The Boot - Three Years On - 22. Chapter 22

Andy stepped outside leaving the warmth in the bar and into the chill of the night air. As usual he had started with a pint in Thomson's, it's not that great a place but he could have a quiet drink without being disturbed and that was what he liked to do before he 'hit the town', by that he meant Canal Street, Manchester's Gay Village. Meeting a few friends in Churchills he enjoyed another drink and more than a few laughs before they all headed out to G.A.Y, a new and trendy bar where they all had more to drink and danced the night away. As the night progressed Andy had started to feel a bit deflated, yes he'd met a couple of really nice good looking guys and shared more than a few kisses but none of them 'floated his boat'. He had his idea of the type of man he wanted to meet and they were not it, so with that thought in his mind he decided to call it a night and head home.

The apartment he lived in was only a short walk away the other side of the Mancunian Way and of he set. There were a few drunks staggering about and the occasional couple arguing, couples kissing in doorways and one or two groups groups singing away, no doubt inspired by drinking. All in all it was a typical Friday night.

As he passed an alley he heard some rough sounding muffled talking, taking his next step he heard, “You can't have it it's all I've got, give me my bag back.”

That got Andy's attention and the effects of the drink seemed to clear. Staying in the shadows he crept back to the alley and peered round the corner. What he saw angered him. Two men were stood over someone sitting against the wall, knees under their chin stretching up for a bag that was being held just out of reach.

Pulling back to stand with his back to the wall Andy was thinking about what to do, he heard a muffled thud and a pained scream. “Fuck off you little faggot the only thing you're gonna get is my cock in your mouth and you better suck it good.”

“NO GET AWAY FROM ME.”

Without thinking and full of rage Andy ran into the alley, the man nearest him had his jeans undone and was exposing himself, Andy kicked him right between the legs and he crumpled. The second man pulled out a knife and lunged at Andy, he didn't feel the knife as it sliced into his side he was too busy landing a punch to his nose that sent the second man backwards head first into a wall knocking him unconscious. Even though in pain the first man had got up and tried to fight Andy, he was overpowered and pinned to the ground with his arm twisted up his back until it cracked, now in more pain he was writhing on the floor in agony. Andy stood, took out his phone and called for police and ambulance.

In the short time it took the police to arrive Andy knelt and tried to calm the victim. 'Help is on the way, after you have been checked over I'll see what I can do to help you it's not safe out here.”

“I... I... I think it's you that needs help, I can see blood on your coat.” When Andy saw the blood he opened his coat and shirt, wincing he tried to apply pressure to the wound. “Let me do that.” A hand stretched out and keeping Andy's shirt over the wound, pinched and pressed hard.

Over the sounds of one man whimpering and another groaning as he came too Andy could sirens in the distance. Very soon after he could see the glow of the blue lights in the dark, that was followed by the sounds of cars pulling up and car doors opening and closing, and heavy feet walking the road looking for them. A police officer entered the alley scanning it with his torch, the beam rested on scene in front of him and he shouted for help, more police officers with two paramedics joined them and they were being questioned.

“This looks interesting what's been happening then.” One of the policemen asked.

“It was him, we were just talking to our friend and he came and attacked us, he broke my arm and knocked my mate out.” The man on the floor was desperate and it showed in his voice.

Andy didn't get chance to speak. “LIAR! It was them two over there, they came and started hassling and hitting me for money and took what I had before punching and kicking me. Then that one undid his jeans and got it out trying to force himself on me. Then this guy turned up and stopped them but he got stabbed, he's bleeding and got stabbed.” The young guy was talking away a mile a minute, “Quick he needs help.”

After looking more closely at the scene and the man with his jeans open the Sergeant came over, “I know who I believe, you did a good job fella its a shame you got hurt. We'll get everyone to hospital and then get statements.” He got one of the paramedics to look at Andy's wound and checked that more ambulances were on the way.

Two policemen were stood over the man with the broken arm and two more were handcuffing the other one who had fully come too and was now being attended to by the other paramedic.

Three more ambulances turned up, when each one had a patient and a policeman aboard they headed off to the hospital in convoy with the police.

Being a typical Friday night/Saturday morning the A&E department was in full swing but all four were taken straight through to cubicles, two were handcuffed to gurney's, all were accompanied by police.

******

The Boot was full to capacity, they had resorted to using some of the old mattresses and quilts to fit more in the lounge. The faint sounds of restlessness as guests tossed and turned in their beds and snoring of some who were sound asleep could be heard in the building.

Christian, Jeff and Steve took their coffee's to the office, as usual there would be some paperwork to complete before chatting about matters relating to The Boot to pass the time before morning arrived.

Christian was preparing himself to tell them about his earlier conversation with Jonathon, “Guy's before we do anything else there....” He was interrupted by his mobile phone, the theme tune from Casualty told him it was Gary. “Hi Gary, to what do I owe the pleasure.”

“Sorry to disturb you Chris but I've just had an emergency in A&E that I think you need to know about.” Gary knew that he was breaching policies of confidentiality but felt that he was justified.

“This sounds serious what's happened.” Christian knew it was important and his stomach started churning.

“We've just had four people brought in by the police following an assault, one of them is a youngster who has been knocked about and badly bruised.”

“Okay, I'm guessing there is more to it than that or you wouldn't be calling.”

“Yes... yes there is, the youngster is homeless and could with some sort of intervention that I think The Boot could help with. But there is something else, It's Andy, he's been brought in with a knife wound...”

That was as far as Gary got. “No need to say anymore I'm on my way.” Christian hung up, reached in his pocket for his keys and told the others, “I'm off to the A&E, it seems Andy has been stabbed in some sort of fight.”

Standing Christian made his way to his car, behind him he heard, “Hold on I'm coming with you.” By the time he got to his car Steve was at his side. “How did it happen?”

“I don't know Gary didn't tell me much, I guess we'll find out when we get there.”

Christian and Steve entered what was a busy A&E Dept, the 'walking wounded', as they were often referred to, were waiting to be seen by the triage nurse who would then pass them on to an appropriate doctor. They joined a queue at the reception desk, scanning the area just incase they spotted anyone who could help.

The door to the triage room opened and Christian spotted someone he knew. “Hi Donna, have you got a minute?”

“Hello Christian, Gary said to expect you.” Donna made her way over, being watched by waiting patients. “Gary asked me to keep an eye open for you and take you straight through when you turned up. I can't tell you much so it's best if you hold any questions until you see either Gary or Andy.” Donna took them through to the cubicle where Andy uncomfortably laid on a gurney and returned to her duties as triage nurse.

When they approached Andy a policeman went to stop them, “It's okay officer they are friends of mine.” Andy appeared to perk up at their presence.

Christian sat next to Andy and took his hand, “How are you, what happened?”

“Chris give him a chance to speak.” Steve looked on quizzically, that made Christian look at where he'd placed his hand.

Going a deep shade of pink he hurriedly removed his hand. “Sorry.”

“Don't be, it felt good.” Andy looked at the man he dreamt of as an embarrassed policeman stood shuffling.

“I don't think I'm needed here for a few minutes at least.” As the policeman left Gary came in pushing a trolley containing all he needed to stitch Andy's wound.

“Right let's get you stitched up and then you can be transferred to a ward. You've definitely added to our work tonight haven't you.” Gary was smiling as he cleaned the wound before getting to work.

“What's that mean?” asked Christian.

“He hasn't told you? Well our hero here saved a young lady from being robbed and sexually assaulted. He broke one man's nose knocking him out and leaving him with concussion, he's being admitted overnight with a police guard.” Gary was still smiling as started to stitch the wound.

Christian and Steve looked at each other in surprise, and together, “WHAAAAT”

“Yes he then went on to break the other guys arm and dislocated his shoulder in the process, he's in a lot of pain which he deserves, and is being seen to now before he's taken away by the police.” Gary picked up a pair of scissors to snip some thread. “And the young lady, who we thought was a boy, is bruised and in a little pain will be okay but as she is homeless she needs somewhere to go, at least until she feels a little better. I'd admit her overnight but she doesn't want to stay. Although she does want to see Andy to thank him. Some of her bruises are not from tonight either, from the colour and fading I'd say from seven to ten days old.”

“I'll speak with her after she's seen Andy, it will give give these two a bit of time.” Steve's gaze had gone down to their hands which had returned to holding each other.

That drew Gary's attention to them, he ginned, “It's about time you two, now stop skirting around each other.” As two flushed looking men quickly pulled their hands apart.