Reprisals?
Mick listened intently as Cathy explained everything. He only knew what Trevor had told him but the thought Cathy had been beaten by a man that was supposed to love her made him feel sick. Now the blonde woman next to him was clearly angry and terrified.
"The Guarda are looking into the crash." Cathy stated. "Mark." She bit her bottom lip. "The doctor said his heart stopped for a while."
"Ah Cathy." Mick watched as she took a shuddering breath.
"Don't say he's strong because he's not. He's the same as us all." Mick hugged her, wisely remaining silent. Cathy fell silent as Mick held her. Mick broke the silence.
"I was going to say he's a bloody hero. Him and Betty. Getting you away from him."
"I'm not exactly the distressed damsel type." Cathy watched as Mick nodded.
"No but that's how men. Sorry, excuses for men like him get away with it for so long. Cathy, I'm taking you home."
"I."
"Your family need you." Mick stood, pulling her up with him. "This ends. No more secrets, no more mad men thinking they can do as they wish."
Cathy nodded. For the first time in a long time she felt safe.
Xxxxxxx
"Your Ma has gone home to look after Bono." Betty stared at the machines surrounding the bed. She sighed, not sure that the man in the bed could hear her. "I'm staying with you."
The doctor approached her as she held Mark's hand. Smiling kindly the older woman sat next to her.
"Mrs Brown."
"Hi."
"You need to rest too. Mark needs you at full strength."
"The nurse said I could stay."
"Of course you can but please remember to look after yourself too." She squeezed her arm before walking away.
"Wake up." Betty kissed Mark's hand as he lay there seemingly oblivious to the world around him.
Xxxxxxxx
"Agnes." She shrugged her coat off as Grandad called her name. Rolling her eyes she turned to see the old man watching her.
"What is it?"
"Rory has settled the triplets and Bono is sleeping."
"Grand."
"How is the boy?"
"Mark?" She watched the old man as he nodded. "He's got a tube in his mouth so he can breathe. All manner of bandages, wires and tubes sticking in him."
"He's a strong boy."
"All my boys are. Look where it gets them. Frankie cold in the grave, Dermot's got a record and dresses up as air freshener, Simon has another three years inside, Rory flying around the place without actually having a clue whats going on. Trevor hides himself away in the Church and Mark thinks he has to protect us all."
"And what about Cathy?" The old man stared at her. "What about her?"
"Toughest of the lot."
"Aye." He looked at her. "Brave girl, had the courage to ask for help. Agnes I'm old. Ancient, I know." He paused as a retort died on her lips. "But there is nothing wrong with my hearing. I know what happened to you with that little shit I raised and I wanted more for her."
"Redster Brown."
"Was my son but he was a bully who didn't deserve you and the kids. Best thing I ever did was give Mark and Betty the cash to get to London. At least I thought I was stopping history repeating itself." Agnes took a deep breath. "Now it looks like I sacrificed one grandchild for another."
"Grandad. Listen to yerself for a minute. Now I never knew it was you who paid for the tickets but I'm glad you did. This whole mess is Michael Dowds fault not yours or Cathy's or mine. Now, will you have a cuppa tea?"
"Aye Lass. I will." He took off his flat cap and sat in his chair. He had a feeling things were going to work out but he had no idea how.
Xxxxxx
A/N please review