bones and of course individuals who had had too much to drink. Ste walked behind Nurse Caroline as he absorbed all of the sights, sounds and smells around him, then they came to a cubical and Nurse Caroline stopped outside.

"Ok here he is. Now go careful he is weak and needs his rest." (She put her hand on Ste's, waited for him to gesture a reply and then left.)

Ste opened the curtain to observe Conal who was lying on a trolley with a bruised face, plastered leg and an arm in a sling.

"Conal?" (His voice was cautious)

Conal stirred, turned to face Ste and opened his eyes.

"Ste? Ste! Oh thank God you're here!"

"What is goin' on Conal?"

"We had an accident...and Brendan was hurt."

"I know that he is hurt, I wanna know why he is hurt!"

"There was a car and we crashed and it was my fault…it is all my fault!" (He broke into sobs of tears)

Ste looked closely at him. He was angry, he knew that they were drunk and he also had told Brendan not to drive. But as Ste tried to maintain his anger he saw Conal's sorrow, and how badly traumatised he was by the day's events so he went and sat next to him. He lowered he face so he was looking at the floor and then put his arm on Conal's shoulder. Conal turned to Ste and for the first time realised how young he looked, especially in the glaring florescent lights. He took Ste's hand in his and squeezed it firmly and when he did Ste stared at him as if he had just had a vision of the past. He was thinking about the way that Brendan used to squeeze his hand like that, it was reassuring and having Conal do it made him feel strangely connected to Brendan in a way that he longed so badly for.

"Are you ok?"

"Nice of you to ask!" (His voice took a sarcastic tone)

(Avoiding the question) "Is your leg broke? "

"Don't know I'm waiting for the X-Rays."

"I'll wait with you." (He got up from the bed and sat on the chair)

"Where is Brendan, do you know?" (His eyes looked hopeful as he waited for Ste to speak)

"Yeah I do he's…"

Ste stopped. He tried to think about how to word this next piece of information.

"For goodness sake Ste spit it out!"

"He's in Intensive Care, he was admitted four hours ago and that's all I know. Sorry."

Conal's hope faded from his eyes as he registered the devastating news. Then he turned to Ste who was staring into his lap as if he was trying to burn a hole in it.

"I want to go and see him and I want you to come."

"I can't… He wouldn't want me to." (He was desperately trying to make excuses but they all sounded as pathetic as the next)

"Stop doing that. Stop trying to make excuses. He is my partner and you are my friend and I NEED you to help me."

Ste was taken aback by Conal's forcefulness and he knew it was an inappropriate time but it turned him on. He couldn't help wondering to himself though if he and Conal were indeed friends. I mean it was awkward enough seeing him with Brendan around the village and now they were going to sit by his bedside -together. It just felt weird. But Ste couldn't deny that Conal needed him and therefore he decided that he would do this for him and not Brendan or himself.