The Estate_Revenge is a Dish Best Served Cold

by Karen Woods

  John walked straight into the kitchen. “Have you got a cloth I can use?”

  Melanie rushed about looking for something for him to clean his face with. All she could find was a tea-towel. “Here, wet the end of that, I’ll get you some soap.” Melanie rushed upstairs into the bathroom and grabbed the bar of green Palmolive soap. When she returned John had his head hung over the sink swilling his face. The water was bright red, he must have been bleeding badly. “Here you go, do you want me to help you?”

  “No, just leave me alone for a few minutes will you while I sort myself out?”

  Melanie never flinched, she just stood watching him. Once his face was cleaned she passed him a towel to dry himself. “Come on then, what’s gone on?”

  John sat down at the kitchen table and ragged his fingers through his hair. He kept the towel firmly pressed at the side of his head to stop the bleeding. “I had a beef with Lenny Jackson. He got a few lucky shots at me that’s all.”

  “Why were you fighting with him?”

  John bit down hard on his lip. He lied. “He thinks he can work on my turf. I told him straight to stay the fuck away and he whacked me when I wasn’t looking. A liberty taker he is, shady bastard.” He was such a liar. He wouldn’t have known the truth if it hit him in the face. He’d told lie after lie.

  “I knew he was trouble when I seen him back on the estate. You should have heard what he was saying to me, he said you were sleeping with Diane behind my back.”

  John looked her directly in her eyes and shook his head. “Just ignore him. He’s out to cause trouble between us. He’s got a screw lose.”

  “That’s what I thought when he said it. So what now, are you going back to waste him or what? He took liberties with you so go and twat him all over.”

  John banged his flat palm on the table. “You just stay out of it. I will sort it my way. Do you think I’m going to let the ginger cunt get away with this, no way.”

  Melanie was sick to death of the way he was talking to her lately and she made sure he knew she wasn’t putting up with it any longer. “Don’t speak to me like I’m a dickhead. I’m your girlfriend so have some respect. I’m sick of you having a go at me for nothing and if it carries on you can do one and find someone who’ll put up with it, because I won’t.”

  He knew he’d upset her. It was all the stress getting to him, the lies, the betrayal, the baby. It was all lying heavily on his mind. He just sat looking at her, was he going to come clean and bare all? He reached over and touched the end of her fingertips. “Sorry, I’m just a bit stressed that’s all. I don’t mean to take it out on you but you’re the closest person to me and I just snap sometimes. My mam has always said that I have anger issues and I think she’s right. Once the red mist comes down that’s me, I can’t control my anger.”

  Melanie smiled. He said she was the closest person to him, how sweet was that? See, he wasn’t all bad, he did have a heart. “Where’s your mam and dad?” he asked with a cheeky smile.

  “My dad’s at work and my mam has nipped out to the market.”

  “So, we’re alone then?”

  “Yes, why?”

  “We can make the most of it and have a bit of slap and tickle if you’re up for it. It’s been ages since we did it.”

  Melanie fidgeted about, he was right, they hadn’t had sex for a few weeks. But she needed to freshen up, clean her lady garden. To make sure it was fresh and not smelly. She stood up and edged towards the kitchen door. “I just need a wee. Go in the living room and wait for me and I’ll have a think about it.”

  John slapped her arse as she squeezed past him. “You know it makes sense, go on hurry up.”

  Melanie was gone, and he walked into the front room. John sniffed up and pulled a sour face as he smelt the stale tobacco in the room. This was nothing like his home. The furniture was dated and everything about it was shabby. The checked curtains weren’t even lined. As he sat down he flicked the dust from the arm of a chair. Melanie ran into the bathroom with a pair of red knickers in her hand. There was no way she was having sex with the knickers she was wearing at the moment, they were grey and threadbare. She pulled her skirt down and rolled her panties down her thighs. She needed to do a quick check on her private parts now. She slid her index finger between her legs and brought it up to her nose to have a smell. She paused. It wasn’t that bad but still a bit of soap and water on it too freshen her up. Melanie quickly put her feet into the red knickers and rolled them up her thighs. A quick flick of her eyes in the mirror and she was ready.

  John hadn’t moved an inch when she came back into the room. He was scratching at his skin and thought something had bit him. Maybe the house had fleas. Melanie had a cat and it was always lying all over the furniture, scratching and vomiting fur balls out of its mouth. Melanie came back downstairs and sat next to him and he could smell the sweet aroma of the Charlie perfume she’d just squirted over her body. It wasn’t her scent, no, it was her mother’s. She only wore it on special occasions and the bottle was half full. She’d never miss a few squirts, would she? “You smell lovely.”

  Melanie never knew how to react to compliments, she was shy like that. Her cheeks beamed, and she didn’t know what to say. She peeled the tea towel from the side of his head and examined the small gash. “It looks like it’s stopping bleeding now. Do you want a plaster to put over it?”

  John used the edge of his finger to slide over the cut. “Yes please. But not a big daft massive one. Do you have a small one?”

  “I’ll go and have a look.” Melanie was rooting in the kitchen drawer, rummaging about. She found a plaster and hurried back to her lover. “Here, let me put in on for you.”

  Just as she peeled the plastic from the plaster she heard someone coming in through the front door. Shit, shit, and double shit. It was her mother back from shopping. John was alert, he shot a look over at her. “Who’s that?”

  “It will be my mam back from shopping.”

  He started to stand up. “I’ll get going then.”

  Melanie pushed him back down with a quick flick of her wrist. “No, stay where you are. You have to meet her sooner or later.”

  “Yeah but look at me I’m covered in claret. I can’t meet her like this.”

  “Don’t worry. I will just say you fell off your bike, she’ll be fine.”

  Marion was huffing and puffing in the kitchen. She shouted in to Melanie. “Bleeding hell, what’s all that blood over the sink, have you cut your finger again. How many times I have told you to be careful with them knives?”

  “It’s not my blood. It’s John, mam. He fell off his bike and cut his head open. Hold on a minute, I’ll come in and clean it.”

  Marion shouted back at her. “Who the bleeding hell is John?” She popped her head inside the living room and covered her mouth with her hand. “Oh, so you’re John. The famous one who my daughter doesn’t shut up about. It’s about time I met you.”

  Melanie was distraught, why on earth was she telling her boyfriend that she was always talking about him? She was trying to play it cool. Marion walked into the room and bent her knees slightly to look at the wounds. “You need to get some TCP on that cut. You have to make sure that it doesn’t get infected. I remember once when I cut my finger and I just thought it would get better on its own. What a mistake that was. The next day it swelled twice the size and I was in severe pain that was unbearable. I had to go to the doctors didn’t I Melanie? Do you remember? I couldn’t move it for weeks.”

  Melanie started laughed and raised her eyebrows. “Of course, I remember. How could I forget? You didn’t do any housework for weeks because of it. I had to do it all. I’m sure it was better a lot longer than you said it was.” Marion spluttered as she giggled. Of course, she made the most out of her injury. If there was any chance of a rest in this house, then she’d take it. Marion sat down and pulled her fags out of her pocket. “Have you heard anything from my dad?” Melanie enquired.

  Marion sparked her
fag up and sucked in a large mouthful of nicotine. “Yes, he wants us to talk tonight. I don’t know what I can say to tell you the truth.”

  Melanie sat back and replied. “Just see what he has to say and take it from there. To tell you the truth I miss him around the place. I know,” her eyes were wide open, “I never thought I’d say that about him but the house isn’t the same. It’s too quiet.” Melanie hadn’t told John about her family situation but maybe later she would fill him in.

  Marion changed the subject. “So John, I hope you’re looking after my girl. I won’t stand for any messing about where her heart is concerned.”

  “Mam,” Melanie shrieked.

  “No, I need to make sure he’s not taking the piss out of you. I know what these young lads are like and I’m not having you getting upset over one.” John didn’t know where to look. This woman had put him on the spot and she was waiting on his answer.

  “I will look after her. You don’t have to worry,” John replied.

  Marion studied him and nodded her head. “It’s all good then, I won’t have to chop your bollocks off will I?”

  Melanie covered her mouth with her hand. “John, just ignore her. She’s so embarrassing sometimes.”

  Marion stubbed her cigarette out in the ashtray and stood up. “Does anyone want a brew? I’m spitting feathers.”

  John declined and sat forward. “No thanks, I’m going to get going now.”

  Melanie was deflated. Her afternoon delights were ruined. She’d had a wash and changed her knickers for nothing. She stood up and walked him to the door. “Go home and get sorted out and I’ll call round in a bit. We can watch a film and,” she smirked, “we can have that slap and tickle you were talking about.”

  John agreed and kissed her on the cheek. “I’ll hold you to that. What time are you thinking of coming because I have to nip out.”

  “No worries, I’ll go to Diane’s for a bit then call at yours after that.”

  John walked off and Melanie felt the warmth in her heart rise as she watched him disappear into the distance. Marion was stood at the window watching him leave. As soon as Melanie came back into the room she voiced her opinion. “Don’t ask me why, but I have a gut feeling about that one. There’s just something about him that’s a bit shady.”

  “Mam, don’t say things like that. John is a nice lad, he would never hurt me.”

  “Erm, let’s see. I hope I’m wrong.” Marion turned to face her daughter. “Come on then, clean this blood up. It looks like an animal has been slaughtered in here.”

  Melanie grabbed the grubby dishcloth from the side and started to wipe the kitchen side down. “Mam, I’ve made some enquiries down at the town hall on how to find adoption records.”

  Marion flipped out. “What have I told you? Leave it well alone. If I wanted to find him then I would have done it myself. Stop it right now, you’re making my nerves bad. Stop interfering in things that don’t concern you.”

  Melanie flung the dishcloth back in the sink. She was only trying to help, what was her problem? “What time is my dad coming? Do you want me to stay with you or are you alright on your own?”

  “I’m fine love, you just do what you’re doing, don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine.”

  “Just listen to what he has to say. At the end of the day you should have told him about William. I know it must have been so hard for you but he would have understood.”

  “Maybe you’re right. But I can’t change the past, can I? I will listen to him but if he starts shouting and screaming then he can take a run and a jump.”

  Melanie hugged her mother. “Right, I’m off out. I’m going to see Diane then I’m off to John’s to watch a film. I won’t be that late, but don’t wait up for me.”

  “Alright love, hopefully me and your dad can sort this mess out and get back to normal. Don’t you be worrying about us two.”

  “I’m not. I just want you back together, that’s all.” Melanie left the house slamming the front door behind her. She was so heavy handed.

  John checked his watch. He needed to get a move on. He marched through the estate and was sweating when he arrived at the Two Hundred pub. He was shady as he sat in an alleyway watching all the goings on outside the boozer, his home. John kept touching his leg. There was something down the side of his tracksuit bottoms. Cars kept going past and his head was bobbing in and out of the alleyway. Where the hell were they? Hold on, a silver car pulled up and he could see Jordan for the first time. He was alert as he watched the deal take place. A parcel was handed over to Jordan and he shoved it straight down his coat. It was as quick as that, done in seconds. The silver car drove off. John stood tall and the vein at the side of his neck was popping. He watched Jordan walking towards him and he pulled the silver bar from his tracksuit bottoms. He gripped it with all his might and raised it back over his head ready to strike. It all happened so fast. The blow was spot on, it hit him right on the side of the head and sent his body crashing to the floor. John had to be quick, make sure nobody saw him. He booted Jordan in his stomach and kept kicking him until he was unable to take anymore. John’s words were chilling. “Drugs! Give me the fucking drugs.” He dragged Jordan’s coat and rummaged inside it, frantically. He’d got what he wanted and got on his toes. He kept his head low and sprinted through the estate. He’d done it, the big game changer he needed in his life. This was going to put him on the map, make sure he was one of the top dogs and not someone’s lacky anymore.

  An hour had passed, and John snuck into the boozer and headed straight upstairs. No one would ever suspect him. He’d ran from the scene of the crime and doubled back to his parent’s house. Once he was upstairs he stripped off and threw his clothes into the wash basket. He had to be quick and get changed. Melanie would be here anytime soon, and he needed her as his alibi. He shoved his shorts on and a white crew neck t-shirt and flung his body onto the sofa. The drugs were stashed for now and in time he would start his own master plan of becoming the top dog in the area.

  Donny paced up and down. He was raging. “I’ll kill the cunt when I find out who it is. Who the fuck do they think they are messing with? I’ll put them in a fucking body bag.”

  Lenny sat listening, he snarled over at Jordan. “So, tell me what happened again. A guy just whacked you over the head and taxed you.”

  Jordan was in bits and he was holding his ribs. “He just come from nowhere, he must have been watching me.”

  Donny stood tall and his nostrils flared. “Something is not right here. It’s an inside job.”

  Lenny sat thinking and ran to Jordan’s side. He gripped him by the throat and started to squeeze his windpipe until he was unable to breathe. “You set it up didn’t you. Go on admit it?” Jordan’s feet were twitching, he was suffocating, eyes bulging from their sockets.

  Donny was involved now and ragged Lenny’s hands from him. “How the fuck can he speak when you’re choking the fucker. Let him go a minute and he’ll talk.”

  Jordan was gasping for air, coughing and spluttering. Once he could breathe he stuttered. “On my life, I know fuck all. Donny, you know me, I’m not a shady bastard.” Donny studied him for a few seconds. He shot a look at Lenny. “No, he’s got nothing to do with it, leave him be.”

  Jordan was an alright lad and it just wasn’t in his make-up to rip anybody off but Lenny was still pumping with rage. Donny had to say it again and this time his voice was fierce. “I said, back the fuck off.”

  Jordan was repeating his story again and again. “He just come from nowhere, he was watching me for sure.”

  Donny sat down and ragged his fingers through his hair. “Get the word out on the street. I want to know everyone who is dealing weed. They will have to get rid of it somewhere. Lenny, phone the lads in the area and tell them the score.”

  Lenny was on the blower straight away. This was a code red in the drugs world. There was a rat in the camp and this was not going to be taken lightly by any of the dealers. You don’t shit on y
our own doorstep. Of course they went and robbed grows from other areas. But they never touched any on their own turf. It was the law of the jungle. Jordan sat shaking, his body was in so much pain and he was spitting blood. Donny patted him on his shoulder. “Sorry about that mate. Go on, go and get cleaned up. I’ll come and see you later.”

  “Donny. I want this prick caught as much as you do. I swear, when I find out who it is I’ll blast the cunt myself.” Donny watched him leave and sat in deep thought. He sat cracking his knuckles. Nobody had him over, nobody.

  Melanie snuggled up to John on the sofa. They were watching a film and he seemed to be distracted. Where was his usual charm, his seductive manner? She tickled his side and spoke to him. “You’re quiet tonight, what’s up?”

  He snapped out of daze and answered her. “Nothing, I’m just knackered that’s all.”

  Melanie was expecting some sex, and not once had he made a move on her. She moved in for a kiss and looked deep into his eyes hoping he would liven up and start to fondle her. But he turned away and carried on watching the TV. She felt a boiling in her stomach travelling up to her throat. She had to say something. “I thought we were doing stuff tonight,” she said.

  “No, my mam has been up and down the stairs all night and she would go mad if she caught us bang at it,” John protested.

  Melanie sighed. Thank God for that, she thought he was going off her. “Oh, right. I was wondering why you weren’t all over me.”

  She watched him as his eyes started to close slowly. Bloody hell, she may as well have stayed at Diane’s, at last she could have a laugh there. “I’ll get going home if you’re tired then,” she said, hoping he would change his tune.

  He opened his eyes quickly and touched the top of her shoulder. “Sorry, I just can’t keep my eyes open. Yeah, get going if you want?”

  Melanie wriggled from the side of him and stood up searching for her coat. “We’ll go to the pictures tomorrow if you want? We haven’t done anything together for ages.”