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The phone ringing woke
Claire from a dreamless sleep. It was 4:30am
and it couldn't be good."Claire, it's Kian. Shane is missing",
"What?!
What happened", "You know what happened. Bryan and Shane got into a
horrible row about you and Shane left after he punched Bry. We haven't
seen or heard from him for over a day. We have a friend with a private
plane who'll fly you here,will you come?", "I'm leaving for the
airport now".
The plane landed in Dublin and Claire ran for the sedan waiting for
her.She wanted to get out as soon as she sat down; Kian, Nicky and
Mark sat across from her and she thought this could be the ride from
hell. The only one to speak at first was Nicky, asking about the
flight and other meaningless questions trying to remain calm. Finally
Kian exploded, "That's some talent you have there, breaking up a
perfectly good friendship". Claire expected the outburst but flinched
anyway. "There's no excuse for what I've done, no apology can make up
for it". Mark was staring out the window but Claire could see the
tears streaking down his face. "I'm so worried for him, I've never
seen him like when he walked from that room. He was gutted and got in
his car, took off in a blaze of dust". He turned to her and his pained
blue eyes burnt into her,"Why Claire, why Bryan? It could have been
almost anyone in the world...", "NO, it couldn't have been
anyone!"
Claire interrupted, starting to shake. "Only Bryan. From the day I
left London he was there for me with phone calls and letters. He was
the ONLY one who didn't treat me like damaged goods, which I am now.
He didn't judge me, he wanted me to know someone could still love me
for me. I'd live with all of you hating me forever if I knew Shane was
alright. I DO love him and I can't live with myself if anything has
happened to him!" she said wrapping her arms around her knees and
sobbing into them. She felt someone sit next to her and wrap his arms
around her.She didn't have to look up to know it was Mark because he
was crying too. They all sat quietly sharing the knowledge nothing
would be right until Shane was found.
**********************************************************
It was late when they reached Sligo and still nothing from Shane.
Bryan met them at Mark's house and said it was best she avoided
Shane's family tonight, it wouldn't be a warm welcome she'd receive.
Bry insisted she stay with him at the flat he had rented and even
though the others didn't think it was for the best, they didn't want
to fight anymore. When they were alone Claire fingered Bryan's black
eye and winced,"I'm sorry that I caused all this hardship in your
lives. What happened?" Bryan sighed,"I told him everything, including
the fact I made the first move". Claire started to interrupt but he
hushed her."He was so hurt at first, why I did it and all. I told him
that if he was going to be an arse and let you go then I was going to
be the man you could depend on. He punched me, told me exactly what
kind of man he thinks I am, and said that it would be a cold day I'd
touch you again. He left after that and that's all we've heard. We've
kept it quiet so the rags won't be printing any of this rubbish but
the Garda know he's missing." Claire sighed deeply, feeling all her
stress and aching heart overwhelm her."You're knackered love, you lie
down and I'll make you a cup of tea" Bryan said showing her the bed
she was to sleep in. By the time he was back she was fast asleep and
he tucked her in. As he laid a kiss on her forehead she moaned "Shane"
in her sleep and a tear rolled down her cheek. Bryan turned around and
quietly walked from the room,"Oh McFadden, you never had a chance" he
said and shut off the light.....
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