“Bad news how?” Jon kept his voice low and quiet, aware of Jason’s presence and the fact that he seemed to be paying more attention to their conversation now.
“He earned a decent wage, but never had any money. He lived in a crappy flat in a run-down part of town, he drank too much, placed more importance on his mates than he did on Steph and honestly, I always suspected he was a bit heavy handed with her, a bully. I think her guilt over Mum told her that she deserved all he gave her. He totally took away any self-esteem she had left before she kicked him into touch and Ithought he had crawled back under his rock until he turned up again and gave her grief before he cracked her head open that day at Charlie’s,” said Eddie as Jason joined them.
“Is that the scuffle she told me about? That fucking knob cracked her head open? I will fucking kill him!” shouted Jason angrily as he seemed ready to storm out.
“Calm down, Jay, please. Steph can’t come out here and find you like this,” said Eddie firmly as Steph reappeared devoid of any make-up, but fresh faced, with teeth and hair brushed wearing the leggings and white t-shirt Jon had brought her along with a pair of white plimsolls he’d also thrown into the bag.
“Feeling a bit more human, darling?” Jon kissed the top of her head.
“Yes, thank you.” She turned to Jason. “You okay Jay? Is Dad okay?” Panic caused a hitch in her voice.
“Yeah, yeah, fine sis. Did somebody mention breakfast?” Jason was now changing the subject.
“Sounds like a plan to me. We missed out on dinner last night,” said Jon as a man of around fifty appeared behind them dressed in a pair of black trousers, white shirt and black and white striped tie.
“Are you here for Mr Pryor?”
“Yes,” they all answered in stereo and turned to face the greying man who stood at around six feet.
“Ah, Jonathan Brooker. I believe it’s you I have to thank for my four a.m. alarm call this morning.” He didn’t sound entirely amused, but he still wore a slight smile.
“Yes, your registrar was unable to commit fully to the Pryor family meeting with you today, so I felt obligated,” explained Jon.
“Yes, well, my wife did not appreciate your father’s early morning call, but I am here now, so can we meet at say . . .” He looked at his watch . . . “Erm, eight thirty? Sorry, lack of sleepmakes me forget my manners, I am your father’s consultant, Angus Wright.” He extended a hand to them all in turn before heading towards the ward. “Eight thirty, Mr Brooker or I will be giving your number to my wife!”
As the door to the ward slammed behind him Steph stared wide-eyed at Jon as did her equally confused brothers.
“What have you done?” she asked.
“I’d have thought that was quite obvious, I have gotten you an eight thirty appointment with your father’s consultant,” he replied as he moved on swiftly. “But first breakfast.”
They wereall sitting in the hospital canteen and the three men had almost cleared their plates while Steph continued to push the full English around her plate managing to eat very little.
“Come on, sis, eat up,” encouraged Eddie.
“Or pass it this way,” said Jason, smiling, but not joking.
“You need to eat, Steph. If you don’t want that let me get you something else,” said Jon seriously.
“I’m not hungry,” she protested.
“You must be and even if you’re not you still need to eat,” insisted Jon firmly. “When did you last eat?”
“Breakfast yesterday, although I did have a muffin with my coffee yesterday about half two,” she said as though this would be sufficient to avoid any further discussion on breakfast.
“You have to eat something, so say what you want.” Jon stared at her, oblivious to the presence of anyone else until Jason spoke to him.
“If she doesn’t want to eat leave her alone or are you a bully too?” Jason was preparing to get to his feet, his whole demeanour confirming his agitation.
“Jay!” cried Eddie as Jon turned to face Jason.
“No, I am not a fucking bully, but I happen to care about your sister and she needs looking after and that includes making sure she eats because she will be no good to anyone if she makes herself ill by not eating,” Jon said indignantly.
“Sorry.” Jason headed over to the window that overlooked the car park.
“Come on, darling, what do you want to eat?” Jon looked at his watch. “We’ve got about twenty minutes before you meet with the consultant.”
“I’m going to take Jay for a breath of fresh air and we’ll meet you back up there,” said Eddie as he got up.
