It was Saturday morning, a special one in May, and as probate had been granted earlier than expected Pearl, Derek, John and Nora were moving to Battersea the next day.
To Pearl’s relief, Kevin hadn’t been in touch and John had become a little more communicative.
‘Happy birthday, darling,’ she said as he walked into the kitchen.
‘Happy birthday, Johnny,’ Nora said as she ran forward to give him a hug. ‘You all right?’
‘Yes, I’m fine.’
Pearl knew that Nora was sensitive to John’s feelings, and it was obvious his words had failed to reassure her as she looked at him sadly.
Hoping to lift the mood, Pearl was about to give John his present when the doorbell rang. ‘I’ll get it,’ she said, thinking that it might be the postman.
‘Hello, Pearl.’
‘Bernie! I wasn’t expecting you.’
‘It’s all right. I know John won’t come to Southsea with me, but as this is a present I couldn’t put in the post, I left early to deliver it myself. It’ll be nice to see the lad, but I can’t stay long. I’ve got to get back to Dolly. She hasn’t heard from Kevin again and despite her medication she’s getting herself in a right old state.’
‘Come in, but please, don’t mention Kevin in John’s hearing.’
‘Now look here, Pearl, this can’t go on,’ Bernie protested. ‘I know you felt you had to tell John the whole truth about Kevin, but we haven’t seen the boy in ages and it isn’t fair that we’re suffering for it too.’
‘I know and I’m sorry, but John won’t visit you while there’s a chance he’ll bump into Kevin.’
‘Let me talk to him. I might be able to persuade him to change his mind.’
‘No, Bernie, it isn’t the right time. John’s upset enough about us moving to Battersea tomorrow and I don’t want anything else to ruin his birthday.’
After a pause, he agreed, ‘Yeah, all right.’
Relieved, Pearl ushered Bernie into the kitchen. Derek looked surprised to see him too, while John’s face was a picture as he looked at his grandfather, part pleasure, part panic.
‘Happy birthday, lad,’ Bernie said, placing the box on the table. ‘Now don’t hang about – open it.’
As he lifted the lid, John gasped with wonder. He reached inside to lift the tiny ginger kitten into his arms. ‘Oh, Granddad …’
‘There’s a farm up the road and I knew that one of the cats was having kittens. The farmer was happy for me to have one, and thankfully it worked out the right time to take it away from the mother. Sorry, Pearl, I hope you don’t mind.’
Even if she had minded, Pearl wouldn’t have had the heart to burst John’s bubble. Her son looked happier than he had in weeks. ‘I’m fine with it, Bernie, but it’s just as well we’re moving out tomorrow. My mother isn’t keen on cats.’
‘Granddad, is it a boy or a girl?’ John asked.
‘It’s a ginger tom, lad, a boy.’
‘Has he got a name?’
‘Not yet. It’s up to you to choose one.’
John lifted the kitten onto the palm of his hand, gazing at it, and Nora came to his side, obviously enchanted too. ‘Look, Johnny, he got stripes.’
‘Yes, like a tiger. How’s that for a name?’
Nora shook her head vigorously. ‘No. Don’t like tigers.’
‘There’s no hurry, John, think about it for a while,’ Pearl suggested.
‘My goodness,’ Emily said as she walked in, ‘what have you got there?’
‘It’s a kitten, Gran,’ John said, holding it aloft. ‘Bernie gave it to me for my birthday.’
‘Yes, happy birthday, darling. Though I’m not a lover of cats, I must admit it’s rather cute,’ she said, then turned to Bernie. ‘Has anyone offered you a cup of tea yet?’
‘I suppose by anyone, you mean me,’ Pearl said, smiling.
‘I’ll make it,’ Derek offered.
Pearl persuaded John to open his other presents, but none could compete with the kitten. Not that she minded. It was just lovely to see her son’s delight.
Only twenty minutes later, after Bernie finished his drink, he asked for their new telephone number and then rose to leave. ‘I’d best get back to Dolly, but good luck with the move. I hope you settle in all right.’
‘We’ll be fine,’ Derek said.
‘John, say goodbye to your grandfather,’ Pearl urged.
‘Bye, lad, and I hope you’ll come to see me and your gran soon.’
John’s head went down. ‘I … I don’t know … maybe.’
‘I suppose maybe is something to work on. Just remember that you mean a lot to your gran and she’s missing you.’
John didn’t respond to that, saying only, ‘Thanks again for the kitten, Granddad.’
‘You’re welcome.’
As Pearl saw him out, Bernie paused at the door. ‘If you can talk John into visiting us again, I don’t mind driving to Battersea to pick him up.’
‘I’ll let you know,’ Pearl told him. But in truth, as long as John didn’t want to see his father, she knew he wouldn’t go to Southsea.
Kevin had made so many plans while in prison, but now, when he’d been in agony every time he moved, it wasn’t his parents or his son on his mind. It was Vincent Chase. His hate festered, taking over his every thought, and every time he looked at his face in the mirror, the thin scar that now cut through his eyebrow made Kevin’s teeth grind with fury.
He was determined on revenge, to make Vince pay for ordering his henchmen to lay into him with their fists and boots. The beating had served to show him one thing; that Vince placed a very high value on Adrianna and she must be really special for the man to keep her so close.
Kevin smiled sardonically. Vince probably thought the beating had frightened him off, but he would learn differently. When the time was right he’d strike, and to rub salt into the wound, he’d also take Adrianna from under Vince’s nose.
He’d been laid up for a long time, April passing into May, but now Kevin was on his feet again. With his suit ruined, Rupert had just surprised him with two new ones, along with some very expensive-looking shirts. There were casual clothes too, and Kevin had feigned suitable gratitude.
‘Time for elevenses,’ Rupert said as he walked in with a tray. ‘Coffee and cake.’
‘I’m not hungry.’
‘Now then, if you want to build up your strength, you must eat.’
‘You gave me a huge breakfast, and I’m still full. In fact I’ve been inactive for too long and I’m going out for a walk.’
‘Oh dear,’ Rupert said anxiously. ‘Do you really think you should?’
‘Rupert, I’m sick of being cooped up.’
‘All right, but I think I should join you.’
‘No thanks.’ Kevin said firmly. ‘I’d prefer a nice quiet stroll on my own.’
‘Why? Is it because you’re sick of the sight of me?’
‘I didn’t say that,’ Kevin said as he pulled on a pair of new jeans. ‘It’s just that walking alone helps me to think.’
‘Think about what?’
‘About getting a job,’ he lied, ‘and earning enough to repay the money you spent on my new clothes. Along with that I want to find my own place – something I was planning to do before those bastards put a stop to it.’
‘It’s awful that you were picked on by those drunken thugs, but those clothes are a gift, Kevin. I also don’t think you’re well enough to think about getting a job, and as for finding your own place, there’s no need for that. I’d love you to stay here.’
‘I can’t go on living off you and I’ve got to find work,’ Kevin said, grunting in pain as he bent to tie his shoelaces.
‘See,’ Rupert tutted. ‘You’re not fit to work yet.’
‘I’ll have to manage. I should go to see my parents, but I can’t even afford the train fare. I’m broke, Rupert.’
‘I can soon sort that out,’ Rupert said. ‘If you really feel up to it you can go to see them today. Wait there. I won’t be a minute.’
Kevin smiled. Rupert was about to open his wallet again. Of course when the money was offered, he’d protest, say he couldn’t possibly take it, but then he’d give in.
He just hoped that Rupert wasn’t going to be stingy. If he was … well, there was more than one way to skin a cat, and if he played up his injuries his father might cough up some money again.