‘What…? You didn’t see who it was?’
I nodded animatedly. Idris looked around and‚ satisfied that nobody was in ear shot‚ he dragged his chair forward and leant in.
‘Regardless of whether you saw the attacker‚ we both know who’s responsible.’
My eyebrows joined forces as I frowned at him.
‘Silas‚’ he said‚ softly.
I didn’t confirm‚ but denying wasn’t an option. How Idris knew‚ I don’t know. Last year only MI5 and Chief Superintendent Penelope Wakefield of Hounslow Met had knowledge about the deal I’d cut. All Idris knew was that I was on the police radar for dealing. He’d warned me about it on a number of occasions. Stressing that it was only a matter of time until the police came knocking on my door. So it wasn’t a surprise that he’d sussed out that I had grassed to save my own skin only for Silas to pierce it.
I didn’t want to get into it. I yawned‚ wide and fake‚ the effort felt like each stitch was popping. I hoped he’d take the hint and leave me to rest. But Idris had other ideas.
‘Tired?’ he said. ‘You can sleep after I’ve gone.’ His eyes landed on the floor and he picked up the pen and notepad that had slipped under the bed. He lobbed it onto my lap. ‘I want to know everything.’
I sighed‚ knowing he wouldn’t let me be‚ and jotted it down for him. Everything about Silas‚ him being out of jail‚ coming for me. Not quite everything‚ though. I couldn’t tell him about my role with MI5.
Idris’ lips moved silently as he read it‚ a habit that used to annoy me when we were at school together. On completion‚ he nodded and smiled‚ and then he started to tell me his plan.
31
South London
It was a thrill to see Simon and Anthony waiting for him at the side of the football pitch. Especially a thrill that his fellow students‚ who tended to ignore him‚ saw that he was part of something. Secure in the knowledge that eyes were on him‚ Daniel greeted them warmly.
‘Get changed‚’ Simon said. ‘We’ve got a meeting.’
Daniel quickly changed out of his football kit and into his uniform. Eager to join his friends he didn’t shower or use the toilet. He walked out of the dressing room and spotted his friends standing by an old white Range Rover. In the driver’s seat was Kramer‚ the man he had seen at the rally in Hounslow.
Anthony opened the back door and Daniel got in the car. With Anthony next to him and Simon in the front‚ he didn’t question what they were doing or where they were going. Instead he smiled at his classmates who had gathered‚ watching curiously as the Range Rover pulled away.
Thirty minutes into the drive‚ he was squeezing his legs together‚ bursting to go. But he couldn’t exactly ask permission. How would that look? He decided to grit his teeth and hold it in.
With traffic‚ the journey to Croydon was just short of the two-hour mark and it concerned him that he wouldn’t get back home until late. Not that he had a curfew‚ but he did have an Economics exam first thing the next morning. He texted his father to let him know that he’d be revising in the school library and not to expect him home for supper. Simon in the front appeared calm. Anthony‚ next to him in the back‚ his head between the two front seats‚ was chatty. Daniel wondered if he’d taken a pill.
The Range Rover slowed and without indicating pulled off the main road into an opening between two tall metal gates. Judging from the rusted JCB diggers and random machinery spread around the grounds‚ it looked like an abandoned building site where the workers had downed tools long ago.
Kramer killed the lights and slipped the keys out of the ignition. Without the growl of the car engine‚ the silence was unnerving.
‘Let’s go‚’ Kramer said. ‘Mind your step‚ there’s crap everywhere.’
Three doors opened‚ Kramer‚ Simon and Anthony stepped out. Daniel debated whether to exit from his car door but decided against it as he didn’t want to be standing on the same side of the car as Kramer with his friends all the way on the other side. So he scrambled across the back seat‚ stepped out from Anthony’s door‚ and stood close by him. Anthony gave him a bemused look.
‘Supposed to be a function hall.’ Kramer pointed to a boxy concrete building in a state of disrepair. Daniel could just make out the imposing silhouette; he wondered if they had toilet facilities‚ but didn’t voice it. ‘The client ran over budget a couple years ago‚ so we set up base here. We still use the hall‚ it’s perfectly safe‚ even though it don’t look much. We have meets here every three months‚ and a jolly on St George’s Day.’
To the left‚ adjacent to the hall‚ a dim light was emanating through the plastic window of a Portakabin. They headed towards it carefully through the dark and the dirt and the machinery and the tools.
Kramer knocked on the door and peered his head through.
‘Got guests‚’ he said‚ then turned towards them. ‘Come on lads‚ shake a leg.’
Simon‚ Anthony and Daniel walked up the few metal steps leading up to the Portakabin and stepped through. In the overly-heated room‚ Kramer introduced the man who was sitting behind the desk as Terry Rose. The name meant nothing to the three boys.
Daniel stood with his hands clasped behind his back‚ but it felt odd. So he crossed his arms under his chest‚ but that felt too assured‚ and he was feeling really very far from assured. He decided to jam his hands into the pockets of his jeans.
Behind Daniel‚ at the back of the Portakabin‚ Kramer was sitting on the only other seat available in the room‚ a worn puffy leather armchair. Anthony was bouncing around the room taking special notice of the Millwall scarf tacked to the wall just above the outline map of the United Kingdom with the red St George’s Cross running through it. Simon was standing directly in front of the desk‚ imposing his representational position.
‘We just gonna stand around making eyes at each other?’ Simon started.
Terry looked past Simon and raised his eyebrows at Kramer. Daniel turned just in time to see Kramer grinning back.
‘You must be Simon‚’ Rose said.
‘Yeah. You wanna tell us what we’re doing here?’
‘I requested to see you lads because I recognise kindred spirits.’
‘What’s that mean?’ Anthony looked horrified. ‘We ain’t no fags!’
‘I didn’t think you were.’ Rose looked amused.
‘So?’ Anthony said. ‘You wanna tell us the fuck is going on?’
‘See to it that you watch your mouth‚ boy‚’ Kramer growled from the back of the room. ‘And I’ll see to it that I’ll watch mine.’
Rose held up a hand to calm Kramer‚ just as Simon held up a hand to Anthony. The lines clearly drawn.
‘Like yourselves‚ we represent a group of like-minded people who are shit-tired of seeing this country embarrass itself‚ embarrass its people‚’ Rose started. ‘England is no longer about the English. We are no longer the priority. Laws are introduced to help those who want nothing more than to destroy this once-great country.’
‘Too fucking right!’ Simon spat‚ taking over the proceedings. ‘Just today I walked past a group of four women covered head to toe in black. Fuck knows what they had on underneath. These people saunter around spitting at our culture‚ imposing their beliefs‚ dressing to intimidate and provoke. Placing the laws of their religion above the laws of the land. Let me tell you something; there are two thousand Mosques in England. Do you know how many Churches were shut last year? Nearly a thousand! Believe me‚ it’s not long before we have more Mosques than Churches!’
Daniel noticed Anthony nodding in agreement and joined in.
Simon continued. ‘Slowly these cunts are taking over town by town‚ until the whole country is nothing but the colour brown‚ all singing from the same Sharia hymn sheet. Hounslow‚ Slough‚ Ealing‚ Staines‚ fucking Chiswick! All brown as dirt. Don’t even get me started about the shit that’s happening up North.’
Daniel had heard this level of hatre
d many times‚ but this time it was different‚ as though Simon was trying his hardest to impress upon Rose exactly how kindred their spirits were.
‘He isn’t shy‚ is he?’ Kramer said after a moment of silence. ‘He’ll be sitting where you are soon.’
‘Not until they wise up‚’ Rose said. ‘Let’s talk about the girl on the bus.’
Daniel clenched tightly‚ his heart dropped into his stomach.
‘What about her?’ Simon asked‚ calmly.
‘The boy that was with her has been speaking to the police.’
‘I need to use the toilet‚’ Daniel blurted. ‘Now. I need to use the toilet now.’
‘Outside‚’ Kramer said.
Daniel pushed opened the door and looked out into the darkness. ‘Where?’
‘Anywhere‚ boy.’ Kramer said.
Daniel’s fingers worked the zipper as he hurried down the steps. Finding himself a spot at the side of the Portakabin‚ he finally relieved himself‚ stepped away from the puddle that was travelling towards his cherry Dr Martens‚ and zipped up. He could just about make out the glint of the tall metal gates that they had driven through‚ and desperately wanted to run through them and all the way from South to West London until he was home. Daniel closed his eyes tightly in defeat‚ his thoughts bumping into each other. The mention of the girl had made him vomit in his mouth. The mention of the boy going to the police had nearly made him drop to his knees and sob like the child that he was.
Daniel opened his eyes and took out his phone. He noticed how it trembled in his hand as he stared at it for help. He had to call someone‚ he had to tell someone. But who could he call and what would he say? He tried to take a deep breath to clear his mind but it came in quick bursts. Pocketing his phone‚ he crouched to his haunches and lowered his head until his breathing evened out.
‘Boy!’ Kramer bellowed. ‘Where are you?’ Daniel appeared at the bottom on the steps. ‘We’re waiting for you.’ Daniel stepped into the Portakabin and stood next to Anthony and Simon.
‘It took Kramer a little more than no time to work it out‚’ Rose said. ‘How long do you think it’ll take the police to knock on your doors and give your old dears a fright?’
‘We’ve got an alibi‚ mate‚’ Anthony said. ‘My old man.’
From the back of the room‚ a nasal snort from Kramer. ‘Peter Hanson. Pill dealer. That’s your alibi? Not exactly a pillar of the community‚ your dad.’
‘How’d you know my old man?’ Anthony felt his face reddening.
‘I make it my business to know‚’ Kramer said.
Daniel swallowed. Did they know his father‚ too?
‘Your alibi isn’t reliable‚’ Rose said. ‘Way I see it‚ you lads have problems. Have a look at yourselves; the three of you stick out like a particularly sore fucking thumb. That boy described you all to a tee. Red Doc Martens‚ black jeans‚ black bomber jackets. Shaved heads.’
Anthony looked to Simon for guidance. Daniel looked nauseous. He covered his mouth with his hand. Simon remained expressionless.
‘But...’ Rose added‚ ‘he failed to give an accurate description of your faces.’
Daniel let out a long-held‚ audible breath‚ as though he had just been saved from drowning. Anthony‚ looking relieved himself‚ clapped Daniel on his back.
‘Kramer set you a challenge‚ to show us how serious you were. I have to say‚ I’m impressed. And I’d like you to join us.’ Rose looked at Simon. ‘Here at The Second Defence we look after our own.’
‘So do we‚’ Simon put out his hand and they shook.
‘Get yourselves some new clobber. I don’t ever want to see what I’m seeing. Am I making myself clear?’ Rose said. ‘And for future reference‚ don’t go filming yourselves. I don’t care how clever you’ve been with disguising your faces. We do not need that exposure.’
Daniel cursed himself. Posting the video online‚ in an effort to impress his friends‚ was a mistake that could have cost him dearly. One that he would learn from and never make again.
He decided‚ at that moment‚ that regardless of what time he got home he was going to hit the books and cram all night until he was sat in front of the Economics exam paper. And after that‚ Daniel decided‚ he had no choice but to distance himself from his only friends.
‘I’ll brief my lawyer‚ just in case this thing escalates‚’ Rose said. ‘Kramer?’
Kramer nodded. ‘I’ll put in a call.’
‘Also‚ I think a strong word with the brown boy before he has a moment of clarity.’ Rose addressed the lads. ‘Keep it discreet but do whatever it takes.’
‘How do we find him?’ Anthony asked.
‘I’ll find him‚ shouldn’t be too taxing. I’ll let you know‚’ Kramer said. He stood up and spun his car keys around his finger. ‘Welcome to The Second Defence‚’ he grinned.
Anthony rediscovered his bounce and Simon allowed himself a rare smile. Kramer held the door open for them and they turned to leave. Daniel stayed rooted. He had barely spoken‚ apart from asking permission to go to the toilet‚ but he had something say.
‘What about the girl?’ Daniel’s mouth went dry. ‘What if she speaks to the police?’
‘You not heard?’ Rose said.
Daniel shook his head.
‘That night‚’ Rose said. ‘She went home and committed suicide.’
Daniels hand once again flew to his mouth‚ and this time he was unable to stop the vomit from seeping through his fingers.
*
An old green Toyota hatchback parked across the road from the metal gates leading to the building site. The driver‚ fingers tightly gripped on the steering wheel‚ watched them leave the Portakabin and get into a white Range Rover.
‘Is it them?’ she asked‚ softly.
Naaim nodded.
Ira placed her hand on top of his.
32
Imy
Pathaan had seen my state‚ had seen Qasim’s blood on my clothes‚ on my skin‚ and it shone off me with honour. I’d lied about killing Jay‚ as‚ these days it would seem‚ I always do. It was second nature to me. But I had no problem lying to Pathaan if it would help me to get my life back.
I had my life back.
We’d just finished an hour’s session at the trampoline centre‚ Jump Giants‚ near Heathrow. For around twenty minutes it was such fun – after which‚ muscles that I had never used before screamed at me to act my age. I persevered‚ though‚ continued on regardless‚ as Jack was in his element‚ bouncing happily from one trampoline to another‚ daring me to catch him. I had never seen him so blissful‚ so content. His fantasy of having a father figure had been realised.
We stepped off‚ hot and sweaty‚ steam emanating from Jack’s head‚ and walked up the stairs to the viewing balcony‚ where the contentment on Stephanie’s face mirrored Jack’s in every way. I sat down next to her as she handed out much needed bottles of water.
‘Can I play the car game?’ Jack asked me.
‘Sure.’ I handed him a few pound coins. ‘But stay where we can see you‚’ I said‚ fitting into the father role with the same ease.
Stephanie leaned her head against my shoulder and took my hand in hers. Together we watched Jack go at it on the arcade machine.
‘This is just perfect‚’ she said. ‘May our bubble never burst.’
We had a wedding day provisionally pencilled in for the end of the year. She liked the idea of the warm feeling that a cold winter wedding brings. Stephanie was already scouting for locations and dragging me off to meet with caterers. I didn’t have the heart to tell her that Khala would certainly want to get involved in almost every aspect of the wedding. That’s if Khala would ever forgive me. I still had to come clean with her about Rukhsana. I still had to come clean with Rukhsana about Rukhsana.
She and I hadn’t met since the introduction‚ but she had been calling and texting frequently‚ the insinuation clear; a friend who may become something mor
e. She had been on at me to meet‚ to take our relationship further. I’d been careful to delete any trace of our conversation. If Stephanie saw it‚ well‚ I didn’t even want to think about how that would play out.
Rukhsana deserved to know the truth. It couldn’t be over the phone‚ I had to do it face-to-face. I owed her that.
Still‚ my priority had to be telling Khala about Stephanie. And Jack. I’d discussed it at length with Stephanie‚ and she had allowed me the time‚ knowing that it was cultural‚ something that I couldn’t rush. Stephanie isn’t the type to give an ultimatum or a deadline. But I didn’t want to test her patience.
In the meantime‚ I was slowly distancing myself from my old life‚ one step at a time.
I had all but moved out of my studio flat. I still had the keys for a few more weeks‚ until I saw out the notice period‚ but my belongings now had a place at Steph’s. The only thing that I’d left behind was the Glock‚ which I had never needed to use. I’d have to find a way of safely disposing of it.
I watched Jack crash and burn on his game‚ my hand already in my pocket‚ rooting around for a pound coin as he approached me.
‘Can I have another go?’ he asked‚ sweetly.
‘There you go‚ kid.’ I couldn’t quite read his face as I placed a pound in his hand. Jack swallowed and looked nervously at Stephanie. She smiled encouragingly at him.
‘Thanks‚ Dad‚’ Jack said‚ softly.
It was the very first time that he had called me Dad‚ and it filled my heart with happiness.
But before I could reply‚ something behind him caught my eye.
I glanced past his shoulder and over the viewing balcony. A man sat downstairs‚ at a table in the cafeteria. Rolling a paan. Looking up‚ eyes locked onto mine.
Jack looked down shyly at his feet‚ his body gently swaying‚ waiting for my reaction.
‘Imy‚’ Stephanie’s voice sounded muffled over my heart pounding in my ears. ‘Imy?’
I caught the rejection on Jack’s face as he sloped back to the arcade machine. I stood up.
‘Imy‚’ Stephanie’s hand on my arm.
Homegrown Hero Page 14
