Читать книгу Life of Crime: The gripping, epic new thriller from the No 1 bestseller - Kimberley Chambers - Страница 15

‘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?’

‘Thanks, 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.

‘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.’