Stumbling through the dark

Even The Strongest Person

Bobby ended the call  then made his way back upstairs. Niall was tossing and turning in his sleep,  muttering incoherently . Bobby patted his back, just like he used to when Niall was a little boy. The action seemed to quieten Niall who became still once more, silent again. Bobby rolled his shoulders to release the tension that had built up then settled down next to Niall. He had his own phone in his hands this time., waiting for a promised text. He checked the phone was on silent, then leant back against the headboard and closed his eyes. He was only too wide awake but he always thought better with his eyes closed for some reason. He jumped slightly when the phone vibrated in his hand. He read the incoming text and smiled with relief. The Cavalry was coming.

Paul Taylor greeted his secretary cheerily and headed towards his office only to be stopped  as she called him back. She handed him his files  then said that there had also  been an urgent message left overnight on the answering machine for him . She handed him the note , telling him that the caller had asked that he be contacted regardless of the time as it was very  important. Paul studied the note intently then asked his secretary to place the call immediately. He stood into his office and moments later his Secretary buzzed him to say she was putting the call through. He picked up the phone on the first ring.

"Louis, what can I do for you. You wanted to speak to me urgently? I take it there is a problem? Niall?""

"Yeah, Paul, you could say that" Louis said tiredly ." I had Bobby Horan , Niall's dad, ring me  a few hours ago. Apparently Niall had another  bit of a meltdown and nearly killed himself again.. He got as far as sorting out the pills but didn't take them. Fortunately he thought better of the idea, stopped and  went to his dad instead.. From what Bobby said, Niall's in a bit of a state and he doesn't know what to do. He's going to drag him off to his doctor later this morning but is there a way of getting Niall's medical notes to him. Niall hasn't seen his doctor in Mullingar  since he was 16.  What should we do?" Louis said anxiously.

"Right. Even though you are Niall's emergency contact I can't actually discuss this with you as such. Niall's medical notes are already with my father-in-law in Dublin. I sent them there when Niall was last in Ireland. Have you got a pen?" Paul dictated  an address and phone number to Louis who was scrabbling around, writing it down. "Niall's doctor should be able to obtain them from him if he requires them. I suggest that Niall isn't left alone until he's seen his doctor. None of Niall's previous attempts to take his life are on the notes, as we promised Niall but we need Niall to confess that he needs help.  And that's the hard part. Hopefully his doctor will pick up on Niall's state of mind."

"Thanks, I'll pass this on to Bobby. Ni has gotta have help. He can't do this, can he?" Louis spoke wearily.

"No, sadly he can't. He needs help and needs it now. One way or another, we'll have to make sure he gets it. The thing is, he can't be forced to accept help unless we are convinced and can prove  that he is a risk to himself. Thanks Louis. Please keep me in the loop and if I can help in any way, I will" Paul ended the call then immediately made one of his own to his father-in-law. 

Niall woke up late morning and  wandered slowly downstairs to the kitchen where Bobby was busy cooking a late breakfast. "Just in time" Bobby said, sliding a full Irish breakfast in front of his son who thanked him quietly. Niall picked up his fork and moved the food around, not taking a bite before pushing it away. "Not hungry?" Bobby said kindly " maybe later, then" and got a small nod of the head from Niall. "Ni, can you go get dressed. We're going out shortly.". 

"Where?" Niall asked curiously

"You'll see later. Just get dressed" Bobby said firmly . Niall got up slowly and went up to the bathroom to shower before returning to his bedroom to dress, all the time wondering where they were going and why his Dad was being so secretive about it. Down in the kitchen Bobby carefully reread the text Louis had sent him.