Repercussions

Mark stared at the ceiling trying to work out who had told Michael where his sister worked. Cathy had put her time in London behind her, the rest of the family had moved on. He just couldn't understand why the younger man had returned to cause trouble.

"Mark?" Betty opened her eyes to see her husband staring at the ceiling.

"Just thinking."

"Don't. Go to sleep." Betty rested a hand on his chest as he smiled slightly. He knew she was right but the memories of that fateful day when he had got the phone call from the nurse in London wouldn't go away

Eight Years Earlier

"Can I speak to Mark Brown please?" The cockney accent caught his attention as he walked back to his van.

"Speaking."

"My name is Abby. I'm a nurse from A&E in City General. Your sister, Cath has asked me to ring you."

"Cathy is in the hospital? What happened?"

"I can't say much over the phone. She tells me she has no family in England. She could really do with her family around her right now."

"I'll be in London as soon as I can. Tell her, me and Betty will be on our way. She's not to worry. Where's her husband?"

"He's not here. All she would tell us is your name and phone number. I'm sorry."

"Is she ok? Do I need to prepare the family? Ma and the others?"

"The condition isn't life threatening. But we won't discharge her until she has someone safe to be with."

"And her excuse for a husband isn't that!" Mark thanked the nurse quickly before hanging up. Jumping into the van his blood boiled. He had seen too much of his parents' marriage growing up to know what was happening. He gunned the engine as he headed towards the market, knowing Agnes would still be in work.

"Ma!"

"Oh hello Mark love." Agnes smiled as he jogged towards her. She took the money from a customer before handing over a pound of bananas. "They'll keep you regular. No more hours on the bog! Mark. What's wrong?"

"Cathy. I'm going to London with Betty. We're bringing her home. Can you look after Bono for me? We'll be gone overnight."

"Of course. What's happened?"

"I'm bringing her home. Betty will leave Bono with Rory and Grandad until you get there. I'm away to the ferry."

"Ok Luv. Ok." Agnes wiped her hands on her apron before setting about closing the stall. There were more important things to worry over.

Xxxxxx

Betty marched into the hospital ahead of Mark, her heels clicked on the floor as she marched to the reception desk.

"My sister in law is in here, somewhere."

"Name."

"Cathy Brown." Mark stated as a young nurse called for Cathy's relations. Betty tugged his arm before marching towards the young man in a blue uniform.

"I'm Cathy's sister in law." Betty's Belfast accent sounded harsh in the waiting room. Mark rested a hand on her shoulder.

"How is she?"

"You're Mark?" The nurse asked. The oldest Brown child nodded. He had been here before. Identifying his brother's dead body so his Ma didn't have to see, keeping the family together since he was 13 he had no idea what he would do if they lost Cathy too.

"Yeah."

"She's waiting for you. We want to admit her but she's determined to leave." Mark smiled slightly, knowing how stubborn his sister could be. Betty slipped her hand into his as they followed the nurse into the trauma area.

"Cathy." Mark gasped as he saw the bruises over her face and neck. Cathy turned as she heard her brother.

"I'm ok." The bruising obscured her features. The whites of her eye bloodshot. Betty swallowed hard.

"Who did this?"

"Doesn't matter. Just take me home. Please."

"You are not staying in London."

"No. I'm not." Mark nodded, relieved at the determination in her voice. He knew who had beaten her to a pulp. The absence of wedding and engagement rings confirmed it. He turned as the door to the room opened.

"I'll kill yer!" Mark launched himself at his brother in law. Both Cathy and Betty yelled.

"Feck off! She's my wife!"

"Not anymore." Cathy flinched as Michael looked at her. Betty grabbed a bag that contained what little possessions Cathy had been admitted with as she ushered the injured woman away through another door. Her heart pounded. Mark was the most relaxed, laid back, kind man she had ever known. Seeing him on the verge of losing control broke her heart.

Xxxxxx

Now

A shadow stood outside the small house on the outskirts of Dublin. A cigarette in one hand he looked up at the bedroom. He smirked, taking a long drag on the rolled up tobacco. It was time the Brown's paid for what they had done.

Xxxxxxx

A/N please review