by Karen Woods
John yawned and stretched his arms above his head. For fucks sake, why was she always wanting more from him? Couldn’t she just leave him alone? “Yeah, we’ll sort it out tomorrow. You know what I’m like when I’m tired, I can’t be arsed doing anything.”
She could see he wasn’t interested in anything she was saying and raised her eyebrows high. “So, I’ll get going then.” She expected him to get up and kiss her goodbye, but he just lay where he was and carried on watching the TV. What an ignorant twat. At least he could have walked her home, or even to the front door, told her he love her, kissed her, anything.
Melanie walked out of the room and her heart was low. What had she done? Maybe it was the sex. She was new to it all and didn’t really have a clue what was expected of her. She just lay there sometimes, what else could she do? It might be a good idea to get some books, watch some videos. She needed to up her game and show him what she was all about. Diane would help her if she asked her, she’d been having sex with her husband for ages, so she must know what to do. Then there was the blow-job. He was always asking her to give him oral sex, but she always declined. What the hell was she supposed to do with a willy in her mouth anyway, suck it, chew it, lick it, swallow it, she didn’t have a clue.
Melanie started to walk home. It was getting late. She could see a figure sat on a wall in the distance. When she got nearer she pulled a sour face. It was Lenny Jackson. She walked past him with caution hoping he wouldn’t notice her. No such luck though, he knew who she was straight away. “Are you not saying hello then?”
What was wrong with this prick, why didn’t he get it into his thick head that she hated his guts and wouldn’t give him the time of the day. Melanie stopped walking and turned her head. “Why would I say hello to you? I can’t stand you.”
“Listen, shit happened years ago and I’m sorry about your kid, but it was an accident. I’m not saying I lit the fire, but I was there and part of it.”
This was the first time he’d ever admitted to her being near the fire. Melanie choked up. Her brother was never far from her thoughts.
“He was an innocent child” Melanie sobbed.
“I know Melanie, please, can we just talk for a bit and try to be friends?”
She was sobbing her heart out and needed to sit down to clear her head. Lenny sat with her and placed his arm around her. She needed a hug, a moment to clear her head. Lenny whispered in a low voice. “I’ve cried lots of times about it too. I’m not a bad person, honest, I’m not. Please, let’s put it behind us.”
She sucked back the tears and replied to him. “I know you’re probably not bad. But I lost my brother and nothing in this world will ever bring him back.”
Lenny pulled a cigarette from his packet and handed her one. “Do you smoke?”
She reached over and took the fag from his hand. “I do sometimes when I’m stressed.”
The pair of them sat talking and after a while the beef between them both seemed to ease. Melanie sat back and looked at stars in the sky. “Why did you say John was sleeping with Diane, did you say that just to hurt me?”
Lenny licked his lips slowly and started to play with his fingers. Oh my God, was he going to tell her everything he knew? Lenny let out a laboured breath. He looked around him and changed the subject. “Jordan got done in tonight and they taxed a large bag of weed from him. Donny is shitting bricks and God help whoever it was because he’ll put them in a body bag.” Melanie wanted to know the ins and outs of a cat’s arse-hole as she forgot the question she’d just asked him. Once he’d filled her in she sat twiddling a piece of hair that had fallen onto her face.
“It’s bad that isn’t it. I hope Jordan is alright, he’s a nice lad.”
Lenny moved in closer. “I’m nice too if you give me a chance.”
That was enough for one night. Melanie stood to her feet and started to walk off. “Maybe we can be friends Lenny, just take one day at a time for now.”
That was enough to make him smile. He’d had a crush on this girl for as long as he could remember. This would be the icing on the cake to take John Pearson’s woman from him.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Diane was at her ante-natal appointment and Melanie had come with her. Gary had been to a few but he was working long hours now and couldn’t always get the time off and they needed the money. Melanie looked through a few booklets that Diane had in her folder regarding giving birth. There were step by steps photographs of the baby being born. Melanie cringed as she got to the page where she could see a baby’s head coming out of a vagina. The colour drained from her cheeks. “Oh my God, don’t tell me that you have to do that? Look how big the baby’s head is.”
Diane nudged her in the waist. “Keep your voice down will you, people can hear you.”
“I don’t care. I’m only asking a question.”
“Yes, that’s what will happen.”
Melanie studied the picture, holding it at different angles. “So, what happens to your fanny after the baby comes out. Does it stay stretched, I mean, will you have a wider vagina after giving birth.”
“Bleeding hell, don’t you ever let up. I’m stressed enough about the birth without you adding to it.”
“Wow, calm down, you hormonal cow. I’m only asking a question.”
“Well, when we go and see the doctor ask them the question, if you’re that concerned.”
Melanie smirked. “Maybe I will. Because, you’re not telling me are you?”
“No, because I don’t know myself that’s why.”
Melanie turned the page and started to read about other parts of labour, her expression changed, and she closed the book as fast as she could. It was all too scary, so many changes happening in the female body; breasts filling with milk, pain control during labour, the list was endless. Melanie sat with her arms folded swinging her legs about in the chair. She was bored already. She made sure nobody could hear her and held a concerned look. “Diane, how do I become a good lover. I think John is getting bored of me. Do you have any tips? How do you do a blow job?” Diane closed her eyes and gritted her teeth. The thought of the man she loved having sex with Melanie turned her stomach. He’d told her they didn’t have sex anymore, what a liar he was. Melanie was waiting on an answer. “So, are you going to tell me or what?”
Diane was snappy. “Don’t ask me, I don’t have sex much anymore. Look how big my belly is, who’d want to touch me looking like this?”
“You look lovely, don’t be silly.”
“That’s a matter of opinion. You’ve not seen my arse or me naked have you?”
“You’re just having a down day Diane. It’s your hormones playing up. I’ve just read about it in the book. It will all be over soon, and you’ll be back to normal.”
“I can’t wait. I look like an egg on legs” Diane moaned. Melanie patted her arm and gave her the support she needed. “How’s things with Gary?”
Diane shrugged her shoulders. “Boring, if I’m being honest. He works all day and sleeps all night. We hardly say two words to each other. My mam said that’s how my dad is after a hard day’s graft but I’m a young girl, he should make more of an effort with me.”
“When the baby comes along he’ll change. Remember he’s working hard so you can get your own place. You can’t have everything.”
Diane sighed. “Maybe I can if I want.” Melanie was puzzled, what did she mean by that?
“My mam and dad are back together. He came around last night and he’s forgiven her for not telling him about her son. He’s even said he will support her if she wanted to go and find him.”
“That’s good. I mean, some men would have fucked off for good.”
“Yeah, it must have been so hard keeping a secret like that for all them years. Stuff like that would play on my mind. I’d have to say something.”
Diane’s name was called by the midwife. Melanie stood with her and grabbed the notes. Diane waddled into the room and sat down. Her ankles and fingers wer
e swollen. The midwife was a big round woman who was about five foot tall. She had a nice friendly tone and seemed to love her job. “Right, let’s have a look at your notes. How have you been doing? Hopefully, the baby should be with us in the next few weeks, so I hope you’ve got everything ready.”
Diane rolled her eyes. “Yes, I think I’m ready. My hospital bag is packed, and everything is in it like you told me.”
The midwife who’s name badge said ‘Wendy’ started to read through her notes. She was just double checking her details. “Right, last few questions. Name of father.”
Diane stuttered, she started to fidget about in her seat. She wanted to tell them all who the father of her child was, but she couldn’t, she had to keep her mouth shut until the time was right. Maybe now the time was right? She could tell Melanie and put this to bed forever. What was the worst that could happen? She could slap her, call her names, but at least the truth would be out, and she could stop living this lie. Wendy raised her voice a little higher and repeated the question. Diane snapped out of her daze and answered her. “Gary, the same name that’s on my front sheet.”
The midwife read through her notes and started to write down the name of the father. Melanie watched closely as Diane started to have her blood pressure taken. There was too much pissing about involved in pregnancy for her liking. Diane lay on the bed and pulled her t-shirt up so Wendy could examine her. The midwife rubbed her hands together before she touched her. “My hands might be a little cold but it’s just a quick examination.” Melanie came to watch. Her eyes were wide open when she saw the true size of her friend’s stomach area. She looked like she was ready to burst. “Can you tell if it’s a boy or a girl?” she asked.
Wendy sniggered. “No love, I’m just making sure the baby is growing and listening to its heartbeat. She’ll know soon enough if it’s a boy or a girl.”
Diane’s examination was over, and she was eager to cover her body up. She was helped up by the midwife and told to sit back on the chair. “Right, everything is fine with the baby. We just need to keep our eyes on those legs of yours. Your blood pressure is fine, so I’m not really concerned at the moment but if they get any worse you need to go straight to hospital.” Diane poked her finger in her leg and watched how the skin sank in for a few seconds. Melanie watched too.
Her ante-natal appointment was over, and Wendy predicted that she wouldn’t see her again. “You’ll have this baby by next week, so, good luck and I hope all goes well.”
“Thank you,” Diane replied.
Once they were out of the room Melanie was excited. “She said by next week you will have a baby. How mad is that? See, at least you can stop moaning then.”
“The sooner the better for me. I want to dress in fashionable clothes again, wear some jeans, and sort my hair out. Look how greasy it is since I’ve been pregnant.” Diane lifted her hair up and you could see that near the root it was greasy.
“Shall we call to see John on the way home. We can have a soft drink in the pub if you want?”
“Yes, if you want?” Diane muttered.
Melanie walked into the pub and spotted John playing pool with his mate. He never saw her at first but when he did his face dropped as he saw Diane was with her. He’d not seen these two girls together for ages. Bleeding hell, how was he going to keep his cool? Melanie walked over to him and tickled him. He was beetroot as he caught the eye of Diane who had a face like thunder. “Get us a drink then. I’ll have a coke and what do you want Diane?”
“I’ll have something to calm me down. Get me a vodka,” she said in a sarcastic tone.
Melanie chuckled. “She’s only joking, she’s been like that all day, just get her a coke the same as me.”
John couldn’t wait to get behind the bar. He needed time to get his head around this. Diane plonked down and kicked her shoes off, they were crippling her feet. She dragged a stool over and placed her feet on the top of it. John was back, and he placed the drinks on the table. “I’m getting off soon, so you can’t stay for long. My mam will go mad if she sees you in here, you know what she’s like.”
Melanie flicked her hair back and sat down next to him. “I’m your girlfriend, she won’t mind me. I’ve been in here loads of times with you.”
“Yeah, but she’s had a few complaints from the punters about underage drinkers, so she’s put her foot down.”
John couldn’t look at Diane, it was obvious and Melanie clocked it straight away. “I’ve just been to the ante-natal class with Diane and the baby should be here next week. How cool is that, Gary is going to be a dad.”
Diane reached down and stroked her fingers up and down her leg. “Yep, being a father to a child must be the best feeling in the world.” Oh, she was on one now and she was a ticking bomb.
John nudged his friend and stood up. He needed out of here. “Right, I’m going. I’ll catch you later.”
“Are we going to the pictures tonight?” Melanie asked coyly, “You said you would show me how much you loved me by taking me.”
John had never said such a thing, but she was making sure everybody heard her. Diane kicked the stool over and everybody looked over at her. “Sorry, it slipped,” she hissed. John walked out of the pub and his mate followed closely behind him.
Melanie held her hands up in the air. “Oh right, see you Melanie,” she shouted in a sarcastic tone.
John was sweating, he had meeting today with a guy from another estate. This was his chance to get rid of the drugs. He trusted Benny and had known him for a few years. Benny was mixed race and older than John. He had a bit of a name for himself and he was handy with his fists. John nodded as he walked towards him. “Yo, Benny, how’s it going lad?”
“I’m good. Or, I will be when you tell me what you want me for?”
John sucked hard on his gums and patted his flat hand on Benny’s shoulder. “Let’s go somewhere quiet and I’ll fill you in.”
Benny smirked and knew whatever was going on was underhand. “We’ll go to my sister’s gaff. It’s safe there, nobody listening if you know what I mean.”
“Sorted then,” John replied.
Jess opened the door and looked John up and down. She’d seen his face knocking about and wanted a low down on him before she let him into the house. He could be a grass for all she knew. “Who’s this then?” she asked her brother.
“He’s a mate of mine,” Benny replied as he patted John on the back, “don’t worry he’s one of us.”
Jess opened the door fully and invited him inside. “I know your face from somewhere, where have I seen you before?”
John looked at her and he knew he’d seen her face too. “I’m from Harpurhey, the Two Hundred estate. You’ve probably seen me in the pub there.”
Jess invited him into the front room, still apprehensive, watching him, trying to work him out. As soon as John stepped inside the house, he could smell weed. It was a bad stench, not the normal when someone had just smoked a joint, much stronger. There must have been a grow in this house. Yes, it was probably in the attic away from prying eyes. John sat down and sat forward in his seat. He didn’t really want to discuss his business in front of Jess, but she wasn’t budging. She sat down facing him.
Benny rubbed his hands together and was eager to get the conversation going. There was no going around the houses, he was straight to the point. “So, what the plan?”
John swallowed hard and cracked his knuckles. This was all risky business. “I want to start up selling a bit of weed. Obviously, it’s come to me and landed on my lap and I don’t want anyone knowing I’m involved. It’s hot, so to speak.”
Benny’s eyes were wide open, pound signs registering in his brain. “How much have you got?”
“A good kilo and a half for sure. Enough to earn a few quid anyway.”
“Is it ready to go or does it need chopping?”
“It’s ready to go, it just needs bagging up.”
Benny sat back in his chair, he studied John and no
dded. He knew the score and was certain that the drugs were stolen from someone he knew. Did he want any part of this? It could mean him getting involved in something he couldn’t handle. “So, cut the crap John, who’s drugs are they. I’m not risking my neck if I don’t know who I’m dealing with?”
John had to come clean, he’d never tell them he was the one who taxed the grafter, no, he’d tell him it was someone else. “It’s Donny’s. A guy who I know nicked it from Jordan his worker.”
Benny’s jaw dropped, he didn’t even need a surname. He knew who Donny was alright, everybody did. “Fuck me, Donny is cuckoo. He’s mental. He’ll chop you up if he knows you are anything to do with this.”
John had to get him onboard, make it worth his while. “I’ll make sure you get a good split, we can go bang down the middle with it. On my life, fifty-fifty.”
Benny sighed, he knew John was lying now. Otherwise, where was the third split for the guy who taxed the grafter. “No. Sorry John. I’m not getting involved in this. Donny has eyes and ears everywhere. As soon as someone starts banging new gear out on the street, he’ll be all over us like a rash. Good luck with shifting it though but let me tell you, Donny will find out and deal with you and anyone else involved.”
John was deflated. “For fucks sake Benny. I thought you had balls. Who would ever find out if you keep your big gob shut?”
Benny could see him getting agitated and stopped him before he got any further. “No. I’m having fuck all to do with it.”
Jess nodded, she knew the score too. “He said no. I know Donny too and there’s no way my brother is having any part of this. Take your business somewhere else. We don’t need any beef, we have enough of our own.”
John was told for sure. Jess was standing up and she gave him the look that told him it was time to leave. There would be no deal being made here today. Benny stood and shook John’s hand. “Like I said, good luck with it. I’ll keep schtum and won’t say a word but be careful who you speak too about this, like I said Donny has eyes everywhere.”