Life of Crime

by Kimberley Chambers

  The sound of the doorbell decided Melissa’s outfit and she ran down the stairs in the white top and tight jeans. ‘My mum and dad have gone out for the day and taken Donte with ’em, so we have the house to ourselves. I thought we might watch a film or something. Want a glass of wine? I’ve already opened a bottle. Or do you want a beer? Are you hungry? I can make you a sandwich or something if you like?’

  Sensing her nervousness, Jason kissed Melissa politely on the cheek. It was obvious by the top she’d chosen to wear what she was hoping for, but he wasn’t particularly in the mood. Darlene had sucked all his energy and sperm. ‘Slow down, babe, eh? Let me get in the door. Knackered, I am. Shay wasn’t well last night, so I hardly got any sleep,’ he lied.

  ‘Oh no. What’s wrong with Shay? Is she OK now?’

  ‘Yeah. Seems to be. Just one of them twenty-four-hour bugs, I think. A few of the kids over the Mardyke have had it. That’s another reason I need to get Shay off that poxy estate. Full of disease, that place is. The amount of junkies’ needles you find in the lifts and on the stairs is horrific. One of the neighbour’s kids ended up with HIV. She’s only five, poor little mare. You spoken to your parents about moving out yet?’ Jason had already decided if Melissa had changed her mind, then he was going to trawl some bars and clubs over the next few weeks to see if he could strike gold elsewhere.

  Melissa’s eyes welled up. ‘You know I said my mum was ill? Well, she’s got cancer, and I think she might be dying.’

  Jason put his arms around Melissa and soothed her fears. ‘I will have a beer after all. Your poor mum. Such a lovely lady. Let’s cuddle up on the sofa and you can tell me all about it.’

  Melissa nuzzled against Jason’s chest. He always smelled of the most gorgeous expensive aftershave. Feeling amorous, she leaned in for another kiss. This was the first time they’d ever been alone in a house together. ‘Shall we go to my room?’ she suggested.

  ‘I’m a bit knackered to be honest, babe. And say your mum and dad came back early? I would hate them to find us in a compromising position. That’s disrespectful in their house.’

  Melissa felt humiliated. She could tell when they’d been kissing that Jason’s mind was elsewhere. ‘You don’t fancy me, do you?’ she blurted out.

  ‘Of course I fancy ya. You wouldn’t be my girlfriend if I didn’t. But I also respect your parents, Mel. Your mum’s ill. Imagine how bad that would be if they caught us at it.’

  ‘They won’t. They’re visiting my Uncle David and won’t be back until teatime at least. But if you’re tired, forget it. Tracey said it was odd you’ve never tried it on with me and I’m beginning to think she was right.’

  ‘Tracey’s just jealous ’cause she wanted me herself,’ Jason said, grabbing hold of Melissa’s hand and placing it against his penis. Knowing he had little choice, he led her up the stairs.

  ‘Awww look, Johnny. He’s shattered,’ Carol said. They’d stopped off on the way to tell her brother David she had terminal cancer and it had been sad and upsetting all round.

  ‘He’s a great kid, love. I’m sorry, ya know – for being such an arsehole in the past.’

  ‘You’re not an arsehole, just a stubborn old git at times.’ They were now having a drink at the Peterboat in Leigh-on-Sea and Donte was snoring while curled up on the seat. ‘I’ve decided I can’t tell Mark over the phone, Johnny. I want to visit him and tell him in person,’ Carol informed her husband.

  Johnny was thoroughly peeved with his son at present. They’d been so close when Mark was growing up. They’d worked together too, until Mark had walked away from everything for a tart he’d met on holiday. They’d argued over that and now Mark rarely contacted him any more. He still rang Carol occasionally, but not as often as he should. ‘No way are we driving to Newcastle, love. I will contact Mark, tell him to visit us. Then we can explain the situation together.’

  ‘OK. I feel fine today you know, a bit tired now, but other than that I feel like I’m twenty-one again.’

  Johnny stroked his wife’s rosy cheeks. She was as beautiful as the day he’d met her. Kind, mischievous eyes, and that cheeky raucous laugh. ‘I love you. Far more than you’ll ever know.’

  Carol took a deep breath to try to keep her emotions in check. ‘Not as much as I love you, Johnny Brooks. You may be a tosser at times, but deep down you got a heart of gold. Promise me when I’ve gone you’ll always look after Donte for me. Knowing you’ve got his back, I’ll be able to rest in peace.’

  Tears in his eyes, Johnny’s lip wobbled. ‘I’ll take care of our grandson, don’t you worry about that. Always.’

  ‘I’m really sorry, Mel. It isn’t you, honest it ain’t,’ Jason apologized. He wasn’t used to suffering from erectile dysfunction and guessed his little problem was down to his romping with Darlene earlier.

  Melissa felt humiliated, but tried not to show it. ‘Let’s go back downstairs, watch TV or a film.’

  ‘I think I’m knackered, babe. Either that or I’m worried about your parents coming home early,’ Jason lied. He was actually quite relieved he’d been unable to perform, for the simple reason he didn’t want to hurt Melissa. He wasn’t a nasty person deep down and if he did find a better prospect and dump Mel, he didn’t want her to feel used. She was a nice person and did not deserve that.

  ‘I’m gonna ring my dad, see if they’re on the way back. Donte might as well come home if we’re just watching TV.’

  ‘Cool. Love spending time with the little man – and you, of course. That’s why I can’t wait for us to get our own gaff. Be like a proper little family then, won’t we?’

  ‘I won’t be moving out any time soon, Jase. Not now my mum’s ill. No way am I leaving her while she’s got cancer.’

  Jason sighed as Melissa left the room. Thank God he hadn’t given her one. Because if she wasn’t prepared to move out and look after his kid, then she was sod-all use to him.

  Johnny Brooks picked up Donte’s plastic spade. ‘Granddad’ll show you how to build castles,’ he said, chucking some sand inside the bucket and patting it down. Because of the unusually warm weather, the beach was busy and as Johnny played with his grandson and clocked lots of other families doing the same, he could have kicked himself. He’d been such a grafter over the years, had worked six long days a week to build up his thriving business, and it was only now Carol was dying he could see how pointless that was. Why hadn’t he spent more time with his own children when they were younger? He and Carol could have had hundreds or even thousands of unforgettable days out if only he hadn’t been working all the time. And now it was too late. Well, almost. He was determined to cherish every minute they had left together. Business could wait.

  Carol munched on a bag of chips and thought how wonderful the sea air smelled. Since she’d been handed her death sentence she had begun appreciating all the small things in life that she’d once taken for granted.

  ‘Nana, look,’ Donte said, excitedly pointing to his sandcastle.

  Carol smiled broadly. She might be dying, but watching Johnny and Donte bonding made her feel like the happiest woman alive.

  Hours later, Johnny sat Donte in his special chair on the back seat and clipped the seatbelt. His grandson was sleeping, having worn himself out on the beach. ‘You getting in the car, love?’ he asked Carol.

  ‘Look at that sun going down, Johnny. Doesn’t it look spectacular? Can we sit on the wall a minute and watch it.’

  Johnny sat on the nearby wall and squeezed his wife’s hand. ‘I think we should make a list, don’t you? Write down all the things you want to do, so we don’t forget them.’

  ‘Well, swimming with dolphins won’t be one of ’em. Not unless you’re planning on buying me a rubber ring!’ Carol kept cracking jokes to keep Johnny’s spirits high. She was petrified of water, couldn’t swim.

  ‘Next nice sunny day we’ll definitely go strawberry picking, and I’ll give that guest house in Cambridgeshire a bell tomorrow, book us in for a couple of nights. We can
go back to that tea shop you loved. I’ll treat you to those homemade scones with the cream and jam again,’ Johnny smiled. He actually felt like sobbing, but kept a stiff upper lip. He would save his tears for when he was alone, that was the manly thing to do. Johnny stared intently at the sun going down. ‘If you had one big wish, you know, something to happen before the cancer wins, what would it be, Carol?’

  ‘To be at those school gates at Donte’s first day, but that isn’t going to happen, is it? Breaks my heart to think I won’t see him grow up. But I’ll be looking down on you all, watching from heaven.’

  ‘What else?’ Johnny asked. If he could grant his wife her final wish, he was hoping it might ease his own guilt. He rued the day he’d ever met Shirley Stone, he truly bloody did.

  ‘To see our Melissa settled and happy. My biggest dream ever was to see her get married. As you know, I do love a wedding and I would’ve made a great mother of the bride. I just hope she stays with Jason and he treats her well in life. Not going to see her get hitched now, I know. But I want you to promise me you will give her a wonderful wedding. No expense spared. I want our Mel to have the best.’

  ‘I promise,’ Johnny whispered, kissing his wife on the cheek. A plan was forming in his overactive brain, but he wouldn’t mention it just yet. He needed to speak to Jason first.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  ‘Dad, Dad, wake up.’

  The prodding on the arm finally woke Jason and he sat up, rubbing his bleary eyes. Three nights on the spin he’d been out on a mission to find a suitable mother to raise Shay but none he’d met had fitted the bill. Getting it wrong wasn’t an option; he had to get it right or he might as well carry on as he was.

  ‘Nan’s got a man in her bed, Dad,’ Shay announced.

  Jason jumped up. His mother had brought a nonce home last year who’d touched Barbara inappropriately. Jason had gone ballistic when his sister had admitted what happened, and had told his mother if she wanted to get laid in future she should go round the bloke’s gaff. In Jason’s eyes, putting your kids at risk was an unforgivable act of selfishness.

  Elton was sitting on the sofa, eating crisps. ‘Mum’s having sex,’ he said bluntly.

  Hearing grunting noises coming from his mother’s bedroom, Jason banged on the door. ‘Get that geezer out of ’ere now before I fucking sling him out.’

  ‘Mind your own fucking business, you. My flat and I’ll do what I like in it,’ Debbie yelled.

  Jason opened the bedroom door and immediately wanted to vomit. His mother was kneeling on the bed, her arse looking bigger than the moon, with some no-mark giving her one from behind. Jason grabbed hold of the bloke by the neck. ‘There’s four young kids in this flat. Get dressed and get out, you worthless piece of shit.’

  Debbie leapt off the bed and flew at her son. ‘You got no right barging in ’ere shouting the odds. Fuck off, go on. I want you outta my home and take your bastard daughter with ya,’ she screamed, punching Jason hard.

  ‘Don’t you hurt my brother,’ Kyle yelled, squaring up to his mother. Babs was sobbing she was so scared. Elton and Shay watched the events unfold in silence.

  Jason was laid-back as a rule, rarely lost his temper. But when he did, he completely saw red.

  The bloke said nothing as he got dressed and sloped off. He had a wife indoors, didn’t want any grief.

  Deborah put on her filthy dressing gown. To say she was livid was an understatement. Who did Jason think he was, her keeper? She marched out the bedroom and into her son’s. ‘Take your shit and go. Go on, I want you out,’ she shouted, taking Jason’s clothes out the wardrobe and throwing them on his bed. She would miss the money he brought home, but she wasn’t being dictated to by anyone. Especially a brat she’d spent ten hours giving birth to.

  ‘You’re a disgrace as a human being and a mother. Bringing blokes back ’ere when you’re pissed and letting your kids hear all sorts. Have you no bastard shame? It weren’t that long ago you dragged a nonce home that mauled Babs while you were comatose in your stinking pit. Them little ’uns deserve far better, and so does Shay. If Social Services were to find out what you’re really like, they’d take ’em away from you, in a flash.’

  ‘That a threat, is it? Gonna grass on me, are ya? Only I’m sure the Old Bill would be interested to know you once robbed the Paki shop at Dagenham East, and now sell snuff and porn films to weirdos and perverts.’

  Jason stared at the mess of a woman who had given birth to him. She stank; a mixture of sweat and the stale smell of sex. ‘Start packing your toys and stuff, Shay,’ he shouted. ‘We’re outta this dump.’

  ‘That was Jason on the phone. He’s on his way over with Shay,’ Melissa said, her eyes gleaming with excitement. It was now a whole week since she had last seen her boyfriend and she’d been terribly worried he’d gone off her. He hadn’t phoned as much as he usually did either, and she’d wondered if he was avoiding her because of their failed attempt to have sex. Perhaps he felt embarrassed, poor sod.

  ‘See, I told you you’d hear from him soon, didn’t I?’ Carol smiled. She hadn’t been well yesterday, had suffered the migraine from hell, but felt much better today.

  ‘I think Jase has had a few problems at home. He told me he’s had a big row with his mum and walked out with Shay. She sounds awful, his mum. Nothing like you.’

  Johnny looked over the top of his newspaper. ‘Perhaps a man-to-man chat might help. I’ll take him out for a couple of pints later.’

  ‘He’s coming over to see Melissa, not you,’ Carol quipped.

  ‘I won’t keep him out long. Just want to make sure the lad’s all right.’ This was the opportunity Johnny had been waiting for.

  ‘If he hasn’t got anywhere else to stay, Dad, can he stay here tonight in one of our spare rooms?’ Melissa asked. She had sorely missed Jason and wanted to spend as much time as possible with him.

  ‘I’m not sure about that, love. Your mum’s not well enough to have strangers wandering about the house.’

  ‘I don’t mind and Jason’s hardly a stranger, he’s our Melissa’s boyfriend,’ Carol said. Jason had a happy-go-lucky attitude and Carol would welcome some company. When she and Johnny were alone, the conversation always veered towards her cancer. Telling her son Mark earlier this week that she was dying had been one of the hardest things Carol had ever had to do. She still hadn’t mentioned the time frame she’d been given to Melissa, would rather her daughter be kept in the dark.

  ‘OK,’ Johnny said. ‘I’ll speak to the lad alone first, find out the score.’

  Jason Rampling felt thoroughly miserable as he drove towards the Brooks’s house. He couldn’t look after Shay properly all by himself and he had nowhere to go. He had a few pals he might be able to doss with, but they all lived on the Mardyke and their flats were shitholes. His nan would probably suffer them temporarily if push came to shove. But she’d made it clear she was no fan of Shay.

  Jason thought about Melissa and was glad he hadn’t been too hasty in dumping her. None of the other birds he’d chatted up had a wealthy father like Johnny. Most openly admitted they were skint and their family didn’t have a pot to piss in.

  He parked on the Brooks’s driveway and grinned as Melissa ran out of the house to greet him. ‘Had the morning from hell, I have, babe. Sorry I didn’t see you all week but I’ve been having murders indoors and had to look after all the kids,’ he lied.

  ‘No, you never. You went out,’ Shay stated.

  ‘Get inside the house, you. Little girls your age should be seen and not heard. Don’t forget your manners either. You be polite, like how I’ve taught you to be. Melissa’s mum and dad are decent people.’

  When the sullen-looking child did as she was told, Melissa put her arms around Jason’s neck. ‘Missed you, I have. My dad’s taking you out for a drink to chat to you, man to man. I think he wants to help you get sorted, Jase. He said you can stay at ours tonight. Unless you have somewhere else to go, of course?’

  ‘Thank
s, Mel. No, I haven’t got anywhere else to go.’ Jason smiled. This was his big chance to impress, worm his way in, and he was determined to grab the opportunity with both hands.

  Darlene Michaels was not a happy woman. Jason had promised to come around earlier, then had rung up with some cock-and-bull excuse about his mum slinging him out and him having to look after Shay.

  When the doorbell rang, Darlene thought Jason had changed his mind and therefore was gobsmacked to see her ex standing on the doorstep. ‘Hello, Craig. I heard you were out. How you doing?’ she asked awkwardly. She and Craig Thurston had been an item for a couple of years back in the eighties. He was hardcore, was Craig, the party animals of all party animals and that was the reason she’d dumped him. At thirty-five, he was three years younger than her.

  ‘I’m good, thanks, Dar. You’re looking well. Fancy coming out for a drink? Just as pals, like.’

  ‘Not much of a daytime drinker these days, to be honest. But come in and I’ll make you a coffee.’

  Craig sat on the kitchen stool, laughing and joking about old times. ‘Had some good craic, didn’t we, girl? I always tell people you were the one I regret letting slip through my fingers. I should’ve done the right thing and married you.’

  Now positive he was trying to hit on her, Darlene quickly changed the subject. ‘So, you working, Craig? Still in the building game?’

  ‘Nah, but I will get back into it. Some geezer owes me fifty grand and I need that back to set meself up again. You know how it is.’

  ‘Not someone from the Mardyke, surely?’ Darlene asked, wondering if that was the reason for his visit.