‘Tell me guys. What does it say?’ ‘I think you’d better read it for yourself.’ Shane handed Kian the note.

Dear Mark, Kian, Shane and Nicky,

After speaking with Bryan almost constantly over the past couple of days, I have realised that he is totally serious about what he is about to do. He has not been drunk during this time, and has given it some great consideration. The next part of this, is taken straight from Bryan.

"I have decided after several months of thinking about it, to leave Westlife. It seems to me that we have grown apart over the past year, and I don’t feel that I can work with you anymore. This hasn’t been easy for me. I’ve had lots of happy times with you lot, but not recently. It’s over. Please don’t try and stay in touch, it’s not worth it. I wish you all the best of luck. I really do."

My client and I have decided that I should make an announcement on his behalf, on Friday, 27th March, at 14.00. You are asked not to be present at the press conference.

Sincerely,
Adam Jones
Legal Advisor to Bryan McFadden

‘Oh my God. He was serious. He told me he wouldn’t come back, but I thought he’d come back once he’d slept off his hangover. Wait, it’s Friday today! What’s the time someone? Quickly.’ Kian looked around for a clock. There wasn’t one.

‘It’s quarter to two. There’s live press coverage on the telly. D’you want me to switch it on?’ Kian nodded and Shane switched the TV on. Just then, Mark came in. ‘Guys, what’s going on? What’s happened?’ Silently, Kian handed him the letter, and Mark read it. ‘Jesus. That’s now! Is that what we’re watching?’

‘Yeah.’ Nicky motioned him to sit down. ‘Shhh. I want to hear.’ ‘Should I phone Louis?’ ‘Shhhh Kian. I want to hear!’ ‘Nicky, we know what they’re going to say! Louis told me to phone him when we had any news.’ ‘Well phone him then! But do it outside, I won’t be able to hear if you’re talking over the top of the telly.’

"We’re in the office building of Bryan McFadden’s lawyer. We are waiting for him to make some kind of public announcement. It was scheduled for 2 o’clock, but we are still waiting. Stay tuned to MTV for the latest updates" The reporter gave a cheesy smile, and they cut to an advert break.

‘Come on, how much longer?’ Even level-headed Mark was getting twitchy now. A few minutes later, just after the advert break ended, Adam Jones appeared behind the desk. There was no sign of Bryan. The huge group of press that had gathered instantly fell silent, as did the group gathered round the TV in the dressing room at Wembley.

"On behalf of my client, Bryan McFadden, I would like to announce his departure from the group, Westlife. At this moment, Mr McFadden would not like to give any reason for his departure, but I will take questions from the press for the next 15 minutes." It seemed like every hand in the room shot up.

"Mr Jones, will the departure of your client mean the end of the band?" "That is not for me to say. I have not heard anything of the band’s reaction to the announcement, so it is not my place to comment"

"Does his departure have anything to do with the rumours about the fact that some of the band were uncomfortable with Mr McFadden’s drinking habits?" "As I said in my statement, my client is not giving any reason for his departure at this moment in time. Any more questions of that nature, and the question and answer session will end immediately!"

"Will Bryan be able to comment himself any time in the near future?" "I don’t know."

"One of Bryan’s ex-band mates announced the fact that he was no longer single the same day that Bryan disappeared. Is there any link between these two events?" Kian breathed in, sharply, and Anna began to cry. Kian held her close, as the rest of the group looked at each other with concern. "I said I would not answer any questions of that nature! No comment! The press conference is now over!"

Cries of protest echoed in the TV world, and in the dressing room, Anna’s cries echoed pitifully. ‘Anna, baby, look at me.’ Kian also seemed close to tears. She looked up and wiped her eyes. He kissed her on the forehead, and whispered ‘Everything’s going to be all right. It’ll all be okay.’

Shane stood up. ‘Come on. We’ve got a show to do tonight. We can’t let the fans down. We’re not going to break up just because Bryan’s decided he’s too good for us!’

The show that night went excellently. There were throngs of people who waited patiently outside the venue, wanting to find out if the show would go ahead or not. The press was crawling all over the venue, trying to get a comment from one of the band, but they failed.

After that night, the tour was over, and the band went on holiday. But it wasn’t much of a holiday. They were constantly hampered by the press, but still both the remaining band, and Bryan himself refused to comment.