Chapter Ten

Lauren had been free from heroin for six months now and she and Shaun were in love. As she felt the baby growing inside her she knew she had a shot at life again. The methadone was down to almost nothing and the doctor predicted before she gave birth she would be drug free. It had been a long hard battle and one she was still fighting every day.

Shaun was her rock and he cared for her in every way despite the shit he took from his mates. Most days she was fine but sometimes when she was stressed she just wanted to ram a needle deep into her veins to take the pain away. She never told Shaun that she still felt the urge to have a fix and she always felt like a fake when she listened to him telling people how well she’d done getting clean. Her family were slowly but surely welcoming her back into the family but they were always watching every move she made in the house.

Her drug worker had helped her to find a home and furnish it. Shaun was still dealing but he kept her well away from any drugs. Ged and Colby had called him a nob-head for taking her on and told him that once a smackhead always a smackhead. He defended her to the max and always sung her praises telling them she was clean now. Ged missed Shaun and the fun they had together. He hated Lauren with a vengeance and decided to call round to see her to see if she really was all Shaun made her out to be.

Lauren now lived in Miles Platting in a two bedroom house. The area was quiet and sometimes she missed the wheeling and dealing that went on in Harpurhey. All her drug- addict friends had long since disappeared and she felt lonely. The knocking at the door made her jump. She never got any visitors and looked happy as she ran to the front door. Opening the door fully she saw Ged. Lauren smiled and invited him in straight away. She loved having someone to talk to.

“Do ya want a drink or owt Ged?”

“Yeah I’ll have a coffee,” he replied as he watched her going into the kitchen. Making his way into the front room he checked out the house and commented on how clean it was. He shouted into her.

“You’ve got it nice in here haven’t ya?” The sound of tap water could be heard and he could hear her shouting back from the kitchen.

“It will be. That’s all I do every fucking day. Cook and clean. I’m a proper little housewife now ya know.” Carrying the brews into the front room she sat down on the sofa. She now looked at him with a curious look on her face.

“What’s wrong? Is Shaun alright?”

Ged picked up his brew and laughed. “Yeah he’s sweet. I was just passing and thought I would call in and see how you are. I’ve brought a birthday card for Shaun as well.” He slid the card onto the table. His eyes cast over her. “You look really well ya know.” Lauren felt embarrassed and flicked her hair from her face.

“I know, I can’t stop eating. Since I’ve been pregnant I never feel full. I think I’m addicted to food now.”

Ged chuckled and spoke about everyday events. He wanted to make sure she wasn’t fooling anyone and secretly pulled a bag of heroin from his pocket. He casually planted it at the side of him on the chair. Ged quickly drank his brew and glanced at his watch. As he stood up he made sure the heroin was in sight. He thanked Lauren for the brew. A smirk formed across his face. As he left she followed him to the door.

“Thanks for calling, Ged. It’s nice to have visitors every now and then.” He waved as she watched him get into his smart black car. Once he pulled off she headed back into the house to wrap Shaun’s birthday present.

The Smiths CD lay on the table and she searched for the wrapping paper she’d bought earlier. Once it was wrapped she sat playing with it on the table. Writing his birthday card she sat with the pen hanging from her mouth thinking of the right words to say. As her hand started writing she felt a lump in her throat as the words poured from her heart.

“To Shaun. My life . My rock. My everything. You have saved me in more ways than you’ll ever know, and I’ll always be true to you. My love forever Lauren xx” As she walked to the table she placed the card alongside his present and stood looking proudly at it. For years she’d never bought a card or a gift for anyone and as a matter of fact she’d never wished anyone a happy birthday in a long time.

Looking round the front room she saw a small package on the chair. As she moved closer to it her heart missed a beat. She knew straight away what it was and ran into the kitchen. She covered her eyes and pulled at her hair. As if the drug was calling her she stood at the door staring at the little plastic bag. Time stood still and every bone in her body shook. She cried as she fell to the floor. Her knees were up at her chest as she pulled her grey sweatshirt over them. The drug was calling her. She covered her ears to try and help drown out its call. She was sweating and water trickled from her forehead. She looked in a daze as her body floated towards the drugs. Slowly she picked up the small plastic bag and held it like a dead mouse as she licked her dry lips.

Searching for some tin foil, she couldn’t fight the urge any longer. She was whispering under her breath as she prepared to toot the drugs.

“Just one last time that’s all. I promise I promise.” Her body hurried about the front room as she rushed to the front door to lock it. Pulling the curtains together she sat in the darkness. The green lighter in her hand shook as she began to burn the silver tin foil with the drugs on it.

The sound from the television was low as her body melted into the carpet. Her eyes slowly drifted to a place where she felt safe. Her fingers could be seen falling from a tight grip. Lauren’s body suddenly started shaking. It shook for a few seconds and Lauren remained still. Her chest wasn’t moving anymore and she remained in the same position.

*

That night Shaun couldn’t wait to get home. He knew Lauren would have got him a present and he couldn’t wait to see what she’d got him. Checking his face in the car mirror he wiped the food he’d just eaten away from his lips. The key slid into the door and he walked straight in. He was shouting in an excited voice.

“Where are you my princess? I hope you have got gifts for your prince?” Pushing the living room door open he could see her lying on the floor. He quickly turned the light on and bent down towards her.

“Ay sleepy head, come on I need some TLC.” He shook her slowly but started to panic when she remained still. His eyes were drawn to the table and that’s when he saw the burnt foil. He shook her frantically and screamed at the top of his voice.

“No! No! Lauren ya fucking muppet. What have you done?” His hands shook rapidly as he tried to pull his mobile phone from his pocket. He quickly called an ambulance and sat by her side with her head on his lap. His words were desperate.

“Lauren wake up, wake up please.” His eyes were wide open and he remembered his unborn baby. As he lifted her top up he looked for any movement. When he saw there wasn’t any sign of life he screamed out as she shouted up at the ceiling.

“Not my fucking baby as well. Fucking hell Lauren what have you done to me?” He cradled them both in his arms and prayed that they would survive. Her face looked at peace and he cursed her for killing his child.

The sound of knocking at the front door made him place her cold body back onto the carpet. As the medics came into the room they could tell by his face that she was already dead. They tried reviving her but gave up after a few attempts. Shaun stood by the door and knew she was gone before they told him. He gripped the man’s hand and spoke with desperation in his voice.

“What about the baby. Is it dead as well?” he sobbed. The medic nodded his head and started to prepare to take her to the hospital. Shaun was stood with his hand in his pocket and twisted his pebble at speed. He wanted to run at them and rip their heads off but his body was weak and he couldn’t find the strength to talk anymore. His legs melted as he fell to the floor. The ambulance man ran to his side to give him some medical help. Shaun was shouting out now as he rolled about on the floor as if he’d been stabbed in the heart.

“You dirty no good smackhead. You lied to me and me, like a prick, believed you. I’ll never forgive you Lauren.” Tears fell from his eyes as he watched them take her from the room. He slowly followed them to the hospital and listened as the doctor confirmed they were both dead.

Later, as he knocked on the flat door, Ged answered. Shaun fell inside and Ged thought he’d been shot or something.

“What’s up Shaun? Are you okay? Fucking hell mate, speak to me what’s wrong?” Shaun punched the floor and sounded like he couldn’t breathe. Ged looked worried and turned him over. “Tell me what’s wrong ya prick and then I can help.” Shaun sat up and shouted at full pelt.

“You can’t do Jack shit mate. She’s dead and never coming back. She even took my baby with her.” Ged’s face dropped and he needed to know more. Once he’d told him Lauren had overdosed his body shivered. Ged could be seen rubbing his arms as his face went white. He slowly let Shaun fall from his grip onto the floor. Shaun sobbed as he looked at Ged.

“Fucking hell mate I’m done in. How do I cope with this shit?” Ged led him to the front room and sat watching him from the armchair as Shaun’s head dropped into the palm of his hands.

“I just can’t understand it. I thought she was off the shit.” Ged sat hiding his guilty secret. He knew he was the cause of her death and felt like his throat was closing up as he struggled to breathe. Grasping his t-shirt he pulled it down from his neck and walked to the balcony for some fresh air. Shaun could be heard sobbing from inside the flat. Slowly Ged turned his head and could see the pain on his mate’s face through the window. He lit a cig and his hands were shaking uncontrollably.

”Fuck fuck fuck!” he mumbled.

Shaun stood and told him he’d just told Lauren’s parents the heart-breaking news. He put his tracksuit top on and told him he was going back to Lauren’s house. Ged quickly grabbed his coat and told him he was coming with him. Ged was frantic as he followed him.

“Wait up, ay. No way am I letting you go on ya own. You need your mates at times like this don’t you?” Ged placed his arm round his shoulder and escorted him to the front door. Colby had heard the news from the bedroom and shouted to Shaun.

“I’ll get some beers in mate. You need a drink at times like this.” Shaun made no reply. They both left the flat and headed to Miles Platting.

The front door of the house seemed daunting to Shaun. The overgrown garden looked worse than ever. He cringed at the jobs that he’d never done in the house. Slipping the key into the front door felt strange because he knew the woman he loved wasn’t there anymore. The room looked empty and he could smell death. Shaun paced the front room and noticed his birthday card and present on the side of the table. His mind was all over the show. He quickly sat down before he collapsed. Taking a deep breath he asked Ged to pass him the card.

Slowly he opened the blue envelope. Pulling the card out from the envelope his eyes focused on the words on the front. “To the one I love” it read. Shaun felt like his fingers were stuck. He couldn’t find the strength to open the card. Ged noticed the plastic bag on the floor and wanted to get rid of it before Shaun saw it. This was the evidence of his sins and the only thing that connected him to Lauren’s death. Casually walking over to it he placed his foot firmly over it. He could see Shaun’s eyes welling up as he read the card and took his chance. He quickly bent his body and he slid the drugs bag from under his foot and casually placed it in his pocket. Then, seeing the birthday card on the fireplace that he’d brought earlier he paced over to it and quickly shoved it inside his jacket. Shaun was too heartbroken to see his friend’s evil ways.

Every word Shaun read from the card was like a knife being plunged into his heart. Once he’d read the words he held the card to his chest and shook his head. Ged was at his side now and passed him the wrapped present. As he opened it his tears fell onto the paper. Reading the songs on the track he lifted his head up and spoke to Ged.

“This is all I have left of her and my baby. One fucking lousy CD. She knew I loved The Smiths.”

Ged needed to get out of the house as he felt like Lauren’s spirit was present in the room with them. He kept getting a cold chill throughout his body and was seen rubbing his arms. Shaun stood up and shoved the disc into his back pocket. He too felt strange in the house and questioned his own mind about the reasons she’d given into drugs again.

*

Two weeks later Lauren was laid to rest in Moston Cemetery. The service was small and only a few people turned up to pay their last respects. Lauren’s mother sank to her knees as they lowered her coffin into the ground. Shaun bit onto his bottom lip as he listened to the heartbreaking sound from the mourners. Ged pressed the play button on the music player that they’d brought along and a song called “All I Want Is You” by U2 played as everyone threw some soil down the hole on top of the coffin. The coffin was a light brown colour and the gold plaque displayed her name and the date her life ended.

Lauren’s dad held his wife’s hand and kept her strong as they left the graveside. Shaun wanted to drag Lauren from her coffin and shake her. She’d ruined his life. She’d taken his child and all that he had left was a daft fucking CD. He wanted to smash the music centre to pieces and the CD with it but Ged held him back and told him he’d only be sorry later.

The black suit he’d worn looked too big on him. All the bottom of the pants was now covered in thick brown mud. Shaun’s mother had come to the funeral with his sister and they both watched as they saw him fall apart.

Gladys kissed Shaun as she left, as did his sister. He just nodded at them and didn’t say a word. Katie told Shaun to call at her house when he had time and he just nodded in agreement. He missed his sister and knew when the chips were down she would always bring a smile to his face. His hands played about in his pocket and the cold feeling from his pebble brought him calm. He twisted it frantically in his pocket. Shaun stood shaking as he spoke to his mate.

“Get me out of here Ged. Please. I can’t do this anymore I need to get wrecked.” Ged was like his lieutenant and held his arm firmly as they left the cemetery. The car was nearby and once they were in it he drove off at speed. There was no wake and everybody went their separate ways.

The next few weeks broke Shaun in two. He spent most of his time laid in the flat in his bedroom. His face was unshaven and his eyes were dark underneath through lack of sleep. Colby had stayed up most nights with him chatting until the early hours.

One morning Shaun walked into the front room. Colby and Ged sat bagging the drugs. He hated the sight of all the powders spread across the table and remembered the last time he’d seen his girlfriend’s face. Wearing nothing but his boxers his sparrow like legs looked as if they were going to snap. He sat down.

“That shit ruined my life, but ya both still sit there like witches round a pot bagging it. Have a bit of respect ay.” Ged raised his eyebrows to Colby and shook his head. They both knew he was having a bad time and ignored him. Shaun’s face was white with temper as he stood up. Using the side of his arm he swept the drugs from the table and screamed. He’d lost the plot.

“Fucking heroin fucks people up. I’ve lost everything because of it ya wankers.” He screamed round the room. “Do you hear me?” he was in their faces. Ged was fuming and ran at him.

“Listen ya prick. She was a smackhead. A dirty no good baghead. Did ya think she was gonna change?”

Shaun clenched his fist and ran at him while Colby tried to break them up. Shaun was raging and couldn’t be controlled. Making his way back to Ged he headbutted him and pummelled his fist into his face. He screamed out loud.

“She was my smackhead, carrying my baby. She did want to change. She was trying ya know.” Ged broke free and started shouting.

“I knew she was a lying twat, that’s why I left the drugs there for her. I wanted to show you that it was only a matter of time before she went back to them, and I was right. Wasn’t I?” Shaun played with the words in his mind. He wasn’t sure if he’d heard him right. He screwed his face up as he growled.

“What ya saying dickhead? Are you saying that you gave her the smack?”

Ged realised what he’d said as Colby now zoomed in on him too. Shaun was in his face now and they were nose to nose.

“Did you give her heroin? Go on tell me, or are you not man enough to admit you killed her?”

Ged pulled his face away from Shaun’s and walked away, but Shaun ran and jumped onto his back.

“Did ya give it her ya wanker.” The two of them rolled about the floor and Colby was doing his best to split them up. Ged shouted out as he took control of the fight.

“I gave her the drugs, yeah. Lauren decided to take them not me. It’s her own fault she’s dead, not mine.” He looked cocky as he replied. “She would never have made a good mother anyway. You’re lucky you found out sooner rather than later.” Shaun rolled about underneath him, but was unable to break free. Colby looked at Ged in shame and shook his head. Quickly jumping up from Shaun, Ged made a run for the door. You could hear Shaun screaming behind him.

“Fucking murdering bastard. What was it ay? Couldn’t you stand seeing anyone else happy? This isn’t over Ged. Mark my words ya wanker. One way or another I’ll make you pay.” The sound of the door slamming could be heard. Colby left his half smoked spliff in the ash tray. He looked at Shaun and sighed.

“Fuck me man. That’s some heavy shit. How could he have kept that in? It’s proper shady what he’s done. I wouldn’t blame ya if ya stabbed the cunt up. He’s well out of order.”

Shaun was in his bedroom. He grabbed some clothes from the old wardrobe. If he’d have had a gun he would have shot the bastard right there and then. He needed to cope with this in his head and knew his sister could help him think straight. He shouted to Colby where he was going and could hear him shouting behind him as he left.

“If you need back up with Ged, I’m with you all the way mate. Don’t forget that will ya?” Shaun ran down the stairs and didn’t stop running until he reached the bottom.

The warm summer air hit his face and he felt strange. Loosening his jacket tighter round his body he looked round the area to see if he could see Ged. As he started to walk he felt the anger bubbling inside him. Mumbling under his breath he crossed Rochdale Road. Shaun felt the adrenalin pumping around his body and decided to run. His sister Katie didn’t live very far and he set off towards her house with speed.

Katie and Shaun were close. Through their youth they’d stuck together. Shaun’s sister was pretty but the tosser of a boyfriend she’d ended up with always tried to drag her down. Shaun hated him with a vengeance and some of the stories he had heard of what he had done to her, made his blood boil. Shaun had only been a kid at the time, but now he would stand up to him and make sure he treated his sister well.

Katie opened the door to Shaun and knew something was wrong. As if someone had pressed a button on him, all Shaun’s emotions fell out of him.

“Shaun what’s wrong, come on get in.” She pulled at his coat and helped him inside. As he fell onto the sofa she watched as a river of tears left his eyes. His body shook and she felt every inch of his pain. She shook him by the arm.

“Tell me what’s wrong our kid. Please tell me.” Shaun bit his lips and lit a cig. Katie was watching him like a hawk as he began to tell her exactly what Ged had confessed to. She lit a cig and sat next to Shaun as she started to speak.

“I always knew he was a wrong un ya know. Tell ya what, I’ll never speak to him again.”

”What are ya gonna do?” Katie asked as she reached for the ashtray. “You should go to the dibble and get the twat locked up.” Shaun took a deep drag of his cig and shook his head slowly.

“Nar Katie, that’s not my style. He’ll get what’s coming to him, don’t you worry. I’ve told him that as well. My head’s fucked at the moment I just need time to think it through.” Katie sat by him and placed her hands round his neck. Her eyes filled with tears as she held her brother closer.

“Fucking hell you’ve had a bad time lately haven’t you? Things will get better in time. It’s just raw at the moment.” As he pulled her hands from round her neck, he could see bruises. He looked at them closer and looked into her eyes.

“Where’s the bruises from? Don’t even try covering up for him because I can tell by your face it’s him that’s done them” Katie stood up and made her way to the window. As her body bent over she pulled the net curtain back and looked outside to make sure her boyfriend wasn’t in view.

“We had murders the other night. You know what he’s like when he’s pissed. Don’t think I just sit and take it because I don’t.” Shaun knew he’d upset her and stood up and opened the back door. Katie smiled and turned to him.

“Should we get a few beers? The weather’s mint, we can sit in the garden.” Katie told him she was skint but he found some cash and told her not to worry. Shaun left to go to the shops and Katie started to clean the garden up and get rid of some of the rubbish.

Katie’s house was always clean. She made the most of what she had. She lived on the same estate as her mother and knew her life was set in stone if she didn’t try to change it. Brian, her boyfriend, was a big mouth and not a lot of people liked him. He was well known on the estate as a bit of hard man but he was a bully that preyed on vulnerable people. Brian was a grafter and himself and a few others on the estate earned quite a bit of money from the thieving they did.

When Katie first met Brian he seemed nice and she fell head over heels in love with him. He treated her like a princess at first. As time went by Katie was kicked to the kerb by him and his mates took first place in his life. His plastic mates were always there when he’d earned a few bob but as soon as the cash went he was left on his own. His fists didn’t start to hit Katie till he started on drugs. Whizz and weed was his life. As soon as he had any cash he was right at the drug dealers’ doors. Ged had served him a few times in the past. He was a well know whizz head in the area.

Katie’s life was boring. She used to have so many friends but once Brian got his claws into her he made sure one by one they disappeared. She felt alone and her world revolved around him. If she was true to herself, the only reason she stayed with him was because she had nowhere else to go. Sometimes she’d dream of leaving him and finding her Prince Charming. But the grey days she faced every day never seemed to leave her side.

Shaun returned with several cans of beer. He placed them on the table and told her to get one. The neighbour next door leant over the fence. When he saw the beer he invited himself in with his girlfriend. The hours passed and the tunes were pumping from the house. Loads more people had come to join them and the garden party was in full swing. Each visitor brought beer and Katie was pissed as a fart as she danced about in the garden. No one heard Brian come in. He stood at the door with a face like thunder watching every movement she made.

Brian was around six foot tall. He was a large framed man with dark brown hair. He looked angry as he held one hand on the door. Looking at all the other people in the garden he nodded his head and knew one of them would be getting a belt before the night was over. As he turned the music off he could hear the moans from outside. Katie shouted inside the house.

“Get the music back on ya muppet. We’re listening to that.” Brian appeared at the back door and Katie looked shocked. She could be seen mumbling under her breath as she dropped her head. Katie looked white but the beer she’d drunk gave her courage and she stood tall.

“Brian! Turn it back on will ya. Just because you’ve come in we’re not all gonna sit here in silence.” Brian gave her a look to kill and her friends knew it was time to go home. One by one they filtered out of the back gate as he sat at the garden table smoking his weed. Shaun hated the way he could ruin a great night and he sat staring at him. Looking at his sister he knew if he gave her any shit he would be on him like a ton of bricks. Clenching his fist under the table you could see his knuckles turning white. Katie was still in the party mood. She danced her way over to Brian. Her short skirt showed off her long slender legs and she knew she looked good. She shook her arse in a sexual manner at him.

Katie reached over Brian to get her drink from the table. As she did he pulled her hair dragging it to his face.

“You little tart. What the fuck do ya think you’re doing strutting ya stuff all around the place? Get in the fucking house ya little slag.” As he released his grip on her hair she jumped into his face.

“Fuck off back out, ya fat cunt. Every time you see me having a bit of fun you’re always the same. What is it? Can’t you stand to see me happy?”

Brian jumped from his chair as it fell to the ground and ran at her. Shaun got up too and this time he was in Brian’s face as he tried to capture her. Shaun spoke low at first.

“Leave it out ay. She was only having a bit of fun.” Brian’s face raged. You could see his nostrils flaring with temper. Shaun knew he’d have to fight him now and prepared for him by pulling his small penknife from his pocket. Brian grabbed him and tried head butting him, but Shaun’s blade connected. Shaun was quick and continued slashing him. Brian felt the blood on his face and lifted his hand up to wipe the blood that was trickling down. As his hand came back down he looked at his hand covered in blood and became like a caged animal. The penknife was now out in full view and Shaun waved it into his face.

“Come on prick. I’ll fucking kill ya. You think you can take the piss out my sister do ya?” Their eyes locked and Brian sprung on him like a lion attacking his prey. Within minutes Shaun was on the floor and Brian was knocking ten tons of shit out of him. Katie was screaming as she tried to free her brother but she was weak and couldn’t move him. Shaun’s head could be seen being knocked from side to side and blood hung from his mouth. Brian wanted to hurt him bad but knew he’d had enough. As Brian stood up he gave Shaun one last kick to his body. Katie was at the side of him ragging his arm begging him to stop. Brian gripped her face and shouted into it.

“See what happens when ya think you can take the piss out of me. I’ll destroy anything that gets in my way including you. Do ya hear me?” Her body shook with fear as she stood on her tiptoes at the side of him. He spat in her face and went inside. Running straight to Shaun’s side, Katie tried to help him up. His eyes were swollen and blood ran from his nose. She sobbed.

“I’m sorry, he’s a prick. Just fuck off from here otherwise he’ll come back out for you. You know what he’s like. Go to me mam’s. As soon as he’s asleep I’ll be round and see ya.” His body struggled to get up and the neighbour next door came in to give him a hand. The man checked Brian was gone and spoke to her in a distraught tone.

“Katie why the fuck you stay with someone like that is beyond me. He’s a fucking nutter. Look what he’s done to ya brother.” Katie was ashamed and felt guilty. She hung her head low and watched Shaun being led out of the back gate. Standing for a minute she looked deep in thought. Entering the house she could see Brian sat watching the television as if nothing had happened. Her blood was boiling and she knew her next move.

On the table lay a big marble ashtray. Slowly she turned and made sure the back door was still open. She positioned herself at the side of him and slowly reached for the ashtray. Bringing her arm back behind her, she swung it right into the side of his face. Her legs nearly gave way as she ran out the door. She could hear his screams behind her but she never turned back and kept running.

Shaun could be seen in the distance and Katie’s legs just about carried her towards him. “Run, fucking run!” she shouted. As she reached Shaun she told him what she’d done. The neighbour now left them both and crossed the road back to his house. He looked scared and didn’t want to be a part of it any longer.

They both headed to their mother’s house. Once inside they locked all the doors because they knew within minutes Brian would be there. Gladys was sat watching TV and when she saw the state of them both her heart was pounding.

“What the bloody hell has gone on?” She jumped from her chair and grabbed Shaun. “Oh fucking hell Shaun. Look at your face.” Cupping his face she ran into the kitchen to get her first-aid kit. She could be heard shouting and she always made things ten times worse than they were. When she returned with the first aid kit, she opened it on the chair and started to pull out all the bandages. Shaun was angry and told her straight.

“Mam will ya fuck off with all ya shit. I don’t need any fucking bandages. It looks worst than what it is. It’s only a black eye.” She didn’t listen and tried to get a further look at him.

“I don’t care. It still needs medical attention. Do you need an ambulance?” Katie stood at the back window like a soldier on guard. Gladys was running about the room now and she came to Katie’s side. Katie told Gladys what had happened. Her mother’s face was angry, “Oh I hope the fat cunt comes here,” Gladys ranted, “He will get a piece of my mind.”

Katie shook her head. “Mam you’re full of shit. When he comes, you will be up his arse like you always are. It’s always the same. He kicks fuck out of me and you always send me back to him.” Gladys huffed, and stood tall shaking her head.

“I send you back because it’s always your fault. You and your big mouth!” Katie looked upset.

“Mam I’m your daughter. How can you send me back to him, when ya know exactly what he does to me? Any normal mother would phone the police on him, but not you.” Katie mimicked her mother’s action from the past. “Oh Brian it doesn’t matter what the fuck you do to her as long as she’s not bothering me.” Katie was being sarcastic and Gladys tried to ignore her but Shaun stepped in.

“She’s right mam. Ya need to fuck him off if he comes here for her. Do ya hear me?” Walking for her cigs Gladys huffed.

“Oh I might have known I would be to blame for this. What about your father? He’s got a quiet life, no fucking mither. I’m expected to do everything, right? Well I’m sick of it.” She sat at the table with her head held in her hands as she cried. “Why can’t I have fucking normal kids who don’t bring any trouble to my door?” Katie looked at Shaun and they both knew she was on one. If Brian wasn’t walking up road, Katie would have reeled off her years of frustration.

“Shaun! He’s here. Fucking hell what we gonna do.” Shaun ran about the house looking for some kind of weapon. He came back in the front room with an old stick from under the stairs. Gladys was shaking and telling them she didn’t need all the stress but it was too late as Shaun opened the door and stood waiting for him to enter the garden. Katie grabbed an old hockey stick and together they knew they could take him. Gladys locked the door behind them and phoned the police as quickly as she could. Once the call was made she ran back to the door and opened it. She could see Brian just coming in the gate. Shaun and Katie had their tools ready. Brian clocked them and laughed.

“What the fuck do ya think ya gonna do with them. I’ll shove em up ya arses if ya don’t put them down.” Shaun looked edgy.

“Ya won’t do shit mate,” Shaun replied shakily. Gladys was now out in the garden and she was in Brian’s face.

“Look at my son’s face, ya big fat cunt. I’ve phoned the police so fuck off before they come for you.” Brian was confident. He looked over to Katie as he spoke to Gladys.

“I’m not going anywhere until she comes with me. Trust me Gladys, if she doesn’t come I’ll make ya life a misery.” Turning her head Gladys gave Katie the eyes as if it was all her fault again. Katie stood closer to Shaun and shook her head saying.

“Nah, not this time Brian. You can fuck off. You think you can treat me like shit. I’m not putting up with it anymore.” Brian hunched his shoulders. He looked ready to make a move.

“Don’t be smart Katie. Just because you think you have some backup with you. I’ll still waste you ya know.” The four of them stood waiting for someone to make the first move, but they all remained frozen.

The police finally arrived and moved Brian on. They wanted Shaun and Katie to press charges against him for assault but they both said no. Grassing was the lowest of the low in Harpurhey and no matter what happened no one wanted to be called a snitch.

Brian screamed out as the police took him. He shouted to Katie that he would be back for her. His words sent shivers down her spine but she tried not to look bothered. All the neighbours were out in full force. They stood gossiping amongst themselves. Gladys looked at Katie and raised her eyebrows.

“You happy now? All the estate are talking about us again.” Katie wanted to open fire on her but she was used to her moaning ways and just left her to go back into the house. Shaun and Katie stood with a few people from the estate and filled them in on all the finer details. They all knew Brian of old and told Katie to watch her back in future.

Shaun felt sick and went back into the house with Katie following behind him. The front room looked dirty and clothes were scattered about. Half drunken cups of tea were on the table and the ash tray was filled with cig ends. Shaun went into the kitchen and started washing his face. Gladys just sat watching television and completely ignored Katie.

Once Shaun returned Gladys examined his face as he tried to push her away. She managed to get some Savlon cream on his cuts. He sat moaning as his face started stinging with the antiseptic. Katie watched her mother with Shaun and wondered why she wasn’t treated the same. All her life she’d had to fight for any affection from her. Her heart sunk as she tried to straighten the front room up. As she reached for the cups from the table her mother ignored her again and acted like she wasn’t there. Shaun could see it too and gripped Katie’s shoulder.

“You’re gonna be alright ya know. I’ll make sure of it. You can’t go back to him Katie, you’ll end up dead.” Katie’s eyes filled up and she knew he was right. They both discussed the options and it was decided they would both move back into their mother’s house. When they told Gladys the news, she couldn’t hide her disappointment. She paced round front room huffing and puffing and made several remarks.

“Well if you’re staying here I’ll need some keep. Money doesn’t grow on trees you know!” Shaun searched his pocket and pulled out two twenty pound notes. Once he’d passed her the money her face changed but she still carried on moaning.

“What’s gonna happen if he comes again? I can’t be doing with this every night, so you better sort it out Katie. Do you hear me?” Shaun stepped in before Kate blew her temper as he could see her face going red.

“Mam, what the fuck can she do about him? We’ll just have to keep phoning the police if he turns up again, won’t we?” Gladys rocked in her chair and somehow Katie knew she wouldn’t be staying long with her. They were like chalk and cheese and they both just about tolerated each other.

That night all the family were back together. When Paul came home from work and saw them there he was distraught knowing what had gone on. Gladys was still playing the victim and walked round the front room telling her side of the story.

Over the next few nights Brian rang the house phone several times throughout the late hours. There were even bricks thrown at the windows but still Katie remained safe and away from his grip.

Shaun spent some time thinking over the last few weeks and he’d decided he was going back to Blackpool to start drug dealing from there again. It would be a chance to make a fresh start after Lauren but first he had to get in touch with Colby as he didn’t want to do it alone