Chasing The Impractical (Brian Quinn Story)

Alone - Apollonia

I woke up the next morning to find no Brian. I had massively over slept and felt worse for it as I pulled myself up and started on Bellas packed lunch.

"Where's Q?" She asked as she ate her ceral.

"Dunno" I shrugged as I packed up the fruit and sandwich.

I walked Bella to the bus stop and then headed back inside. Once I had cleaned the dishes I sat back down with a cup of coffee and the news as I pulled my MacBook onto my lap and opened it up.

"What the FUCK" I yelled to myself as a 5 second clip of me and Colin played over and over.

I quickly reached out for my phone and pressed dial on Brian's number. No answer. I tried three more times but still had no luck. I closed the video down and then saw a web browser page open with house listings on. What had you been up to Q.

I had to call Jorma and find out what was going on. He thankfully picked up after three rings.

"Apple, I was going to call you" he said straight away in a down beaten tone.

"Jorma what's going on, I received this email and..."

"Everyone did. Apple, the report against Colin has been dropped, their not going to fire him".

"What, that video it's not... You saw what happened" I started to cry.

"Yeah, I told Lorrie I saw you struggling to push him off before you kicked him. But there's not proof and the video really doesn't help the situation. I'm really sorry"

"Q saw it and now i can't get hold of him. Fucking hell, Jorma I can't come back to work. I can't work with him there"

"I know, listen... I have this thing going on in the background, Andy and I have been working on it for a while. I'm waiting for a couple of calls, but I should be able to get you involved in this project okay. Just try and stay positive".

I hung up a few minutes later and then tried Brian's number again, it went straight to voicemail this time.

"Please Q" I whimpered and opened a text message.

Please stop ignoring my calls. I know you've seen the video, but I can explain. Ask Jorma, he saw me struggle and fight him off. That was just a 5 second clip at the beginning. Please just talk to me. Xxx

I spent the rest of the morning in bed. By lunch time Q still had not got back to me, I couldn't stand being by myself any longer as I called Zoe and broke down in tears over the phone. She told me to get my ass to hers, so I phoned the school to tell Bella that she was to go back with Bianca after school and then took a taxi over to Zoe's.

After several cups of coffee and then a glass of wine, I had told Zoe the whole story.

"I didn't like it, when he kissed me at first I was a little taken back and when he touched me I did you know... Make a little noise, but it wasn't Q and he's the only person I want. So I tried to make him stop and he wouldn't" I cried.

"You have literally done nothing wrong. Don't let these stupid fucking men make you think any differently. I'm gonna call Sal now and get them over here" she shot back and quickly left the kitchen table.

I was flicking through old pictures of me and Q on my phone when she came back into the room.

"Sal doesn't know where he is, he said he'll try and find him. I've made the spare room up for you and Bella as well. You can stay here tonight".

I spent the rest of the afternoon in a pit of self hatred. Bella had returned home from school a couple of hours ago with Bianca. They were messing around in the living room when Sal walked in.

"You found that piece of work" Zoe snapped at her brother.

"Yeah, I found him" he shrugged and looked over at me uncomfortably.

"And...." Zoe scoffed.

"He was at some bar in the city with Murr, he wouldn't come back with me. I tried..."

"Was he with anyone?" I asked as my voice cracked and a sickness bubbled up in my stomach.

Sal bite on his lip and sighed. "Nah, they weren't alone".

I instantly jumped up from the couch and ran outside into the freezing night air and threw up. Zoe and Sal came out after me.

"He's probably just blowing off some steam, you know how these guys get" she whispered and held back my hair as I continued to puke.

"No, I know Q. He's trying to forget" I cried.