Meetings

Cathy stared at the taller man as he spoke. The appointment she had been rushing to get to no longer mattered.

"What are you doing here?"

"I read about the market in the paper. Thought I'd look up a few old friends." He smiled at her. Cathy narrowed her eyes.

"I'm not the same woman you tried to destroy."

"Death do us part, Catherine. Remember? You said those vows in front of your family and mine. Love, honour and obey."

"You also vowed to protect me, not use me as a punch bag! Now get away from me."

"I don't think I can do that."

"Michael. Go away. Just let me get on with my life." She stepped back as he grabbed her arm. Frowning she knew it would leave a mark. "Get off me or I swear to God I'll scream." Michael laughed before releasing her arm.

"I think this is going to be fun. Because you are coming back to London with me. I promise you that."

Xxxxxx

"Oh hello you two." Agnes smiled as Mark and Betty walked into the kitchen. Winnie smiled at the couple. "Where's Bono?"

"School, Mrs Brown." Betty stated as she sat down. "We need to talk to you. Is Dermot around? Grandad?"

"Grandad is asleep in his chair. He has a date tonight, with that floozy he met last week." Agnes rolled her eyes. "A date!"

"Good for him." Betty smiled. She liked the old man and knew Mark adored his grandfather.

"What's all the secrecy?" Trevor asked as he walked into the room. The young priest frowned as he saw the look on his older brother's face. "Mark? What's happened?"

"Are you ill, son?" Agnes bit her lip. Mark shook his head.

"Is it Bono? Betty, are you well?"

"Bono is fine. Honestly, he's grand so he is. None of us are ill. I was out shopping yesterday. Just in the supermarket and I know what I saw."

"What did you see?" Rory ran in, desperate for some gossip. "Go on! Was it that man with the pink Mohican? Because I did not do that!"

"No, but I know who you mean." Betty smiled. "We may as well wait for Dermot."

"No. Say it. I'll talk to him and Cathy."

"Will someone say what is going on? For pity sake Betty what did you see?"

"I saw the scum Cathy used to be married to. He was staring right at me. I wanted to go over to him but I had Bono with me." Agnes stood up and began pacing the kitchen.

"Does Cathy know?"

"I don't know." Mark answered honestly.

"If he comes here. If he comes anywhere near my little girl!"

"Oh Mammy she's 44! Not a baby." Agnes promptly clipped him with the tea towel she was holding. "Rory Brown, you know what that thug did."

"No I don't. All I know is Betty and Mark left Bono with us for the weekend and when they came home Cathy was with them."

"You don't end a marriage for no good reason. Cathy wasn't brought up to believe in divorce. None of you were." Agnes snapped. "You had no need to know what went on. It was Cathy's business. Private." Rory frowned as Mark nodded.

"Where is Cathy?"

"Work. Where you should be."

"Ma, that's the beauty of being self employed. Betty, stay here with Mrs Mcgoogan and Ma. Rory, you and Trevor find Dermot and bring him here. Buster as well if you have to."

"And where are you going?" Trevor asked.

"To bring my little sister home." He marched out of the house as Agnes and Betty exchanged worried glances. Both knew what had happened to Cathy before and neither wanted her or Mark to get hurt again.

"Mark." Betty started but he was already out the door.

Xxxx

A/N please review. Next time Dermot, Buster and Maria return. Hopefully they won't be needing Maria's nursing skills.