“Yeah,” Adrianna sighed. She turned to Brandy, hesitant. “When you were with Troy, did you spend much time with his brothers?”
Brandy shrugged, her mouth going dry at the thought of the Banks brothers. The beating was still fresh in her mind, just as the cuts and bruises were still raw.
“It’s Trent,” Adrianna said suddenly. Brandy’s eyes narrowed. “That’s who I’ve been seeing. Troy’s brother.”
Brandy gasped, wondering if Adrianna knew about the beating. Was that why she hadn’t asked? Had she come here to spy on her on the Banks’ behalf, to make sure she was keeping her mouth shut?
“Sorry, it must bring up bad memories,” Adrianna said hastily, shaking her head with remorse. “I know you don’t like to think about Troy. I shouldn’t have said anything.”
Brandy looked at her expression and she didn’t think that this blonde really knew anything about her beating or was in on any secrets the Banks brothers may have. She really was just one of many girls Trent would be shagging, Brandy was sure of that, and she almost felt sorry for her.
“I really want him to be serious about me,” Adrianna said.
Brandy burst out laughing.
“Are you fucking for real?” Brandy asked. “Trent doesn’t do serious.”
Adrianna’s lips trembled with the threat of tears. Brandy rolled her eyes and shifted her weight on the bed, grabbing Adrianna by her shoulders and shaking her.
“If you want a fucking gangster, you got to pull yourself together,” Brandy said firmly, not releasing her grip. “No man wants some crying, emotional bitch. Especially not no gangster, like you want. Get a grip on yourself, girl.”
Adrianna wrenched free of Brandy’s grip and rose from the bed. She put a hand on her hip and glared down at Brandy, eyes clear and lips thin with anger.
“Fine, I can do that,” she said in a clipped voice. She walked to the door and threw it open, then turned back to Brandy. “Don’t tell anyone about Trent.”
With that she was off down the landing and the front door slammed shut. Brandy shook her head, relieved that she was gone and still surprised that Adrianna was one of Trent’s girls. Adrianna was bound to be heartbroken before long, Brandy thought, but she wouldn’t be here to pick up the pieces. Hell no, she would be long gone by then. She glanced at the suitcase and felt her pulse relax a little.
There was a sharp rap at the front door. Frazer’s cries erupted from the lounge and Aunt Bo began to sing to him, her voice booming around the flat. Brandy groaned as she went to answer the door, but she knew it was probably Adrianna.
“What do you want now?” she asked, as she threw the front door open.
She froze, the breath catching in her chest, as she found herself face to face with Aurora.
* * *
Thinking about his father made him angry, so Clint tried to focus on other things but no matter how hard he might try, the thoughts seeped back in and he kicked a piece of gravel across the courtyard in frustration.
He loved his mum and his brother, but they seemed to pretend that nothing was wrong, that their dad wasn’t a monster. They treated him as if he were perfectly entitled to be a part of their family, and they acted like Clint was delusional, or a troublemaker, for pointing out what his father really was.
Clint hoped that Kojo and his mum weren’t suffering because of his outburst earlier, but he thought they would be okay. Rakhul was clearly focusing on provoking a response from Clint and he knew that his father wanted more than anything to give him a good hiding, he was simply waiting for the right moment. Clint couldn’t stand the tension, or the provocation, and he knew he could not risk going back to his parents’ flat. He didn’t want to go to Aurora’s flat either, she had text him telling him she was going to Zoe’s, and the last thing he wanted was to be alone with Marlena. He knew she hated him, it was best to give her some space and, in time, she might start to warm to him or at least forgive him for his past behaviour.
The sun was warming up the estate now and people past him in shorts and vests. Clint considered taking a walk down to the playing fields and kicking a ball about. He pulled his phone out and wondered if he should ring Tamar. He knew that Amal was still in prison, but Tamar, so far as he was aware, was still out. He wasn’t sure if he would be pleased to see him; Tamar had been a friend of both his and Troy’s and even though he had given up on Troy in the end, perhaps he had changed his mind in the months that Clint had been gone.
He walked down to the playing fields on the edge of the estate as he waited for a reply. The playground on the edge of the fields was full with kids, even though there had been numerous killings there. He guessed a child did not know much about murder, and he envied them that much.
Tamar text him back, shocked that he was back on the Goldsworth. Clint replied, reassuring him that he’d only come back for a few weeks. He sat down on the grass and remembered that it was on these fields he and Aurora had first kissed, after they had escaped one of Sasha’s infamous parties.
He closed his eyes, remembering that night. The sun warmed him and he heard his phone beep from his pocket and reluctantly checked his messages, unhappy to have his memories intruded upon. It was Tamar, with a warning. The Banks brothers were looking for him.
Clint felt a prickle of fear, but it was no more than he expected. He wondered if it might not be better to go inside. He made to stand up when two shadows blocked out the sun and a rough hand pushed him hard to keep him sitting.
He looked up at Tyrese and Trent.
“Welcome back Clint,” Tyrese said. “Now we’re going to kill you mate.”
* * *
“Can I come in?” Aurora asked, standing uncertainly in front of Brandy, who was blocking the front door from her. She wondered, not for the first time, if coming to see her was a big mistake. They had never been friends, never even come remotely close, and Brandy had admitted to her, the last time they had seen each other, that it was because of Brandy’s row with Shaniqua that Troy had stabbed her.
Brandy hesitated and stepped aside, opening the door wider, but Aurora felt the tension and knew that she wasn’t welcome despite the gesture. A baby was crying inside the flat and someone was singing.
Aurora smelt cigarette smoke and stale alcohol in the flat and was instantly reminded of the smell that greeted her every time she walked into her mum’s flat.
“What do you want?” Brandy asked, leading her into the kitchen.
“A tea, I guess,” Aurora replied, shrugging.
Brandy made no move to reach for the kettle.
“I meant, what do you want here? From me?” Brandy said, firmer this time, hand on hip in defiance. “I didn’t expect to see you back here, thought you and Clint were well shot of this place.” Her eyes lingered on Aurora’s baby bump, and then quickly returned to her face, eyes levelled, hard and unflinching as always.
“We came back for the trial,” Aurora said. “That’s why I’m here to see you, actually. I wanted to check if –” She trailed off as a large woman carrying a baby came into the kitchen. Aurora noted the anxious glance Brandy shot towards the baby, before she composed herself.
“People are in and out of here like a tube station,” the woman said, shaking her head. “I need a lie-down, Brandy, you can take Frazer for a while.”
“Shut up,” Brandy said at once. “Anyway, Aurora was just leav-”
“You have to take some responsibility,” the woman said. She made to pass the baby to Brandy, who held her hands up to stop her. The woman scowled. “You can’t avoid your son forever, Brandine.”
She turned and left the kitchen, taking the baby with her. Aurora watched them go, the kitchen silent, before turning to Brandy, still shocked.
“You have a son?” Aurora asked. She had never imagined Brandy as a mother.
Brandy shifted uncomfortably without answering. Aurora knew at once that Troy must be the father; Brandy might have been a lot of things, but she wasn’t a cheat. She’d been so devot
ed to Troy it was pitiful to watch, Aurora remembered, and she wondered why Brandy would be so embarrassed. She wondered if Troy knew about his son. He had been locked up for ages now, he probably hadn’t even seen him unless Brandy had gone to visit him.
Aurora decided not to broach the subject. That was not why she had come round. Brandy looked as if she was about to ask her to leave, chewing her lip anxiously.
“I came round to make sure you were still going to testify,” Aurora said, deciding to get it straight out in the open. Brandy’s eyes flashed with fear. “I mean, you’re the one who can make sure Troy gets sent down for killing Shan.”
“Yeah, I know,” Brandy nodded. “And don’t worry about it.”
“So you’ll be there in court?” Aurora asked. “You’ll give evidence?”
“Yeah, ‘course,” Brandy muttered.
Aurora wasn’t sure she believed her.
“Anyway, I’m busy,” Brandy said quickly, making to leave the kitchen. “If you see yourself out, I got things to do.” She hesitated. “And don’t go spreading shit about…well, about…the baby. It’s my private business.”
She left the kitchen and went down the landing, opening a door. Aurora wasn’t convinced by her and went after her, following Brandy into what must have been her bedroom. The room was relatively tidy, and a small suitcase stood in the corner of the room. Aurora saw it, and Brandy swallowed as she caught her line of sight. She made to go to it, but Aurora stepped towards her and clasped Brandy’s wrists in her hands.
“Brandy, are you planning on leaving?” Aurora demanded.
“No, don’t be stupid,” Brandy laughed, though the fear in her voice was perfectly clear. “I’m just going on a long weekend, you know, a nice break.”
Aurora threw open the wardrobe and saw it was completely bare.
“Don’t go thinking I’m stupid,” Aurora said, turning back to her. “You’re planning on skipping town, aren’t you? You don’t have any intention of going to court. You’d let Troy get away with murdering my sister just because you’re scared.”
“Scared?” Brandy repeated, and Aurora saw how anxious she was. Brandy wiped a stray hair from her face, sweat on her brow, and Aurora noticed the purple bruises under her eyes, the scratches and the slightly swollen lip. “Of course I’m fucking scared. You and Clint should be too. The Banks brothers are fucking dangerous, get me? They kicked seven shades of shit out of me the other night and they’ll do worse than that if I turn up at court. So yeah, I’m scared, and value my own life more than your dead sister’s.”
Aurora felt a moment’s worry for Clint, but she pushed it from her.
“You think letting Troy get away with murder will help protect you?” Aurora asked, shaking her head. “You’ll never be free of him if he gets out. What about his son? He’ll want to see him, if he’s not locked up he’ll be a part of your life forever.”
Brandy’s face paled. Aurora knew she had struck a nerve.
“Troy doesn’t even know he has a son, does he?” she guessed.
“Of course he does,” Brandy protested.
“I guess you won’t mind if I go round to the Banks brothers and ask them then,” Aurora suggested, and Brandy flinched. Aurora smiled. She had her now. “The way I see it,” Aurora said, lowering her voice. “Is you’ve got two options. You can give your evidence against Troy, make sure he’s sent down, and then do whatever you want and I won’t stop you or breathe a word of this to anyone. If you don’t want to do that, you can pack your bags and do a runner. But if you’re not in court to testify against Troy, I’ll let all the Banks family know about Troy’s son and I’ll bet they won’t rest until they’ve tracked you down.”
Brandy looked afraid. Aurora had never seen her look frightened, so out of control. She felt some satisfaction seeing the resigned look pass across her face.
“Okay,” Brandy said slowly, defeated. “I’ll be at court, if you keep quiet.”
“Deal,” Aurora nodded.
She turned on her heel and left the flat, leaving Brandy stood in silence.
* * *
Brandy heard the front door close behind Aurora and wanted to smash something, anything, to let out some her anger, her aggression. She kicked the suitcase and it tipped over. The zip hadn’t been done up properly and clothes spilled out across the floor in a tumble of colours.
She cursed the bitch, because she knew that Aurora was the type who would hold her to her promise. Brandy knew that if she didn’t turn up to give evidence against Troy then Aurora would go flapping her gums about Frazer. God, Brandy thought, how she wished she could go back in time and have an abortion.
The floorboards outside her bedroom creaked and she turned to see Aunt Bo.
“Are you okay?” Aunt Bo asked, eyeing the overturned suitcase.
Brandy turned on her, anger coursing through her.
“Fuck off,” she shouted, and Aunt Bo retreated, closing the bedroom door.
Brandy sat down on her bed and wanted to scream or cry, anything but to feel so trapped. If she gave evidence or not, her life would not be worth living, but at least Troy would not have a hold over her if she testified. Aurora would keep her mouth shut and she could hopefully put all of this behind her when it was done.
She took a few deep breaths and stood up, resigned to unpacking her things.
* * *
Dante ate his dinner in silence but he felt good, watching Troy play with his food across the table from him. Troy was feeling low now.
They didn’t talk, but Dante knew Troy would rant again once they got back to the cell. He just hoped he would share another baggie, or else it would be really tiresome listening to the crap he came out with. Troy was feeling edgy and Dante could guess it was because his brothers hadn’t visited him yet. Troy didn’t say it, but he didn’t need to. Dante was smart enough to notice Troy’s eagerness for the post, only to go sullen and miserable when he didn’t get any.
Dante hoped he wouldn’t be too miserable; it was getting frustrating having to listen to his whining in the cell. Dante felt positive though. He didn’t want to rush Troy, so he hadn’t mentioned anything yet, but he had done well today and he knew that Troy had noted that.
He finished eating and rose from the table. Troy looked up, eyes still a little bloodshot from an afternoon of coke and stressing out, and picked up his tray too. He had hardly touched anything. Dante lead the way, satisfied with his progress.
* * *
Aurora wondered if she had done the right thing in threatening Brandy, but she knew that if it were the other way round Brandy would not have hesitated in throwing her weight about. It still shocked her that Brandy and Troy had a son, and she couldn’t help but judge them, and then judge herself. They were the same age, and they were both mothers, or going to be, and she wondered if people thought of them as similar, just teenage mums on an estate, and not as two people completely different in almost every respect.
The plastic shopping bag dug into her fingers and she wished she had thought to call Clint before going to pick up her mum’s wine from the shop. She walked along the path between the two playing fields and caught sight of a beating.
She didn’t want to get involved, nobody around here did, but then she recognised the jacket the one on the floor was wearing. It was Clint.
The shopping bag fell from her hand and the wine bottles smashed against the ground, echoing across the fields, and she ran across the grass, sweating and breathing hard, her swollen ankles and stomach protesting at the movement.
She recognised the two men attacking Clint too, the Banks brothers. Tyrese stopped and hesitated when he saw her approach, but Trent kept kicking him. Clint was curled up in a ball, hardly moving, and her heart hammered in her chest, afraid.
“Stop!” she called out as she neared them, “What do you think you’re doing?”
“Get out of here girl,” Trent threatened, eyeing her with suspicion.
Tyrese alone seemed to recognise her.
“Piss off,” Aurora shouted. She stepped nearer and glanced down at Clint, his face bloody and he let out a soft groan, indecipherable words. She realised that she was afraid for Clint, but not of these two thugs who still defended their brother after all he had done, all he had taken from her. “I’ll call the police if you don’t.”
“You thick or something?” Trent snarled, stepping over Clint towards her.
Aurora held her ground.
“Troy killed my sister,” Aurora said, her voice not wavering, though she was out of breath from the exertion. “He deserves everything he gets and more.”
Trent seemed to realise who she was then and glanced uncertainly to Tyrese. She knew they had noticed her baby bump and that they weren’t keen to hurt her, especially given that their brother had killed her sister.
“Come on, he’s learnt his lesson,” Tyrese said, turning and grabbing Trent’s arm. “Let’s get on, we got stuff to be doing.”
Aurora narrowed her eyes at them. Trent held her gaze, defiant.
“Didn’t you hear your boss?” Aurora snapped at him. “Get fucking gone.”
Anger flashed across Trent’s face and he gritted his teeth. He turned from Aurora and spat on Clint.
“You’re lucky your bitch saved you,” Trent snarled. “Next time I’ll fucking kill you.”
He spat again, and then he followed Tyrese away from them, walking casually across the playing field as if they feared nothing.
Aurora made sure they were going and then dropped to her knees beside Clint. His eyebrow had been opened up and was pouring blood, and his lip was bleeding too. One of his eyes was already swelling up purple and raw, and he groaned at her touch.
“I’m calling an ambulance,” she decided. “Don’t worry, you’ll be okay.”
“No,” Clint said, wincing as he sat up. “I don’t want one.”
“Clint, you’re hurt. You’re bleeding,” Aurora protested.
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