When the sullen-looking child did as she was told, Melissa put her arms around Jason’s neck. ‘Missed you, I have. My dad’s taking you out for a drink to chat to you, man to man. I think he wants to help you get sorted, Jase. He said you can stay at ours tonight. Unless you have somewhere else to go, of course?’
‘Thanks, Mel. No, I haven’t got anywhere else to go.’ Jason smiled. This was his big chance to impress, worm his way in, and he was determined to grab the opportunity with both hands.
Darlene Michaels was not a happy woman. Jason had promised to come around earlier, then had rung up with some cock-and-bull excuse about his mum slinging him out and him having to look after Shay.
When the doorbell rang, Darlene thought Jason had changed his mind and therefore was gobsmacked to see her ex standing on the doorstep. ‘Hello, Craig. I heard you were out. How you doing?’ she asked awkwardly. She and Craig Thurston had been an item for a couple of years back in the eighties. He was hardcore, was Craig, the party animals of all party animals and that was the reason she’d dumped him. At thirty-five, he was three years younger than her.
‘I’m good, thanks, Dar. You’re looking well. Fancy coming out for a drink? Just as pals, like.’
‘Not much of a daytime drinker these days, to be honest. But come in and I’ll make you a coffee.’
Craig sat on the kitchen stool, laughing and joking about old times. ‘Had some good craic, didn’t we, girl? I always tell people you were the one I regret letting slip through my fingers. I should’ve done the right thing and married you.’
Now positive he was trying to hit on her, Darlene quickly changed the subject. ‘So, you working, Craig? Still in the building game?’
‘Nah, but I will get back into it. Some geezer owes me fifty grand and I need that back to set meself up again. You know how it is.’
‘Not someone from the Mardyke, surely?’ Darlene asked, wondering if that was the reason for his visit.
‘Nah. Johnny Brooks, the cheeky bastard. Been popping down to his yard, but can’t seem to catch him there. I will though, and I’ll get my dosh back. Took a proper liberty, that bloke.’
Darlene stirred the coffees and handed one to Craig. That name rang a bell and it suddenly occurred to her Jason had mentioned it recently. ‘Who is Johnny Brooks? My friend mentioned him last week.’
‘Cake-o, Johnny is. Owns J J Brooks, the builders’ merchants.’
‘Has he got a daughter?’
‘Yeah, and a son. He’s moved away though, the boy.’
‘What’s the daughter’s name?’ Darlene asked, already dreading the answer. She knew Jason like the back of her hand and could tell he’d been asking her if she knew Johnny Brooks for a reason.
‘Melissa, why you asking?’
‘Because a mate of mine thinks her son is dating Johnny’s daughter. Can you find out for me? She live round this way?’ Darlene had that dreadful churning in her stomach that she always got when she suspected Jason of cheating on her. She wasn’t stupid and knew one day he would probably meet someone nearer his own age and fall in love. The thought of that happening any time soon made her feel physically sick. Jason Rampling was her addiction, just like heroin was to a junkie. She literally craved him, and when she didn’t get to see him for days on end, she’d watch the videos she kept of them making love over and over again while pleasuring herself with a vibrator.
‘I’m sure the daughter still lives with Johnny. I’ll ask around, see what I can find out for ya – on one condition.’
‘What?’
‘That you let me take you out for a drink on Friday night?’
Darlene felt so miserable it was an effort to even force a smile. ‘OK. Deal. But find out before Friday for me, Craig.’
Johnny Brooks put two pints on the table and sat down opposite Jason. ‘So what’s been happening?’
Jason explained how awful his home life was, exaggerating for impact. ‘That’s why I have to get Shay away from there, Johnny. My mother gets so drunk she doesn’t know who she’s bringing home, and I’m not having my daughter raised in such an environment. Babs was terrified after that nonce tried to rape her. He only stopped when Elton and Kyle started hitting him,’ Jason lied. The guy in question hadn’t tried to rape his sister, but he had put his hand inside Barbara’s knickers while his mother and brothers were asleep. Johnny wasn’t to know that though. He needed this man to feel sorry enough for him that he’d want to see to it he got a roof over his head.
‘That’s bloody awful, lad. Want stringing up, do nonces. So you not got anywhere lined up to stay?’
‘No. Only left home today. It’ll be difficult for me to work while looking after Shay an’ all. She doesn’t start school till September, so I suppose in the meantime I’ll have to take her to work with me.’
‘Things will sort themselves out, they always do. Not been herself, Melissa hasn’t, this week. I think she was worried ’cause you went a bit cold on her. Not messing her around, are you? Only she’s got enough on her plate with her mum being ill.’
‘I’m not a messer. Just had a tough week meself. I had to look after all the kids ’cause my mother went on the missing list. No way was I leaving ’em alone.’
‘Are you serious about my daughter?’ Johnny had never been one to beat about the bush. ‘Because if you aren’t, now is the time to say so. I won’t be angry, I promise.’
‘Well, yeah. I know it’s only early days but I think me and Mel can make a go of it. Like a proper little family with the kids, eh?’
Johnny took a sip of his pint and studied Jason carefully. He was a hard lad to read. ‘Right, I’m gonna lay my cards on the table. Whatever your reply, I want this conversation to stay between us, you understand that, lad?’
‘No worries. You can trust me.’
‘Melissa does not know the full extent of her mother’s illness. She knows the cancer is terminal, but what she doesn’t know is the doctor reckons Carol has between six months to a year to live.’
‘Shit! I’m really sorry. Poor Carol. She’s such a nice lady.’
‘Being the type of protective dad that I am, I did a bit of asking around about you, Jason. I’m sure being a father to a daughter yourself, you can understand that. What I learned wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t exactly good either. You’ve got a reputation of being a bit of a ladies’ man, and no way am I having my Mel fucked around. Neither am I allowing my daughter to have a boyfriend who sells porn to perverts.’
Jason opened his mouth, then closed it again. He supposed he shouldn’t be shocked; a man like Johnny must have connections all over Essex, but he was still a bit taken aback. ‘So you want me to dump Mel?’
‘No. Quite the opposite. Do you love her?’
‘Yeah. Well, I think so. Not really been together long enough to be properly in love, have we?’
‘Let me put it another way: do you think you can take good care of her and not break her heart?’
‘Well, yeah. I’d like to think so.’
‘My Carol’s dying wish is to see Melissa settled and happy. She likes you, Jason, sees you as a good match for our daughter. I’m not so sure, to be truthful, but I am willing to give you the benefit of the doubt. Which is why I have an offer for you. My pal owns a big construction firm and has kindly offered to teach you the trade and pay you a decent wage. You said one day your dream was to kind of build your own home, so now’s your chance to learn how to. I will buy you and Melissa a house in a nice area that is liveable but needs renovating.