Connor was standing outside waiting for her as Siobhan got out of the taxi and paid him.
”Siobhan.” Connor sounded grave.
”How is he Connor?” She asked, dreading to hear what he had to say.
”It’s not good, Siobhan. The doctors say he has only a few hours to live.” He said sympathetically. Siobhan gasped and tears filled her eyes.
”There now, don’t cry, little girl.” Connor felt sorry for Siobhan and called her by his nickname for her. “Dry your tears, you wouldn’t want him to see you like that, now would you?” Siobhan sniffed back the tears and dried her eyes.
”I want to see him.” Connor lead the way to Paddy’s hospital bed on the second floor department C.

Danielle couldn’t sleep after she got back from the airport it was only three hours till seven o’clock and then she had to go to her dad’s office to explain to him what had happened. So she took a shower to freshen up and got dressed and made breakfast. As she finished the phone rang. That must be Siobhan, she thought to herself and answered the phone.
”Hello Siobhan?”
”Er… No, it’s Shane.” He said recognizing Danielle’s voice. “Why are you expecting a call from her?” Danielle didn’t know how to tell him and she stuttered over the phone.
”Er… Well, she’s… I mean er…”
”Danielle.” Shane spoke nervously. “What’s wrong? Where’s Siobhan? I called yesterday and she didn’t call back. What’s going on?” Danielle took a deep breath and sighed and told him what had happened but she left out Connor. Shane didn’t take it very well. “Oh, my poor baby, all alone with no one to be with her.” He said sadly. Danielle considered telling Shane about Connor then changed her mind. It’ll only make matters worse. “Ok, then. Can you give me her number so I can contact her?”
”Well, that’s the problem she hasn’t phoned me yet so I can’t contact her till she contacts me.”
”Oh.” Shane sighed. “Ok, well phone me the minute she does. I’m really worried about her.”
”Me too, Shane, me too.” After Danielle finished talking to Shane she decided to phone her father rather than take the chance of leaving the apartment and missing the call from Siobhan.
Mr. Ryner wasn’t happy at all when his daughter told him the situation and he felt very frustrated. Danielle was getting more angrier the longer she spoke to her father, she couldn’t understand why he couldn’t be more considerate.
”Dad, calm down will you? Siobhan wouldn’t have left for the fun of it. She’s gone to take care of her brother and I’m sure she’ll be back in a couple of days.” It took Danielle over half an hour to make her dad understand and accept. She put the phone down and sighed deeply. She changed her plans and canceled her flight back to Zurich because she felt it wise to be there for Siobhan when she got back and anyway she was going to tell Siobhan that she had decided to live in London because she loved it so much, but the circumstances pushed all thoughts about herself out of her mind.

Danielle was getting worried about Siobhan. It had been over ten hours since she arrived in Ireland and Danielle didn’t hear from her. Danielle was beginning to fear the worst and she knew that she was going to have a lot of explaining to do when Shane phones again.

Chapter 25
Shane was pacing the room he was feeling so helpless and agitated. It was seven in the evening and they need to be in the arena in half an hour and there was still no call from Danielle. He was debating whether or not he should call, he wasn’t sure he wanted to know if she heard from Siobhan or not.
”Damn it!” He shouted as he slumped down on a chair then immediately got up again pacing the room.
”Chill out, Filan!” Kian shouted at him from across the room. Shane just glared at him but continued his pacing. He hadn’t told the lads about Siobhan he didn’t need the extra burden of having to tell others what the report is on Siobhan and her brother.
”What’s going Shane?” Nicky asked placing a hand on his friend’s shoulder. Shane stopped pacing and sat down leaning his elbows on his knees and resting his chin on his hands. Nicky sat down beside him and waited for Shane to tell him.
”It’s Siobhan–” Nicky groaned as he heard her name. “No Nicky! It’s not that! Her brother has been in an accident and she’s in the hospital with him.”
”Oh…” Nicky sighed in sympathy.
“The thing is I haven’t heard from her since she got there and I’m worried about her.”
“Sorry to hear that, mate.” Nicky said. “Why don’t you phone her then?”
”I don’t have her number. She’s supposed to phone her friend and leave a number so I can contact her.” Shane said frustrated. Nicky didn’t know what else to say, so he patted his friend’s shoulder and got up leaving Shane to his thoughts.

Westlife arrived at the arena and waited till it was time to go on stage. The atmosphere was tense. Shane was feeling more depressed as the minutes went by and no amount of cheering up from any of the lads helped.
”Shane what is wrong with you, man?” Kian asked sternly.
”Yeah? What’s eating ya?” Bryan asked.
”Nothing. I’m fine.” Shane attempted to brush his mates away and walked to the other side of the dressing room. Bryan shrugged and Kian was about to give him a mouthful when Nicky stopped him.
”Kian, let me talk to him.” Kian glared at Shane but he let it go and Nicky walked over to Shane.
”Look mate, this is the situation. In like twenty minutes we are going up on stage and we have to give a performance in front of thousands of screaming fans, they’ll see something’s up the minute they lay eyes on you. I know how you are feeling, Shane, and I sympathize but we have a job to do, so please do your utmost to do it well.” Nicky didn’t wait for a response from Shane and just walked away, leaving him to figure it out for himself.

Throughout the concert Shane did his best to conceal his worries and concerns from the watchful audience and he made sure that if his mobile should ring he would be informed of it immediately. Every time they had a change of clothes Shane would rush to Paul, the security guy and ask him if there had been a phone call for him and every time Paul had to disappoint him by saying there had been no call.

They got back to the hotel they were staying in and Shane rushed up the stairs, not bothering to wait for the lift. He unlocked the door to his room slammed it behind him and dialed Danielle’s number.
”Siobhan?” She answered.
”Damn it! No it’s me Shane. Why hasn’t she called yet?” Shane was so worried about her.
”I don’t know Shane, I don’t know. But don’t worry too much about it. Maybe she’s just been busy taking care of her brother and hasn’t found an appropriate time to call.” Danielle was just as worried as Shane but she couldn’t let him know that. “The minute she calls I’ll phone you, ok? Have some rest Shane, I’m sure you need it.” Shane nodded.
”Ok, ok. But phone me.” He said and ended the call. He lay down on his bed tossing and turning. He missed Siobhan so much and he just wanted to hold her in his arms, to keep her safe. He hated the fact that she had to face dealing with Paddy all on her own.

Chapter 26
When Siobhan saw Paddy lying on the bed she couldn’t even recognize him. His whole face was mutilated and his legs and arm were in casts. There were tubes coming in and out of his body and those tubes seemed the only living things about him. Paddy was motionless and unconscious.
That was yesterday’s shock and since seeing him lying there like that the only thing Siobhan could think of was hoping he’d live. The accident was lethal, he fell asleep by the wheel and the vehicle stirred from the road and fell down the cliff. The paramedics were surprised he even survived that. Connor was very supportive and he took care of Siobhan as if she were his little sister for the past twenty-four hours.
It was six in the morning and Siobhan was feeling exhausted after staying up all night by Paddy’s bed side. Connor tried to convince her to go home and have a good night’s rest but she wouldn’t leave her brother’s bed side.
”Morning, Siobhan.” Connor walked in quietly. “How’s Paddy?” Siobhan stretched and glanced at Paddy, there seemed to be no significant change.
”I think he’s getting his color back.” She said wishing, more than believing. She got up and felt a pain shooting up her back and she groaned.
”What’s wrong, Siobhan?” Connor approached her.
”My neck.” She said and moved her shoulders. “I think I fell asleep in the wrong position.” Siobhan said and tried rubbing her neck.
”Here, let me do it.” Connor offered and without waiting for an answer he started massaging her neck. Siobhan closed her eyes welcoming the pain and winced every time he squeezed too hard but she was grateful for his help. With Connor standing that close to her and massaging her neck thoughts of Shane came into her mind and with that she remembered Danielle.
”Damn!” She suddenly whispered. Connor stopped massaging her neck.
”What? Did I hurt you?”
”No, no. I need to make a phone call to my friend. I promised I’d call her and I completely forgot about it.” Siobhan felt guilty.
”You were worried about Paddy, don’t worry about it. I’m sure she’s in no rush to receive a call from you.” Connor tried to make her feel better.
”No, but I have to. She needs to tell my boyfriend what is going on.”
”Oh.” Connor sounded disappointed when he heard that she has a boyfriend. “Why don’t you call him directly?” He asked not understanding.
”Because I can’t phone to his mobile from here.”
”So phone him at home.”
”He’s not home. He’s away working for a few months.”
”Ah… Ok.” Connor answered.
”Keep an eye on Paddy, will you? I’m going to make my call.” Siobhan said glancing at her brother as she left his room.

“Hello?” Danielle answered the phone. She didn’t want to ask if it was Siobhan in case it was Shane phoning.
”Danielle, it’s Siobhan.”
”Oh my God! Siobhan! We were so worried about you!”
”Sorry. I didn’t intend on making you all worry about me. I was so worried about Paddy that I completely forgot to phone you. I’m sorry.”
”Don’t worry about it. As long as you are ok. So how is he doing?”
”Not good, Kiddo. Not good.” Siobhan felt a lump in her throat thinking about Paddy’s condition but she held the tears back.
”Aw… I wish I could be there to help you.”
”I’m ok. Connor’s here with me and he’s been very kind and understanding.”
”Well at least that’s something. What’s the number there? Shane is dying to contact you!” Danielle exclaimed.
”I know, I know. I feel so bad about neglecting him like that, Danielle. Take care of him for me? Ok?”
”Sure Siobhan. Anything for a friend.” Siobhan smiled and gave Danielle the number of the pay phone on the second floor of Sligo’s General Hospital. “I’ll phone him now. So wait by the phone. I’m sure he’ll contact you in seconds. Take care of yourself, Siobhan.”
”I shall, Kiddo.” The both hang up.

The pay phone rang about four minutes later and Siobhan answered.
”Shane?”
”Siobhan? Is that you? Thank God! I was so worried. What happened why didn’t you call?” Shane was relieved to hear her voice. Siobhan told him everything she told Danielle but she didn’t mention Connor. It wasn’t important. ”I miss you sweetheart.” He said choking over those words.
”Me too, Shane.” Siobhan said and let the tears come. Shane heard her crying.
”Oh, baby, don’t cry. I love you and I miss you and…” He didn’t know what else to say.
”Siobhan! Come quick!” Connor yelled as he ran towards her. She turned around to see the shock on his face.
”What’s wrong? Is Paddy ok?” She started panicking.
”What’s happening? Who’s that calling you?” Siobhan heard Shane’s voice shouting from the other side of the line sounding scared.
”It’s ok, sweetie. Don’t worry. I have to go. I’ll phone Danielle to tell you when to phone again.” She didn’t wait for his answer but quickly put the receiver down and followed Connor, rushing back to Paddy’s room.

Chapter 27
Paddy died in Siobhan’s arms half an hour later. The doctors couldn’t do a thing to save him. They said that if they attempted to operate he would have died anyway. Siobhan was devastated and wouldn’t be consoled. She didn’t even have the heart to phone Danielle to tell her what had happened. Connor drove her back to Paddy’s home to rest there while he arranged for the funeral and everything else.
Connor returned in the afternoon and found Siobhan sobbing on Paddy’s bed in his bedroom.
”Oh, Siobhan. Don’t cry.” He said and embraced her, holding her tight. Siobhan kept on crying in his arms for a very long time and found consolation with him, knowing she wasn’t alone.
When Siobhan stopped crying she was just happy to be held, though she wished it was Shane. Feeling her this near made Connor long for her as he did all those years ago.
”How you feeling, darling?” He asked lifting her chin to look into those lovely green eyes of hers.
”Ok, I guess…” She answered. Holding her chin in his hand he leaned forward and kissed her softly. Siobhan wasn’t expecting that and for a few seconds she was confused and when she didn’t react he leaned his whole body kissing her harder, more passionately. Siobhan pushed him away. “What do you think you are doing?” She said angrily getting up from Paddy’s bed.
”Sorry.” He said, though he wasn’t sorry at all. He wanted her, and he was going to have her if she liked it or not. He changed the subject. “Listen, I’ve talked to the cemetery and I’ve managed to book the funeral for tomorrow afternoon.”
”Thank you, Connor.” Siobhan said and left the room quickly.

Siobhan called Danielle and told her about the bad news. Danielle offered to come on the next flight to help with all the arrangements but Siobhan wouldn’t hear of it. She told her Connor was dealing with all that and didn’t want to cause any stress on her if she could avoid it. She gave Danielle the number to her brother’s home and ended the conversation.
Shane phoned in the evening and they talked for over two hours, each wishing they could be in each other’s arms for just a little while. They missed each other so much and they found it very hard being away so long from each other and finding out about Paddy’s death didn’t help much to lighten the grave mood they were in.
”Will I at least get to see you in two days time?” Shane asked hopefully.
”Two days’ time? What you talking about?”
”You know, two days’ time will be a month since we’ve been away from each other and then you get time off work.” He said eagerly.
”Damn it! I completely forgot about work.” She said frustratingly. “Danielle said she would deal with it, but she never told me what she arranged and I didn’t bother to find out.” She sounded stressed.
”But why should that be a problem?” Shane asked sounding disappointed.
”Because if I know my boss, these past two days and the two that are going to follow are going to be my time I asked off work.” She said sadly.
”Time off? Does he think you were having a holiday? Oh Jesus! I can’t believe it! How can he be so coldhearted?”
”I haven’t spoken to him about it yet Shane. Maybe I’ll be able to have my holiday anyway.” Siobhan knew it was a fat chance of that happening but Shane and her were sad as it was and she didn’t want to make him feel as if it was the end of the world.
”Ok, sweetie. I hope you’ll get it, ‘cause I miss you so much, you have no idea.” Siobhan smiled and held back tears hearing him say that.
”Dido.” She answered.