‘Nah. Johnny Brooks, the cheeky bastard. Been popping down to his yard, but can’t seem to catch him there. I will though, and I’ll get my dosh back. Took a proper liberty, that bloke.’
Darlene stirred the coffees and handed one to Craig. That name rang a bell and it suddenly occurred to her Jason had mentioned it recently. ‘Who is Johnny Brooks? My friend mentioned him last week.’
‘Cake-o, Johnny is. Owns J J Brooks, the builders’ merchants.’
‘Has he got a daughter?’
‘Yeah, and a son. He’s moved away though, the boy.’
‘What’s the daughter’s name?’ Darlene asked, already dreading the answer. She knew Jason like the back of her hand and could tell he’d been asking her if she knew Johnny Brooks for a reason.
‘Melissa, why you asking?’
‘Because a mate of mine thinks her son is dating Johnny’s daughter. Can you find out for me? She live round this way?’ Darlene had that dreadful churning in her stomach that she always got when she suspected Jason of cheating on her. She wasn’t stupid and knew one day he would probably meet someone nearer his own age and fall in love. The thought of that happening any time soon made her feel physically sick. Jason Rampling was her addiction, just like heroin was to a junkie. She literally craved him, and when she didn’t get to see him for days on end, she’d watch the videos she kept of them making love over and over again while pleasuring herself with a vibrator.
‘I’m sure the daughter still lives with Johnny. I’ll ask around, see what I can find out for ya – on one condition.’
‘What?’
‘That you let me take you out for a drink on Friday night?’
Darlene felt so miserable it was an effort to even force a smile. ‘OK. Deal. But find out before Friday for me, Craig.’
Johnny Brooks put two pints on the table and sat down opposite Jason. ‘So what’s been happening?’
Jason explained how awful his home life was, exaggerating for impact. ‘That’s why I have to get Shay away from there, Johnny. My mother gets so drunk she doesn’t know who she’s bringing home, and I’m not having my daughter raised in such an environment. Babs was terrified after that nonce tried to rape her. He only stopped when Elton and Kyle started hitting him,’ Jason lied. The guy in question hadn’t tried to rape his sister, but he had put his hand inside Barbara’s knickers while his mother and brothers were asleep. Johnny wasn’t to know that though. He needed this man to feel sorry enough for him that he’d want to see to it he got a roof over his head.
‘That’s bloody awful, lad. Want stringing up, do nonces. So you not got anywhere lined up to stay?’
‘No. Only left home today. It’ll be difficult for me to work while looking after Shay an’ all. She doesn’t start school till September, so I suppose in the meantime I’ll have to take her to work with me.’
‘Things will sort themselves out, they always do. Not been herself, Melissa hasn’t, this week. I think she was worried ’cause you went a bit cold on her. Not messing her around, are you? Only she’s got enough on her plate with her mum being ill.’
‘I’m not a messer. Just had a tough week meself. I had to look after all the kids ’cause my mother went on the missing list. No way was I leaving ’em alone.’
‘Are you serious about my daughter?’ Johnny had never been one to beat about the bush. ‘Because if you aren’t, now is the time to say so. I won’t be angry, I promise.’
‘Well, yeah. I know it’s only early days but I think me and Mel can make a go of it. Like a proper little family with the kids, eh?’
Johnny took a sip of his pint and studied Jason carefully. He was a hard lad to read. ‘Right, I’m gonna lay my cards on the table. Whatever your reply, I want this conversation to stay between us, you understand that, lad?’
‘No worries. You can trust me.’
‘Melissa does not know the full extent of her mother’s illness. She knows the cancer is terminal, but what she doesn’t know is the doctor reckons Carol has between six months to a year to live.’
‘Shit! I’m really sorry. Poor Carol. She’s such a nice lady.’
‘Being the type of protective dad that I am, I did a bit of asking around about you, Jason. I’m sure being a father to a daughter yourself, you can understand that. What I learned wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t exactly good either. You’ve got a reputation of being a bit of a ladies’ man, and no way am I having my Mel fucked around. Neither am I allowing my daughter to have a boyfriend who sells porn to perverts.’
Jason opened his mouth, then closed it again. He supposed he shouldn’t be shocked; a man like Johnny must have connections all over Essex, but he was still a bit taken aback. ‘So you want me to dump Mel?’
‘No. Quite the opposite. Do you love her?’
‘Yeah. Well, I think so. Not really been together long enough to be properly in love, have we?’
‘Let me put it another way: do you think you can take good care of her and not break her heart?’
‘Well, yeah. I’d like to think so.’
‘My Carol’s dying wish is to see Melissa settled and happy. She likes you, Jason, sees you as a good match for our daughter. I’m not so sure, to be truthful, but I am willing to give you the benefit of the doubt. Which is why I have an offer for you. My pal owns a big construction firm and has kindly offered to teach you the trade and pay you a decent wage. You said one day your dream was to kind of build your own home, so now’s your chance to learn how to. I will buy you and Melissa a house in a nice area that is liveable but needs renovating. That house will be put in your names.’
Jason was gobsmacked. He didn’t particularly fancy the job, it sounded like hard graft, but he would show willing for now. The house in a nice area was a dream come bloody true though. ‘And in exchange you want me to take care of Melissa and raise Donte as my own. Am I right?’
‘Yes, Jason. Just keep your penis in your pants and give up anything dodgy you’re doing. I don’t mind you keeping the market job and a few sensible little earners. In return, you take care of my daughter, be loyal to her, and I will ensure you all live a life of luxury in comparison to what you’re used to.’
Jason held out his right hand. His mother had always said he was a nobody, and he could not wait to prove that fat cow wrong. His teachers in school had been the same. One had even told him: ‘It’s a waste of time trying to educate council estate kids like you – you’ll never amount to anything. You were born on the Mardyke, and you’ll end up dying there.’
‘So, when can we start house-hunting? Mel’s gonna be so excited. Have you mentioned any of this to her yet?’ Jason asked. He truly could not believe his luck – and to think he’d been on the verge of dumping Melissa. Thank Christ he hadn’t. She was perfect to bring up Shay and he was thrilled he’d now be able to send his daughter to a good school. Perhaps he could even get custody of his brothers and sister, offer them a better life too. He would work on Melissa with that one. Make up loads of stories about how bad things were at home until she felt so worried for the kids she’d agree to let them move in as well.
‘I’ll find you an appropriate property before you get married. Be good for Carol, that will. A bit of house-hunting will take her mind off the inevitable.’
‘Married!’ Jason laughed.
‘Yes, married, lad.’
‘You’re joking, right?’
Johnny frowned. ‘Nope. I am deadly serious. What did you think I meant when I said Carol wanted to see Melissa happy and settled?’
Jason shrugged. Living with Melissa was one thing, but marrying her was a completely different kettle of fish. ‘I dunno. Living together, I suppose. No disrespect, Johnny, but we’ve not been dating long enough to get married. Can’t we give it a bit more time before getting hitched? Say we move in with one another, then argue like cat and dog?’
‘Then you’ll work at your marriage and stand by your vows. Indians have arranged marriages and they make it bloody work. So can you. It�
��s Carol’s dream to be mother of the bride, so if you’re not willing to marry Melissa then I’m afraid the deal is off. I’m going to the toilet, so have a little think. Nice home, job, life – or you sod off back to the Mardyke Estate and live with your drunken mother. Your future is up to you, lad.’
CHAPTER EIGHT
Having barely slept a wink, Jason got up at dawn, pocketed the envelope with the five grand in it that Johnny had given him, and drove towards his grandmother’s house in Dagenham. He’d agreed to marry Melissa in the end, hadn’t had much choice with Johnny’s tactics. He really was up the creek without a paddle and all he could do now was pray Melissa knocked him back. They barely knew one another after all.
‘That you, boy? What you doing ’ere at this unearthly hour? Not been nicked, have ya?’ Peggy Rampling asked, putting on the pretty pink dressing gown she’d pilfered out of Marks and Spencer’s the previous day. A doddle to rob, M&S was. They exchanged stuff without a receipt, so all you had to do was shove something small in your handbag, then take it back and get what you wanted. She’d usually flog whatever she got at half the marked-up price to the women down the bingo hall, but now and again would choose something for herself.
Jason paced up and down his nan’s front room. ‘He wants me to marry her. Given me an address in Hatton Garden of a pal of his and the dosh to buy her a ring today. I don’t love her. She ain’t even my type. What the hell am I meant to do, Nan?’
‘For Christ’s sake, boy, calm down. You sound like you’ve inhaled helium. Who wants you to marry who?’
‘That Melissa I told you about. Put it right on me, her father did. He’s even got me a job with a mate of his on a building site. A proper job. I can’t do that. I don’t do proper jobs. Reckons he’s gonna buy us a house to do up and put it in mine and Mel’s names. But I don’t love the girl. I barely know her.’
‘Bit hasty, ain’t he? Why the rush?’
Jason flopped on to the armchair and put his head in his hands. ‘Mel’s mother’s dying and apparently it’s her wish to see her daughter married off. Why me, eh?’
‘How much did he give ya to buy the ring?’ Peggy enquired.
‘Five grand.’
‘Well, the way I see it, you got two choices. You either do a runner with the five grand. Or you marry the tart, stay with her a couple of years and cop for half the house. Is she that bleedin’ ugly?’
‘No. Well, I dunno. More plain than ugly, I suppose.’
‘Any brothers or sisters?’
‘One brother. But the old man don’t get on with him.’
‘Sometimes in life, Jason, you gotta look at the bigger picture. If the old girl’s on her last legs, you’re one death away from a wonderful inheritance.’
Johnny put the mug of tea on his wife’s bedside cabinet, smiled and kissed her on the nose. ‘How you feeling? I thought I’d cook a fry-up this morning. Bet poor little Shay will think it’s Christmas, bless her.’
‘Aww, my little mate.’
Desperate to make his wife as happy as possible, Johnny said, ‘If I tell you a secret, you got to promise me you’ll keep schtum about it. We don’t want to spoil the surprise.’
‘I won’t say anything. What surprise?’
‘When we was in the pub last night, Jason asked for my permission to propose to Mel.’
Carol sat up and put her hand over her mouth. ‘Really! What did you say? I mean, they haven’t known one another long. But it’s so romantic. Did you tell him it was a bit too soon?’
‘No, love. I gave him my permission. I hadn’t been with you that long before I proposed. When you meet the right one, you just know, don’t you?’
‘I’m so pleased he asked your permission, but it’s a bit quick – we were together five months, not weeks. I’m not sure she’ll say yes, you know. It’s a big step, but oh wouldn’t it be wonderful.’
‘We will find out soon enough. He’s proposing this Friday.’
‘Not again. What am I meant to have done now?’ Jason asked, as the police ordered him to step out of his XR2. This was the third time he’s been pulled over along Dagenham Heathway in the past six months.
‘We know it’s you peddling filth, Rampling. Only a matter of time until we catch you red-handed,’ an officer informed Jason as his colleague searched the car.
Jason looked at his watch. He never argued with the police. It wasn’t worth antagonizing them. They’d once planted drugs in Lenny Anderson’s car because they couldn’t catch him outright. Lenny had given them a load of gyp whenever he got tugged, the silly boy. A three-stretch he’d ended up with because of that.
The van Jason used when carrying anything illegal was kept in a mate’s garage and wasn’t registered to him. A local headcase, Mickey Two Wives, had sold him the vehicle and it was registered to an address in Wolverhampton. Following Mickey’s advice, Jason had never sent off the logbook. It was easy to get a bent MOT and insurance certificate to tax the van. Mickey lived in a caravan just off the A13 in Purfleet and would get his gypsy mates to sort the paperwork for a oner a pop. The van was sign-written, had once belonged to an electrician and still had the company’s details plastered down both sides. Jason always wore a dark baseball cap when driving it to cover up his distinct blond hair and not once had he ever been tugged. The Old Bill thought they were so clever, but they weren’t. He had always been one step ahead of them.
‘All done, guv,’ the second officer said, slamming Jason’s boot in disgust at finding it empty of anything untoward.
The other officer handed Jason his licence back. ‘Watch your back, Rampling.’
Jason smirked. ‘Thank you, officers. Have a nice day.’
Darlene Michaels had just returned from the shops when there was a knock at the door.
‘Oh, it’s you. Got a fucking cheek, turning up ’ere unannounced, seeing as you blank all my calls these days. Fourteen times I rang you yesterday, ya no-good bastard.’ Darlene’s heart was beating like a drum as it always did when she and Jason argued. She loved him so much it bloody hurt at times.
‘I was proper busy yesterday. Sorry. Come ’ere,’ Jason said, holding his arms out. He was dying to get his end away, could feel his penis throbbing with anticipation.
Darlene pushed him away, her eyes glinting angrily. ‘I ain’t stupid. Been round the block a few times meself, ya know. Who is she? And don’t pretend there is no she, ’cause I know there fucking is.’
Knowing this was his chance to come clean, Jason chose his words carefully. ‘It’s not what you think. I’m in shit-street, Dar. Had a massive bust-up with me mum and I’ve moved out. I needed help with Shay, so I’ve got a pal helping me out. She’s a bird, but a proper plain Jane. I swear on Shay’s life I’m not banging her. I don’t look at her in the way I look at you. I’m just sort of using her, to be honest.’
‘Do I look simple? Well, do I?’ Darlene screamed. ‘No way is some tart gonna look after Shay without getting something in return. Got money, has she? You’re a slippery snake, Jason, that’s what you are. I knew you were up to no good, can always tell. Fuck off, go on. Get out my flat and life.’
‘Dar, please don’t be like this. You know as well as I do, sometimes in life we gotta put our kids first. That’s why me and you can never live together or be seen out, ’cause you don’t want Andy finding out. This bird means nothing to me – unlike you, who means the world. You gotta believe me.’
Screaming abuse and throwing punches, Darlene pushed him out the front door. ‘And don’t come fucking back,’ she bellowed.
‘Can I have another cuddle?’ Shay asked Carol. This woman was nice and Shay hoped she was her new nan. She was friendly and smelled lovely. She was nothing like her old nan, who swore constantly and smelled nasty.
Carol chuckled. The child had almost a feral look about her. ‘Go upstairs and look in the bathroom. There’s a black brush on the sink unit, you’ll be able to reach it. Go get it and I’ll give your hair a good brush for you. Would you like
that?’
When Shay nodded and skipped off happily, Melissa shared her concerns with her mother over Shay not liking her.
‘She’s only a little girl, love, and it’s probably strange for her to see her father with a girlfriend. She’ll come round in time. You just need to be patient and persevere.’
Johnny entered the room. ‘How’s my two favourite girls?’ he asked, scooping Donte off the floor and lifting his giggling grandson above his head.
‘We’re fine, Dad,’ Melissa beamed. She was so pleased her father had finally accepted her son. ‘I don’t know what time Jase will be back. He said he had some things to sort out today.’
‘I know. We had a little chat last night,’ Johnny replied. ‘I can’t see him and Shay on the streets so I told him they can stay here until he sorts something.’
Melissa leapt off the sofa and hugged her father. ‘Thanks! You’re the best dad in the world.’
Jason Rampling pulled up on the Mardyke Estate and studied the ring again. It was simple, but nice. A bit like Mel in a way. He wasn’t looking forward to putting it on her finger though. The very thought gave him the heebies. Getting married was such a big deal and even though he planned on telling nobody, if Mel did accept the proposal, Darlene was bound to hear it on the grapevine, then chop his bollocks off.
Two years ago, Jason’s previous motor had been stolen off the Mardyke, so no way would he chance leaving the ring inside the car. He picked up an empty crisp bag off the floor, put the box inside and shoved it at the bottom of the carrier bag that held the bottle of drink he’d bought from the offie. He dropped his phone in the bag as well, then picked up the second box, the one he’d purchased in a different jeweller’s. He had to win Darlene over. His cock was urging him to.
Jason took the stairs two at a time and banged on Darlene’s door. He’d been ringing her all afternoon, but she’d been blanking his calls. He knew she would forgive him though. She always did.
Darlene flung open the door. She’d had a good cry earlier before tarting herself up to the nines. She’d known by how many missed calls she’d had that Jason would be back. ‘What d’you want? Said all I had to say to you earlier.’
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