Breakdown

[eithne]

I am going to try so, so hard to finish this story. Please be very mean to be if I don't. I beg you not to accept stories of writer's block etc. I NEED to finish at least one story - or I'll end up as deranged as Steven!

One

She sat waiting. Waiting and thinking. Sometimes she could while away an hour or two without moving, just sitting there thinking. She wondered whether anyone else could just sit and think for so long although with a life like hers she had considerably more to think about than the average person. She had so many things to regret doing, or not doing, as the case could be.

There were so many things she'd left unsaid before he had gone. Little things from when she was a girl that she had never shared with anyone. Little stories from her day that she had meant to tell, ones that had seemed so important at the time but had later been forgotten about when they'd settled down together. He loved her and would have done anything for her. It seemed so strange that four years had passed by since Roy had died. It felt like just yesterday she'd watched him pass away.

Frank was the complete opposite. There was nothing romantic about Frank, but there was something special - something she knew she would never get with any other man ever again. There was an intimacy there, something more than love. It was something she'd spent many hours trying to define for herself. A spark? Too common a word. Soulmates? Too stupid, too emotional. There was special something there though. Something so, so good.

Today she was not thinking of Roy, of Frank or of any other man in her past. She sat thinking about a man in the present, if you could call him a man. In her eyes he was a boy, a scared little boy. This wasn't one of her boys but it was proof that all her bad mistakes as a mother had been passed on to them. Poor parenting had caused Steven's problems. If Simon had been a proper father, Steven would not have had a breakdown and everything would be fine.

Pat Evans sighed. She'd realised the voice in her head had been beginning to shout and she stopped it. Anger was not what Steven needed now. Shouting and anger would only lead to Pat losing her rag. He'd had enough rejection. Truth be told it was probably rejection from his mother and father, from Ian and from her, Pat, which had been the root of the problems.

"Morning Nan."

He was here. It was time to confront him.

"Morning."

Steven Beale took a seat at the table and reached for the pot of tea. "It's cold."

"Steven, love, we need to talk."

He left down the pot and looked at his grandmother. "What about?" he asked defensively. She could tell he knew what was coming.

She dug a bottle of pills out of her cardigan pocket. "I found these in your bedroom. You haven't taken them."

"I don't need them," he answered steely.

"Steven," she was trying to be calm, "you need to take them. You heard what the doctor said."

"No." He stood up. "I don't need to take them and you can't make me."

"Sit down," she said. But it was no use. He gave her an icy, moody glare before turning and running out of the kitchen. A minute later she heard his bedroom door slam and loud music begin to play.


She was alone again - thinking. A solution soon hit her.

[eithne]

Two

"Look love. Your right. I can't make you take them if you don't want to."

Pat was standing outside Steven's bedroom. Music blared from inside, but she was certain she could hear him crying inside.

"Steven, I'm sorry," she reached down for the doorknob, but it was locked. "Let me in."

Ten seconds passed. She could hear movement inside. The music stopped and footsteps grew closer. A reluctant, unsure pause followed by a click. He opened the door and those dark eyes met hers once again.

"I'm sorry," he said.

"So am I," she answered.

He backed into the room. "I just can't take those tablets Nan. I hate taking them. They change me."

"Don't worry. I understand."

He gave her a small smile. "Thanks."

"Now. I've made you a cup of tea. This one's warm."

"Great. Thanks Nana."

A few minutes later, both were downstairs. Steven sat at the kitchen table, happily flicking through a magazine and eating his breakfast, while Pat washed the dishes. She placed the final mug on the draining board and turned to watch Steven.

"Don't forget to drink up all your tea," she advised, "before it gets cold."

He looked up at her and smiled. A pang of guilt rose up through Pat, but she told herself she was doing the right thing.

[eithne]

Three

Pat emerged from the Mini Market carrying a bag of groceries. She spotted Ian arguing with a delivery man and decided to hide behind one of the stalls until he went back into the cafe. A minute later Pat stood between two of the stalls. She sighed, the silliness of the situation hitting her. She'd been avoiding Ian for days now - ever since Steven had returned to the Square. She couldn't go on hiding from him indefinitely. It was difficult enough looking after Steven.

Pat took a step forward, telling herself that this was the moment that she would talk to Ian. She peeked around the corner and saw that he was still arguing with the delivery man. His raised voice and angry eyes made her think again. Maybe now wasn't the time.

Pat suddenly realised how she had changed. Once upon a time she would never back away from a confrontation, but here she was now hiding from Ian of all people. "Patricia, how you've changed," she muttered to herself. A sound behind made her jump. She turned to look, but saw nothing there. The flap of the stall was moving and Pat began to make her way down the space between the two stalls in order to see what it was. Something had been standing there.

"Pat."

Ian Beale was standing at the top of the space between the two stalls. His face was red with anger after his disagreement with the delivery man. "Is he gone yet?"

"No. Like I told you, he's staying with me now Ian. You've got to get used to that."

"I shouldn't have to. He's not right Pat. Have you forgotten what he did to Jane?" Ian said, his nostrils flaring.

"Of course I haven't forgotten," Pat answered.

Ian lowered his voice. "He shot her and nearly killed her. He's lucky he isn't locked up somewhere now, and I'm not talking about a psychiatric hospital. I'm talking about prison."

"You wouldn't."

"Keep him away from Peter and Lucy or else I'll have no choice."

"But he's getting better Ian. I've got him taking these," Pat said, producing the half empty bottle of pills from her pocket. She held them out for Ian to see. He took them and read the label before looking up at Pat.

"I don't understand."

"What?"

"Why are they in your pocket Pat?"

"I was bringing them to get some more," she lied.

"No, you're worried if you leave them somewhere he can get them that he'll overdose. You think he's suicidal."

Now it was Pat's turn to shout. "You're wrong."

"Why have you got them then?"

She sighed for a second time, quickly deciding that she had no option but to tell Ian the truth. "He's not taking them."

"I knew it. I knew you were lying," Ian said, giving Pat a smug smile.

"No, I wasn't lying," she assured him. "I put them in his food. He doesn't know that he's taking them."

Ian was angrier than ever now. "What?" he shouted, shaking his head. "I don't believe this."

"He's improved since I've been doing it. His mood swings are gone. He's normal Ian."

"He's not normal and he'll never be normal," Ian shouted. Tracey and a couple of customers at her flower stall looked in their direction. Noticing this Ian lowered his voice again. "Look, if you keep him under control and keep him away from Peter, Lucy and Jane then he can stay."

"Thank you Ian."

Ian thrust the bottle back into Pat's hands. "And giving them to him. Don't let him find out what you are doing." After that warning he turned and left.

[eithne]

Four

"I had this really, really weird customer down the lot today. She was just staring at the cabin and looking at the name. I went over to her, but she just looked at me before running off."

"That's strange," Carly Wicks said, handing Pat and Stephen the dinner she had just made. "There you two go."

"Thanks," Pat and her grandson answered in agreement.

"So you'd never seen her before had you?" Carly asked sitting down on the couch and balancing her plate of Sheppard's pie on her lap.

"No - never," Kevin said, shaking his head.

"Do any of you want a drink?" Pat asked, looking around at her family.

"Oh, I'm sorry Pat. I completely forgot to ask," Carly said, apologetically.

"Honestly Carly love, you're fine. Kevin?"

"A glass of water, Pat."

"Carly?"

"I'm fine."

Pat turned to her grandson. "Stephen?"

"An orange juice please Nan."

Pat gave him a weak smile, before leaving the sitting room and walking to the kitchen. She filled up a glass of water for Kevin, and left it to one side, before letting a sigh as she took the orange juice out of the fridge. Deciding that what she was doing was for the best, Pat poured a glass of orange juice and dug the bottle of pills out of her pocket.

She slipped two of the small, round white tablets into the orange juice.

"Nana?"

Pat jumped as she heard that familiar voice behind her. She quickly slid her hand around the bottle of pills on the counter, silently praying that he hadn't seen her. Reluctantly she turned to face him.

"I've just poured it," she said, her voice breaking.

"I don't believe this."

Pat knew that he knew what she was up to. The look on his face confirmed that, but Pat also knew she had to deny it. He had to keep taking the pills, he just had to. "What don't you believe Stephen?"

"You've been putting those pills in my food and drink. I saw you."

Pat scoffed. "I haven't done any such thing."

"How long?"

"I think you've imagined me doing something that I haven't done. Stephen, you really should start taking those pills."

Stephen's temper was rising. His hand was starting to shake. "I don't need those pills. I don't need them, but you've been poisoning me. I told you I didn't need them. I told you."

Pat decided that there was no way she could deny what she'd done. He was too angry for that and she didn't want to risk Kevin and Carly overhearing. She needed to calm him down. "I'm sorry. I had to Stephen. I had no choice."

"I didn't need them," Stephen shouted. "You never listen, do you?"

With that he turned and ran. A moment later Pat heard the front door slam. Kevin emerged from the sitting room and entered the kitchen.

"Everything okay?" he asked.

"Just the usual moody teenager. You've been there I'm sure," Pat said, feigning a smile.

Kevin laughed a little. "Well hurry up. Coronation Street is starting in a minute."

"I'll be in in a minute."

Kevin left the kitchen, leaving Pat alone. If only he knew my grandson was a psychopath, she thought. She turned to reach for Kevin's glass of water and spotted the glass of orange juice. The two tablets had been absorbed into the juice. Pat picked up the glass and tossed its contents down the sink, letting another sigh.

[eithne]

Five

Kevin Wicks rolled over and turned to look at his beautiful wife. She was awake also. "Morning," he greeted her, leaning toward her for a quick kiss. "I didn't hear you come in last night."

Denise sighed. "Libby was a bit upset after visiting Chelsea, so I brought her out for a meal. We talked everything through."

"Did it work?" Kevin asked.

"A little."

"We had a big argument here last night."

Denise raised an eyebrow. "You and Carly?"

"No, Pat and Steven. They had an argument last night and then he stormed out. I went out to look for him with her, but we couldn't find him. It was strange though. I suggested we ask Ian or his kids or Jane if they'd seen him, but Pat refused to let me go there."

"There's more going on there than she's letting on," Denise said. She slipped into her dressing gown. "He'll probably be back today though."

"I heard the door go at around three this morning, so I'm guessing that was him."

"Want a cuppa?"

Kevin smiled. "Yeah, sure. Thanks Denise."

She left the bedroom. Kevin smiled to himself, thinking how lucky he was to have her. They'd been through a lot this past year and he knew he was lucky to have her after everything. The wedding, Deano and Chelsea's trial, Shirley being back. It had been a tough year, but things were improving. Deano and Chelsea would be out soon and he and Denise had been talking about moving away for a new start. Kevin was removed by his reflections by a scream from downstairs.

"Denise," he said, knowing that something was seriously wrong downstairs. He raced out of the bedroom, toward the stairs. Carly and Libby emerged from their bedrooms, but he ignored their puzzled expressions. Down he went the stairs, two at a time. He was relieved to see Denise standing with the phone to her ear.

"There's something wrong with Pat," she said, motioning towards the kitchen. "Hello, ambulance..."

Kevin passed his wife by and walked down the hall towards the kitchen. Pat came into view, slumped unconsciously over the breakfast table. Kevin placed his hand over hers - it was cold.

---

Come on and comment on this story!!! I want feedback - good or bad I don't mind!!! Just give me feedback.

[jessi]

This is wonderful!

Write more, I wanna know whats happened to Pat!

[eithne]

Hey Jessi. Thanks for that. I'll definitely write some more. When nobody replied I got a little disenchanted and said I'd wait a while before writing anymore. I wanted to know if people liked it or not. Expect more soon.

Thanks for the feedback. Have a k - both for posting a story of your own and giving me feedback.

[jessi]

Thank you!

I'm looking forward to the update

[eithne]

Six

The cab pulled up under the darkening East end sky. Out stepped a man who had long lost the glow of youth, but still retained a handsome, attractive look. His face had become lined and his hair had developed wisps of grey here and there since the last time he'd been in this country. He left down a medium-sized bag on the pavement and paid the cabbie.

His brown jacket, striped shirt and jeans summed his attitude to life up perfectly - casual, not that bothered. But this was one instance where he was bothered. Something serious had happened and had dragged him half-way across the world. He turned and looked up at the building before him. It's gloomy, decrepit appearance matched his mood.

Minutes later he stood in the elevator. He looked down at his hand - it was shaking slightly. "Keep it together," he told himself. He suddenly realised how distant he'd been with her this last year. Miriam had taken up so much of his time. They'd been planning for the future and he just hadn't had the time to ring her. And discovering everything else that had been going on had made him feel even less like talking to her.

"Simon."

It was until he heard his name called that Simon Wicks realised the doors of the lift were open. An old enemy stood there, grim and tired looking.

"Ian."

"You got here pretty quickly."

"Well, not that quick," he said, reflecting on his long, 24 hour journey. He'd spent most of that unable to sleep, instead dwelling on the what if's? What if she doesn't survive? What if she does? What if Steven has to come back to live with me?

"How was your flight?"

"Fine," Simon snapped. "How is she?"

"She still hasn't woken up. They pumped her stomach, but because the tablets caused her to have some sort of reaction she's still out. They say that there's a good possibility she'll make a full recovery though."

Simon was shocked. "Tablets? She took an overdose?"

"You don't know?"

"All Kevin said on the phone was that she had been attacked and was in hospital."

Ian let a little laugh. "She was attacked alright. Someone tried to poison her by putting a load of tablets in her tea."

"Who would do that?"

"Steven."

"No. He wouldn't."

"Oh, he would and he did," Ian sneered. "The tablets he put in her tea were the anti-depressants he was supposed to be taking."

Simon was dumbstruck. First his mother had nearly died and now he was learning that his son was the one who had tried to kill her. "He wouldn't," he repeated.

"Steven had refused to take the tablets, and Pat had been putting them in his food. I'm guessing he found out and decided to get revenge by doing the same to her."

Simon was silent for a long time. He stared at the floor, struggling to take it all in. Ian kept quiet. He could sense that all this was a big shock to Simon. "Where is Steven now?"

"He's disappeared. The police are looking for him though."

"The police?" Simon asked. Ian nodded.

"Do you want to see her?"

"Where is she?"

"In there," Ian said, pointing to a door a little bit down the corridor. "Kevin and Denise are with her at the moment."


Simon walked down the corridor and entered the hospital room. Ian stood and watched Wicksy enter the room. He sighed, thinking back over everything that had happened over the past few months. He turned and headed for the lift.

[jessi]

Brilliant!

Poor Pat!!! Steven is so horrible.

[eithne]

Glad you like. More soon!

[eithne]

Seven:

His hands were shaking, his eyes were welling up. Steven could feel his breathes growing shorter as he sat on the Tube reading the newspaper someone had left behind. The picture of his grandmother on the front of the Walford Gazzette had instantly grabbed his attention.

A resident of Albert Square is in a serious condition in hospital after an attempted murder. Police investigating the incident refused to give out details, except to confirm that the resident in question was Mrs. Patricia (Pat) Evans of 31 Albert Square and that their investigation is continuing. They also stated that nobody had been arrested, however they confirm that they were seeking to speak with one person in relation to the incident - although they refused to give out details about this person.

Mrs. Evans has been a long time resident of the Square and was taken into hospital early on Tuesday morning following the attempted murder overnight. According to one of Mrs. Evans' neighbours, Mr. Keith Miller, Mrs. Evans is well liked in the community. "Pat is a very popular resident of Albert Square, and my heart goes out to her and her family at this time. She has..."

(ctd. Page 4)

Steven stopped reading and looked up. His breathing was still fast. He stared out of the window of the moving train - deep in thought. Ten minutes later he running through Walford East Station.

---

"How is she Ian?"

"She's doing well. Her son, Simon, is with her now. She still hasn't woken up, but then at her age it'll take her a long while to recover. She's just so lucky Kevin and Denise found her in time."

Yolande Truman nodded. "It's been a tough year all round hasn't it? With Patrick and then with Deano and Chelsea," she reflected.

"Steven's done something worse than either of those two. I warned her about him."

"No sign of him then?"

Ian started to shake his head, but someone running past the window of the Mini Market caught his eye. He turned and walked out of the shop, ignoring Yolande.

---

"You're just like your mother you know."

Steven stopped pounding on the door of No. 31 and turned to face Ian. "I heard what happened. Where is she?"

Ian ignored the question. "Cindy was selfish, vindictive and cold - just like you."

Steven took a step forward. "Don't talk about my mother like that," he shouted furiously.

"But most of all she was dangerous. She tried to kill me. And now you've tried to kill - just like her. Twice."

"What are you on about?" Steven shouted, as he grabbed Ian and pushed him up against the pillar. "Just tell me where Nan is."

Ian just stared back at Steven, silent. The look of hatred in Ian's eyes soon got to Steven and he turned, starting to walk away.

"Wait."

Steven stopped and turned back around.

"I'll take you there... Down to the hospital to see her."

Steven bit his lip, unsure whether to take the offer. His desire to see his grandmother was strong, but what was Ian talking about - comparing him to his mother. Sensing the reluctance in Steven's body language, Ian reached into his pocket and dug out his car keys.

"Here, wait in my car. I just want to grab a jacket," Ian said - throwing his keys at Steven.

Steven smiled. "Thanks Dad," before going toward the car. Ian began walking towards his house, but suddenly heard the sound of police approaching. It was his turn to smile. He'd called them after leaving the Minute Market. He looked over his shoulder at Steven, who hadn't taken any notice of the cars as they passed the Queen Vic. Ian stood by the gate of the Square and watched the scene unfold before his eyes. The cars stopped and the police got out. Now Steven had stopped walking and was staring at the two officers as they approached him.

"Steven Wicks?" asked a female officer.

"Yeah."

"I am arresting you on suspicion of attempted murder. You do not have to say anything, but anything you do say can and will be used against you as evidence in a court of law."

Steven was shocked. "What? I didn't do it. You've got it wrong. I didn't do anything. You've made a mistake," he shouted as he was handcuffed and led towards the car. His eyes met Ian's. "Why are you doing this to me? Why are you doing this to me?"

[jessi]

Go Ian!

write more soon

[eithne]

Eight

"So... We spoke to your friend Steven. And guess what?"

"What?"

"Your story checks out."

"I'm free to go then."

"No."

"What? You said it checked out."

The DS nodded. "It does."

"Well then."

"Except you've got your timing wrong. You said you spent the night on your friends sofa. But he says differently. He says you arrived the next morning. He was on his way to college and found you waiting outside for him."

Steven now remained silent. His head was full of thoughts, full of voices. One voice was louder than the rest, as the DS started again.

"Tell us the truth about what really happened."

"I already did."

The DS rolled his eyes. "Come on. You don't expect us to believe that. Where were you Steven?"

Another long pause occurred, but eventually Steven decided to speak. "I lied. I want to change my story."

"Yes?"

"I didn't spend that night at Jake's. I spent it on the streets. I didn't have enough money to get the Tube to his, so I spent it on the street."

"Whereabouts?" Steven looked down. "I asked where?"

"Near the Tube station, in Walford."

"So you weren't that far from Albert Square?"

"I suppose, but I spent the night in the station."

"How did you afford the Tube the next morning?"

"I... I... stole someone's wallet. They only had twenty pounds."

The DS rose to his feet. "So you left your grandmother's house and headed for the Tube, after discovering she had secretly given you tablets you felt you did not need. Then you went to get the Tube, but realised you had no money and slept rough. The next morning you stole a wallet and got the Tube to your friends house - which matches his story."

"Yep, that's it."

"Except for one little omission. At around three in the morning you returned to your grandmother's house. You'd had an argument, so I'm guessing she was still awake wasn't she Steven?"

"I don't know."

DS Cutter didn't pause. "She let you in, trusting you. But instead you were angry. Maybe you apologised and offered to make her a cup of tea. She agreed, didn't she? But little did she know that you would lace her tea with the anti-depressants she'd been giving you." Cutter paused. "She trusted you Steven, and she nearly died because of you."

Steven's anger rose up. He jumped out of his chair and started hurling abuse at DS Cutter. The two other police officers in the interview room stopped Steven, trying their best to hold him back.

"Take him away," Cutter said.

---

"Do you want to go down to get something to eat?" Kevin asked. He was in the hospital room, sitting opposite his cousin Simon.

"I don't want to leave her," Simon replied.

"She'll be fine. You need to eat something. Keep your strength up and all that."

"Alright then."

The two men stood up and left the room. Pat lay there, her eyes closed tight and her body hooked up to various machines. Five minutes later the door to the room opened. A man walked in, carefully closing the door behind him. He paused for a moment before crossing the room. He watched Pat for a moment. Someone had left a pillow on one of the visitors chairs, and the man reached for pillow - a smile on his face...

[RitaLittlewood]

I wish they'd written something like this for Steven. He became very boring after Ian welcomed him back with open arms. Jane's hatred seems to have vanished too.

Ooh who's the man? Can't be Steven because he's still locked up. Not Wicksy because he's with Kevin. Ian? I can't wait to find out.

Patsy

[RitaLittlewood]

Eithne, please don't say you've given up on this. Funny someone wanted to smother Pat and that's what Steven tried to do.

Patsy

[eithne]

Says to self...

I MUST finish this story.
I MUST finish this story.
I MUST finish this story.


Thanks for the encouragement Patsy. OK, I promise I'll finish this story. I'm going to set aside some "writing time" over the weekend to finally get a few more chapters done.

I'm this slow writing a shortish enough fan fiction story. Can you imagine me writing some big long epic? LOL!!!

[RitaLittlewood]

Excellent! ;D

Oh tell me about it. I'm on the final part of my latest and started last August! I'm not posting the final instalments until I'm done. It is a bloody epic. Over 180 pages if it was a novel. Stick to shorts. LOL!

Patsy

[eithne]

Ok... here is part nine, which I forgot I had completed. At least you look like you are about to finish this one, unlike me. I think I've only finished two or three of the many stories I've started over the years - and me the former mod of fanfic on these boards. Bit hypocritical I know. As for 180 pages... that is long. Ian McEwan's recent novels have generally finished at around 150 pages (but still cost the same as the big 600 page epics!).

Nine

Simon Wicks squeezed the paper cup of coffee in his hand as he listened to the doctor. This was hard to take.

"I'm afraid it will take your mother a while to recover. She is making good progress, but she is getting on in years and such a big shock to her system will set her back a while."

"When will she be awake do you think, Doctor?" Kevin asked.

"I don't know, but it shouldn't be too long," she answered. At that moment her pager started beeping. "I'm sorry. I have to go. But if you've any more questions, just ask one of the nurses and I'll come and find you."

"Thanks Doctor," Simon said, before she turned and walked back down the corridor.

"Are you okay?" Kevin asked.

"Yes, I'm fine..." he said, trailing off and shaking his head. "It's all just a lot to take in, that's all. Things have changed around here. And as for Steven - my son, my own son, tried to kill my mother."

"I know it is," Kevin replied, trying to be supportive. "Anyway, we best get back in there."

The two men made their way down the corridor, towards Pat's room. Kevin reached out to open the door, but paused as he did so - catching sight of something strange through the blinds.

"Who is he?" Kevin asked.

"What?" asked Simon, who had been mulling over the Doctor's words in his head. He followed Kevin's line of sight and looked through the blinds. A man who he did not recognise was sitting next to his mother's bed, the man's hand on Pat's.

"Who is he?" Kevin repeated.

"I don't know. Guess there is only one way to find out."

Simon pushed open the door and entered the room. "Hello."

The man looked up. "Hi," the stranger greeted, looking slightly uncomfortable. He stood up to go, but Simon put out a hand.

"You a friend of my mother's are you?"

"I suppose you could say that," he replied. "Maybe an acquaintance more than anything."

"Oh right. Have you known each other long?" Simon asked.

"Yeah, a while. Sorry, I never introduced myself did I? I'm..."

"Frank."

Simon turned to look at his mother, who had just uttered the name of her former husband, while lying with her eyes shut.

[RitaLittlewood]

At least he didn't smother her! You tease, Eithne. LOL!

That was a good cliffhanger, making it look like one thing would happen and leaving us guessing before all is revealed. Pity the soaps themselves have lost the art. I really thought the mystery person would put the pillow over her face.

Never again to long fanfic, that's what I say. I'll stick to jokey ones rather than serious in future. LOL! Sometimes it's hard to finish something due to one thing or another. Things crop up so you haven't time or you get writer's block. I am looking forward to reading the rest of this. It's excellent. ;D

Patsy

[eithne]

Ten

"Hi. I'm Denise - Kevin's wife."

"Len Harker, pleased to meet you." Len nodded at Denise. "So, how is she?"

"She's much better," Kevin answered, breathing a sigh of relief. "After you left, she only muttered a few bits and pieces about Roy and Frank last night, but today she's much better. The doctor is in with her now checking her over. Simon's on the phone to his brother." Kevin pointed down the hall where Simon was on his mobile.

"So how do you know Pat then?" Denise asked.

"We met last year and ended up looking for her sister Jean - the one with Down's Syndrome."

"I remember her saying something about her sister alright," Kevin said, thinking back.

"I happened to be in London the other day and picked up a copy of the Gazette and there she was on the front cover. I dropped by to ask about her and explained the story," Len explained, giving a little chuckle before continuing. "One of the nurses with poor English thought I was her brother and ended up letting me in to see her."

---

Pat lay in her hospital bed, hooked up to various machines. She was awake now, but most of the machines remained in use. The doctor had just left the room. He had wanted her to rest and let her family wait until later, but she'd refused to entertain the notion. She was relieved Kevin would be coming in. Since waking up, she tried as best she could to remember how she had ended up in hospital but nothing came back. Despite asking the doctors they had refused to reveal anything.

"Mum."

Pat looked up and saw a figure standing in the doorway.

"Simon?"

"Yes," he beamed, the relief that his mother was awake obvious on his tired face. He crossed the room, moving to her side. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine, but what are you doing here?" she asked, squeezing his hand.

"I came as soon as I heard you'd been admitted to hospital. Ian rang me."

"What happened? How did I end up here?"

Simon took a seat beside her bed. "You don't remember?"

"No one's told me."

Simon took a deep breath. "What do you remember? Do you remember the argument you had with Steven?"

Pat nodded. "He stormed out and never returned."

"You don't remember answering the door at around three in the morning?"

"No," Pat shook her head. "Who did I open it to?"

Simon sighed. "Steven. The police think you let him back in and then he ended up making you a cup of tea. But he was still angry with you after the argument before that and slipped several of his pills into your mug."

"He drugged me?" she asked incredulously.

Her son and the father of her grandson simply nodded.

"I can't... I don't..." Pat began. "I remember a voice alright. I can't see who it was or what they were saying, but they were in the kitchen with me. I think they were shouting, and I was out of it - wondering what was wrong with me. I can't remember anything else though."

There was a pause as both struggled to come to terms with all that had happened. It was Pat who broke the silence. "Where is he now?"

"He's locked up. Just where he should be."

---

"So, how have you been?"

"Yeah, I've been okay."

"Still going around in that red Transit?"

"Of course. Some things never change do they?"

She gave a small laugh. It was the first she'd laughed since waking up. Pat was glad to see him, although pretty surprised at the same time. She'd thought of him a few times, but hadn't ever expected to see him again. "What have you been up to then?"

"Bit of this, bit of that. The usual." He winked. "Look, I'd better let you rest. I promised your son I'd only be in here for a minute. But you look after yourself okay?"

She nodded. He got up to go.

"Len, don't leave it so long before you visit next time."

He smiled at her before exiting the room.

---

He walked through the empty common room, a guard leading the way. At seventeen he was too young for prison, so they'd sent him here - a Young Offenders Institute. He was on remand now. Nobody had put up bail for him - not Simon, not Ian. Nobody wanted him and nobody believed him.

He suddenly realised he was standing in a cell. The guard was saying something, but he wasn't listening. A few moments later the door of the cell slammed shut. He was alone. Looking around the cell his breathing intensified. It was small. It was dark. It smelt of urine. The walls felt like they were coming towards him, moving in and enveloping him. He heard a scream and a moment later realised he was the one screaming. He screamed and screamed until he couldn't any longer and collapsed on a heap on the stone floor, tears strolling down his red cheeks.

[RitaLittlewood]

Eithne that was evil. Making us think it was Frank, since he was still alive at the time you thought of this. LOL! I'm enjoying it and glad to see the return of Len Harker. Pity he never did come back. He and Pat would have been good.

Don't care about Steven. He was weird anyway.

When's the next part? Hey, I'm a Sagittarian so naturally impatient.

Patsy

[eithne]

I've plotted 14 parts, so with 10 down there are only 4 left to go. Next one will be ready in a day or two.

Glad that you are enjoying it. Simon would have recognoised Frank anyway since he was his stepdad, so that was a bit of a clue to the fact that it wasn't Frank! There are a few more twists on the way as well as a race against time to save a life. Thanks for all the encouragement by the way. Its great for me to have someone constantly demanding more as it means I actually do remember to write (or type rather).

[RitaLittlewood]

I don't know anything about Frank and Simon so it's all new to me.

Can't wait! It really is excellent.

Patsy

[eithne]

Sorry this part is short, but its mainly just to push the plot forward a little and was always supposed to be short. More very soon! I'm not very well up on Frank and Simon either, having never seen Simon on the show, but they were on it at the same time I think - going on Wikipedia dates! Not always correct... Anyway, for the purposes of this story they know one another!

Eleven

Two weeks later

Charlie Slater pulled up outside No. 31. In the back of his cab sat Simon Wicks, with his mother beside him. Pat smiled as she saw her home for the first time in more than two weeks. She gently squeezed Simon's hand, before slowly edging towards the door. Kevin and Denise emerged from the house and helped her out of the cab. Len Harker pulled up behind in his van, there at her invitation, and was soon by Pat's side - helping her get inside.

Simon took his mother's things out of the cab before moving to the window to pay Charlie, who refused the money - eventually settling on a pint as payment for the job. Simon thanked Charlie and turned towards the door.

As Charlie pulled off on the way to his next fare, he passed a figure lurking in the shadows who, unknown to any of them, had been watching Pat's arrival. The person focused on Simon as his mobile started to ring and watched how he rejected the call, before shoving the phone back down into his pocket and going inside. The figure then moved closer to the house and watched it from the Square for a few more moments before slipping away into the darkness.

---

Steven Beale slammed down the phone and ran back to his room. He sat on the bed for a few minutes shaking with anger and upset before getting up and closing over his door. He reached down under his sink and slowly removed a blade which he had hidden between the sink and the wall. In a place like this it hadn't been too difficult to get.

Taking a deep breath Steven stared at his reflection in the mirror for a few moments before pushing up his sleeve. Soon the pain began. The latest cut joined several other fresh ones which had been made in the last week or so. It was something he had first started in New Zealand, but had given up on in Walford - he had had other things to think about, like revenge on Ian. But here, inside the young offenders institute, the pain was so strong that he needed to let it bleed out.

Looking down at the blood dripping off his hands and onto the sink, the realisation dawned on Steven that he now had nobody left. He was alone in the world.