‘Here’s to success, happiness and, above all else, safety,’ Cammy said as he stood above everyone else at the table. He raised a glass of Jack Daniel’s and everyone mimicked him.
The Barrhouse Firm’s next indoor boxing event was set to go ahead in one week, with Tam being the main attraction. Things were definitely looking a lot brighter since Donnie’s absence.
‘I just wanted to say a few things myself.’ Kev stood up and then glanced over at Susie who was standing behind the bar. ‘Susie, another round for everyone. And get one for yourself and join us.’
Susie smiled and got to work pouring drinks before Kev turned his attention back to the table. He glanced down at everyone. Cammy, Mackie, Thomson and Dunny. Chud, Tam, Darcie and Louise. They were all there, looking up at him, waiting for him to continue.
‘First of all, I want to pay tribute to Tam here. It’s been a tough few months for him and Lou, and I want to acknowledge how hard he’s worked to get back in the ring. He’s hard-working, determined and a fucking warrior when it comes to boxing. We’re going to make sure you soar, Tam.’
Everyone raised their glasses in unison and drank to Tam, whose face flushed a little. Kev swallowed back his whisky and continued. ‘And I want to congratulate my fiancée, Darcie Wright, in buying the sunbed salon. That place is going to be a huge success because of you.’
Darcie smiled up at Kev and drank from her champagne glass. Louise clapped loudly and hugged her cousin tightly.
‘And here’s to the Firm. May we continue to thrive and keep Barrhouse and Glasgow a safe place.’
Susie appeared at the table with a tray of drinks and set it down between them all. ‘I’ll drink to that.’
As Cammy and the rest of the group reached for their drinks, Louise glanced up at Susie and smiled. ‘How’s Demi?’
‘She’s getting there, one day at a time. It’s all still raw for her, you know? She’s just in the back, unpacking some deliveries for me. She wants to keep busy, keep her mind off things.’
Louise felt a lump form in her throat. ‘Can I meet her?’
Susie nodded. ‘Follow me.’
As they moved through to the stock room, Louise’s stomach spun. She felt sick at the thought of meeting someone who knew what it was like to be in the hands of Donnie Black. Demi was much more damaged than Louise ever could be; she’d gone through worse and had been away from home for such a long time, not knowing if she’d ever get back.
‘Demi,’ Susie said, pushing the stock room door open and allowing Louise to step inside. ‘This is Louise.’
Demi stood still, facing Louise, and her face paled. ‘You’re Louise?’
Staring at the girl was like looking at herself, but a more fragile version. Her eyes were dark, and Louise couldn’t imagine what they’d seen. Louise was so thankful it had been Tam driving that van. Otherwise, Louise would be in Amsterdam right now, living the hell Demi had gone through.
‘I’m so sorry for what he did to you.’
Demi took a short breath and closed her eyes, before rushing forward and hugging Louise. ‘I’m sorry for what he did to you too.’
Louise glanced up at Susie, who shook her head. It was an indication that Demi didn’t know what had happened to Donnie. No one outside the walls of Susie’s house that day knew what had happened, and that was the way it was going to stay.
‘Do you fancy a drink?’ Demi asked, pulling away from Louise and wiping at her tears. ‘I’ve heard we’ve got tattoos to compare.’
Louise laughed at the joke and nodded. ‘I’d love a drink.’
It seemed that Demi knew only that Donnie had been dealt with. Not that he was dead. She’d find out eventually, of course she would. But right now, she had to focus on recovery.
‘I hear you escaped him?’ Demi said, handing Louise a glass of wine.
‘Yeah,’ she breathed. ‘But only by the skin of my teeth. My brother saved me.’
‘Yeah, my aunt Susie told me that. You know, I never thought I’d be here. When I got out, and I escaped that gang shooting at me, I genuinely couldn’t believe how lucky I was to be alive. How can one person cause so much horror in another person’s life?’
Louise shook her head and took a sip and had absolutely no words left to say.