The Forgotten Child

by D. E. White

  Holly tried to ignore sounds from the yard. It was a big space, enclosed by a high fence constructed of solid metal sheets. No spy holes. She knew she should turn left and carry on down the road to the Balintas’ place. The plan was to talk to Niko, not disturb the wasps’ nest that was the Nicholls empire.

  It was an easy decision, until she heard the high-pitched squeal of an animal in pain. Before she could think, Holly was dragging open the gate and flinging herself into the harsh glare of a floodlight.

  There was silence as she stood, squinting round at a semi-circle of men, the huge green trucks parked neatly along the sides of the yard. In the middle of the yard a banged-up old Fiesta was parked with the engine running. A towrope was hitched to the car’s bumper, and tied securely on the other end of the rope was dog.

  ‘I don’t believe it. It’s Donnie’s little girl.’ Joey, unmistakable even after all these years, detached himself from the crowd and walked towards her. ‘Have you come for a bet, Holly?’

  Fury overcame any rational thought. ‘What the fuck are you doing?’

  Joey was close now, but instead of taking a step back she eyeballed him and had the satisfaction of seeing a flash of uncertainty cross his chiselled features. He was older now, his mop of black hair streaked with grey, with salt and pepper stubble, but the lines in his face merely added to the good looks. Donnie had always said Joey had the face of an angel and the soul of the devil, and it described him perfectly. His brother Gareth, who was the brains of the operation, hadn’t lucked out on looks but had the same devil’s soul. They were both evil fuckers. Gareth and Joey were dangerous in a whole different way to people like Alexi and Roman. Still wild and unpredictable, but the Nicholls enjoyed giving pain, enjoyed their trade.

  ‘Hey, darling, come and play with me! Another man wandered towards them. He was carrying a bottle of beer, and he staggered slightly as he reached Holly.

  ‘Aw leave her alone!’ One of the younger men was tinkering with bit of engine laid out on a couple of pallets. He sounded anxious.

  ‘You’re such an old woman. What’s wrong with a bit of fresh meat?’

  His breath stank and he towered over Holly. She was just over five feet five and he had to be over six feet, and solid muscle with it. But she’d faced bigger, stronger opponents so many times. Suddenly as the adrenalin crackled through her veins, the lightness, the coolness, returned. If he tried anything she’d fucking take him out. In an instant, the past was the present and nothing had changed.

  Joey watched with apparent interest as the man laid a heavy hand on Holly shoulder, pulling her closer. She reacted almost without thinking, twisting her body, snapping her own arm round and up. In seconds, her attacker was lying on the stones and the mud, muttering, his shattered bottle scattering wicked shards across the yard.

  ‘You little bitch!’ He tried to get up but Joey, laughing his handsome head off, gave him a shove and he flopped back on his bum.

  ‘Leave her alone. Piss off now, Jez.’

  The rest of the crowd – there had to be about ten men still watching the action – gave her a round of applause. She heard the muttering go round, and Donnie’s name mentioned. Holly was breathing heavily, but taking long, slow breaths to fill her lungs, in case she needed to fight again.

  ‘So, Holly, what can I do for Donnie’s girl?’ Joey peered at her, his back to the others.

  ‘I want the dog,’ Holly said, without thinking. But then, as he laughed again, she supposed she might as well go for it. Having walked right into the fire, it was clear Joey wasn’t going to hurt her – not in front of an audience, at least. ‘And I want to know what’s going on. Roman and Alexi are dead, someone shoved my car off the road …’ She paused. ‘Dad says you might have heard something.’ Although she never used the word ‘Dad’ for Donnie, here it seemed like she needed to reinforce those family connections.

  ‘You spoken to Donnie?’ Joey poked his head forward, like a bird of prey judging the best place to strike. ‘What did he say?’

  So that had hit a nerve, but of course she had no idea what her dad said. Last she heard he’d sunk to the bottom of a bottle of White Lightning. ‘He said whatever was happening you would know, because you were in charge now.’ It was a major, major risk. Even as she said it, she was gritting her teeth, tensing to fight or flee.

  Joey stared at her, eyes raking her face, but she met his gaze defiantly.

  Behind her, Jez was back on his feet and was quietly closing the gate she had entered by. The silence was complete again, the crowd inching closer, lighting ciggies and passing round more beer. The dog was forgotten. This was a new game.

  Chapter 15

  ‘Come over here – we can talk in my office.’ Joey jerked a thumb at the rusting portacabin that stood in one corner of the yard.

  There was a rumble of amusement from the men gathered at the entrance to the warehouse but Joey silenced them with a look. Holly hesitated for a moment, aware of the danger, aware that Lydia would probably now be waiting for her to go up to the hospital. She weighed up her options in that fleeting moment, and followed Joey across the yard, her trainers sloshing through mud and icy water.

  The door slammed shut behind them and Joey flicked on the lights. Holly leant against the wall, right next to the door, arms folded, muscles tense.

  Joey gave a bark of laughter, and sat down behind the desk, a swivel chair creaking with his bulk. ‘Don’t look like that, girl. I don’t want a black eye as well. Believe me, if that was what I’d wanted I’d have taken it years ago, but that isn’t the way we work, is it?’

  ‘Depends on your point of view, really,’ Holly told him. If they could keep talking in riddles maybe she could get out of here alive. She might even be able to keep her date with Lydia. Her phone pinged, but she was afraid to break this fragile bond between her and Joey.

  ‘You’re too old for me now anyway. I like them young. Didn’t your friend ever tell you? Look, Holly, I heard you might be coming back to Seaview …’

  A wash of nausea at his first comment almost overshadowed his second. ‘What do you mean? Who said I was coming back?’

  Joey grinned. ‘Is it true? I know old Donnie isn’t up to much, but he’s still got some money coming in, regular as clockwork.’

  This was news to Holly, but she just nodded and played along. ‘So what does that have to do with you?’

  ‘You said that the two of you had words about me. I want to know what was said.’

  ‘Again, why? I don’t see the fact my dad is still collecting dividends being of any importance to you.’

  He got up and came towards her, far too close, despite his promises. ‘Listen, girl, I need to know if you’re coming back to take over Donnie’s business. Me and Gareth, we’ve got all of it except that stretch between Carside-on-Sea and Lighton.’

  Holly narrowed her eyes, trying not to flinch. ‘That’s a pretty big area.’ Her mind was frantically scrambling through memories, trying to figure out why her dad should still have this hold. She’d been convinced for years that all he had were the shops, and he’d sold most of those since last year according to Lydia. Of course, he paid her cousins to do an odd bit of illegal work on the side, but no big-time stuff. A flash of inspiration gave her the guts to push Joey. ‘And if I was taking over? It’s all family over there, you know, so they’d deal with me, but not you.’

  Joey lit a cigarette and offered her the packet. She shook her head, and he shrugged. ‘That’s the whole point. If Donnie is handing over to you, I want to know if you’re taking up the slack, or if you’re going to sell. Because if you’re selling, then I want to buy. All the contacts, all the trade and I’ll give you a good price. Donnie’s a stubborn old bastard, and he won’t let go. I don’t mind admitting I’ve tried buying him out, but he’s always said no.’

  Holly was struggling to keep up. Joey was offering to buy her out of something she hadn’t actually been offered. Why had her dad kept that part of his empire? For the memory
or the money? Or perhaps he really imagined that she would still take over and work the business. A crazy thought darted through her brain. Had her dad known Jayden was alive? Had he been saving it for him? ‘I’d need to think about it.’

  ‘Yeah. Look, here’s my number. Call me, not Gareth. And, Holly, I heard about this kid in your car, and the crash. Nothing to do with us. I’ve been wanting to ask you straight up about the business, since I heard you were back. I tell you who else is back – Devril. I’ve seen him with Marco.’

  ‘And Niko,’ Holly said. Her phone was buzzing. Could she actually walk out of here without any injuries? She didn’t believe Joey for a second when he said he had nothing to do with the crash. The only reason she was still breathing was because he wanted something. And because of that weird latent respect between the families.

  ‘Mason’s only got a few months to live, but Niko, yeah, he and I have had words.’ Joey’s eyes turned cold, and he chucked the cigarette down and stamped on the glowing end. ‘Think about my offer, Holly.’

  He opened the door and the night air poured in.

  ‘I will.’ Holly knew she should get out while she could, but the poor bloody dog was still cringing next to the car, and a light, icy rain had started to fall, numbing her face and hands. ‘Joey? I still want the dog.’

  He glared at her and then laughed again. ‘You’re something else, Donnie’s girl, aren’t you? All right, you take the mutt. Ring me when you’ve made up your mind. You’ve got until the end of the month.’

  The amusement had died in his eyes, and his expression was hard again, so Holly marched across the soaking yard to the dog. Most of the men had gone inside, and the big warehouse doors were shut, but a couple were still working on the lorries, waterproof jackets pulled up over the heads.

  She approached the dog with caution, speaking softly, half crouching, taking in the abrasions on his side, the glint of fear in his eyes. She was afraid he would snap at her, but trying to hurry before Joey changed his mind, Holly began to untie the towrope. But her numb fingers couldn’t undo the wet knot. She tried the other end, next to the car bumper, but failed.

  ‘Here, I’ll do it.’ The man who had called Jez off earlier was crouching next to her. He slipped a knife from his pocket and cut the rope.

  ‘Thanks. And thanks for before,’ Holly said, hastily gathering the rope into her hand, and coaxing the dog with her. At least it had a sort of lead now.

  ‘Didn’t do anything,’ the man said, winking at her and returning to his tinkering. He was shorter than her, with brown eyes, and a wet mop of red hair. His trousers were streaked with oil.

  Joey had vanished, so Holly and the whimpering dog passed out of the Nicholls’ yard without any further trouble. This was so freaky. Why was Joey so convinced she was about to take over the Hughes family business?

  The dog trotted obediently at her side. It was limping slightly, but beyond the cuts and scrapes, it seemed okay. What the hell was she thinking? She couldn’t keep a dog while she worked shifts. Holly called Lydia quickly.

  ‘Are you all right? I’ve been calling and calling you, and now it’s too late to go to the hospital! You said half an hour … What the hell’s going on, Holly?’ Lydia’s voice was shrill with worry, and Holly felt instant guilt.

  ‘I’m sorry. Can I still come round? There’s stuff I need to tell you.’

  ‘Of course, love, I was just so worried. What with everything that’s been happening …’

  ‘I know, I’m really sorry. I’ll see you in five, okay?’

  ***

  ‘And what the hell do you think I’m going to do with a dog?’ But Lydia was already crouching down to the animal, gently inspecting his injuries.

  ‘I didn’t think … You always used to have dogs – those two rotties were lovely.’

  ‘Jack and Daniel,’ Lydia said, smiling as the dog settled onto her kitchen floor with a deep sigh. ‘This one looks like a wolf, but he’s a nice big lad, and when I’ve given him a bath we’ll see what colour he is.’ She turned back to Holly. ‘So tell me why you were walking round the Seaview in the dark again?’

  ‘I told you. I wanted to see Niko. I just … I wanted to do something instead of just sitting around wondering what’s going to happen next. I didn’t go out thinking I’d drop in on the Nicholls but it happened. So tell me what’s going on with Dad. I’ve heard he’s kept hold of more of the old business than I thought. Is he working again?’

  Her aunt frowned and seemed to be choosing her words carefully. ‘He’s been a lot better for about six months now.’

  ‘By better you mean off the booze?’ Holly asked.

  ‘Yeah. I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want to get your hopes up. He’s got his business head back on. The little that he still owns, like the betting shops, that kebab place, and of course his slice of pie along the coast. That’ll be what Joey and Gareth want, because that area runs right across county lines. It’s prime dealing, and the coppers haven’t caught one of your dad’s blokes in years.’

  ‘Dad’s family was from down that way, weren’t they?’ Holly didn’t think she’d ever met them.

  ‘There’s nobody left now, but the contacts are all of an age and they won’t hear of selling out to anyone else. They only deal with the Hughes family, and I can’t see that changing,’ Lydia told her. Her black eyes were fixed on Holly’s face. ‘You know, your dad was pleased when he heard you and Tom had split up. He still thinks that you might change your mind and take over what little there is left. Now Devril’s back, he reckons it’s only a matter of time before he can hand the whole lot over to the two of you.’

  Holly split her glass of wine. ‘Shit! Sorry, Lydia, I’ll get a cloth … He can’t seriously imagine I’ll just forget the last eleven years ever happened and move back to Seaview?’

  ‘Just telling you what he’s been saying. And now this thing with Jayden, and Jayden’s son, suddenly the old man’s got family back, heirs to the business, all he ever wanted.’

  Holly mopped up her mess, and stood up slowly, mind whirling. ‘But Joey wants to buy me out, if I take over.’

  ‘So you say. Looks like your dad’s setting up for another turf war with the Nicholls, except this time, it’ll be you, or maybe even Jayden in charge,’ Lydia said soberly.

  ‘There’s no way I’d go back. Whatever happens,’ Holly said, but her heart was pounding as she spoke, imagining her dad the way he used to be, Jayden alive and their kids playing football together. It was a stupid dream. To achieve that, the past would have to be forgotten, and the Hughes empire would have to be rebuilt.

  Joey would kill her if she didn’t sell. She was under no illusions. The only reason she had walked out of his yard tonight was because she was worth something. If he had thought for a moment that she was still estranged from her dad, and therefore not part of the Hughes family, he would have left her to play with his men.

  ***

  Holly’s next shift at work was hell. A prank caller who claimed his mum wasn’t breathing, some desperate mental health patients and finally a teenage miscarriage. Holly and Cath managed to snatch a quick break together and went outside into the darkness. Cath lit up and inhaled deeply, and Holly leant against the wall, the cold bricks digging into her back beneath her shirt.

  ‘I can’t believe you went over to the Nicholls’ yard – you are insane! My dad says he’d never go in there unless he was carrying. You’re lucky Gareth wasn’t there too. He’s worse than Joey. At least Joey’s got the looks.’

  ‘Yeah, whatever, and I’m not like your dad, with knives in every pocket.’ Holly remembered Joey’s passing comment. ‘Cath, you didn’t ever go with Joey did you, when we were younger?’

  ‘Course not! He’s an old git.’ Cath stamped out her first cigarette and flicked her lighter on another. Her hand shook slightly so the flame wobbled crazily.

  ‘Okay, okay.’ There was something there for sure, but Holly knew better than to push her friend. ‘Anyway, Lydia
’s keeping the dog. She’s called him Oreo.’

  ‘Cute. So what now?’

  ‘I’m giving her a lift up to the hospital after work. She’s desperate to see Jay’s kid.’

  Cath twirled a long blonde curl between her fingers, digesting the information in silence, dragging on her cigarette. Finally she sighed. ‘I get that you feel a bit responsible, and hell I’d be the same, but what’s going to happen when he wakes up? What if Jayden has just ditched him?’

  ‘I’ll have him,’ Holly said. ‘He’s just a child, like our lot. And he’s Larissa’s child too.’

  Cath’s expression softened. ‘Yeah … Just be careful, okay? Now what’s going on with you and Devril? Have you seen him again?’

  ‘I haven’t seen Dev since that time on the school drop-off. I told him I need a bit of time to get my head around everything.’

  ‘Did he talk to the police?’

  ‘Dunno. Part of me wants to make him tell me where Jayden is, and part of me wants to pretend this isn’t happening. Does that sound weird?’

  ‘You are weird, but I do know what you mean. Too much and too fast.’ Cathryn lit another cigarette. ‘Plus, although Dev was always sweet on you, he’s a manipulative bastard, and pretty good at stringing people along. Remember how Mason was always convinced he was working exclusively for him, and then Joey thought the same. Double pay, and as far as I know he got away with it. You know if you did ever think about going back and running the Hughes dealers, Dev would probably help.’

  Holly shook her head, retying her hair into a tight ponytail. ‘No chance. My dad’s dreaming. You can’t tear a hole in your life and then expect to put a bit of tape over it and carry on as though nothing’s happened.’

  ‘That looks like shit, put it down again.’

  ‘Thanks.’

  ‘Let me do it.’ Cath pulled a small brush from her pocket and brushed out Holly’s long dark hair, twisting and pinning whilst she spoke. ‘I heard Niko is getting busy. Recruiting some of the old gang. And Mason is out of hospital again. Shame the pneumonia didn’t finish the old git off. Anyway, sounds like Niko is really back in business. He was up at the yard talking to Gareth the other day, and they seemed very friendly. Colleen’s seeing one of the drivers, so she tells me everything, the dozy cow.’