Another Day?

Cathy brushed her hair as she looked in the mirror over the dressing table in her bedroom. Her mother, grandfather and brothers were already making a noise downstairs. She smiled slightly as she realised some things had never changed. Her mother was yelling for Trevor to hurry up, banging pots in the kitchen. The nightmare surrounding her ex husband seemed long gone. Grabbing her handbag she knew that wasn't the case.

Xxx

"Ma!" Bono yelled as Betty poured tea. She was exhausted, her and Mark had barely slept.

"Yes Luv?" She turned as the young boy pushed his glasses up his nose.

"Who was that man?"

"What man?"

"The one at school? The one that was standing outside last night?"

"What was that, son?" Mark asked as he walked into the kitchen.

"Last night." Bono shovelled cereal into his mouth as Betty and Mark glanced at each other. "Outside. I looked."

"Who was outside?" Betty picked up her tea, trying to act as casually as possible. The last thing she wanted was to scare the boy.

"The man from the school. He was across the road last night." Bono explained. Mark felt the anger beginning to build in his stomach. He knew the man blamed him and Betty for the breakup of his marriage. He had no idea he would look for revenge so many years later.

"Are you sure?" Betty asked. Bono rolled his eyes.

"Yeah! Granny says I've eyes like a bat."

"Bats are blind." Betty frowned.

"Well, they don't miss anything and I don't miss anything so Granny us right!" Mark laughed, knowing his only child adored the family matriarch.

"Aye." Betty conceded. "You're spending the day with her."

"No school?"

"Not today. I've told yer headmaster so I have. Don't you worry." Betty put her mug down before ushering him out towards the car. Mark began preparing for work, wondering if his son had got it all wrong but he knew he hadn't.

Xxxxxxx

"Maria is taking the triplets to her mother's." Dermot announced as he walked into the kitchen dressed as a tap.

"Why are you a tap?" Cathy asked as she searched through her bag.

"I dunno. I just wear what they tell me. Where's Mammy?"

"Talking to Mrs Mcgoogan."

"Are you alright, Cathy?" Buster asked as he walked in. "That's a nasty bruise." She quickly pulled the sleeve down.

"Fell."

"Looks like a handprint."

"Buster. I am fine." Cathy snapped. "I am always fine. And a drunken slob of an ex husband is not gonna change that. Ok!?"

"Ok." Dermot shrugged his shoulders beneath the costume. He stepped sideways as Agnes walked in.

"Cathy has bruises on her arm, Mrs Brown."

Buster stated. Agnes sighed as Cathy shot her a pleading look.

"Does she now? And what are you doing? Buster? Looking at my daughter's arms? Is it a fetish son? Women's arms? You should see a counsellor."

"Mammy." Dermot started.

"And don't you start! Running hot and cold on a whim!" She laughed as Dermot rolled his eyes.

"I'm away to work." Cathy shook her head, glad for her mother's unique way of confusing the situation.

"Ok, Cathy Luv. Buster go with her."

"Mammy! I don't need a bodyguard."

"You've not got one. You've got Buster. Go on." Overjoyed Buster practically ran out of the house to follow the girl he idolised.

Xxxxx

Rory placed the scissors on the table in front of him. He loved hairdressing and talking to the clients. He sighed heavily as Deano arrived holding coffee in both hands.

"What is it?"

"Mrs Macgowan has cancelled. Her dog had to go to the vet. You know she has a Labrador - Suki."

"Oh no." Deano sighed. "But that isn't what's wrong, is it?"

"I'm worried about Cathy."

"What is going on? I never even knew she was married." Deano sat down, glad that the salon was empty.

"Michael was at school with her. He's from Dublin but his dad had a job in the factory here so they moved." Rory waved his hands in the air. "All I know is, Cathy went to London and got married. Michael had a job there. Then one day when Bono was a baby Betty left him with me, Trevor and Mammy to go visit Cathy in London with our Mark. Then they come home. Cathy has bruises and a black eye. It was all very hush hush but I think he beat her."

"Oh poor Cathy!"

"Anyway, that's the last we hear of him since the divorce. Until now." Deano was clearly enthralled.

"Do you think he's come back for her?"

"No." Rory frowned. "I think he's come back to upset everyone. He's a nasty piece of work." Deano looked away, aware the next client was due.

Xxxxx

Mark sat staring at traffic lights as the van's engine ticked over. He was glad his mother had agreed to have Bono and that Buster had declared himself Cathy's unofficial bodyguard. The petty crook was like an extra brother - a total pain in the rear but his heart was in the right place. The lights turned green as he pulled off into traffic. Frowning he changed lanes, aware the black Peugeot was following him. He gained speed, the Peugeot did too. Swearing under his breath he knew who was driving the car. It seemed getting Cathy back to London was only part of Michael's plan. Gritting his teeth Mark fought to control the van as it skidded before leaving the road, finally coming to rest on the roof.

Xxxxxx

A/N is Mark ok? Please review.