Friends

Lizzie heaved herself out of her chair, cursing whoever was ringing her doorbell. Lord above, she’d only just sat down, having been on the go all morning.

“I’m coming,” she called.

To her surprise, there, waiting on the step, was young Gerry Fairnie.

“Hello, son. I’m sorry, you’ve just missed the boys. They left five minutes ago.”

“Hi, Mrs Coyle. It’s not them I’m after. I just called round to see how Marie was.”

“Och, she’s fine, son. It would take more than a bit of a burn to keep our Marie out of action,” Lizzie answered the big fella. “Mind you, she got a sore one. Thank God it was her left hand because it’ll be a wee while before she can use it properly.”

“Strange how it happened. She swore she hadn’t left the handle over the gas flame, but what else could have caused it? Well, as long as she’s on the mend.”

“Fancy a cuppa? I’ve just made a fresh pot. Sean will be down in a minute.”

“Aye, that would be nice. Do you think Sean would fancy a bit of a run out? I’ve a wee delivery to make across the water.”

“Oh, laddie, that would be grand. It would let me get on a bit in the house, it’s like a tip.” It would also give me a break from that malicious big bugger, Lizzie thought.

“A tip? I don’t think so.” Gerry laughed, scanning the spotless sitting room. “It’s a far cry from a tip, but we’ll see if he fancies it or not.”

“Who fancies what?” Sean addressed his mother and his new best friend.

“I was just asking your ma if you’d fancy a change of scene, Sean. I have to go over to Helensburgh this afternoon for Paddy and thought you might like to come.”

Clapping his hands like an excited child, Sean dashed to the front door, grabbing his coat on the way.

“I think you’ve got your answer,” smiled Lizzie, relieved at the possibility of having the house to herself for a while.

“Now behave for Gerry,” she called to her son.

Sean stopped dead on the pavement, refusing to go any further. He stared at the big black shiny car and then about-turned, back into the house.

“No, no. Stay home,” he said, throwing himself on the sofa.

“What’s wrong, Sean? Don’t you like the car? It’s brand spanking new. Michael just took delivery yesterday and we’re certainly honoured to be allowed to use it.”

“Not Michael’s old car?”

“No, I don’t know what happened to that, mate. It was stolen or something. This one was delivered only yesterday. I daren’t get a scratch on it or I’m dead.”

Sean became even more agitated. “Who’s dead?” He repeated. “Who’s dead?” It was if he couldn’t quite catch the thought.

“Well, it looks like rain has stopped play,” Lizzie sighed.

Gerry wasn’t for giving up. “C’mon, Sean, let’s christen this beast. There’s nothing to be frightened of, and I won’t go too fast.”

With a tad more coaxing, mother and friend managed to get him into the shiny new car. Gerry took off like a bat out of hell before his passenger could change his mind.

It was a fairly silent journey with Gerry pointing out well known landmarks and territories along the way. They joined the M8 and crossed the River Clyde on the Erskine Bridge.

“Take the A814 out of Dumbarton, along the coast to Helensburgh,” said Sean, to Gerry’s surprise.

“What did you say?”

Sean, realising his mistake, tried in vain to cover his tracks, “Nothing.”

“You didn’t say nothing, you told me to take the A814 to Helensburgh.”

“Sometimes I get flashes, I don’t know where they come from and I can’t always remember or repeat what I said.”

Gerry knew it! He had sensed from day one that Sean was a devious bastard and had no conscience at all about deceiving his mother and brothers. There was more to this than met the eye, but he had no intention of upsetting the man. He would bide his time and, as his mother used to say, ‘have his day’. Gerry was definitely playing the long game and Sean Coyle would pay for what he had done to his family. Oh, he would pay alright.

“Don’t worry about it, mate. The more you stress the worse it’ll get. Just relax, sit back and enjoy the ride.”

He’d have to be more careful. Thank God Gerry was such a gullible fool. If he’d said that in front of either brother, they’d have strung him up. Gerry was a nice enough guy and would certainly come in useful in the future.

The delivery made, they headed back to the city.

“I’ve got a few deliveries towards the end of the week if you feel like a trip? It’s surely better than being stuck at home − I’d go stir crazy. So what do you say, will I pick you up?”

“I’ll have to ask my mum, but I’m sure it’ll be okay.” The young Sean was back, much to Gerry’s annoyance. How much of a fool did this eejit take him for?

“Okay, we’ll ask Lizzie when I drop you off.”

“Maybe Errol could tag along?”

“For Christ’s sake, Sean. I’m doing deliveries for Paddy, it’s not a fucking Sunday school outing. Forget it, I was only trying to break the monotony, not run the Coyle crèche.”

“Sorry, Gerry, sorry. I wasn’t thinking.”

Gerry noted that not once had Sean queried what the deliveries were all about.