Chapter 9 - The Stupendous Properties of Hot Chocolate

*Eoin’s POV*

I slowly get to my feet; my knees protesting after spending so long crouched down. I sigh, looking solemnly at the stone in front of me. It’s been so long now but it still hurts, it always hurts and I guess it always will. I mean I don’t cry and sob anymore like I used to, but it doesn’t stop that feeling in my chest, the weight on my heart, the sense of total loss and loneliness; that is always there.

 I turn and begin to walk back along the neat line of graves towards the cemetery gates. Suddenly I stop and listen; there is an eerier sound on the wind. Someone nearby is crying. I should just leave, it’s a graveyard; the sound of crying shouldn’t be out of place. I can’t interfere with someone’s mourning. I’m just about to start walking again when out of the corner of my eye I spot a figure on the ground, sat by a grave a few rows from me. I try and tell myself to leave but something in me won’t allow me to. Suddenly something clicks inside my head as I stare at the back of this woman’s head…at the long black hair falling in beautiful waves; Cat. My immediate instinct is to go to her; however is that best for her? Would she just want me to leave her alone?  It’s like the devil and the angel, both yelling different things at me; the only problem is I can’t figure out who is who.

I turn away from her and take another step towards the gates however at that moment I hear the most heartbreaking sob and I can stand it no longer. I turn and slowly make my way through the sea of headstones towards my damsel in distress.

“Here,” I say, holding out a tissue to her as she turns in surprise to look at me, her face tear stained, a slight black hint under her eyes. “I couldn’t find a silk handkerchief so this will have to do.” I say and a tiny hint of a smile creeps onto her lips as she takes it.

“Thanks.” She whispers, her voice hoarse. “What are you doing here?” She asks as she tries to dry her eyes.

“Visiting an old friend.” I say before looking at the gravestone in front of us. “Who was she?” I ask, reading the inscription. I see Cat’s bottom lip quiver slightly as she looks at the stone again.

“She’s Autumn, she’s my daughter.” Cat says softly.

“Daughter?” I say, unable to keep the tone of surprise from my voice as I read the dates on the stone.

“Not by blood…but she was practically my daughter. And I loved her as a mother.” She says, fresh tears beginning to form in her eyes. I bend down and put an arm around her and she buries her head in my shoulder. I want to ask more, but I can’t, after all, curiosity killed the cat.

“Come on, let’s go home.” I whisper to her and she nods into my shoulder. Slowly I help her to her feet, keeping my arm around her and for a moment we just stand and look at the grave. She rests her head against my shoulder and I gently, comfortingly, rub her arm. Slowly she raises her hand to her lips, kissing her finger tips and blowing it towards the grave.

“I love you sweetheart.” She whispers, her voice shaking slightly and I smile sadly.

“She knows, princess.” I whisper, kissing the top of her head, “She knows.”

 *Guy’s POV*

"Look, I don't love you! And I'm sorry, but I have to go!" She says, every word slowly twisting something inside me.

 "You don't mean that." I say, my voice deep and steady.

"I do! Please, get out of my way!" She cries, trying to push me aside so she can leave. "Guy let me go!" She cries but I don't move.

"No! Who is it Annamarie?! Is it Rob? I bet its Rob isn't it! He is just using you, you know! He doesn't love you!" I yell and I watch the anger build up on her face.

"What?! And you do love me?!" She yells.

"Yes!" I yell back and she takes a shaky sigh, tears beginning to fall from her dark lashes.

"Fuck it, god look I'm so sorry but I can't do this please just let me go!" She cries.

"I can't." I say and she sighs,

"Then I'm sorry." She says and before I can react she swings one of her bags at me, catching me in the groin. I cry out in pain and double up.

"Annie stop!" I yell after her as she quickly steps past me and out of the bedroom door. Trying desperately to ignore the pain I get to my feet and hurry after her, catching her on the landing.  "You can't do this to me!" I yell, grabbing her arm.

"Let go of me!" She cries, trying to wrench her arm from my grip but I begin to push her backwards, into the spare room.

"No! Listen to me! You are going nowhere! I love you! I do! I would do anything for you! You can't leave me!" I yell, my heart aching.

"Then let me go, it's the only thing I want you to do for me." She says and again something twists inside me.

"No, I can't." I growl, "You can't do this, you can't leave!" I growl, my hand gripping tighter around her arm.

"Guy your hurting me! Leave me alone!"

"I can't allow you to go! You won’t let me alone! You won't!" I yell and she lets out a exasperated sigh.

"You see this is the problem! I thought I liked you but really I was just pity. I pitted you Guy O'Donoghue, but now, now I hate you!" She yells and with that whatever was twisting inside me shatters.

"Fucking bitch!" I yell, shoving her backwards in blind fury. Rage burns through my veins as I’m blinded for a moment by the piecing brightness of the sun, shining in through the open glass door to the small balcony; until suddenly my anger turns to horror as I watch her fall backwards, backwards over the balcony banister.

"Guy!" She screams as she grabs onto one of the bars of the banister with one hand. "Help! Please help!" She shrieks.

"Oh god." I murmur, my body suddenly registering what's happening and springing into action. "Annie! Annie grab my hand!" I yell, falling to my knees and sticking my hand through the banister.

"Guy" she cries, tears falling down her cheeks.

"Annie just grab my hand, please!" I cry and she shakily raises her other hand and grabs mine. "Ok, ok it's ok I've got you it's ok." I say, trying desperately to stop looking down at the patio below us. Suddenly she screams as her hand that was clutching the banister loses its grip. I am pulled right up against the bars as the only thing keeping her up becomes my hand. My heart is pounding in my chest, I can't breathe, I can't see, all I know is I can't let go.

“Guy I'm sorry I'm so sorry" she cries and I can feel her shaking.

 "It's ok; oh baby of course its ok." I whisper but at that moment her hand slips slightly in mine and she screams as I try and grab her again. "Annie don't let go, just please don't let go."

 "I'll never let go Jack, I promise." She whispers shakily and I smile slightly but I can slowly feel her hand slipping from my grasp. "Guy!" She cries, desperately trying to hook her fingers into me.

"Hold on please!" I cry, trying desperately to pull her up. Suddenly my foot slips out from under me and I fall against the banister, the jolt of it traveling down my arm to my hand and suddenly it's empty; suddenly she's gone.

"Annie!" I scream, reaching down as far as I can as if I could catch her but instead I just watch her fall, screaming for a few seconds before a sickly thud and then silence.

Suddenly everything stops, my breathing, my heart, the world; all of it stops. I sit on the balcony for a moment, trying to remember how to function. Then, suddenly I'm on my feet, flying down out of the room, down the stairs and into the garden to her side.

“Annie...?" I whisper, my voice sticking in my throat. "Annie?!" I cry, my knees buckling as I fall to her side. "Annie please, please no." I cry, my hand reaching out of her's, gripping her wrist, checking desperately for a pulse but I find none. My hand flies to my mouth, trying desperately to stifle the sobs. I sit there, staring at her, at the red blood running across the stone tiles; crying. She's dead and all because of me, Annie's dead, and I killed her.

I jolt awake, my heart pounding, my breath panting, sweat on my brow and tears in my eyes; just as normal. I can hear people around me but I don’t care. I just lie still, my mind playing over the scene; the scene that has been on loop for the past three years. I killed her…I pushed her and that’s why she fell…I murdered her. And you know the worst thing? The worst thing is; I got away with it. I should have been tried for manslaughter, probably faced a prison sentence; but I didn’t. Being the coward I am I hid it, made it look like an accident or, as some believe, a suicide. I panicked and I am ashamed. But I guess I got my sentence after all; lock inside myself, watching my crime over and over, my hands always blood-stained, my world always dark. And I know how long his sentence lasts; this sentence isn’t like the law, where they class life as 20 years…this sentence is life, and beyond. This sentence is for eternity and there is nothing I can do to avert it.

*Joey's POV*

Noise; it's noisy; very noisy; children playing, people laughing, cheering; all around me. I like it though; the noise reminds me of old times, with Dan. It’s good here, a big house full of loads of people. A little girl sits next to me, watching the smoke from my cigarette with huge, dark eyes. "Daddy did that." She says innocently.

"Yeh, it's good, not as good as fish and chips, fish and chips are the best, but it’s good." I tell her, blowing a funnel of smoke.

"Mummy said it’s bad; look." She says, pointing at the words on the front of the packet. I squint at the words, ‘Smoking Kills’

“I never noticed that before…cool!” I say and she giggles.

“You’re silly.” She says and I look at her.

“You’re small.” I say and she giggles again.

“You’re big!” She cries with a childish smile.

“You’re…ummm…small!” I say back.

“I win! You can’t say it twice!” She says and I sigh,

“Hey Gale; who’s your boyfriend?” A voice says from behind us.

“He is silly!” The little girl says turning to the boy behind us who is leaning casually against the wall.

“I can see that Gale, but who is he.” He says.

“He is the guy I told you about Harry; he is Joey, Dan’s right hand man.” Kara says as she walks over.

“Really? Him?” The guy says, rising his eyebrows.

“Yes, now come, I have privet matters to discuss.” Kara says, turning and walking towards a closed door at the other side of the room.

“Wow, office serious, oh dear.” The boy mutters as he follows her.

“Bye-bye silly.” The little girl says, getting to her feet and tottering off.

“Bye-bye small.” I call after her,

“Joey! Now!” Kara calls and I sigh before following them into the small room.

“So, what’s so serious we have to squeeze in here like sardines?” The boy asks, launching himself onto the edge on an old desk.

“I need something found.” Kara says, taking a seat in one of those amazing spinning chairs.

“Ah I see, well I’m your man for finding things.” He says and Kara nods.

“I know. Joey, this is Harry Walker by the way.” She says, as if she suddenly remembered I am in the room.

“Ever need anything; I’m your man, for a small, reasonable price.” He says, giving me a flash of the inside of his coat that is lined with all kinds of things from gold watches to sweets and penknife’s to tissues.

“He likes to think of himself as a modern day Artful Dodger.” Kara says and I give her a confused look…dodger? Like Jammy Dodger?

“Anyway,” She says with a sigh as she turns back to Harry. “I need you to find me someone.” She says and Harry nods.

“Who? And why? And what’s in it for me?” Harry asks,

“Never you mind why! I need you to find me someone, someone called Danny O’Donoghue.” Kara says.

“Danny O’Donoghue…ok, he here in Dublin?” Harry asks and she nods.

“Yeh, I believe so.”

“Ok, and my reward?” He asks, looking up at her with a thin smile.

“Find him for me, then I shall give you something…special.” She says and he grin widens. “Now get out!” She orders and he jumps down off the table and walks towards the door.

“Well, you know what special thing I want.” He says, turning to her again as he stands in the doorway.

“You are a stupid, rude, disrespectful boy.” She says sternly, walking towards him.

“I love it when you’re strict. Remember Piccadilly?” He says with a cheeky grin.

“Out!” she yells and he smiles,

“Oh you’re so mean.” He says with a smile before turning and walking away, Kara slamming the door behind him.

“Sorry about him, he is a foolish kid.” Kara says,

“What’s Piccadilly?” I ask and she smiles slightly,

“Just silly slang, ignore him.” She says before suddenly looking serious, “Now, Joey. Dan…” She says, trailing off.

“Did ya find him?” I ask and she slowly walks back to the spiny chair.

“Yes.” She says, sitting down.

“Where is he then?! Why isn’t he come back?!” I ask.

“Joey…he can’t.” She says slowly.

“What?! Why?!” I demand, panicking.

“He…he isn’t himself.”

“What do you mean?! How can he not be him?!” I yelled. He has to come back! He is Dan! He can’t leave me!

“Joey…he is…he is not right in the head. I don’t know how it happened but he isn’t the Dan we knew…that Dan is gone and he isn’t ever coming back.”  Kara says slowly, looking down at the floor.

“Never?” I ask, my voice squeaking like a mouse and she shakes her head.

“I’m sorry Joey.” She says, “But there is still hope to find Amber, and I know who to blame for what happened to Dan.” She says but I hardly hear as her previous words won’t leave my ears. “He told me, and that’s the man I’m trying to find, I promise you we will make him pay for what happened to Dan.” She says and I nod again. She sighs and gets up, leaving the room, closing the door behind her. I lean against the wall, sliding down the smooth surface to the floor. My eyes become blurry and my cheeks begin to be soaked in water.

He isn’t ever coming back…

He has to come back, he can’t leave me, I need him to tell me what to do! He is Dan! He can’t be beaten! Ever! He is coming back! He has to be. Without him, without him it’s like fish without chips! It’s wrong! He is coming back! I know he is, he must be because if he isn’t, then there is no use for me; what’s the point in fish without chips?

*Cat’s POV*

“There you go princess.” Eoin says, handing me a warm mug of hot chocolate.

“Thanks.” I say with a soft smile as he comes to sit next to me on the sofa. “I haven’t had a hot chocolate in years; I became more of a tea person.”

“Ah, you see the powers of tea may be mighty but they are no match for the stupendous properties of hot chocolate.” Eoin says and I smile.

“Yeh, very true.” I say, sipping the beautiful chocolate drink. “Thanks, not just for the hot chocolate.” I say, my eyes flicking up to meet his.

“It’s ok princess.” He says and I smile.

“Can I ask…what where you doing there exactly?” I say slowly and he sighs.

“I was visiting a good friend.” He says, taking a sip from his own cup. “Amelia Watts. She was my best friend. She died, about two years ago now; car crash.” He says solemnly.

“Oh, I’m sorry.” I say, suddenly feeling terrible for asking, why did I think that was a good idea?!

“It’s ok. She was brilliant; beautiful, smart, funny, without her I wouldn’t be who I am today. She always knew what to do, you know? She always had the answers, always knew exactly what to say. But suddenly, one day I get the call; she had been in a crash, stupid drunk driver had swerved out and hit her. She was killed instantly. Just like that, the best person I knew was gone, in the blink of an eye she vanished.” He says and I find my hand winding into his and he squeezes it softly. “But I got on, cause that’s what she would have wanted. But I still go and see her sometimes, mainly to ask advice, which is stupid I know, but it helps. I needed to ask her about Erin, how to get out, but it didn’t work.” He says, looking up at me. “Normally I know what to do when I go to see her, but this time, this time I got nothing.” He says. I watch him, his beautiful hazel eyes full of sorrow. I have to say something.

“I know I’m not her, but I can tell you what I think. I think you should tell her. Tell her everything you really feel about her, and leave. Whatever hold she has over you can’t be stronger than your own free will! Can she really do anything worse than what she is already doing to you? Keeping you a prisoner, blackmailing you?” I say and he looks down into his cup again.

“She can do a whole lot worse, believe me, she could bring everything crashing down if she wanted to. She could make you all turn on me with just a few words.” He says quietly.

“No she couldn’t, she could never make me turn on you!” I say and he looks up at me with a small smile. “I don’t care what secrets she has on, or what those secrets are, I don’t care.” He sits and watches me for a little while, before speaking again.

“You see, this is why I like you, Cat.” He says,

“What?” I ask and he shrugs,

“I don’t know what it is; it’s just…you.” He says, his finger playing with my hair. “It’s why I could never love anyone like Erin; I could only ever love someone like you.” He says, his eyes meeting mine again.

For a moment, everything falls silent and we just look at each other, his eyes shining in that beautiful way only his do, his lips so in a small, beautiful smile, his hair overlapping one side of his face in a beautiful wave.

Kiss him…

My mind is screaming it. And ever so slowly I move forwards and I see him do the same. We are only a few inches away from each other when suddenly the phone rings out sharply through the house. We both suddenly withdraw backwards and I feel my cheeks flush read.

“I- I better, you know, get that.” I stutter and he nods.

“Yeh sure, it’s fine.” He says, looking awkward. I quickly get up and go into the kitchen where I find the phone in the fruit-bowl. I sigh, picking it up and pressing the green button.

“Hello?” I say and there is silence of a moment as I wait for a reply. Suddenly, the person at the other end speaks.

“Cat?” They say and I freeze in shock. I know that voice; I know it so well yet I haven’t heard it in so long. My throat freezes and I feel my hand shake slightly. Not now, not now after all this time, it can’t be, it’s not fair.

“Cat? Cat, it’s Danny.”

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Hello...

Right ok so very long chapter for you there to make up for me not updating in 20 days....so sorry! I had so much homework and exams and i was so tired for working! But now, at least for a week or so, i have no more exams! So yeh, sorry again!

Right so, First of Eoin's POV! I was dead scared to try that but i hope it worked! And what are your thoughts on Coin (Cat and Eoin)? They almost kissed! But then a little surprise phone call cut there moment short....

I have been waiting to use that Hot Chocolate line for ages as i thought it was a nice link back to the chapter in Millionaires "Not Even the Mighty Powers of Tea Can Fix This"

And two new characters! Yay! The little girl Gale and Harry Walker! What do u think of them?

And Joey! Anyone else feel sorry for him?

And finally the truth about Guy! What do u think? Where u expecting that?

So yeh thanks so much for reading i really hope u r enjoying it! hopefully next update will be sooner than this was! Thanks for reading please do vote and comment they mean so much to me! Thanks your all amazing! :)

                                     Jess :)

P.S. I recently uploaded a book trailer i made for Millionaires. I would really appreciate it if u could give it a watch and maybe Like and comment on it on youtube! i will attach the vid at the side! :)

Oh and dont forget the KETTLE! :)