by Karen Woods
Tony’s eyes were stretched wide open and a hot flush filled his face. What did she mean? Pay him with sex, a blow-job? His mind was racing and he had to pinch himself to make sure this was really happening. “Cash will be fine,” he said as casually as he could manage.
Sue looked at him. “Can you start as soon as possible? Maybe, tomorrow?”
“Yeah that’s sweet. I mean, that’s fine.”
She smiled and started to walk back into the house. “Would you like something to eat before you leave. I was just going to make a sandwich if you want one too?”
Tony refused. He needed to get out of here and start working on his body. This woman was well up for it and if she would have seen his thin scrawny body naked, she would have changed her mind in an instant. No, this job was a God send in more ways than one and he wasn’t going to mess it up. If he played his cards right, he could be Lord of the Manor here, the governor. “No thanks. I’ll be getting on my way, if that’s alright. I’ll be here bright and early in the morning. Do you have gardening tools, or do you want me to bring my own?” Tony was talking out of his arse as per usual. He didn’t own a single spade, never mind any gardening tools.
Sue paused, “No, I have everything you need right here.” She was looking at him again in a way that told him she was up for a lot more than just gardening. Mickey would never believe this story in a million years, no way in this world. Tony made his way to the door and turned around one last time before he left. “Thank you for the job. I’ll see you tomorrow Sue.”
“I’m looking forward to it,” she said in husky voice.
Tony waited until he was out of the garden and punched his fist into the air and spoke to himself. “You’ve still got it Tony lad. Get in there. She’s gagging for it. Give it a few weeks and she’ll be begging for it.” Tony had a spring in his step and the dark cloud that had been hanging over his head lately seemed to be lifting.
*
Tony hammered on Mickey’s door with both hands. He was just going to walk past his mate’s house but he needed a piss. Was this a really good idea coming here? Temptation would be right in front of him; drugs and tablets, were all there for the taking if he wanted them. Mickey opened the door as Tony pushed passed him. “Fuck me. Hello stranger. I thought you’d passed away. Where have you been hiding?”
Tony ran into the toilet and shouted from behind the door. “I’ve been sorting my head out pal. It’s been hard I can tell you” he said above the noise of the toilet flushing. Tony opened the door and followed Mickey into the front room. “Fuck me, this place looks like a bomb has hit it,” Tony stressed.
Mickey shot a look over at him and raised his eyebrows high. “Fuck off. It never bothered you before. Don’t start all this shit now you’re off the gear, Mr Fucking Perfect.”
“Nar, I’m just saying that’s all.”
There was an awkward silence. Mickey studied his mate and you could tell by the look in his eye that he was up to something. “So, how’s it been, being off the drugs?”
Up until now Tony had been looking like death warmed up, but today he seemed to have a lovely pink glow in his cheeks. “It’s different. Life doesn’t make sense anymore. I just seem to be sat in the house staring at four walls. I mean, before I was out grafting, wasn’t I?”
Mickey snarled over at him. “Yes, you were with me, but now you have just sold me out.”
“No, it’s not like that Mickey. I needed to sort my napper out. Elsie was throwing me out and our Emily turned snide on me too. They’re all I’ve got mate. Without them I’d curl up in a ball and die. I need to at least give it a go. I can’t be a junkie forever, can I?”
Mickey pulled out a small bag from his jeans. His eyes were wide open, and he was giggling. “So, you won’t want a smoke of this then, will you? One last toot with your old pal?”
Tony lost all the colour from his cheeks. He was white. What the hell was Mickey playing at? He should have been praising his friend and wishing him all the luck in the world with his new life without drugs, not tempting him to fail, like he was doing.
Tony fixed his eyes on the brown powder and hugged his body with both arms. He licked his dry cracked lips and closed his eyes. Suddenly, he opened them and marched towards the door. “I’ve got to go Mickey. I’ll see you around. I can’t be around this shit anymore. I’m weak mate, very weak.”
Mickey shouted after him. “You’ll be back. Trust me. It won’t be long before your back on the gear. Once a smackhead, always a smackhead. Remember that pal.”
What a horrible bastard Mickey was; selfish and jealous. Tony stood with his back pinned up against the wall outside. His windpipe was tightening, and he was struggling to breathe. His mind was racing, and he was having a full-blown panic attack. He was talking to himself. “No, Tony. Get your arse home. Don’t fuck this up, just go home.”
*
Elsie twisted her body on the sofa as Tony walked into the living room. Frank jumped up from the tattered carpet and barked as he spotted his master returning home. “Bleeding hell Frank, shut the fuck up and go and lie back down. You act like I’ve been away for weeks not hours. Go on, do one.” The dog circled a few times on the spot and knew he wasn’t getting any attention.
Elsie sat up straight and yawned with her arms stretched high above her head. “How did you get on? Did you go and see Sue?” She was watching his every move, watching his facial expressions to see if he was lying.
Tony plonked down on the sofa and the corners of his mouth began to rise. “I nailed it. I start tomorrow.”
“Fuck off lying to me. What really happened?”
Tony pulled a sour expression. “I’ve just told you. I start tomorrow. So, you need to make sure I have some decent clothes to wear. Why didn’t you tell me she was posh? Fucking hell, I felt like a right scruffy twat when I was stood next to her. I stank of BO.”
Elsie didn’t know if he was playing with her. Had he got the job or what? She repeated herself. “Seriously, did you get the job?”
Tony spoke slowly and looked her directly in the eyes. “Yes. Sue loved me.”
Elsie squirmed and sat forward in her seat. “What do you fucking mean, she loved you?”
He was giggling now and loved that his wife was feeling a little insecure. He was having her at it. “She said I was just what she’s looking for. She’s a lovely looking woman, isn’t she?”
A pillow was launched across the room and smashed Tony in the face. Elsie snapped. “Don’t start winding me up, Tony. If you fancy her then go and ask her if you can live there. She’ll soon kick your arse to the kerb when she knows what a lazy bastard you are. Go on, off you go, if that’s what you want?”
Tony knew he’d over-stepped the mark. He plonked down next to his wife and started to tickle her. “Come on. You know I only have eyes for you, my big chubby beauty.”
She was on one. “You’d better only have eyes for me Tony because if I ever find out your playing away from home then I’ll cut your balls off and make a necklace out of them.” He was raging. He needed more than words to calm her down. His lips touched hers and he looked deep into her eyes. “You’re the only woman for me baby. Don’t worry.” He kissed his wife and moved back onto the sofa. “Who’d have thought it ay? Me, Tony Clayton, with a job! A real fucking job!”
*
Emily walked into the front room and smiled at her father. She could see he wasn’t twisted or off his napper and congratulated him. “You look really well, dad. Honest, you don’t look as old anymore. You have colour in your cheeks. I’m so proud of you. Keep it up.”
Tony could have burst out crying. A ball of emotion crept up his throat and he was finding it hard to hold the tears back. “Thanks princess. And, guess who’s only gone and got a job?”
Emily looked over at her mother and then back at her father. She shrugged her shoulders. “Who?”
Elsie smiled from cheek to cheek and pointed her finger over at her husband. “Your dad,” she said with exc
itement in her voice.
Emily sat down next to Tony and looked at him in more detail. These two were always lying to her and she didn’t have a clue if this was just another one of their windups. The front door banged shut and in walked Jordan. Emily shot a look over at him and spoke. “Oi, our kid. My mam has just said my dad has got a job.”
Jordan burst out laughing and sat down on the sofa. “Nar, has he fuck. They’re having you over. Go on dad, tell her you are lying.”
Tony had a face on him now and he was losing his rag. “Wow, I’ve got a job. What’s the big deal and why don’t any of you believe me?”
Jordan was the spokesman for the siblings and told his old man straight. “We don’t believe you because you never tell the truth. Don’t make me go into it dad, but you’re a born liar.”
Elsie had to say something. “He might have been a liar in the past but he’s being honest for a change. I got him the job from a woman I know.”
Tony protested. “I got the job, you just told me who wanted a gardener. Don’t you be trophy hunting again and stealing the limelight.”
Elsie folded her arms across her breasts. She growled over at him. “I was the one who got you the interview, you dickhead, so wind your neck in and stop being a tosser.”
Emily and Jordan looked at each other in disbelief. Was this the truth or what? Had their feckless father finally got himself a job. Emily threw her arms around her father’s neck and squeezed him with all her might. It was the truth; she could tell by the way he was acting. “Dad, I’m lost for words. Honest, I’m so, so, proud of you.”
“And, so you should be. I’m going to make a difference to this family, like I promised. Emily, I made a promise that we would go on holiday and that’s what will be happening. My word is my bond.”
Jordan shook hands with his dad. “Well done. It’s good news that you’re working and even better news that you’re off the drugs.”
Tony’s lips quivered. What the fuck was up with him lately, he was an emotional wreck. “I even turned down drugs today” he said.
Elsie quickly turned to face him. This was news to her. “Who offered you drugs?”
“It was Mickey. I called for a piss at his gaff and he asked if I fancied a smoke.”
“He’s a cheeky twat! Why would he offer you smack when he knows you’ve been sorting your head out? I’ve never trusted that one, shady he is, don’t ever trust him.”
Jordan held his flat palm up and nodded at his mother. “Mam, just chill will you. Temptation is always going to be there. My dad has just been open and honest and told you that he refused. Don’t give him a hard time, he did well.”
Tony was flavour of the month for sure in this house. He was the hero of the hour and everybody was praising him. Elsie was jealous, you could see it in her eye. She’d been off drugs now for months. Where was her praise? Where was her well done? Nobody flinched when she went cold turkey, bleeding nobody.
“I start tomorrow morning. It’s only a bit of gardening but it’s a start. Maybe I can get a few more clients and before long I will have my own business. Jordan, you could even start working for me.”
“Dad, just take each day as it comes and don’t fuck it up. This is a golden ticket for you and like you said it could turn into something much more if you use your napper.”
“Yes son. I’m going to make it work. I just need to get some new clobber. I need some boots, gloves, and a few other bits. I’ll have to look the part, won’t I?”
Jordan pulled out some money and passed it to his father. “There you go. There’s enough there to sort yourself out. Go and get kitted out.”
Elsie was spitting feathers. She was potless and struggling to feed everyone and here was her husband being given money left, right and fucking centre. Tony quickly shoved the cash into his sock. He smiled at Elsie and smirked. “It’s all gravy, baby. I’ll nip on the market soon and get sorted out with some clobber. If there is anything left, I might get you some of them chocolates you like.” Elsie had a face like a smacked arse and ignored him.
Jordan sat next to his sister and nudged her. “So, where have you been hiding. Every time I’ve been here you’ve been out. What have you been up to?”
Her eyes were wide open now, she could never lie, she stuttered. “I’ve just been at Jane’s. It’s boring just sat in here all the time so I just chill at my friend’s house, listening to tunes and that.”
Jordan sucked on his teeth. He could tell something wasn’t right. “It’s not like you to be away from home for long. Have you got a boyfriend or something?”
Emily’s cheeks were on fire. Her mouth was dry, and she started nibbling on her fingernails. The family were waiting on an answer, all eyes were on her now. “No, why are you saying that? I’m not interested in boys. I’m living my life before I settle down.”
Elsie was wide-eyed, “you better not be a lesbian! What do you mean you’re not interested in boys? All girls are interested in lads at your age.”
“I mean, I’m single. When and if I get a boyfriend then you’ll be the first to know mother. But, until then, get off my back and stop asking questions.”
Jordan sniggered. “Wow, chill out will you. I was only asking. No need to bite my head off you moody bitch.”
Emily stood up and marched to the living room door. Before she left, she shouted over her shoulder. “No wonder I stay at Jane’s all the time. You lot are stupid.” The door banged shut and she was gone. She nearly took the door from its hinges.
Tony looked at his family and rolled his eyes. “Is she on the blob or what?”
Elsie shrugged her shoulders. “Fuck knows, something is wrong with her though. Give it ten minutes and I’ll go up and see if she’s alright. You might be right, she’s probably hormonal.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
Emily had spent ages getting ready for her date. Her hair was done and her make-up was perfect. She was edgy as she walked up the dimly lit pathway. Tonight she was meeting him alone. Jane knew nothing about this date, she’d arranged this meeting behind her best friend’s back. Emily wanted some quality time with Mark, time to get to know him properly. How could she do that when Jane was always there demanding his attention? When they were out her friend was always flirting with Mark; she laughed at everything he said and was always touching him whenever they spoke. No, Mark was her man and her friend could take a backseat for now.
Mark parked over the road from where she was. The cars headlights turned off. Emily’s heels clipped along the pavement and she smiled when she saw him for the first time. She flicked her hair over her shoulder and picked up speed. This man made her heart beat faster than normal and something was happening between her legs too, a warm rush circling over her groin. A feeling she had never experienced before in her life. It happened every time she was near him. Emily opened the car door and leaned over and pecked Mark on the cheek. He smiled and looked her directly in the eyes. “You smell beautiful babes,” he whispered into her ear.
“Thank you,” she replied as she clipped her seat belt across her body. “Where are we going? Why won’t you tell me. What’s the big surprise?”
Mark placed his hand on her cold knee and turned the engine over. “It’s a surprise. So, stop asking, because I’m not telling you. All you need to know is that I’m taking you to meet a few people that’s all.”
“Who? Who are we going to see?” Mark pulled out of the lay-by and never replied. He turned the music up and nodded his head to the beat of the music as they hit the main road. He was always checking his phone, texting and answering calls. Emily couldn’t take her eyes off him; she was completed infatuated. She studied every inch of him, his skin, his hair, his firm thighs. Would it really be that bad if she had sex with him after knowing him such a short time? Most of her mates were sexually active so why should she be any different? At least then when the girls sat telling their stories about the guys they were dating; she would be able to join in too. She never had anything interesting
to tell the group, absolutely nothing at all. Not even a grope of her breasts, her love life was non-existent, well, up until now.
Mark hit the motorway and picked up speed. Eighty miles an hour he clocked, he was in a rush as he bobbed and weaved through the traffic. “Where’s Jane tonight? I thought you two were joined at the hip?”
Why was he asking about her? This date should have been about her, nobody else. “Oh, she’s met a new lad and she’s going out with him tonight,” Emily lied.
“That’s a shame, because she’s a nice girl isn’t, she? Bright, and bubbly and full of self-confidence. Who’s this new guy anyway? She told me she was single.”
Emily fidgeted about and looked out of the window. She was never a good liar. “Jane’s a bit messed up in the head if I’m being honest. She has loads of male interest but never stays with the same boy for long. She told me herself that she hasn’t got time for a relationship. Her parents are strict with her and she has to study hard.” What a liar she was turning out to be, Jane was single and ready to mingle, she was alone tonight, sat in her bedroom probably bored to tears.
Mark digested what she’d just said and tickled the end of his chin with a single finger. “Are you ready for a relationship? I don’t want to put all my time and energy into someone who’s going to cart me after a few dates?”
Emily was alarmed. “Of course I’m ready. I’m more than ready to be in a relationship. What makes you think that I’m not?”
Mark held a cunning look in his eye as he replied. “So, what do you think of me, do you love me?”
Her heart was racing, her mouth suddenly became dry, she was having a hot flush. Emily was lost for words; she took a few seconds to think about her answer. There was no way she was throwing her hands in to loving him, she was playing it cool, there was no way she wanted to come across as a bunny boiler. “I don’t really know you enough yet to love you, do I? But I do like you a lot. Let’s see how things go before we start talking about love.”
