The Concert

The next few weeks we all spent a lot of time together getting ready for the concert. Mr Harrington had taken an unbearable level of interest in the concert, often turning up unannounced at the theatre and he even stopped by the hospital whilst I was on shift. We had our first full run through, and I was so excited about how well it all came together. Everyone was happy and relatively confident. I continued to help Steve and Robin with their singing. The choir were their own coach, cheerleaders and conductor. They were a tight unit, and I had no concerns about their abilities and placements. I had to convince some of the classical musicians about the music I had them playing, it was nothing like what they had previously covered before, and some of them were so shocked when they realised what it was, they were actually playing. I had purposefully removed titles from the music sheets, to ensure everyone gave it a go before doubts set in.

It was the night before the concert. Me and Eddie decided to go and meet up with Steve and Robin after they finished work. Robin was dealing with a customer as Steve stood leaning on the counter. "Hey, I need to go and do something" Eddie said turning to me, "ok" I said, he kissed me on the head "won't be long!" and he left me standing with Steve. "I'm guessing you two are all good now?" Steve asked. I smiled "Yep!" Steve nodded and smiled "good, I'm glad..." he said. I looked at him suspiciously, "what?" he asked, "you are?" Steve stood up straight "Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" I didn't say anything at first, I was trying to figure out if he genuinely meant what he was saying. "Thank you by the way" I said eventually. Steve shot me a questioning look, "for taking my drunk arse home" I reminded him "and for what you said to Eddie that night". He smirked "don't mention it!" I thought for a minute "So why were you at the park that night?" Steve looked at me "I was looking for you?" I must have looked surprised because Steve chuckled, "I didn't have much of a choice after Dustin came beating my door down!" I looked confused "he did?" Steve nodded "Yeah, I guess he was worried about you after you walked out that night. When he told me what Eddie had said to you about Billy... I wanted to check you were ok". I nodded, "But how did you end up with Eddie at the lake?" Steve recalled "When I pulled up, he must have thought you were with me. But when he realised you weren't, and that we couldn't find you we both started looking for you. Eddie had a hunch on where you were". I smiled "Well thank you. For coming to check on me, for taking me home and for staying" he looked genuinely appreciative. I smiled, he smiled back and asked "what?" inquisitively, "You're a good guy Steve, Nancy needs to wise up and see what's she's missing!" Steve blushed a little and looked down at the floor, "err thanks I guess". Robin finished up with the customer and came over to us. "Ready to shut up shop and go?" she asked Steve, he nodded "hell yes, I'm starving!" he replied.

As Robin was locking the doors, we noticed blue and red lights flashing on the other side of the square, it was one of the police cars. We were heading that way to go for some pizza when we saw Officer Callahan leading someone out of the alleyway and towards the car. "Eddie?!" I called out and started to run over, followed by Steve and Robin. Eddie's eyes shot to me, and a look of apprehension came over his face, "I didn't do anything! I swear!" he started. Officer Callahan shoved him forwards and into the back of the police car "That's what they all say!" he retorted. "What's happening Officer? What has he done?". He closed the door of the car and turned to face me "Drugs!" he replied and got into the car. "Shit!" Robin said as we watched the car take the short trip back to the station. I felt sick, this wasn't Eddie's first time being in trouble with the police. It was common knowledge that Eddie dabbled in recreational drugs. Steve put his hand on my shoulder "it's ok, it'll be ok!" he tried to reassure me. I just looked at him, unsure if that was going to be the case.

I left Steve and Robin and headed to the hospital, there was someone I needed to see. A friend of my dad, who's wife was a high-flying lawyer. As I stood by reception waiting to find out if he was on call a voice said my name, "Freya". I turned around to see Mr Harrington standing in front of me "Mr Harrington?" he smiled "Are you ok, you seem upset?" I had a sudden rush of apprehension, "I'm fine I'm just waiting to see one of my colleagues". Mr Harrington stepped forward, closing the space between us "Please, call me Michael" he said. A wave of trepidation washed over me, I smiled and attempted to create space between us. The nurse had gone to respond to a call bell, so it was just me and Mr Harrington stood by reception. "I have to say it's quite impressive how you manage to juggle so many things. Working in a hospital, organising charity events, schooling those in need of extra support and even finding time to help the dregs within our society try to better themselves" he was looking at me with such intensity, I felt extremely uncomfortable. I had dealt with seedy older men before, but this felt seedier than usual. Perhaps it was my friendship with Steve, or the fact I had been sat in this man's marital home mere weeks ago having dinner with his family that made this encounter so much worse.