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In a stuffy and airless flat in Breckton, Jed lay awake on an uncomfortable airbed. He missed his flat in Persford but for the time being, he couldn’t risk returning there. He was getting on reasonably well with his new found friend, Brandon and it had been good of him to take him in at short notice. Apparently, he’d worked with Corey in the past and they had remained friends although from discussions with Brandon it appeared he was less law-abiding than Ron’s security man.
Jed had given Brandon the key to his flat in Persford and he’d gone there one evening to collect some clothes and a stash of money, thus he had been able to give his host something towards his stay. However, his rainy day stockpile of savings wouldn’t last forever and he really needed to start to acquire some more.
After the fiasco in Foal Lane, Jed was determined to redress the balance as was Ron from their recent phone call. For Jed’s part it was more a case of retribution and a chance to regain his self-confidence, whereas, for Ron, it was to regain the money he’d lost in the transaction. Also, the fact that another party had assumed supremacy had clearly appalled the owner of Brensford Manor. For so long he’d been able to maintain control from his hallowed domain at a distance from the underworld which had nurtured his talents. In some respects, his determination and resolve were admirable qualities but his true character became apparent in the way he’d shown scant sympathy towards his employee. Although Jed had initially felt slighted at the way he was being cast aside, on reflection he thought it was probably for the best. All relationships ran their course and now the ties which had bound them together for many years had finally snapped as Ron’s perceived veneer of respectability had severed the last strand of the restraint. He smiled to himself, Ron might try to live out his final years as the avuncular benefactor but he and Jed were cut from the same cloth and nobody need scratch deep beneath the surface to discover that.
Jed poured himself another whisky and grimaced as he swallowed a large mouthful. He replaced the cap on the bottle and put it to one side. Drinking wasn’t the answer to his depression or his anger. The recent incident had been the first mistake in a long career of successes and that was what he needed to remember. Whilst recuperating, he’d thought back to the events in Foal Lane and had asked Brandon to find out about new players on the drug scene.
In a couple of days, he should be feeling stronger and able to start some investigations of his own. His mood began to lift. He’d spent too long sitting in this flat brooding, it was time to move on and get back into circulation.
**
Savannah was hanging around the area of parkland near the Lensfield estate with her girlfriends. Kaylee had managed to purloin a couple of bottles of wine from the convenience store where she worked and having finished the first, the group had just uncapped the second one.
‘Hi, Savannah!’ said Finley, a boy in her class as he cycled past. ‘Fancy spending a bit of time with me?’
‘Fuck off, Finley,’ she replied, giving him a two-fingered gesture. ‘Not interested, understand?’
‘Playing hard to get are you?’ he laughed.
‘I told you, piss off, go and find a seven-year-old to abuse!’
‘Ha, don’t worry. I’m just joking, don’t want to catch anything from you.’ He pedalled away, laughing at his own joke.
‘Ignore him,’ said Kaylee. ‘He fancies himself.
‘Well, he’s the only one who does,’ replied Savannah. ‘Have you seen those zits? Gross!’
The girls fell about laughing.
Savannah heard a text arrive on her phone.
‘I need a piss,’ she said, getting up from the park bench and wandering off towards some bushes. It was an excuse to look at her mobile without the others asking her about her message. Once out of view she took out her phone.
‘Hi Savvy. How r u? Want 2 c u bad. Ur gorgeous.’
‘Hi, want 2 c u.’ she replied.
‘Will phone u. xx.’
‘xxx’ she replied.
Her heart was racing. She’d not heard from the guy for a few days but she was so excited. He’d told her he was from London and was setting up a new branch of his business in the area. She’d seen his nice watch and his clothes were all designer label. He was seriously fit, she thought to herself. Could this be her passport out of this dump where she lived?
She heard her friends shouting for her. Her days in this neighbourhood would hopefully be numbered and she couldn’t wait. This was going to be the start of something big and she was determined not to mess it up.
