Danielle was at the hospital pacing back and forth in the lobby of the waiting room. She couldn’t stand the wait. Marie was left in her charge and she messed up. She only wished that Marie will be ok, that she’ll get out of it alive.
”Danielle!” Nicole rushed to her daughter and held her tight. Danielle broke down in her mother’s arms, crying bitterly.
”I’m so sorry mum. I’m so sorry.”
”It’s ok, honey. It’s alright. I left work the second I was told. I’m sorry I had to leave you here all by yourself all this time.” Danielle held on to her mother, sobbing. Nicole guided her daughter over to the seats in the waiting room and held her close. After a while in each other’s arms Danielle dried her tears and drew away.
”She’s in surgery mum. The second the ambulance arrived at the hospital Marie was rushed into the O.R. and I was left to wander around aimlessly not knowing what is happening.” Tears formed in her eyes again but she wiped them dry.
”Shhhh… Baby don’t cry.” Her mother tried to console her.
”Mrs. Ryner?”
”Yes?” Nicole turned round to face a doctor and got up. “My daughter? Marie. Is she ok?” Danielle stood up next to her mother.
”Mrs. Ryner, your daughter is suffering from internal injuries. She has a few broken ribs and a punctured lung.” Danielle gasped at the news. “We’ve just finished operating but it’s still too early to tell what her condition is. So far she’s not stabilizing.” Nicole nodded shaking her head sadly.
”You must make her live! You must!” Danielle pleaded to the doctor.
”We’ll do our best miss.” The doctor said and turned to leave. “Oh, before I forget, you can go see her, she’s been placed in room 304.”

Nicole and Danielle entered Marie’s room. “Make sure you stay quiet.” The nurse said leaving them.
”Oh Marie!” Danielle gasped as she saw the state her sister was in. They both came to stand either side of the bed. Marie was lying there attached to so many machines. Bags of fluids were hanging above the bed with plastic tubes running down into Marie’s arms. Her forehead was bandaged and it was stained with blood. Just the sight of her caused Nicole to shed a tear. “It’ll be ok mum.” Danielle said reaching her hand over the bed to her mother. Nicole took Danielle’s hand in hers and held Marie’s hand in the other. “It’ll be ok.”

18 hours later
Danielle fell asleep on the chair from exhaustion next to Marie’s bed. She wouldn’t move from her sister’s room till she was certain that her situation had stabilized.
”Miss Ryner?” Someone tapped on Danielle’s shoulder. She stirred and got up looking at the nurse before her. “I’m sorry to disturb you, but the doctor is about to come in to check on your sister, it’s best that you leave the room while he does so.” Danielle just nodded too tired to say anything or argue. She glanced at Marie who was still unconscious and who didn’t look any better, then she left the room and headed to the waiting room where her mother slept throughout the night.

There was a knock on the door and Anto peered through. “Shane, times up, we have to get going.”
”Can’t it wait a little longer?” Shane asked.
”You got one minute, Shano.” Anto said and closed the door behind him.
”Sorry about that, Danielle. But once again it seems that I’m being pulled away before I’m ready to go.” Danielle smiled.
”That’s ok, I understand.” They both stood up. “I guess this is goodbye then?” She asked.
”I’d rather it be ‘farewell and I’ll see you again sometime.’” Shane answered.
”You could say that, Shane. But I have no idea if we ever will see each other again. I’m a young girl living in Switzerland and you are a well-known person, throughout the whole world. That’s a hard job you have and the chances of us meeting again is like…”
”Fine. I get it.” Shane said upset, maybe even annoyed. He wasn’t sure. He looked down at the teddy bear he was holding. "Here. You have it.” He handed the bear to her. “I don’t know what it’s for.” He whispered. A tear trickled down Danielle’s cheek and Shane regretted what he just said.
”It doesn’t matter. I know what it’s for. Goodbye Shane.” She said and angrily and left the room leaving Shane holding the bear in his hand feeling confused, frustrated and upset.

Chapter 8
The lads and Anto made their way up into the airplane to take them to London. They each took two seats to themselves and stretched out. Mark was asleep again. He seemed to be sleeping every available second. Shane wasn't surprised if Mark slept standing up too, if he had the time. He pulled out a blanket and covered himself up, hoping he could follow Mark’s way and go to sleep. Kian and Bryan were messing around on the plane pretending to be stewardesses and messing around on the intercom. Nicky and Anto were sitting together talking to each other. Shane tossed and turned. This whole business was driving him crazy. He sat up and took out the bear from his bag he didn’t have time to put it in his suitcase because they were late as it was when Danielle left the hotel. He stared at the teddy and smiled bitterly. It was an adorable teddy bear but he couldn’t understand its significance and that drove him mad. Bryan passed by wearing a stewardess’ scarf and chuckled when he glanced at Shane.
”Aw, poor Shane. Can’t sleep without your stuffed toys?” he asked giggling. Shane looked at him annoyed.
”Go away Bry! I’m not in the mood.”
”Lil Shaney is all upset… Aw…”
”Damn it Bryan!” Shane yelled at him and threw the bear in his face. Bryan just laughed and Shane turned away and looked out the window.
”Geez, What’s wrong with him?” Bryan asked picking up the teddy bear, he was about to throw it back to Shane when Nicky put his hand on Bryan’s shoulder.
”I’ll talk to him.” He said and took the bear from Bryan’s hand. Bryan shrugged and went to the restroom, where he was heading to in the first place. “Shane, what’s up mate?” Nicky asked sitting in the seat next to Shane.
”I don’ wanna talk ‘bout it? Ok?” Shane said not turning to look at his friend.
”Sure, whatever suits you, man.” Nicky said hurt and left the bear on the seat he just vacated. Shane turned round and saw the teddy next to him but he just ignored it, not wanting anything to do with it.

Thoughts of Danielle kept returning to Shane in his sleep, during the recording sessions and when he was out getting drunk with the other lads. At the moment they were all at the Met bar after a long day of recording. They were all tired and decided to try and enjoy themselves as much as possible before going back to Ireland. Nicky was talking to a good-looking girl at a table near by and Kian was trying very hard to dance on the dance-floor with a blonde tall girl but he was failing miserably. Shane thought someone needed to give Kian dancing lessons fast then took a swig of his beer. Mark was sitting at the bar talking to Richie from Five.
”Hey, Shane.” Nicky sat beside him.
”What?” Shane asked taking yet another swig from his beer.
”You should cut down on the beer, mate.” Nicky said then saw that dead look in Shane’s eyes. “Was just kidding. Drink as much as you want.” Shane didn’t laugh. “Er… Yes, well… I was talking to this girl over there and I think she might be right for you.” He winked. Nicky was always trying to set a girl up for Shane. But lately he wasn’t having much success. It was Shane’s fault he just wasn’t in the mood. Shane didn’t even bother looking in her direction.
”I’ll pass.” He said taking another swig of beer. Realizing it was empty he got up to go to the bar to get another. Nicky sighed and was about to disappoint the girl he talked to as he saw her approaching Shane.
”Hi I’m Siobhan.” She smiled sweetly at him. Shane looked at her, recognizing the Irish accent. The first impression he got was that she was beautiful. Any thought of Danielle slipped away.
”Hello.” He slurred looking away embarrassed that he was so drunk he couldn’t even talk properly. She slipped onto a stool and faced him.
”Can I buy you a drink?” She offered. Shane grimaced, still sober enough to hear the sarcasm in her voice.
”I’m sorry.” He said. “I’m really not good company tonight.”
”Don’t worry about it. Maybe some other time?” Shane nodded. Siobhan slipped off the stool and walked away.
”Wait.” Shane said following her. “What’s your name?”
”I told you. Siobhan.” Shane blushed, thinking he had too much to drink.
”Sorry.” He said and walked out the bar.

Chapter 9
Mark was looking forward to the weekend off he and Shane were given as a treat. Both finished their recording sessions, while the other three had to work on the backup vocals, and Bryan still had his bits to record.
”Isn’t it great we have the weekend off to ourselves?” Mark nudged Shane when they heard. “Yeah.” Shane said not sounding happy. Mark didn’t hear Shane’s tone of voice.
”Yeah. And I’m going to take advantage of it. I plan to go to home, to Sligo and sleep. I never get to sleep properly anymore.” Shane heard that and could’ve burst out laughing, but he wasn’t in the mood. Thoughts of that stupid teddy bear, or should he say of Danielle were still swimming in his head. He wished they’d go away.

“I’ll pick you up Sunday night.” Shane said matter-of-fact. Mark nodded got out of Shane’s car and went into his home. Shane drove home, wondering what he’ll do in his free weekend.
”Hey mum.” Shane said as he walked inside hugging his mother.
”Hello sweetie. How are you?” She kissed him on the cheek.
”I’m ok.” He said, lying.
”Come now Shane. Something’s bothering you.” Mae stated. Shane smiled at his mum. She could read him like a book and he loved her for that. It saved him telling his mum about things that bothered him because she had a way of making him tell her and making him feel better about it. Mae guided her son over to the sofa and waited for him to tell her.

Shane wasn’t sure if he wanted to do what his mum suggested, but he knew better than not to listen. His mum was wise and if she told him to go out and enjoy his weekend with his friends that’s what he’ll do, in hopes that there will be no thoughts of Danielle.