The kids begin piling out into the playground, and I can see the mothers hurrying their children out of the school gates away from us. Bella doesn’t seem phased by it, and it shows how far she’s come since the night I first met her.
“Clay,” Noah squeals, running over to us. I lift him in the air as he runs into my arms.
“How was school, bud?”
“Soooo good. I told all my friends about your motorcycle, they said I was lying. When you come again, can you bring your bike?” he smiles at me and then looks across to his mum, she’s watching our interaction with complete admiration in her eyes. She leans in and kisses him on the head.
“You’re staying at the clubhouse tonight. That okay?”
“Oh my god, yes,” he screams in delight.
His teacher comes over, and she looks sheepish.
“We heard the news,” she whispers, almost digging for more information.
“I’ll be collecting the boys from now on. Please remove Liam from their emergency contacts, he will be otherwise engaged for a little while.”
The teacher looks over to me and puts out her hand. “Mrs. Duggin.”
I move Noah on to my side and offer my hand. “Clay.”
“Please meet my husband, Clay, the boy’s stepfather.” I love the way she accentuates the words, husband and her eyes widen.
“No problem,” she smiles. “We’ll see you tomorrow, Noah.” He waves over his shoulder, more interested in my kutte. Mason rushes over.
“Where’s dad?” he asks, cautiously.
“Unfortunately, mate, there’s been an issue, the police need to talk to Dad, so you’ll be staying with me and Clay.” He smiles, and it’s infectious, he instantly relaxes. His eyes suddenly filling with tears, Bella kneels down to his level, placing her hand on his shoulder.
“You okay?” she asks, and he wraps his arms around her shoulders.
“I am now,” he whispers, she rubs his back lovingly.
“Let’s get you home.”
Bella took the kids up to their room some time ago and hasn’t appeared since. I push the door open slightly, peeking my head round. She’s lying on the bed with Noah, stroking his head. Mason sits on his bed watching something on his phone with his headphones in. She looks up and mouths ‘I’m sorry’, which gets my back up. She should never be sorry for tending to her children, and it shows the level of control Liam must have held over her for her to apologise for taking her time with her boys. Imake my way over to Noah’s bed, and she scoots her legs over so I can sit on the edge.
“You okay, mate?” I ask, placing my hand on her thigh, hoping that the smallest touch will reassure her. He nods his head, yawning.
“Can’t sleep?” I add.
“I miss my things,” he grumbles, snuggling into his mum’s side. Mason sighs loudly and rolls his eyes.
“That’s understandable, this is a new place for you to sleep, but how about tomorrow, I get Slider to go get some of your things, and we can get him to decorate this room however you like?” His eyes light up, and he nods his head excitedly. I lean over and give Bella a kiss on the head, she smiles at me, mouthing a silent thank you.
“I need to run an errand for Drifter. I’ll be back soon.” She nods her head as I make my way to the door.
“Night, boys, I’ll see you in the morning.”
We all rustle through the fire exit of Euston Street Station, our insider holding the door open to let us in. She smiles at us as we all gather in the small corridor.
“Camera’s on the back’s been out for a few weeks now, maintenance issue. And he’s smeared the one in his cell, dirty fucker,” she says, making her way along the dimly lit corridor, the light blaring through the doorway as it squeaks open. “Fucking government funding, the whole place is falling to shit,” she complains, holding the door open for us to pass. We enter to find each side lined with holding cells.
“How long we got?” Drifter asks.
“I’m not sure, make it quick, my colleagues on the call to his Mrs could be a while, but you never know. She’s found out he’sshagging the intern,” she rolls her eyes. “You fucking men can’t keep that shit in your pants.”
She unlocks the cell and stands back out of sight. Liam is lying on the cold slab bed, his arm draped over his eyes. He doesn’t even look up.
