A/N - Thanks Rach any readers are free to leave comments and feedback, I appreciate it!

Chapter 4

Damn! Sean thought repetitively, as he walked across the square. How did he always end up in these situations? He slowed to a halt as he looked at the block of light coming from the window of the Slaters’ household. Swallowing, he looked at his arm and sleeve, then back at the window. Double damn. He hastily covered his arm with the ruined sleeve before going to the front door and letting himself in.

“Stacey? Sean? Is that you?” Charlie called from the lounge.

“It’s me” Sean rushed into the room and grabbed his backpack before his uncle could notice anything, “just got to change my shirt!” he legged it out and up the stairs.

“What?” Charlie called after him confused, shaking his head.

The bathroom door was locked behind him as Sean scrambled through his backpack, scowling when he came across the box of pills and chucking them aside with other clothing, until he found a suitable long sleeved top. He pulled it on and smoothed it out, glancing into the mirror as if seeking the reflection’s approval. It frowned back. The things were thrown back into the bag, including the torn shirt, before Sean exited the bathroom and made his way back to the lounge.

“What was all that about?” Charlie asked.

Sean dropped the back by the foot of the sofa and kicked it into the space between the sofa and the table. “Stacey cut her hand badly; she’s gone to A&E for stitches”

“Is she alright? Why didn’t you go with her?”

“Yeah she’s fine, she didn’t want a fuss. Bradley and Tanya went with her; I came to tell you… she’s probably spending the night with Bradley anyway”

“I should phone the hospital”-

“She’s fine!” Sean snapped. “Sorry Charlie. You know what me and Stace are like about hospitals” he trailed off.

Charlie nodded slowly, “Alright…alright. Can you text her, ask her to call us as soon as she can?”

“Yeah”

“I better go find Mo in the pub, let her know” Charlie muttered more to himself, pushing past Sean.

The young Slater male exhaled slowly, glancing heavenwards before collapsing down onto the sofa. He listened out for the front door to close before he glanced down at his arms, self-consciously tugging the sleeves down.

It was around two hours later that Stacey returned home. Tanya had driven them back and instead of going into the Branning household, Bradley walked her back home where she was immediately fretted over by Charlie. “Sean text you earlier, I wanted you to phone ASAP; didn’t you get it?”

“I haven’t had time to think about checking my phone” Stacey replied, as she was seated in the kitchen and he set about making her a drink. “I’ve only just got back from the hospital, ain’t I”

“Let me look” Mo asked, taking hold of her arm and pulling it to her squinting as if she could see through the bandage. “I bet it’s hardly a scratch!” she let go.

“That’s what I said” Stacey muttered, “honestly granddad, stop fussing!”

“It was nice of your Bradley to walk you back home” he was muttering.

“Yeah, because I wouldn’t have managed it otherwise, not without a wheelchair or hospital gurney” Stacey rolled her eyes, “he must think I’m a right dozy cow and I ruined his birthday meal”

“Nah, he must have been worried about you” Charlie handed her a glass of juice.

“More than Sean was”

“He came right over to tell us, he sounded rather concerned”

“Well, where is he now?” Stacey looked around, “I knew someone was missing from the welcoming committee”

“He’s outside having a smoke” Mo informed her.

Sean was huddled up in his black hoody, hopping from foot to foot as he puffed away on his cigarette. It had gotten much colder than earlier, but he wasn’t going to let it stop him from the joy of his cigarette.

His sister emerged through the back door, and stepped towards him. “Don’t worry they didn’t have to amputate” she joked, flashing her stitched and bandaged hand at him.

“So you’re alright then?”

“I’ll live”

“Not spending the night with lover boy?”

“There’s only so much excitement Bradley can handle in one night, I don’t wanna push him over the edge” Stacey folded her arms. “What’s up with you anyway?”

“Huh?”

“I’m not saying you’re usually full of charm and grace, but tonight you’ve been well moody, especially with Max. Mind you, you both seem as moody and sarcastic as each other. But you could have been nicer to Bradley, it was his birthday!”

“Sorry”-

“Yeah you should be! So what is it, is it me? Is it because I’ve been harping on at you about mum?”

“Stace”-

“I get it, you just need time to deal with it, but you’re going to have to meet her sometime, she is our mum, and she needs us”

Sean laughed, “She needs you. She thinks I’m dead!”

“Because she’s off her pills and she didn’t believe me when I told her. If you went and spoke to her”-

“She’d think I’m a ghost, and go even loonier” he threw the butt of his cigarette down and crushed it beneath his shoe. He saw her open her mouth to retort but he spoke again; “look she doesn’t need me! And where has she been whenever we needed her?”

“That’s not fair – I was there with her, but you chose to leave and not contact us!” Stacey snapped.

“Yeah, I wondered how long it would be before you used that against me again!” Sean snapped back, “she doesn’t need me, I don’t need her, so leave it okay – just leave me alone!” he stomped past her, practically throwing the door open.

“Hey!” Mo called as he shoved past her through the kitchen. He had stormed his way out of the front door just as Stacey had rushed back into the kitchen. “What’s up with him?” Mo snapped at Stacey, who was frowning worriedly.