When they got to the hospital there was a long queue at reception, without thinking Peter pushed his way to the front and demanded to know what had happened and where the casualties were.

"There is a queue you know. Are either of you next of kin?" The snooty receptionist said lowering her over rounded spectacles to the tip of her nose.

"No, Assumpta, she's my friend. My best friend. She doesn't have any next of kin and I'm not sure whose the lads are. This is Father Clifford; he's the priest at Ballykissangel." Niamh explained rapidly.

"Well just wait over there and I will see if a doctor will let you know what's going on." The woman pointed to a small collection of red plastic chairs.

"Father, I don't suppose you have any coins on you?" Niamh asked.

"Coins? What for?"

"Liam and Donal were doing something for dad, you know what he's like, he will be cursing them for being late. Someone better tell him what's going on."

"Oh of course," Peter muttered, pulling out a handful of coins from his pocket. His eyes remained fixed on the wall facing him.

"Father, are you alright?"

He waited a few moments before answering, he wanted to tell Niamh everything but he knew he couldn't. "I can't lose her Niamh." He eventually replied choking on the tears he could no longer repress. He couldn't bear to lose the baby either but there was no way he could tell her about that.

"We won't Assumpta's strong, she's a fighter." She replied. "Let me get you a coffee, I have a feeling we will be waiting ages."

Niamh's prediction was correct.

"I hope my dad's alright; it's not like him not to answer his phone." She said to break up the silence that hung between them.

"I'm sure he will be, maybe he's gone out somewhere?"

"He's not answering his mobile either, father. That isn't like him. I tried him just before Ambrose telephoned me about the accident too and he didn't reply then."

"Niamh, I am sure he will be okay."

"Yeah, let's hope the same can be said for Liam, Donal and 'Sumpta."

Not all that long later a tall man came and joined the pair.

"Are you the friends from Ballykissangel?"

"Yes," they both nodded.

"I'm Doctor Cavanaugh; I'm primarily treating your friends who were involved in the crash. I have to say they are very lucky it wasn't any more serious and there was a Garda nearby to assist."

"That's my husband," Niamh said proudly.

"How are they doctor?" Peter asked.

"Well the boys are okay, nothing more serious than a few broken bones and suspected concussion but we are keeping them in a little while longer, just to be on the safe side."

"And Assumpta?" He asked bracing himself for the worst.

"She's still unconscious, she suffered a moderate head trauma on impact but until the scans come back we won't really know how serious it is or if the injury has caused swelling or damage to the brain." Doctor Cavanaugh explained.

"When will you know?"

"In the next couple of hours."

"Can we see them?" Niamh inquired.

"You can see Donal and Liam but not Assumpta yet, I'm afraid.

"You did know Assumpta's pregnant?" Peter blurted out without thinking.

"Do you know how far into the pregnancy she was?"

"Umm, eight, maybe nine weeks?"

"Thank you." The doctor said before dashing off to treat the next patient.

Niamh starred at Peter. "So you managed to stop her from having the abortion, father why didn't you tell me."

"She wanted to tell you Niamh but she thought it was best to wait until she had the 12 week scan."

"I can't say I blame her but I know the real reason she wouldn't tell me."

"Why?" He stuttered, the prospect of Niamh knowing all about him, Assumpta and the baby made him feel even sicker than he had been feeling since he found out she was hurt.

"Leo. I'd have encouraged her to tell him or threatened to do it myself. He needs to know, doesn't he father, that his wife and unborn child were involved in a car accident."

"No!" Peter exclaimed.

"Why not?"

"Because the baby isn't his!"

"What?"

"The child, it isn't Leo's."

"And how would you know that?" She asked softly.

"Because it's mine," he sobbed.