by Clive Barry
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
‘Right my love, that’s the easy part, now it starts to get a bit more difficult.’
Sally had left her mam and dads house with both Dave and a vase in tow. Both Mam and Dad giving her the secret thumbs up, with a wink and a smile as she exited the front door.
They were both now heading towards the school where the sure test of Dave’s diplomacy skills would be established.
‘That went well don’t you think?’ Sally was looking at Dave for his reaction to meeting her parents.
‘They’re really lovely people Sal, how longs your dad been ill?’
‘It’s been a few years now, that’s why the lads run the boat. They coulda got rid of it but it woulda broke me dads heart. Paul came back from Afghanistan to help Mike when Dad took his bad turn. None of us thought he was gonna make it through he was that bad, but he did.’
‘So, Paul was in the forces then? What section?’
‘Ya, he was a Corporal in the Royal Marine Commando’s, he’s a big roughy toughy, pussy cat.’
‘If he was in the Green Beret’s he’s definitely a bit on the roughy toughy side. Pussy cat, I’m not so sure about, maybe mountain lion.’
The two of them laughed as they came to Jenny’s house. Sally went straight around to the back door and there was Jenny with her husband Geoff, both pottering in the garden.
‘Hya folks, I brought someone to meet yeh.’
Jenny and Geoff both turned to see who the new stranger was holding on to Sally hand. It was Geoff that came straight over dusting the soil off on the side of his overalls and shaking Dave’s proffered hand, followed closely behind by Jenny, who had scrutinized him within seconds of their arrival and had already made up her mind as to whether she liked him a millisecond later.
‘I’ll put the kettle on, away in Sally.’
Sally let go of her new beau, leaving him behind to discuss the garden and weather with Geoff while she went indoors to get a first hand assessment from Jenny.
‘Ooh, he seems a bit of alright, I do like the looks of him our Sally. When you’ve finished with ‘im, pass what’s left over for me to play with will yeh?
‘Sod off, he’s mine, I think I might just be keepin’ ‘im forever.’
‘Well my girl, I don’t think I would be blamin’ yeh for that. So, are you taking him to the school to pick up the bairns?’
‘Ya, figured I’m gonna have to get it over and done with and the sooner the better. I don’t know what’s gonna be worse, the kids or those nasty cows waiting for their kids.’
‘Oh, believe me our Sal, it’s not gonna be your bairns, there adaptable. He’s young, friendly, nice looking, your bairns are gonna take to him. Does he like kids? has he got any?’
‘I know he hasn’t got any, but I didn’t think to ask if he likes ‘em or not.’
‘Well I wouldn’t worry too much pet. Lookin’ at him he likes you a ton load, so he’s probably prepared to like what comes with yeh as well.’
The tea was made, and the lasses took it out to the lads in the garden where they all sat on the picnic bench in the warm spring sunshine. Everyone got to know one another before it was time to get ready and go for the bairns.
It was Jenny who spoke to Dave in her best imitation of a deep manly voice.
‘Right Dave lad, you ‘ave succeeded in completing yer first two challenges. The parents and the mates, now the final two are the most difficult. The kids and the other mothers, how do yeh feel? Ready to back out yet?’
‘No, not yet, I think I should be able to handle the kids, but I gotta admit the other mothers are makin’ me feel a bit queasy.’
They all laughed and agreed, then Sally said.
‘Well come on then, let’s go and get this over with.’
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Everything was set. Hamiti had spoken to his man and explained what he wanted and how he wanted it doing. It was all a matter of playing the waiting game now.
There was no need to speak to Mr Demaci. The boss had already expressed a wish to keep out of this affair. He had far more important dealings requiring his organizational skills and had left this personal hiccough to Hamiti to sort out. Demaci didn’t want to get involved.
This jumped up English nobody, could not speak and act the way he did to Bashkim Hamiti, not without reprisals being forthcoming. He was going to wonder what had hit him and when he did, he would carry the scars very deeply and the pain would last for the rest of his days.
Hamiti had spent the earlier part of the afternoon resetting his nose and bathing his face to allow the swelling to recede. This being completed, it was now time to consider something to eat, which he hadn’t really thought about all day. All this retributional organizing had made him lose his appetite for a while, but now it was back with a vengeance. Besides he had a few hours to kill before his plan would be put into action.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
‘So, our Paulie, what we gonna do with this fuckin’ lot? Are we just gonna hide it all again, or give it back to its rightful fuckin’ owners? Or maybe give it to our Sal even, she could probably do with it about now.’
Mike couldn’t believe what he was holding and after counting it again, found it all to be there, not a penny or a packet missing.
‘I really don’t think there’s any point givin’ it back to those fuckin’ Albanian’s now, do you? I mean, they already think Charlie has it and after what you did earlier to Hamiti, it’s not likely they’re gonna let bygones be fuckin’ bygones are they? They’re just gonna think we fuckin’ lied in the first place and we just want them to leave us alone now, aren’t they?’
‘I guess, so do we give it to our Sal then?’
‘No, I don’t think so. Well at least not yet anyway. Sal’s seein’ Dave now and she doesn’t really need something like this getting’ in her fuckin’ way, does she? Him bein’ a bobby an’ all. No, I think we should either take it home, which I don’t wanna do cos we already been searched once, and they may just come back again, or we hide it in some better fuckin’ place.’
‘We don’t need to keep the drugs though, do we? I mean, it’s one thing bein’ caught with big pennies, it’s summit else bein’ caught with coke and a smile.’
‘You’re right Mikey, we get rid of the fuckin’ smack and hide the pennies, okay?’
With a plan of action, the lads took the little parcels out of the bag, wrapping the rolls of notes back up in the greasy M and S bag. Mike then pushed the bag into the toes of his big steel tipped waders, tucking a pair of heavy woollen socks in after them and throwing the whole lot into the back of the car with the fishing gear on top.
There were a few of the other lads working on their boats at the other end of the compound and it wasn’t unusual to see some of them lighting small stoves to heat soup or water for a brew while they worked. So that’s what the brothers did. They poured water into the small pan they carried on board and lit the Calor Gaz primer stove dissolving the small packets of cocaine into the boiling water. Mike then lobbed the whole liquid cocaine soup from the top of the boat over the chain link fence into the waste ground next to the compound. The little plastic envelopes were also put into the small pan and melted down into a single plastic mass. Once the little blob had cooled, that too was Frisbeed onto the waste ground over the chain link fence. The lads figured there were all sorts of drug related paraphernalia over in that area, a bit more wouldn’t be noticed. No one was going to be able use it at least.
‘Right mate, another good job done. Shall we give this paint work a bit more attention before we fuck off. Then at least it won’t be a total waste of a fuckin’ day.’
‘Aye okay, do you know where the scrapers are then?’
‘Fuck off.’
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Sally and Dave walked hand in hand to the school with Jenny walking alongside.
The two of them made a very impressive young couple, tall, slim, fresh faced. This was going to give t
he women of the school yard something to talk about for a very long time.
As they stood outside the gates, they were amazed how many smiled and some actually came over to talk to Sally waiting to be introduced to the new man in her life. Was it just a short while ago these same vulturous women condescendingly smiled at her from a distance for wearing two black eyes, a bust lip and being married to a fat waste of space. Smile they might, friends, they never were.
They’d been stood outside the gates for less than ten minutes when the big doors opened and that mass of infantile humanity spewed out. All shouting and calling to each other, dragging jackets and coats on the ground with oversized school bags thrown over their tiny little shoulders.
They saw the two kids in the yard talking to their friends and not paying the slightest attention to Sally and Dave. Little Georgia was the first to walk over and hold her mams hand, still talking to her small friend, totally unaware that her mam’s other hand was holding that of a complete strangers. It was in fact little Charlie who walked out of the big school gates observing his mam was with someone new.
Sheepishly he came closer and Sally smiled saying to the two of them.
‘Charlie, Georgia, I want you to meet a really good friend of mine. His name’s Dave and I think you’re really gonna like him and get on well with him.’
‘Hello,’ said Charlie in a shy quiet whisper.
‘Are you gonna be our new Dad now cos the old one’s left us,’ asked gobby little Georgia in a far from subtle, much louder and more forceful voice.
It was Dave who took the initiative saying.
‘I’m not too sure about bein’ your Dad or anything, but how about we start by getting’ to know each other for a while and maybe we can become really good friends to start with?’
Both kids thought that being really good friends was a great idea and nodded in agreement.
Sally then asked the kids if they thought that maybe Dave might like to stay for his tea at their house, with a resounding ‘yes’ coming from them both.
Then Dave asked Sally if she would mind him treating them all to pizza from the local takeaway, which won him some serious brownie points all round.
While they stood waiting for the pizza order to be completed, Sally walked around to Mr Patel’s and bought a large Pepsi. When she stepped back outside, there was Dave with one hand holding a pepperoni, a margarita and a mushroom pizza and it looked like Georgia had made claim to the other hand. They shared the pizzas out with Sally, Dave and little Charlie carrying one each and Georgia carrying the Pepsi, heading home for their afternoon feast.
The four of them walked back with both kids telling Dave all he would ever need to know and some things he really didn’t need to hear, about their young lives.
Their likes, dislikes, favourite games and movies, in the space of the few minutes it took to arrive outside Sally’s front door, Dave was fully conversant with the total history of both Sally’s children.
Plates and glasses were set out in the kitchen at the little bench table by little Charlie trying his hardest to impress their new guest on how grown up he was. While Georgia tore lengths of kitchen towel for everyone to wipe their fingers and mouths on. Sally put her flowers into the vase she’d been carrying and had managed to get home in one piece.
Everyone was having a good time and they were sharing the last of the Pepsi out when there was a knock at the door and Paul and Mike walked in.
‘Now then, what’s goin on ‘ere? Are yeh ‘avin a party and yeh didn’t bother to invite us?’
‘This is Dave, uncle Paul and uncle Mikey. He had tea at our ‘ouse and he’s our Mam’s very goodest best friend.’ announced Georgia.
‘Well, in that case, we’re very happy to meet yeh Dave and we’re really pleased that you’re our Sally’s goodest best friend.’
Both kids laughed at uncle Paul as he picked little Charlie up by the waist of his pants and sat down in his place at the table. There was plenty of left over pizza for the two brothers and it didn’t take them too long to devour the remainder.
The brothers went through the game with the two little ones, showing that everyone was happy, then the kids left to watch their telly before bed time.
The grownups chatted in general and Dave announced he was going to have to leave because he’d been called for a midnight shift and wanted to grab a couple of hour’s kip first.
Sally walked him to the front door, closing the kitchen door over as she went through.
She put her arms around Dave’s neck and kissed him. This was a long lingering kiss with a lot of feeling and Dave reciprocated in the same manner. They’d moved on in such a short time and were starting to enjoy each other both mentally and physically.
‘That wasn’t so bad then, was it,’ said Sally pulling her mouth away.
‘No, it wasn’t, you can do that any time yeh like Sal.’
‘I didn’t mean that,’ she said chuckling quietly, ‘I meant, meeting me family and kids and stuff.’
‘Oh, no it wasn’t sweetheart, but I can’t say I’m not glad that bits finished. I guess that’s the hardest part over with then eh? But listen me bonny lass, I really gotta go and I’ll see yeh tomorrow okay.’
‘Aye, okay, see yeh tomorrow then, bye for now Dave, an’ take care.’
They both kissed again and Sally stood on the step waving as Dave started the Golfs engine and drove off. Sally let go a big sigh, I’m really starting to enjoy this, she thought.
Back in the kitchen, Sally had to take a ribbing from her big brothers, then Paul said.
‘Right Sal, now that your goodest best friend has left, we got stuff to discuss.’
Paul explained about finding the cash and smack and how they’d stashed the money again and got rid of the drugs. Sally was gob smacked to think someone could have taken it and then brought it back again. Who would do that? Now what do we do?
‘The thing is Sal, you should start and make a claim with social, cos nobody’s gonna believe Charlie left you with owt before he fucked off.’
‘Right, I shall do that first thing after I drop the kids off at school in the morning. What else?’
‘Be careful, I know yeh really like Dave an’ all, and he seems quite taken by you as well. God only knows why mind, but just remember though, he is and always will be a cop.’
With that the brothers said their farewell’s and told Sally they would see her sometime later tomorrow.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
Bashkim Hamiti had showered and put on fresh clean clothes. Tonight, he was treating himself to a nice meal in a good Greek restaurant in town. He might even partake of a few drinks and a bottle of red wine he thought.
Hamiti was not celebrating anything special, well at least not yet, the young pup was going to get his comeuppance but that would be cause for celebration at a later date. No, Bashkim Hamiti was working on his alibi and he figured the best one to have would be whilst sat in a nice restaurant surrounded by other diners all able to vouch that he was there when young Mr Vickers was punished.
He had a reservation for nine at the Athena, a Greek restaurant in the middle of the city. His taxi was booked for eight thirty and so that was another witness to add to the list should he be asked. A bit of a shame there wasn’t a young lady to take with him. It seemed like it had been quite a while since he’d had any female company and a much longer time since he’d had any sex. Maybe that was why he was so angry with the young Englishman, Bashkim Hamiti probably needed to get laid.
The car was on time. Hamiti ordered an Ouzo at the bar while he looked over the menu, ordering the grilled Haloumi and a squeeze of lemon as his starter, followed by the Greek salad and fried calamari for his main course with dolmathakia, green olives and several other side dishes as was the Greek tradition.
The waiter sat him at a decent table with his back to the wall, a personal preference of his to be able to watch who entered and who left, with little chance of someone coming up behind him unexpe
ctedly.
Hamiti also ordered a nice bottle of the Xinomavro red to drink with his altogether very pleasant meal.
Halfway through eating, his mobile rang. He answered before the third ring and listened without saying a word. At the end of the very one sided conversation, Hamiti replied.
‘Yes, go ahead and let me know in the morning how you got on.’
Hamiti then continued with his nice Greek dinner.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
The lads had left and Sally bathed the kids ready for bed. She then read them a short story, whilst watching them fall asleep half way through. It had been a long day for all of them, but Sally couldn’t remember one quite as happy as this.
She tried watching a bit of telly but there was nothing on to take her interest, so she figured she may as well have an early night herself. She got into her pyjamas and was just getting comfy when her mobile on the bedside cabinet rang.
‘Hello?’
‘Hya sweetheart, it’s just me.’
‘What you doin phonin’ single women at this time of the night? Anyway, I thought you was goin’ to get some sleep?’
‘I was, but I couldn’t, I just can’t get you out of my mind Sal.’
‘Good, isn’t that how it’s supposed to be like, or are yeh just supposed to drive away and just forget about us.’
‘I don’t think there’s any chance of that happenin’.’
‘Well good again. I was havin’ the same problem actually. I came up to bed early meself. It’s all quiet here, the lads ‘ave gone home and the bairns are in bed fast asleep, so I figured I might as well have an early night as well.’
‘Well I’ll let you go then, just thought I’d call.’
‘It’s always nice to know the local constabulary is takin’ such a keen interest in the safety of us single mams and checkin’ in on us before we go nighty, nights.’
Both Sally and Dave were flirting and smiling on their respective ends of the phone.
‘Hey Sal?’
‘Yes David.’
