‘Jimmy?’ Stuart said, as he was swung around. ‘Fuck man, you scared the life out of me. I thought you were Old Bill then for a second,’ he said, trying to save face in front of his mates.
‘Well it’s just as well I well ain’t. Isn’t it?!’ Jimmy sneered at the boy. Then shook his head at the others. ‘Or you stupid little cunts would have all been nicked, wouldn’t you?’
He was scanning the shop and the immediate vicinity for security cameras.
‘Get your fucking arses around here now,’ he ordered, still clutching Stuart by his neck as he dragged the older kid into the darkened alleyway next to the arcade.
‘Fuck man, you’re hurting me!’ Stuart said, as Jimmy practically lifted him off his feet.
The man was pissed off. Stuart could see that. Though he wasn’t sure why. He was taller than all his peers, but he was no match for Jimmy. The man was a brick shithouse.
‘Not exactly fucking clever, is it? Vandalising the old girl’s shop then hiding out in the next street. If I had no trouble finding you then the Old Bill won’t either,’ Jimmy warned.
‘Sorry, Jimmy,’ Stuart said, shaking his head in agreement as he sensed Jimmy Byrne’s annoyance at him for not being cleverer about their getaway. ‘I didn’t think, Jimmy.’ He was aware of how lame and pathetic he sounded, but right now his street cred was the least of his worries. Pissing off Jimmy Byrne was not something that Stuart Matthews had set out to do. Trying to justify his actions, he hadn’t factored on Jimmy turning up personally to see that the job had been done to his standards. Tonight had been about impressing the man. Showing Jimmy that he was good for the job. The last thing he wanted to do was royally piss the man off.
‘Well start fucking thinking then! ’Cos if you cause any shit for me, you really will be sorry. Do you hear me?’ Jimmy said, finally loosening his grip on the older boy, and giving him a shove for good measure.
Stuart nodded obediently. Then hoping to impress the man, he added, ‘We did exactly as you asked us, Jimmy. We made a nuisance of ourselves, smashed the place up a bit. The old girl was shitting herself.’
Jimmy couldn’t argue with that. He’d seen the state of the shop, the state of Edel when he’d pulled up a few minutes ago. The boys had done a right number on the place. Stuart still had a lot to learn though, but he’d proved himself as more than willing tonight, and that stood for a lot in Jimmy’s book.
‘Yeah, you did good. Dish this out and then get the fuck out of here,’ Jimmy said as he took out the wad of money he’d promised the boys. He handed Stuart the pile of notes.
‘But the next time I pay you to do a job for me, make sure you lay low afterwards okay? The last thing I need is you lot getting a tug, and the Old Bill asking questions that might lead you back to me. If I can’t even trust you to do that, you’ll be out! Do you understand?’
Eleven
‘I didn’t realise this place would be so posh!’ Colleen whispered, tucking her hair behind her ears self-consciously, as Jimmy signalled to the waiter to bring over his usual. The finest bottle of champagne the restaurant served.
Looking around the Mayfair restaurant nervously, Colleen couldn’t help but feel out of place as she eyed the couple in the booth closest to them. She’d thought the last place that Jimmy had taken her to had been fancy, but this place was something else altogether. Here, people were dressed to the nines. The couple next to them no exception. Both wearing their fanciest clothes. The man was dressed in a black tuxedo and bow tie, the woman dressed head-to-toe in sequins, her floor-length gown shimmering under the crystal chandeliers that hung just above them.
Colleen, in contrast, was dressed in a white-and-red floral sundress, despite the fact that it was the beginning of December. Like the little black dress that she’d already worn, it was half decent. Fashion had never really been Colleen’s priority, only now, tugging down her dress, feeling slightly frumpy, she wished that she had made it one.
‘This restaurant is probably the fanciest place I’ve ever been to,’ Colleen whispered across the table to Jimmy as she stared around in awe. ‘In fact, there’s no probably about it. It is.’
‘We could learn a thing or two from the French. They seem to ooze class and sophistication, especially when it comes to fine dining,’ Jimmy said, glad that the venue he'd picked tonight seemed to impress Colleen.
‘They certainly do,’ she agreed as she glanced at the à la carte menu that she couldn’t understand. Then casting her eye back across the room, she took in every last detail. The tables all dressed with crisp white tablecloths and a whole array of sparkling cutlery and wine glasses. Even the waiters were dressed like extras from a James Bond movie: immaculate suits and fancy white gloves. All these people sipping fancy-looking cocktails, and glasses of champagne, whilst the pianist owned the huge centre stage in the middle of the restaurant, the hypnotic sound of the classical music he played setting the tone for the vibrant, civilised atmosphere.
‘I must stick out like a sore thumb.’
‘Don’t be daft. You fit right in,’ Jimmy said, unable to stop himself from smiling. Sensing the girl’s apprehension, Jimmy squeezed Colleen’s hand as if giving her his reassurance, while the waiter attended their table, popping the champagne cork loudly as he opened the bottle that Jimmy had requested, before filling both of their glasses.
Colleen took her glass, thanking the waiter politely.
Jimmy smiled at that too. Manners as well as gratitude. The girl looked thrilled to be here. Excited even.
That in itself was a novelty.
Most of the girls Jimmy had brought to places like this lapped it up, as if it was expected: part and parcel of being ‘Jimmy’s girl’.
‘If anyone should feel out of place tonight, it’s all these other women. You knock spots off them all, Colleen. You really have no idea, do you?’
Colleen smiled gratefully at Jimmy’s kind words, despite the fact that she didn’t believe them for a moment. He was just being nice, trying to set her mind at rest. They both knew that the women in here tonight were different: wealthy, upper class. Adorned in the fanciest of clothes and more jewellery than Colleen had ever seen before in her life. It was the perfect little place to people watch and she couldn’t help staring, star-struck every time she spotted a celebrity she recognised from the TV. This place was just unreal, like another world.
To Jimmy though, this was just the norm. This was his world, and he didn’t seem at all fazed by the fact that people were constantly staring over at them both. At the notorious Jimmy Byrne.
‘How’s your mum doing now?’ Jimmy asked, knowing full well that the events at the florist had left the woman shaken.
Tonight was the first night that he’d taken Colleen out on a date since the break-in, and they were making a proper night of it, so he figured that Edel was just getting on with it now. The woman was a tough old bird, he’d give her that.
‘She’s not easily scared my mum,’ Colleen said with honesty. ‘But I think it really shook her up.’ She sipped her champagne, before adding, ‘She really appreciates all your help, Jimmy. We both do. I don’t think I could have left her if you hadn’t sorted the shop out and given her that pager. She doesn’t let the thing out of her sight. I guess it makes a difference to her knowing that you’re at the other end if she gets any more trouble.’
‘I’m just glad to be of service,’ Jimmy said, and nodded. ‘I don’t blame her for being shaken up. The lads that wrecked the place were probably just some local scrotes. Knocking about causing trouble ’cos they were bored or something. It’s a shame I didn’t catch up with them. I would love to have taught the cocky little shits a lesson or two,’ he said, his temper getting the better of him.
Colleen shook her head.
‘You did more than enough, Jimmy. Seriously. Me and my mum are so grateful.’ She meant it too. Jimmy had scoured the streets for the gang of lads that had ransacked the shop; despite not being able to find them, he’d still come back to the
shop and spent hours clearing the place up and boarding up the window as best as he could, determined to make sure that Edel and Colleen didn’t have any more unwelcome visitors during the night.
The next morning he’d turned up at the crack of dawn, together with a glazier who replaced the window for Edel with a special toughened glass at Jimmy’s request. Jimmy had insisted on footing the bill for it all too.
‘It’s been well over a week now and they haven’t come back. Maybe you’re right? Maybe it was just a bunch of kids causing trouble.’ Colleen shrugged. ‘Maybe now they’ve damaged the shop they’ve moved on to bother someone else?’
‘Yeah, let’s hope so.’ Jimmy nodded, though he could see that Colleen wasn’t completely convinced. ‘Are you sure you’re okay being out tonight? Going to the club and everything. If you don’t want to stay out that late, we can give it a miss. I can drop you home a bit earlier? It’s no bother,’ Jimmy said, seeing the look of concern etched on Colleen’s face. The girl was clearly worried sick about her mother, and Jimmy could relate.
‘No honestly it’s fine. My mum insisted that I go out and enjoy myself tonight. She wanted me to come out,’ Colleen reasoned.
‘And more importantly, did you want to come out?’ Jimmy said with a grin, seeing Colleen blush as he deliberately toyed with her.
‘Well, I’m here, aren’t I?’ Colleen smiled, playing down the fact that actually she did want to see Jimmy again. Despite all the things that Colleen had heard about Jimmy, he had surprised her. He’d come round to the flat every day since the break-in, but with her mother there, they’d had no time alone. Colleen had been looking forward to her date with Jimmy tonight.
She’d been wrong to judge him without getting to know him first. Jimmy was nothing but the perfect gentleman. Taking her out to only the best places. Insisting on paying for everything, and after how he had helped her and her mother, Colleen couldn’t help but feel herself really starting to like him.
‘Yeah, your mother mentioned that you were looking forward to tonight,’ Jimmy laughed then, hinting at the conversation he’d had with Edel when he’d gone to pick Colleen up.
‘Oh Christ, what else did she say?’ Colleen rolled her eyes playfully, as she realised that Jimmy was teasing her. Her mother had probably told Jimmy all sorts while she was upstairs getting ready. Unable to help herself the woman had no filter at all when it came to speaking her mind.
‘Oh, nothing much, she just said that you had been getting ready for ages. That you were really excited about coming out tonight.’ Jimmy pursed his lips.
‘Well, what can I say? I have a thing about French cuisine.’ Colleen giggled.
‘Oh you only came for the food, eh? And here I was thinking that I must be doing something right, seeing as this is our second date. Unless, of course, you’re only here to please your mother again?’ Jimmy teased. Feeling smug. Safe with the knowledge that he already seemed to have won the girl over. Colleen wasn’t going to be such the challenge that Jimmy had first anticipated.
Colleen raised her brows at that comment. She deserved it. It was, after all, the only reason that she’d gone out with Jimmy in the first place.
‘Look, I’m just going to be honest with you, Jimmy. I’m not sure what I expected at first. I mean, I’ve heard all these stories about you.’ Colleen shrugged. ‘People around these parts talk and whenever your name comes up, it’s always been linked with something shady that’s gone on. Maybe they’re just stories, I don’t know.’ Saying it out loud, she knew that she sounded ridiculous even to herself and Jimmy’s nonplussed reaction was making her doubt everything she’d ever heard about the man.
‘Stories? About me?’ Feigning innocence, Jimmy raised his brow pretending that he had no idea what Colleen was talking about. Which only made her laugh.
Jimmy wasn’t a silly man. He knew what she was getting at.
‘People can be very jealous, Colleen. If they see someone doing well for themselves, of course they talk. It’s human nature. Most people can’t seem to help themselves but drag another man down, especially if it makes them feel better about their own dreary, sad lives,’ Jimmy said, his cool, calm reaction speaking volumes about his attitude towards local gossip. Jimmy didn’t care.
That alone was enough to make Colleen realise that was all it was, rumours.
‘Trust me, though, not one of those backstabbers would have the balls to say any of their lies to my face. It’s all just chat! Mindless bullshit,’ Jimmy said, before taking a mouthful of his drink. ‘When it comes to work, I take my business very seriously. Yes, I can be ruthless. Yes, I piss a lot of people off. But that’s work. It’s how I earn my living. It’s not who I am.’
Colleen nodded in agreement. She could see that about Jimmy. He was the complete opposite of what she’d expected. What she’d been led to believe. Jimmy was funny and charismatic, not only that but he had a certain charm about him too. He made Colleen feel safe.
It was a weird feeling.
‘I guess, you’re not who I expected,’ she said, trying to play down the fact that Jimmy Byrne had actually really surprised her.
‘So I’ve exceeded your expectations then?’ Jimmy said, teasing Colleen as he placed his hands on hers.
The warmth between them made Colleen’s stomach flutter. Enjoying their date immensely now, she was about to answer when a loud voice behind them interrupted them mid-conversation.
‘Well isn’t this looking very cosy.’
An attractive-looking couple were approaching their table; Colleen felt certain that she recognised the stocky man, with his tanned olive skin and handsome chiselled looks. She couldn’t place him though. Familiar as he was, Colleen figured she must have seen him around somewhere. Eyeing the young girl at his side, she thought how stunning the pair were. Like two models from a magazine.
‘Fancy bumping into you here, eh.’ The man, slightly younger than Jimmy, beamed, opening his arms and hugging his friend, as he stood up to greet him.
‘A coincidence indeed,’ Jimmy replied to the shorter man.
Despite returning his friend’s hug, he looked unimpressed by the unexpected interruption.
‘Colleen. This is Alex Costa. My business partner,’ Jimmy said, making the polite introductions that he knew were expected. ‘And this is his…’ Unsure what Tiffany was to Alex, despite the fact that Alex had been ‘dating’ the girl on and off for a good six months, he said, ‘The delightful Tiffany. Smith.’
‘Careful there, Jimmy, you almost said girlfriend then! You know how funny he gets when you stick a label on anything. Especially our relationship.’ Tiffany cackled loudly, the thick mask of make-up she’d painted on her face almost cracking as she smiled. Not waiting to be asked if she would like to join them, she pulled out a chair at their table.
Taking in the girl’s heavily painted face, and the hot pink minidress, with a fluffy white ostrich feather jacket wrapped around her shoulders, Colleen could see that Tiffany was no wallflower.
Other diners hadn’t been able to help notice the girl either as she sat down at the table, sticking her chest out, proudly displaying the ample cleavage that spilled out the top of her dress.
Even Colleen didn’t know where to look.
‘Please, join us,’ Jimmy said, his sarcasm completely lost on Tiffany as she smiled back at him, already sitting down.
‘You don’t mind do you, Colleen?’ Jimmy asked, his mood changed now that they had company. Exchanging a look, he raised his eyes at Colleen as if to apologise for the unannounced guests.
‘’Course she don’t mind!’ Alex spoke up before Colleen had a chance. Then turning to the waiter behind him, he clicked his fingers arrogantly. ‘You got another couple of glasses there, mate?’
Colleen looked at Jimmy.
‘Honestly. The more the merrier,’ she mouthed, picking up on the vibe that Jimmy wasn’t best pleased about Alex and Tiffany joining them. She didn’t want to cause any problems by letting him know that secretl
y she’d been looking forward to spending time with him. Alone. Besides, if these were Jimmy’s friends then she wanted to make a good impression.
‘It’s very nice to meet you both,’ she said, holding out her hand to greet Alex, though he didn’t reciprocate. Instead he busied himself pouring out two glasses of champagne for himself and Tiffany.
‘We should make a toast,’ Alex said, holding his glass up and staring at Jimmy, a mischievous glint in his eye that said he was well aware that he was winding his mate up.
‘What should we drink to, eh? New friendships?’
Jimmy nodded. He could see that Alex was in one of his volatile moods again. Coked up to his fucking eyeballs he and Tiffany had no doubt spent the early part of the evening shoving gear up their noses.
Alex knew exactly what he was doing turning up here tonight. This was no coincidence. Jimmy had purposely not told Alex that he was coming here, for this very reason. The last thing he needed was Alex hanging around like a bad smell and fucking everything up for him now he’d got this far with Colleen.
‘What is this then? Must be your seventh date, isn’t it?’ Alex asked, the sincerity of his smile not reaching his eyes as he spoke.
‘Second actually.’ Colleen smiled, squeezing Jimmy’s hand. Though suddenly Jimmy didn’t seem as forthcoming in talking about their dates.
‘Only the second?’ Alex said. Staring a little too intently at the girl, he decided on the spot that he didn’t like her.
‘I feel like I haven’t seen you all week, mate?” Alex eyed Jimmy then.
‘Me and Colleen have been enjoying each other’s company,’ Jimmy reasoned, smiling at Colleen to lighten the mood before adding: ‘And last time I checked I didn’t have to run my every movement through you, Alex.’ Jimmy’s eyes flashed a warning. He was determined not to retaliate to Alex’s bullshit, but Alex was purposely trying to push his luck. Even coming here tonight was a massive piss-take.
The Betrayed: A shocking, gritty thriller that will hook you from the first page Page 8