His last effort at housebreaking had ended in disaster and Jimmy was determined to get it right this time.
First off, he sorted an alibi. Cried off working in the van with Eddie and took a shift at the chip shop. Stayed until closing time and went home to shower — didn't want to leave the stink of frying at the Ramsay's place; would have been a dead give-away.
Didn't bother blacking up or anything, just hid his face as best he could with the hood of his jacket. Stuck his tools in his pocket just in case.
When he got to the Ramsays' house he walked up the path as quietly as he could manage. Took a puff from his inhaler half way. The garden was full of junk that was almost hidden by the knee-high grass.
Through the window he saw the back of Nan's head above the back of her armchair. The lights of the TV screen sent flickering colours onto the sitting room walls.
There was plenty of security at the house. Out the back and side were lights bright enough to land an aircraft. Bad enough for the neighbours to create a stink at the council until Mikey and Kris did a bit of leaning here and there; after that, those neighbours bought black-out curtains and kept their mouths shut.
There were alarms too, not that anybody was going to touch the Ramsay's place.
Jimmy's plan meant he didn't need to worry about any of that. He went right up to the front door, pushed it open and went in.
He pushed the door closed behind him. Let it click.
Needn't have worried about the smell of his clothes. Place reeked of kippers.
Nan's bedroom was straight ahead. Used to be upstairs until her lungs turned bad. Now she only used the stairs to give the boys a clip round the ear if they weren't awake by noon.
Jimmy wished that the family had bought the carpet they'd talked about since he'd known them. Would have made his steps easier to keep quiet. Luckily, the noise of the TV seemed enough to cover up the creaks he made.
He walked up nice and slow, pushed the handle of Nan's door and he was in. Simple.
First thing he saw was the dressing table, covered in enough potions and lotions to moisturise an elephant.
Clothes littered one corner of the room like she'd been trying them on to see what to wear for the day.
In the opposite corner was another pile, probably laundry. Top of the pile was a pair of thongs the likes of which he'd never even imagined. Enormous they were, big enough to make a catapult for a giant. The thought of where the elastic had been made Jimmy retch. He picked up the dressing gown hanging from the nail on the back of the door and flung it over to hide them from view.
Jimmy picked up the duvet that sagged to the floor, then shone his torch under the bed.
"Halle-fucking-lujah," he said quietly. "Come to Daddy."
Stupid fucks had left a couple of the bags as they were, just ready to be lifted. He dragged those out first, pulled the zips and looked inside. There was enough cash for him to buy a car or maybe take a holiday.
He took another look under the bed.
A large metal case with a skull and crossbones painted on the side sat flush against the wall. Jimmy reached in. Felt for the handle. Gave it a pull.
The bugger hardly budged.
Tried again with two hands. This time it slid towards him until coming to a sudden halt.
He checked it out and felt a chain. It had been padlocked to the bed-frame.
Good job the bed was made of wood. Daft sods hadn't thought about that.
He could saw through in a matter of minutes.
If he had a saw.
He put his ear to the wall. Heard couples discussing things on the TV. Sounded like 'Wifeswap'. Near to the end of the programme, too. Probably had five minutes left.
Meant he had time to try and liberate the cash.
He checked the bed for weak spots in the frame.
Whole thing seemed to be a weak spot when he looked closer. It was a wonder such cheap tat managed to keep the woman off the floor.
Easiest points of attack were the corners. Mortice, tenon and glue, nothing more.
He pulled the bed out from against the wall, got onto his back and pushed at the frame, feet on one side, back on the other.
Felt it shift with the first push.
Pushed again and it gave a little.
A third time and the timber separated completely.
Felt good for a moment, until the whole thing came crashing down around him.
Made a hell of a racket.
Even with the TV turned loud, Nan couldn't have missed it.
He imagined her pushing her weight from the chair at that very moment.
"Kris? Mikey? That you?" Nan's voice from the next room.
He pushed the bed away. Practically launched it over to the door.
He shifted things around. Jammed the bed between wall and door then pushed it up to the handle so Nan wouldn't be able to get in.
Heard her moving in the room next door, scrabbling about.
Jimmy put the rucksacks of money on his shoulder and strained to pick up the pirate box.
Only way out was through the back, security lights or no.
He kicked the glass door to the garden. Smashed it to pieces. Hauled the bag out and stepped to freedom.
Explosions boomed from inside. Gunshots. Six in succession.
He looked back.
Light poured through the holes in the walls, six beams filling the room like a strobe.
He thought he saw the credits roll on the TV.
Didn't stop for another glance. Moved as fast as he could to the fence.
The lights clicked on as he got half way.
He sprinted to the fence and hauled the box over.
A couple of bullets whistled past his ears. One of them hit the tree next to him.
He thought about leaving the box where it lay. Getting to safety without it.
Couldn't.
He turned, raised his middle finger, picked up the loot and ran as fast as his legs could manage.