DECEMBER 2013

SOUTH IRISH COAST

In the freezing cold, Frank practically dragged Brendan off the boat at the small fishing dock on the south Irish coast, "You are so not right mate"

Brendan tripped up and landed on the soft damp long grass, he rolled over sweating, "I just need to rest up a bit"

"You are burning up to fuck", Frank observed, in the early morning light.

Brendan knew something bad was going on. A post op infection and without his meds, it was steadily getting a whole lot worse, "call someone for me...", he laboured in between breaths, "...my sister"

Frank didn't think this was a very good idea. Fuck knows what this Brady was on the run from, but at the same time there was a sincerity about him, against his better judgement he relented, "okay...what's her number"

Meanwhile, Cheryl and Nate were walking out of the police station in Manchester, "Well, that was all a very waste of time, as if we were gonna be able to hide him"

They jumped into the hire car and Nate drove off. As they headed onto the motorway back to the Travelodge, Nate glanced into the rear view mirror, and saw the car on their tail at a distance. He turned to Cheryl, "Looks like they are following us"

Cheryl had an inkling this was going to happen. She had been quite evasive at the interview, "I know...they don't trust us, I suppose"

As they drove further up the motorway, there was a jingling from Cheryl's purse, "Isn't that your phone", asked Nate.

Cheryl retrieved the phone and saw the unknow caller ID. She knew she had to answer it, "Hello, what? Who are you? You with Bren? Okay...yeah...no don't go, please"

Nate looked at her as she ended the call, "Who was that? Chezz?"

Cheryl was looked in total turmoil, "Some guy...he says he's with Brendan", she worried.

Nate knew this was all going to end up blowing up in their faces, "where...", he trailed off.

Cheryl looked at him all surprised, "Ireland...Brendan's in Ireland..."

In Ireland, Brendan looked worse for where as he laid on the dock, Frank was getting ready to leave, "Look...I have to go. I called your sister, but i don't think she's gonna get here in time"

Brendan knew that to be so. He didn't feel too good now, "Hmmmm", he grunted, holding his head.

Frank went to leave, but turned on his heel and looked down at Brendan, "Look...I can call an ambulance...at least you'll get the treatment you need"

If he wanted to live, he knew he had to. Brendan shook his head, "Yeah"

Frank put the phone to his ear, and glanced at him, "Whatever you have done, it can't be worth all of this shit"

Back in the UK, Cheryl walked back into the reception at the Travelodge, Nate was on her tail trying to make her see sense, "If we travel to Dublin, the police are gonna follow, you do know that", He warned in a hushed tone.

Cheryl threw her hands in the air and turned on her heel, "then what do we do babe? I just want to see him, make sure he is alright"

Nate wished he could give her all the answers. Truth be told he was in just as much as a dead end like she was, "So...what do you want to do?"

Cheryl looked as if she had some kind of brainwave. She put her phone to her ear, "I'll call Ste...they are not gonna be following him, are they?"

They entered their room, "I hope you know what you are doing Chez..."

In Chester, John-Paul had his hand over Ste's eyes as he lead him into the kitchen. Just when he had him where he wanted him, he let Ste see what was on offer.

"A romantic meal for two", Ste wowed, as he looked at the makeshift candlelit table.

"SURPRISE!", John-Paul called.

Ste laughed and turned to him, "John-Paul, you shouldn't of. What's all this for anyway?"

John-Paul got him sat at the table, and placed the meal in front of him, "Just thought I'd give you a much needed break from all the cooking", he breezed.

Ste looked ever so grateful as his eyes feasted on the chicken dinner, "awwww, thank you"

John-Paul sat in his own chair and looked across to him, "I KNOW it's not as good as yours, but..."

Ste laughed as he lifted his eyes from gazing at the food to his boyfriend, "It looks fine...MORE than fine"

"Well...tuck in, the proof is in the pudding and all that"

Just as Ste was about to stuff his face with chicken, his phone jingled to life, he snatched it up and glanced at the screen.

"Who is it?", asked John-Paul looking somewhat annoyed with the interruption. Ste looked up at him, "It's Cheryl"

John-Paul waved his hand dismissively, "Just leave it"

"No I can't...she might have news", he answered and looked away from John-Paul, "Hi Cheryl...what? He's where? Hmmm...I dunno"

John-Paul shook his head looking non-Plussed, "What's she saying?"

"Look...keep me posted, I'm sure he's okay...he's Brendan Brady, he has to be...okay...call me if you have any more news...bye"

John-Paul sat back in his chair and sighed deeply, "So...what's up now?"

Ste started to move the food around his plate with his fork, "It's Brendan...he's in Ireland"

That put a smile on his face, "Ireland? Well, that's good news...he's home then...less you don't have to worry now, foods getting cold"

Ste didn't really feel like eating but he forced it down him, "Yeah..."he replied as he chewed, but he had that sinking feeling that he really WASN'T EVER going to see Brendan again. At least when he was in prison, he knew where he was...but now...he hadn't a clue.