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“I’m not keeping it from her. We don’t know anything. He could just be hanging out with them. It doesn’t mean he’s dealing.”
I turn into the Abbey Road estate and the gangs of youths immediately turn to watch as my car slows to a stop outside the flats where Dave Blain runs his business from. I call to tell him I’ve arrived, and minutes later, he appears, jogging over to the car. He climbs into the passenger side. “What’s up, boss?”
“You know we don’t run kids, right?” I say, and he visibly swallows.
“‘Course.”
“How old’s Steven?”
“Boss, I don’t run my brother on the streets,” he says, frowning. “I swear it.”
“What about his mate, Ollie?”
“Fuck no.”
“He’s been seen hanging out round here, Dave.”
“Cos he’s with Ste, but he ain’t part of what’s going on. He just hangs out with the group.”
“Is he part of any gangs?”
He shrugs. “Not mine.”
“If I find out you’re lying, I’ll come back for you.”
“I’m not. He’s just a kid who hangs out with my brother, boss. You want me to keep an eye on him?”
I nod. “Yeah, but don’t give the game away.” He nods, slipping out the car. I believe him. I trust the circle we’re building on this estate.
ROSEY
I arranged to meet my mum in a café not far from her place. When she arrives, she looks tired and she’s walking like she’s hurt. She spots me and heads over to the table at the back of the place, wincing as she lowers into the seat. “You’re hurt,” I state, and she waves me away like it’s nothing. “I got you a black coffee like you used to drink it,” I point out, nodding to the cup.
She wraps her hands around the mug. “Thanks.”
“So, what’s happening in your life?” I ask.
She leans back in the chair, glancing around and picking the dry skin around her nails. “Same old.”
I stare past her, watching an elderly couple. They’re not speaking at all, but they look comfortable together, more so than Mum and me right now. “Are you back in London for good?”
She nods. “You went back to the MC,” she adds. “I never thought you’d go back there.”
“Eagle’s gone. The club’s better for it. I didn’t see the point in staying away.”
“And Ollie, how’s he fitting in?”
“Fine. Mav’s giving him things to do around the place. He’s helping fix bikes in the garage some days.” The conversation feels forced, and I begin to wonder why I bothered. We have nothing to say anymore.
“I’d like to meet him again, get to know him.”
I frown. “Why?” She was never the nurturing type, and after I had Ollie, she couldn’t have been less interested. I don’t even remember her holding him.
“He’s my grandson,” she states, like that’s the only explanation she needs to give.
I frown. “I’m your daughter and you never gave a shit about me, so what’s changed?”
“That’s not fair, Rose.”
