Hurtling along the street, my brother overtook me and began to sprint towards our house. Patrick was two years younger than me and always had a streak of mischief about him. It was May 2000, we were on our way home from school and I had a second sense that he'd spring a surprise on me when I reached the house.
I tried to push open the front door but something was stopping me. Gales of laughter erupted from the other side. Patrick had opened the toilet door just behind our front door, blocking me from getting into the house. I had to wait until his mirth subsided and he eventually let me in.
Another time I arrived home to be met with a soaking as Patrick aimed a water pistol at me. 'Got you,' came his cheeky voice, followed by his familiar roar of laughter. I pretended to be annoyed, but it was impossible to be mad at live wire Patrick for long. I was one of six siblings and would clap along as E Patrick and our younger sister Aileen spun out crazy hip-hop routines.
His personality was infectious. But I knew Patrick was different and so did the kids in our street - he was called names.
When he was 19, he turned to me said, You know I'm gay?" I nodded I'd guessed. Our family was proud of him and wanted him to be happy.
Patrick's zest for life always saw him the first one on the dance floor, but there wasn't much of a gay scene in Derry in 2006. I'd been dating my partner Damian since I was 17 and when our son Charlie was born in September 2014, Patrick was the doting uncle with lots of cuddles, but I always hoped he'd find someone special.
I was thrilled when he began chatting online to someone. And, after a few months, when he introduced me to Jon in 2015, I felt sure Patrick had found The One.
Jon was a good influence on Patrick coaxing and supporting him to give up smoking and encouraging him to pass his driving test.
BIG DECISION
This story is from the January 09, 2023 edition of WOMAN'S OWN.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 09, 2023 edition of WOMAN'S OWN.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
SCAMMED OUT OF THOUSANDS
When Susan realised her mum had fallen prey to cold-call fraudsters, she was too late to stop it
'I CHOSE MONEY OVER LOVE'
BS Alison Hammond on her career, love life and why she thinks she’s Beyoncé…
'I WAS IN TEARS'
Are things getting too much for Richard and Judy?
GONE IN A HEARTBEAT
Catherine Heffernan, 40, was resting after her night shift when a knock at the door changed her life forever
MIND OF MY OWN
The Woman's Own columnist has her say on the lottery, Gen Z and clumsy husbands
HOUSE OF HORRORS REVISITED
Three decades on, we take a look back at the heinous crimes of Fred and Rose West
MAGICAL MADEIRA
This North Atlantic island is the ultimate yearround destination for sunshine and flowers
WEEKNIGHT WINNERS
Jazz up family favourites with some store-cupboard magic
BODY TRANSFORMATION
Woman's Own looks at how the star has gone from being 'allergic to exercise' to showing off her abs on holiday...
HOW MUCH CLUTTER ARE YOU HOARDING?
Hoping for a bit of a reset Carol Driver, 47, decided to declutter, but it was harder than she thought