Tainted Lives

by Mandasue Heller

  ‘You are if I say you are!’ Reaching across the table, Pete slapped his head. ‘Now, belt up an’ say hello.’

  ‘’Lo.’

  ‘All right.’ Nodding, Vinnie dropped into the chair beside Pete with studied nonchalance, letting them know from the off that he was in control.

  ‘What you in for?’ Pete asked.

  ‘Murder. You?’

  Pete was taken aback for a second, then grinned when he realized he was being had. ‘Shit, man! You had me going for a minute there!’

  ‘Shouldn’t ask stupid questions then, should you?’ Relaxing, Vinnie put his hands behind his head. ‘So, what kind of a dump is this?’

  ‘It ain’t too bad.’ Pete leaned back in his chair. ‘Better than most, anyhow. You ever been in the Lodge at Langley?’

  ‘Nah, why?’

  ‘’Cos that is a dump. They don’t do nowt for you, and they spend all the food dosh on booze. I looked like a match when I took off, I was that thin.’

  ‘Yeah, me too,’ Jimmy joined in. ‘Me dad come for a visit once, and when he saw the state of me he took me straight back home.’ Pausing, he shrugged. ‘He took off with his bird a week later, so they shoved me in here instead.’

  ‘They kicked the crap out of you at Gorton,’ Rob interjected bitterly. ‘For stupid shit, like not making the bed right, and not eating your peas, and that.’

  ‘For peeing in the bed, more like, knowing you!’ Pete snorted.

  ‘Get lost!’

  ‘The Grange in the Moss is all right,’ Jimmy went on. ‘The staff are pretty cool, and the—’

  ‘The Moss is shit!’ Vinnie cut in aggressively. ‘My old lady lives there, for a kick-off. And the five-o are a load of cunts.’

  ‘Tell me about it!’ Pete leaned forward animatedly. ‘I got pulled once, right, and they give me a proper kicking ’cos I wouldn’t tell ’em me name. They shit it when they found me picture in the missing-kids file!’ He laughed nastily. ‘They knew they’d cop for it, so they banged me up till the bruises had gone, then said they’d only just picked me up!’

  ‘Sounds about right,’ Vinnie said, adding slyly, ‘Mind, I’ve never been stupid enough to let ’em get a grip of me.’

  ‘Shit, man!’ Pete feigned admiration. ‘You must be well too smart for ’em!’

  ‘Wanker!’ Vinnie laughed, recognizing that he was being sent up.

  ‘Takes one to know one.’

  Thinking that it might not be so bad here after all, Vinnie asked what the score was on the bird front. He hadn’t seen anything of interest yet, but he was hoping that there’d be something tasty to pass the time.

  ‘Bag of shite, mate,’ Pete told him. ‘Most are too little, and the ones our age ain’t worth looking at.’

  ‘S-S-Sarah is,’ Ade said, blushing furiously when Vinnie immediately focused on him.

  ‘That r-r-right, is it?’ he mimicked cruelly. ‘So, who’s this S-S-S-Sarah, then?’

  ‘Leave it out, man.’ Pete frowned disapprovingly. ‘He can’t help it.’

  ‘I’m only messing.’ Vinnie winked at the still-blushing Ade. ‘So, tell us about these birds?’

  Still frowning, Pete said, ‘Well, there’s Ruth and Fiona, but they’re a right pair of dogs. Caroline’s all right, but she’s already hooked up. And Claire’s all-right-looking, but she’s well shady.’

  ‘Fat slag, more like!’ Jimmy muttered.

  ‘Sack that!’ Vinnie curled his lip. ‘I hate fat birds.’

  ‘She ain’t fat, she’s up the duff,’ Pete explained. ‘And she’s—’ He stopped abruptly when Dandi reappeared carrying a cup of tea. Snapping his mouth shut, he smiled up at her.

  ‘What were you talking about?’ she asked, narrowing her eyes.

  ‘Nowt.’ He shrugged innocently. ‘I was just telling Vinnie what a babe you are, that’s all.’

  ‘I bet!’ Dandi muttered. Handing the cup to Vinnie, she said, ‘You don’t mind if I leave you a little while longer, do you, only I want a quick word with your social worker. I’ll show you to your room when we’re finished.’

  Shrugging, Vinnie said, ‘These can take us, if you want?’

  ‘Well, yes, that’d be fine.’ Dandi smiled, pleased that he seemed to have accepted – and been accepted by – the others. ‘You’re in with Ade and Rob, for the time being. I’ll pop up and see you later.’

  Waiting until she was out of earshot, Vinnie asked who shared Pete’s room.

  ‘Me,’ Jimmy told him. ‘Why?’

  ‘’Cos you’re not no more,’ Vinnie said. ‘I am. You can go in with them.’

  ‘Cool with me,’ Pete said. ‘You all right with that, Jim?’

  ‘Whatever,’ Jimmy muttered, guessing correctly that he had no choice in the matter.

  Ade breathed a silent sigh of relief. The new lad frightened him, and he’d only been here ten minutes.

  ‘Right,’ Vinnie said. ‘Now that’s sorted, what was you saying about this Claire bird?’

  ‘Jeezus,’ Pete snorted. ‘You got the horn, or summat?’

  ‘Nah. I just like to know what’s on offer.’

  ‘Yeah, well, don’t even think about Claire.’ Pete lowered his voice so that the kids at the surrounding tables wouldn’t hear. ‘She’s a smack-head.’

  ‘Yeah?’ Vinnie’s eyebrows rose with interest. ‘Didn’t think you could get it round here.’

  Pulling his head back, Pete narrowed his eyes. ‘No way do you do that shit, man?’

  ‘Now and then,’ Vinnie lied, giving a casual shrug. He’d never actually touched the stuff in his life. But that didn’t mean he never would, and it wouldn’t hurt his cred any to let these idiots think he was into the heavy shit.

  ‘I’d keep that to yourself if you want to stay here,’ Pete warned him. ‘Dandi’s right down on drugs. She’d get you banged up for that.’

  ‘She’d have to catch me at it first,’ Vinnie drawled. Then, sitting bolt upright, he pointed towards the door. ‘Shit! Who’s that?’

  Following his ogling gaze, Pete saw Sarah Mullen descending the stairs. Pausing halfway, she drew her hair over her shoulder to resecure the bobble at the tail end of her thick plait.

  ‘That’s Sarah.’ He grinned. ‘Fit, eh?’

  ‘You can say that again!’ Vinnie couldn’t tear his gaze away. ‘She’s gorgeous!’

  ‘T-t-told you,’ Ade said quietly.

  ‘Fuck me,’ Vinnie went on. ‘I thought you said she wasn’t worth a look? I’d give it one any day!’

  Snorting dismissively, Pete said, ‘Yeah, well, forget it, mate, ’cos she hardly talks to no one, never mind giving it up.’

  ‘Not for you,’ Vinnie murmured as Sarah continued on her way, disappearing from view. ‘But I reckon I’d be in with a chance.’

  The other lads looked at each other and laughed.

  ‘What’s so funny?’ he demanded, glaring at them as he scraped his chair back.

  ‘Nowt, mate,’ Pete spluttered. ‘Good luck – that’s all I’ve got to say.’

  Unaware of the excitement that she had stirred, Sarah passed by the office on her way to the front door. Catching a snatch of the conversation going on within, she paused to listen.

  ‘You name it, Vinnie’s done it,’ a woman was saying. ‘Theft, burglary, joyriding . . . The list is endless.’

  ‘And just fourteen,’ Dandi tut-tutted quietly. ‘What a waste.’

  ‘Mmmm, well, he’s walking the wire this time, and he knows it. One more incident and he’s for the chop. He only escaped remand this time because you agreed to take him on.’

  ‘Oh, I’m sure we’ll coax his better side to the surface.’ Dandi sounded confident.

  ‘If he stays around long enough,’ the woman replied knowingly. ‘He also has a very interesting line in absconding – usually involving stolen cars, so I’d keep all keys out of his way if I were you . . . and money, and credit cards, and—’

  ‘Sarah!’

  Starting guiltily, Sarah turned to see an unf
amiliar boy rushing towards her. Guessing him to be the infamous Vinnie of the unimpressive CV, she folded her arms.

  ‘It is Sarah, isn’t it?’ he asked, giving his best grin.

  ‘Yeah.’ She didn’t return the smile.

  ‘Er, right . . . Well, hi. I’m Vinnie.’

  ‘Uh huh.’

  ‘Yeah, Vinnie Walker.’ He was flustered by her coolness. ‘I’ve, er, just got here.’

  ‘And?’ She raised an eyebrow.

  Sticking his hands deep into his pockets, he said, ‘I just wanted to say hello.’

  ‘Well, now you have, so . . . bye.’

  Vinnie frowned when she turned on her heel and marched out of the door. Then he smiled as understanding sank in.

  Course! She fancies me. It’s obvious.

  Swaggering back to the dining room, he gave his new gang the thumbs-up.

  Sarah rushed to the bus stop around the corner, reaching it just as the bus trundled into view. Glancing back, she breathed a sigh of relief that the new boy hadn’t followed her. The last thing she needed was a lout like him trailing after her with his tongue hanging out, drawing attention to her comings and goings.

  Just wanted to say hello! Who did he think he was kidding?

  The bus pulled in, its door swishing smoothly open. Stepping forward, Sarah cried out when Claire Wilson hurtled off. Grabbing at the centre bar to steady herself, she yelled, ‘Watch it!’

  Turning on her, Claire said, ‘Get stuffed, you stupid bitch! That fat cow’s gonna send the pigs after me if I’m late!’

  ‘Never mind late, you’re off your head! And I’d stay out of Dandi’s way, if I was you, ’cos she’s got someone from Social Services in.’

  ‘She’s grassed me up!’ Claire screeched, turning in frantic circles on the pavement. ‘What’m I gonna do?’

  ‘Bloody hell, Claire, calm down!’ Sarah frowned. ‘It’s only the new lad’s social worker.’

  ‘New lad?’ Claire was confused. ‘What new lad?’

  ‘You getting on, or what?’ the bus driver called out through the door. ‘Only if you’re not, can you get your foot off the step?’

  ‘I’m coming,’ Sarah snapped back at him. ‘Look, Claire,’ she said then, ‘do yourself a favour and get your head down for a bit. I’ll come and see you when I get back, if you want?’

  ‘Whatever, Trevor,’ Claire muttered, waddling away, her step jerky and uncoordinated.

  Boarding the bus, Sarah went to the back seat and reached into her bag for a cigarette, wondering how the bright girl Claire had been just a few months ago had let herself sink so low. But she was so far gone now, she didn’t seem to know – or care – that she was destroying herself. And what was the point of worrying about her if she wasn’t worried about herself?

  Back at the home, Vinnie was bugging Pete for information as he followed him to the bedroom. Jimmy was already there, packing his things into a rucksack.

  ‘Want a hand?’ Pete asked.

  ‘No, he don’t,’ Vinnie said, pulling him aside. ‘Come on, man. I’ve got to know about her.’

  ‘Where d’y’ want these?’ Rob interrupted, carrying Vinnie’s rucksack in, trailed by Ade struggling with a heavy case.

  ‘Over there.’ Vinnie waved towards the bed. ‘How old is she? What’s she here for? Where does she go when she goes out?’

  ‘Jeezus!’ Laughing, Pete threw his hands over his ears. ‘Give it a rest, man!’

  ‘Aw, come on,’ Vinnie persisted. ‘I need to know . . . Oi!’ This directed at Ade, who was hefting the case none too gently onto the bed. ‘Break any of my stuff, I’ll rip your bleeding bollocks off!’

  ‘S-s-sorry,’ Ade stuttered unhappily. ‘It’s h-heavy.’

  ‘Well, you’ve done it now, so piss off!’ Vinnie snarled, motioning the smaller boy out of the room with a flick of his head. ‘You an’ all,’ he said then, glaring at Jimmy and Rob.

  ‘See you later, Pete,’ Jimmy said, snapping the clasps on his rucksack. ‘Give us a shout if I’ve left anything.’ Frowning at Vinnie, he followed Ade and Rob out.

  ‘Where d’y’ find them idiots?’ Vinnie sneered when the door had closed behind them.

  ‘Ah, they’re all right.’ Throwing himself onto his bed, Pete pulled a pack of cigarettes from under the mattress and threw one to Vinnie. Opening the window, he said, ‘Flick it out here or Dandi’ll kick off. Fire hazard, and that.’

  Smirking, Vinnie said, ‘You don’t half worry what Dandi’s gonna say, don’t you? You fancy her, or summat?’

  ‘Behave!’ Pete snorted. ‘She’s old enough to be me Nan!’

  ‘Bollocks. You’re gagging for it.’

  ‘Piss off.’

  ‘Anyhow, never mind her, how old’s Sarah?’

  ‘Too old for you,’ Pete smirked. ‘Nearly fifteen.’

  ‘When’s her birthday?’

  ‘Why? Gonna get her a prezzie?’

  ‘Might.’

  ‘Forget it.’ Pete blew a smoke ring. ‘Like I said before, she don’t bother with no one.’

  ‘Yeah, but she fancies me.’

  ‘Dream on.’

  ‘Yeah, well, you’ll see. So, what else d’y’ know?’

  Pete shrugged. ‘Hardly ever see her, she’s always out. I don’t know why she’s here, ’cos she don’t tell no one nothing. And I don’t know nowt else, so don’t bother asking.’

  Finishing his cigarette in silence, Vinnie threw it out of the window and pursed his lips thoughtfully. If there were anything else to know about Sarah Mullen, he would find out one way or another.

  Raised voices and the pounding of feet came from the corridor outside. Cocking his head, Pete said, ‘Sounds like Claire’s kicking off again.’

  ‘Might as well have a nosy,’ Vinnie said, heading for the door. ‘Coming?’

  ‘Nah.’ Pete lay back against his pillow and laced his fingers behind his head. ‘Seen it all before.’

  ‘I’m not going!’ Claire flailed her arms as she marched along the corridor with Dandi in hot pursuit. ‘And you can’t make me, so piss off!’

  ‘You left me no choice,’ Dandi puffed, almost trotting in an effort to catch up. ‘You’re a danger to yourself and the baby, and Hillgate have got the facilities to give you the care you need. Anyway, it’s approved. You’re going tonight – like it or not.’

  ‘Oh, am I? We’ll see about that, won’t we?’

  Catching up with Claire at the head of the stairs, Dandi grabbed her arm. ‘Let’s not be silly about this. It’s for your own good.’

  ‘Get your fucking hands off me!’ Claire yelled, tearing her arm free. ‘Touch me again and I’ll say you were feeling me up, you fat freak! I hate you!’ Lashing out, she caught Dandi a glancing blow across the cheek.

  ‘Pack that in!’ Mark yelled, running up the stairs.

  ‘It weren’t me!’ Claire whined, pointing an accusing finger at Dandi. ‘It was her! She was messing about with me, Mr Chambers!’

  ‘Enough!’ he barked. ‘I saw exactly what happened, and Dandi did not touch you in an inappropriate way. Now, stop all this nonsense and go to your room and pack.’

  ‘Fuck you!’ Claire hissed, backing away from Mark. ‘Fuck you both! And get out of my way or I’m gonna . . .’ Pausing mid-sentence, she glanced wildly around. Then, hawking up noisily in her throat, she spat on his foot. Laughing maniacally, she pushed past him and galloped down the stairs, screaming obscenities back over her shoulder.

  ‘Get back here!’ Mark bellowed after her.

  ‘Leave her.’ Dandi patted his arm. ‘She’ll come back when she calms down.’

  ‘And if she doesn’t?’ Scowling with disgust at the mess sliding down his shoe, he took a tissue from his pocket and wiped it off. ‘You know where she’ll go now, don’t you? Straight back to that man she’s been seeing.’

  ‘What can I do about it?’ Dandi gave a small, helpless shrug. ‘I can’t exactly chain her to the bed, can I?’

  ‘No, but we can’t stand by and
watch her destroy herself, either. Have you checked out that address in her diary yet?’

  ‘Yes.’ Dandi sighed. ‘But you were right, it was false. You can say I told you so, if you like.’

  ‘There’s got to be something we can do. How about following her?’

  ‘There’s no point. She’ll be long gone by now. We’ll just have to wait till she comes back then get her off to Hillgate as soon as.’

  ‘What if she doesn’t come back?’

  ‘Then I’ll call the police. Now, can we stop fretting and get on with our work?’

  ‘You’re the boss.’

  ‘Well, do as you’re told and make me a cuppa, then,’ Dandi said, smiling when Mark saluted and set off down the stairs. ‘I’ll be down in a minute. I just want to make sure Rosie’s okay.’

  Turning, she jumped when she saw Vinnie loitering in his bedroom doorway. Walking towards him, she grinned sheepishly. ‘I suppose you saw all that? I bet you’re wondering what kind of a madhouse we’re running here.’

  ‘It’s all right. I like a good scrap.’

  ‘Mmm.’ Dandi pursed her lips. ‘Well, it’s not exactly the ideal welcome, but I guess when you’ve seen the worst the rest can only be better. So,’ she looked past him into the room, ‘you decided to swap with Jimmy, did you?’

  ‘Yeah.’ Edging around her, Vinnie went and sat on his bed. ‘Me and Pete are gonna share.’

  ‘Oi, Dandi,’ Pete called out. ‘Tell him to get his shit put away, will you? He’s made a right tip of it.’

  ‘And there was me thinking you’d been burgled!’ She glanced pointedly around the messy room. ‘Still, I’m sure you’ll have it tidy by dinner time.’

  ‘I ain’t doing it!’ Pete snorted. ‘That’s Jimmy’s job.’

  ‘Not any more,’ she reminded him. ‘Was he all right about moving, by the way?’

  ‘Yeah, he’s cool.’

  ‘Oh, well, as long as everyone’s happy.’ Dandi made a mental note to double-check with Jimmy that he hadn’t been bullied into the move. The two bigger lads seemed to have formed quite a team already. ‘Well, I’ll leave you to it, then. Show Vinnie where everything is, and tell him all the times for meals and what have you.’

  Closing the door, she went along to the girls’ landing to check on Rosie – Claire’s eight-year-old roommate. As if the poor little thing hadn’t suffered enough already, Claire’s violent reaction to the news of her transfer had terrified Rosie.