Brothers and sisters
"Hiya Cathy." Mark tried to smile as his younger sister walked into the room. "What is it?"
"Mark." Cathy sat in the seat Betty had vacated. "You know what it is. We nearly lost you. All because of me."
"No." Mark's voice was firm, almost cold. "Not because of you. Because of him. He put his hand on Betty, didn't he? I saw the bruises."
"Yes. She gave him a black eye in return. Your wife has a cracking left hook." Mark nodded.
"His fault. You remember that. He hurt you, he came looking for you. He scared my boy and ran me off the road. Not you. None of this is on you. Do you hear me? Cathy?" Mark held her gaze.
"Yeah, I hear you." She sighed heavily. "I still blame myself. But the docs say you're going to be ok."
"Of course I am. They're moving me to a proper ward if the blood tests come back ok. Just hope I'm not in the same ward as Jacko Mcgoogan!" Cathy smiled before hugging her brother.
Xxxxxxxxx
Mick walked Sinead towards the car. The middle aged woman wasn't quite sure what had happened with the DS and the Brown family but she was glad they had arrested a truly violent and dangerous man.
"I had a call from DCI Reynolds in London." She started as Mick raised an eyebrow. "They've been looking for yer man for three months. Beat up some girl in a bar when he was drunk. Young blonde girl apparently. Thought she was Cathy. Also stabbed a man in Mayfair. Nasty piece of work."
"Scum, Sinead."
"Aye. What about you and Cathy?"
"What about me an er?"
"There's a history."
"Aye. I'm another idiot who didn't know what he had till he lost it. And she met my parents. And her Ma met them." He shuddered at the memory. Sinead bit her lip, trying not to laugh.
"Your parents can't be that bad!"
"Be thankful you've not met them." He got into his car leaving Sinead to shake her head and wonder.
Xxxxxxxxx
Trevor walked into the beautiful church released that it was empty. Glancing towards the confessional he shook his head, he had nothing to feel sorry for. Crossing himself he stared at the alter, before looking up at the crucifix on the wall near the pulpit.
"Thanks." He mumbled. "We couldn't go through that. Not again." He crossed himself again before turning to see Damian watching him.
"Trevor?"
"Hi."
"What's happened?"
"Mark is on the mend. I can't go back to the Missions. Not yet. I'm needed here." Trevor sounded more determined than ever. "My family need me."
"The Bishop."
"Can say what he wants. I've lost one brother, one is in prison. I've lost my father, my sister has been terrified and my oldest brother - the one that held my family together when he was twelve years old nearly died. I'm staying where I'm needed."
"Trevor, I know your family has had a difficult time." Trevor took his glasses off before shaking his head and putting them back on.
"Tell the Bishop. Tell the Pope! If it comes to a direct choice between my mother and family or the church I will choose my family. Please don't make me choose." He turned, walking out of the church without looking back. Father Damian watched his friend leave, a slight smile on his face. He knew Trevor meant every word. A brothers love for his siblings was unbreakable. Once again he envied the Browns. Turning towards the alter he glanced up at the crucifix.
"Give the Brown's a break for a while. He means it, Boss." He headed back into the vestry hoping the Boss heard him.
Xxxxxx
A/n epilogue to come.