by Edie Baylis
Jane grabbed her bag from down the side of the sofa. “Ben, I don’t give a rat’s arse if you trust me or not!”
“Where are you going?” Ben yelped.
Oh this was like a déjà vu of old times, Jane thought, fury descending further. “Home!” she snapped and walked towards the door.
“And where’s that? I don’t know do I? Makes it a bit awkward what with your other half being there I expect?” Ben screamed, snatching her bag out of her hands. “What’s in here then?”
Jane stared in shocked horror as Ben emptied her handbag on to the carpet.
“I’ve heard all about the letters you hide!”
Jane watched silently as Ben picked up her letter from the floor. She was calm now. Nicely calm. She watched Ben squint as he unfolded the white piece of paper and try to focus on it. Let him read it then. Let him fucking read it. Go on...!
Ben’s brows furrowed as he scanned the contents. “Why have you got this?” He looked at Marie as she moved towards him. “It’s not yours. Who’s Jane?”
As the bottle of vodka connected with Ben’s skull and he hit the floor, Jane stuffed her things back into her bag and retrieved the letter from his hand. “Best not to ask too many questions Ben. You won’t like the answers,” she smiled. “Now leave me the fuck alone!”
Stepping over Ben’s unconscious form, Jane slipped back out into the night.
SEVENTEEN
FOR FUCK’S SAKE. TRUST Ernie Carter! Charlie was out of breath by the time he reached Dan’s house. He banged the front door loudly, hoping to God they were in. Both of them.
Dan answered the door looking wasted. “Quick!” Charlie barged into the hall. “You need to get on the road. It’s happening!”
Dan frowned. “What is, mate?”
Charlie stared at him. “You stoned?” He fished in his pocket and pulled out a wrap of coke. “Get that up your nose and straighten up fast.”
“Ok, ok,” Dan smiled, unwrapping the coke. Beckoning Charlie to follow him, he walked into the small kitchen and proceeded to cut two lines on the work surface.
“Where’s Jim?” Charlie panted, still out of breath.
“Upstairs, giving my missus a seeing to. Poor bloke. She won’t leave him alone!” Dan wiped his fingers under his nose and sniffed hard.
“Thank God for that!” Charlie cried and ran to the bottom of the stairs. “Jim?” he called loudly. Getting no response, he took the stairs two at a time and banged on a bedroom door. He guessed it was the correct one due to the loud cries of a woman in the throes of passions from the other side. He banged again. “Jim! JIM!”
Seth opened the door angrily, a towel wrapped around his hips.
“Jim? Hurry up...” came the woman’s voice behind him.
Seth looked at Charlie questioningly. “Charlie? What’s up?”
“I bumped into Matt and Pete in town and they were on the way to the Glint. It seems Carter’s in a foul mood and has changed the fucking plan. Instead of taking the gear tomorrow as discussed, he’s sent them tonight.” Charlie wiped away a film of sweat from his forehead. “They’ll be there any minute and I need you guys there straight away!”
Seth turned and quickly returned inside the room. Dropping the towel to the floor he pulled his jeans on.
“Jim?” the woman whined, still spread-eagled and breathless on the bed.
“Later,” he muttered. Shrugging on his shirt, Seth loped down the stairs with Charlie hot on his tail. “Dan! Come on!” he shouted, beckoning towards the door with his head.
“Take the car,” Charlie muttered. “I’ll have to make myself scarce. I’ll go to Crystals and pretend I’m keeping an eye on it to be helpful in Matt and Pete’s absence.”
Nodding, Seth sparked up a fag and quickly jumped behind the steering wheel.
“You know who you’re looking for now don’t you?” Charlie said, leaning down at the passenger window.
“Of course. Leave it to us,” Dan smiled as Seth hit the accelerator and the car screeched off the kerb in the direction of the Glint.
ELIZA KNEW SHE LOOKED dreadful, but for once in her life she didn’t care. There was no way she was going to hang around the apartment so Ernie could have another go at her.
For the first time in a very long time she felt completely humiliated and out of control. As well as being terrified, she was angry. Angry that it had been Ernie who had fucked her over. She’d wanted to be the one to do it to him, not the other way around. Still, she couldn’t think about that now. She was still too panicky and if she was honest, too terrified to think about anything rationally.
She needed to find Charlie. He’d know what to do. She’d just move in with him. She was going to anyway at some point like they’d planned, so what did it matter if it was earlier than anticipated? He’d be pleased.
Eliza put her head down and ignored the stares of people as she hurried along the dark streets. She knew she looked a mess and needed a shower to get all the vomit out of her hair and clean her face up. She raised her hand to her cheek, feeling the split and winced as she gingerly pressed the bruised cut flesh.
The trouble was, she didn’t know where Charlie lived. Feeling a wave of panic rise again she stumbled blindly onwards. He’d mentioned a pub once. Which one was it? That was it – the Traveller’s Arms.
“ANOTHER DRINK?” SALLY asked. She’d pulled herself together and finally allowed herself to be talked into going out for a drink. She owed it to Maggie for losing the plot earlier, so reluctantly she’d agreed.
After she’d cleaned her face up they’d wandered down to the Traveller’s Arms and had relaxed when, much to Maggie’s disappointment, neither Dan nor Charlie were in there.
“I’ll get these babe,” Maggie smiled and carefully made her way up to the bar, concentrating on putting her feet in a relatively straight line. She waited and watched as the barman served a couple of men the other end of the long counter.
Feeling someone stand next to her smelling overpoweringly of vomit, she gingerly glanced to her left. Shocked to see the state of the woman by her side, she swallowed. Dear God. That’s Eliza! What’s happened to her?
Eliza’s matted hair was caked in vomit all down the one side. Trying her best not to stare, Maggie focused on the red patches of scalp which suggested she’d had some hair yanked out and a fairly deep split across her cheekbone. Had she been attacked?
Eliza was shaking, Maggie could see that much from the hands clutching a small carry-on bag and she’d definitely been crying judging by the thick mascara trails down her face.
Unable to remain silent she gently touched Eliza’s arm. “Are you ok?”
Eliza’s big eyes focused on Maggie. Oh God, not HER. Out of all nights, why tonight? Her eyes narrowed. “What’s it to you?” she snapped angrily and continued trying to get the attention of the barman.
“You’re obviously hurt,” Maggie continued. “Can I help?”
Eliza sneered. Patronising bitch. Was she taking the piss? Since when had she been capable of anything? “Oh get fucked, Maggie!” she seethed, turning away as the barman approached.
“Have you seen Charlie?” Eliza asked in an abrupt tone whilst Maggie sadly walked off.
The barman scrutinised Eliza and frowned. “Look love, get yourself home and clean yourself up.”
Eliza stared. She’d forgotten for a moment that she looked such a state. Like a hooker. “Wait a minute,” she snapped. “I’m not a...”
The barman put his hand up to stop her. “No offence love, but please leave. You’re putting the customers off. You fucking stink. And I don’t know any Charlie.”
Turning quickly away, Eliza grabbed her bag and after giving Maggie a glare for good measure, ran out of the door. She wasn’t going to give any of these losers the satisfaction of seeing her cry. Especially Maggie.
MATT AND PETE HAD HAD a relatively easy time of it and were feeling rather pleased with themselves. They’d easily got past the doorman and located the guy the
y’d been told to target who dealt with these sort of ‘deliveries.’
Matt eyed the fresh-faced slender barman in his white long-sleeved cotton shirt and smiled. This would be a walk in the park.
He glanced around the dimly lit room. The chandeliers and gold trimmings glinted opulently in the subdued lighting and many people sat around the nicely positioned tables, each with their own candles. His eyes strayed to the girl on the stage gyrating seductively to the music. She was a cracker and would definitely give her one. He smiled, realising that would be at least one of the perks he’d acquire once Ernie Carter owned this gaff.
“What can I get you gentlemen? Do you have a table number?”
David, the young barman’s voice snapped Matt from his thoughts. Remembering himself he quickly brought his concentration back to the job in hand. Nudging Pete who had got equally distracted by the beautiful blonde on stage, Matt leaned over the bar so he could speak out of earshot of anyone around them. “Been told you take the deliveries,” he winked.
David frowned. “Deliveries?”
Matt’s brows knitted together. “Don’t play dumb, mate. The deliveries?”
Glancing from left to right, David nodded. “We’ve had this weeks’ delivery already.”
Leaning forward, Pete grabbed the man’s arm. “Think you’ll find that’s changed. Now if we can go somewhere where we can talk?”
David glanced up, seeing Barry the head doorman giving him the go ahead. They’d all been briefed by Bill Benson this would happen and had been instructed what to do. It had been promised that he wouldn’t get hurt, but the men in front of him didn’t look too friendly and he began to wish it had been one of the other barmen on shift when this pair had turned up.
Quickly nodding at the two men, David motioned towards a small room off the side of the bar. “Follow me.”
Winking at Pete, Matt followed into the small room. This was going to be even easier than he’d thought. The guy was chicken shit.
Seth and Dan waited in the corridor behind the bar in the Glint. When they’d arrived Barry informed them where the two Carter boys were and that they were busy ensuring they got the rival’s coke delivery from the barman, as well as the money for their coke.
“They think they’re on to a winner,” Barry had guffawed, his barrel chest vibrating as he laughed. “I wish I could join you boys. I’d rather enjoy it, but unfortunately I’ve been instructed not to get involved.”
Dan smiled, but Seth was focused out of talking. He was coiled like a spring, his senses alert and sensitive to all changes. It had been a long time since he’d been down this road and he’d missed it. More than he realised.
ELIZA WAS NOT HAPPY, but she hadn’t had any choice. Sitting on the saggy sofa back in her office at Crystals, she put her head in her hands and cried.
“What’s going on?” Charlie asked, flinging the door open and staring at her in horror. He’d only come here to keep out of the shit going down at the Glint, but the minute he’d turned up, Brian on the door said Eliza was waiting for him upstairs. For God’s sake, was she trying to get him into real grief or something, the stupid bitch?
“Oh thank God!” Eliza cried, jumping to her feet. Rushing over she wrapped her arms around Charlie.
“For fuck’s sake Eliza!” Charlie yelled, grabbing her hands and holding her at arm’s length.
Eliza froze. “Charlie, Ernie did this! Look what he’s done to me!” she shrieked.
Charlie turned away and walked over to the other side of the room. He ran his hand through his hair. Shit. What the fuck was he going to do now? He might have known she’d fuck it up.
Eliza followed. “It’s ok babe, it was worth it. Don’t you see? I’ve left him, so now we can be together. It’s over. I’m done with him and this fucking place and I’ve told him so.”
Charlie went cold. She had to be kidding, right? Looking into Eliza’s eyes he could see she was being deadly serious and almost gagged as he got assaulted with another nostril’s worth of vomit.
“I only came here to find you. If you take me back to yours I’ll clean myself up,” she smiled. “I’ll arrange to get the rest of my stuff from the apartment in a couple of days.”
Charlie felt like he was going to pass out. How the hell was he going to get out of this? Eliza was surplus to requirements now she’d screwed it up, but if Ernie got wind she’d come to him and he’d been harbouring her, then his neck would be on the line.
On top of that, Bill would kill him for ballsing the plan up. Quickly Charlie, think. THINK! “Erm, you haven’t told Ernie about us have you?”
Eliza lit a cigarette, her fingers shaking a little less now she was with Charlie. She sat back down on the sofa. “I was going to, but decided against it. I thought we’d hit him with that later,” she smiled.
Charlie forced a smile. Thank fuck for that! He winced, knowing she wasn’t going to take this very well. “The thing is baby, we can’t be together just yet.”
Eliza looked up quickly. “WHAT? What do you mean? It’s all done and over!”
Forcing himself to sit next to Eliza, Charlie took her hand. He somehow needed to keep her on side otherwise she’d blow the whole fucking thing. Once it was done, quite frankly he didn’t give two fucks what she did. “I know sweetness, but I need just a bit more time to complete things at the other club, then we’ll be made.”
Eliza stared at him in horror. “But I don’t care about that. I don’t care whether we’ve got nothing! I love you, Charlie...” There. She’d said it.
Charlie swallowed. This was getting worse by the minute. He cared very much as to whether he had nothing. What had once seemed like a bonus with Eliza unexpectedly developing feelings for him had turned into a hideous nightmare. He had to make her think his life was at stake if she didn’t play ball. Well it was, but for other reasons.
“Oh darling, I love you too,” Charlie whispered, the words sticking in his throat like broken glass, “but you need to listen to me and listen carefully.” He stroked her hand, watching as her eyes filled with tears of emotion at his words of endearment. “If Ernie finds out about us right now then he’ll kill me. You don’t realise what he’s capable of...”
Eliza frowned. Judging by what Ernie had done to her tonight, she was beginning to think she realised very much what he could be capable of.
“What would be the point of everything we’ve been through if he were to kill me now? We couldn’t be together then could we?” Charlie whined, hoping that she’d fall for it. Carter didn’t have the nous to kill him. The guy was a deluded wanker, but hopefully Eliza hadn’t completely sussed that and believed at least some of the old bastard’s bullshit.
“Let me sort out the stuff at the Glint and then we’ll be set up for life. Plus Ernie will be out of the way.” Charlie watched Eliza’s mind ticking. Was she beginning to see sense? Come on!
“But what shall I do in the meantime if I can’t stay at yours?” Eliza muttered. “Shall I go to the Glint?”
“NO!” Charlie snapped sharply, before quickly softening his voice. “That would definitely give us away.” He placed his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close. He’d have to get his fucking suit dry-cleaned now. “You’ll have to live here.”
“Live here?” Eliza screeched.
“Yes, but make sure you’re working, otherwise the other girls will grass you up.”
Eliza was nearly sick. Was he saying he wanted her to work as a fucking hooker in this shit hole? “You’re not serious?”
Charlie looked at Eliza’s face. She was going to blow if he wasn’t careful and drop him in it. He needed to rectify this fast. “Baby,” he stroked her hair. “You know how much I love you.”
His hand caressed her thigh and began inching up her leg. “Do you not think it horrifies me to think this is the only way? I could think of nothing worse...” His fingers climbed higher up her leg and he forced himself to kiss around her vomit-scented lips. Come on Charlie, you need to up this. S
he won’t go for that alone.
“But...” Eliza started protesting.
“Eliza,” Charlie interrupted. “I know it’s awful, but it’ll only be for a couple of weeks at the most.” He ran his tongue over her lips and nearly chucked up as he clocked the distinctive taste of semen. Holy fuck! This is just NASTY. Deep breath, Charlie. Deep breath. “And then darling, we can get married.”
Eliza sat back, startled. “Married?”
“Yes baby,” Charlie smiled, his face feeling like it was going to crack. “I want to marry you.”
“Oh Charlie!” Eliza gushed and threw herself into his arms. “Ok then. I’ll do it.”
Charlie sighed. Thank God for that! Now he supposed he’d have to fuck her.
EIGHTEEN
SHEILA WAS HAVING A nice time in the Copper Kettle. She took a sip of her mug of tea before placing it on the formica table and smiling at the children. “Do you want another biscuit, sweetheart?” she said, pushing the plate of chocolate digestives towards the little girl opposite.
“Thank you, Nana,” the child smiled and took a biscuit with her dainty little hand before breaking it in half and passing a piece to her little brother who was engrossed in a picture book.
Sheila reached for her bag and fished out her cigarettes whilst she juggled the three month old in her arms. Her heart swelled with love as she looked at her grandchildren. She knew her daughter was grateful to have a break from her three children and she was more than happy to supply it.
She only wished she could do it more often. She loved these children with a passion like she’d loved her own, but she’d had to work through their entire childhood - usually long and demanding hours and now she could feel history repeating itself and she needed that to change.
Sheila glanced out of the large window of the café which was running with condensation from the perpetually boiling tea urns at the back of the room and sighed. She was determined to find a way to be around more for her grandchildren. Running her hand gently over the soft wispy hair of her youngest grandchild in her arms, she breathed in his baby scent.