‘Don’t fuckin’ stop, I was just about to come. Tell shoeshine boy to fuck off and come back later,’ Dave Taylor said venomously.

Ignoring her boyfriend’s nastiness, Susan put on her old dressing gown and walked out of the bedroom. ‘Johnny, be a good boy. Me and Dave never get much time to ourselves. Can’t yer go and play football for a bit and come back later?’

Johnny shrugged his shoulders, ‘I’ve been playing footy all day, Mum. I’m starving, I need something to eat.’

Susan found £2 in her purse and handed it to him. ‘Go and get something from the chippy, and nick us some drink on the way back.’

‘Do I have to, Mum?’ Johnny asked sulkily.

‘Do as yer fuckin’ mother says. You’ve just taken our beer money for yer grub,’ Dave Taylor shouted.

Johnny felt close to tears as he left the flat. His mum and Dave had recently become an item and his home life had gone from bad to worse. Whenever he went home they seemed to be in bed together, and he often heard them having sex, which made him feel ill. He’d walked in on them last week. His mum had been making terrible noises and he’d thought Dave Taylor had been beating her up. The sight of his mum with her legs wide open, and Dave Taylor licking her mary-ann would live with him for ever. Annoyed with himself for being unable to stop thinking about what he’d seen, Johnny broke into a sprint and headed for the chippy.

Susan handed the joint back to her boyfriend. She propped herself against the pillow and stared at his handsome face. ‘Why don’t yer move in properly, Dave? I mean, yer stay here most nights anyway, so it’d make sense if yer moved all yer stuff in.’

Dave Taylor sat himself up, and reached down the side of the bed for his cider. He took a swig and turned to face Susan. ‘Yer know I like yer and all that, Suze, but I’ve told yer before, I ain’t bringing up no black kid.’

Susan kissed him. ‘Oh please, Dave. I mean he’s not that black, and Royston was yer mate years ago.’

Dave Taylor shook his head. ‘I’ve never had black mates. Tibbsy and Benno were pals with him, I barely spoke to the cunt. I mean it, Susan, I won’t live with him. It’s your choice: me or the kid, understand?’

Susan nodded. She understood perfectly.

‘I wish we could stay here for ever, James,’ she kept saying.

‘We have to go back to reality, babe, build for our future,’ he told her.

They’d talked and talked and planned and planned while away. It had been a joint decision for Maria to come straight off the pill; they’d discussed that before the wedding. Both of them wanted kids and felt more than ready to start a family sooner rather than later. The only thing they couldn’t quite agree on was whether to buy a house just yet. Maria was desperate to move to Essex as soon as possible. With the shop and her job, they could easily get a mortgage, but James would rather they bided their time instead of jumping in feet first.

The takings in the shop were shit, but it was handy to keep as a cover. With the cannabis selling like hot cakes, Bobby had been talking about adding an extra run here and there. James and Maria had spoken at length about this and they both agreed that the extra money would be a blessing, as it would enable them to move sooner.

‘As soon as we get home, I’ll sort it,’ James assured her.

Nice houses cost money and he was determined to buy Maria the best that he could afford.

Mustapha had advised him not to include James and Freddie in their business arrangement.

‘Work it yourself. All you need is a lackey to carry it. Find yourself someone half sensible, you’d be mad to share the profits.’

Tommy had agreed. He had no intention of including anyone on this particular little money-spinner. Deep down, he knew that James and Freddie would be dead against it. Selling puff was one thing, flogging smack was a different ball game. He couldn’t risk telling Freddie or James, and Bobby Adams would have a cardiac if he knew. He’d given the smackheads a real hard time in nick and he hated the dealers with a passion.

‘Fucking scum they are. One level behind the nonces,’ he’d voiced on numerous occasions.

Tommy’d found a runner to work for him. Jason was a bit of a plum, but seemed trustworthy enough.

Looking at his watch, he saw he was running late. Picking up his phone, he rang Mustapha’s number. ‘I’m stuck in traffic; I’ll be about forty minutes.’

‘Hurry up. I’ve got four beautiful women and as much cocaine as you could possibly snort.’

Tommy smiled as he ended the call. Mustapha had introduced him to the high life and he was loving every fucking minute of it!

‘Never trust talking on any kind of phone, boys. They fucking bug ’em, I’m telling yer. There’s been many a good man caught out by the art of technology. Now, where’s Tommy? Is he running late?’

Not wanting to get him in trouble, James and Freddie said as little as possible. ‘He ain’t been home all night – probably with some bird,’ James joked.

Bobby was furious. He’d managed to make the meet on time and he’d come from the Costa del fucking Sol. Tommy lived within spitting distance and in Bobby’s eyes was taking the piss. ‘I take it he knows where we’re meeting? Bird or no bird, business comes first. Give him a ring and tell him to get his arse in gear.’

As he saw his uncle’s nose turn red, Freddie turned away. Bobby’s hooter always gave a warning of what was to come and when it spread to his cheeks, he lost it completely. Thankful that the waitress appeared, Freddie smiled at her.

‘Shall we order?’ he asked his uncle.

Bobby nodded. He wasn’t about to go hungry on account of some cunt who couldn’t be bothered to turn up. ‘Have you rung him yet?’ he asked Freddie.

Pretending he had no signal, Freddie went outside with his phone. He was in a dilemma and didn’t know what to do for the best. Tommy had been on the missing list for three days now, his bird and son were frantic and Lucy had been ringing him non-stop.

‘I don’t know what to do, Freddie. I’ve rung all the hospitals and all the pubs he drinks in. What if he’s been arrested or he’s lying dead in a ditch?’ she sobbed.

Freddie felt sorry for Lucy. She was a nice girl, she was pregnant, and she didn’t deserve to be treated like dirt. Tommy was a cunt to her. He was always messing about with other birds behind her back, and when he was at home, he spoke to her like shit.

Ringing his pal’s mobile, Freddie wasn’t surprised to hear it go straight to answerphone. It had been like that for the last three days. Running his hands through his hair, he debated what to do for the best. His uncle Bobby was a powerful man and he dare not lie to him. It wasn’t just that: they worked together, had a tidy little earner and he couldn’t risk them all getting arrested by Tommy’s stupidity.

His pal was bang on the gear, he knew that. Ever since he’d met that Mustapha geezer, he’d changed completely. He hadn’t even turned up for their last job; him and James had done it alone. Obviously, they hadn’t told Bobby. He’d have gone apeshit, so they covered his arse.

Taking a deep breath, he walked back into the restaurant. Blood was thicker than water, and it was time to tell Bobby the truth.

James sat in silence as Freddie did all the talking. He needed this job desperately for his and Maria’s future. If Bobby got the hump and called a halt, he’d be well fucked financially, that was for sure.

With Tommy being his best pal, Freddie tried to play down the situation as best as he could. ‘He met this new mate a couple of months back and I think he’s gone off the rails a bit. No one’s seen him for the last few days and we ain’t got a clue where he is. I know he ain’t happy at home. He was planning on leaving Lucy, but she got up the duff again. He feels a bit depressed and trapped, I think.’

Bobby was concerned. He didn’t deal with anyone off the rails and he certainly didn’t want them working for him. ‘Is he doing drugs?’

Freddie shrugged his shoulders, ‘He’s been doing a bit of coke, but only recently, since he met this new mate. He can’t be hooked – he’s only been taking it for a couple of months. He was never on it before, when he was knocking about with me.’

Bobby lit a cigar. ‘What’s the geezer’s name he’s knocking about with?’

‘Me and James have never met him. All we know is that his name’s Mustapha and he met him in the Ville.’

Bobby’s nose went bright red when he heard the name. A fucking Turk, wonderful! He hated the bastards and didn’t trust them as far as he could throw them.

‘I don’t remember any Mustapha when I was in the Ville. Don’t you know anything about him?’

Freddie shook his head. ‘Not really.’

James knew more, but kept schtum. His brother had told him that Mustapha owned the nightclub they’d gone to on his stag night. He had no choice but to keep quiet. His brother was in enough shit without him sticking his oar in.

Freddie was relieved when their food arrived. He’d hated telling tales on his pal, but Tommy had left him with no choice.

‘Right, I’ll tell you what we’re gonna do, lads. Yous two carry on with business as usual and I’ll sort the rest out. I’ll delay my flight, do a bit of detective work. It won’t take me long to get the lowdown on our dear fucking Turkish friend. Once I get the vibes of what’s going on, I’ll know how to deal with it.’

James didn’t like the sound of ‘deal with it’.

‘You ain’t gonna hurt Tommy, are you, Bob?’

Bobby smiled at him. He was a good kid, was James. ‘Of course not, I’ve gotta lot of time for your Tommy,’ he said, with a hint of sarcasm.

Bobby stood up. ‘Best I get going. I’ll be in touch.’

Freddie and James looked at one another as he left the restaurant. Both were worried and neither knew what to say.

‘I had to tell him, James. I know he’s your brother, but I had no choice. Believe me, I love him as much as you do. Bobby ain’t a man to fuck with, James. He’s premier league and not a man to be lied to.’

James smiled. ‘You don’t have to explain yourself to me. I fully understand, honest I do.’

As his phone rang, Freddie handed it to James.

‘It’s Lucy again, she keeps fuckin’ ringing me and I dunno what to say to her. You talk to her, James.’

As James answered the call, he was greeted by hysterics. ‘No, it’s not Freddie, it’s James. Calm down, Lucy, I can’t understand what you’re saying.’

‘Help me! I don’t know what to do, I think the baby’s coming, but it’s not due for ages. I’m all alone with Alfie. Please help me, James, please.’

James did his best to calm her down. ‘Ring an ambulance, Lucy. Me and Freddie are on our way, we’ll be about twenty minutes.’

‘Please hurry, please!’ Lucy screamed.

Freddie drove to Chingford as fast as the traffic would allow. Stuck behind Hinge and Bracket in the fast lane, he kept his hand on the hooter.

‘Fucking Sunday drivers, I hate ’em,’ he said, as he finally dodged past.

James sat quietly during the journey. He’d promised Maria he’d be home early. It was her mum’s birthday and they were supposed to be visiting her. He’d rung her and told her the score, but she wasn’t happy.

‘Your brother is a fucking arsehole, James. As usual, he’s nowhere to be seen and everyone else is rallying around, sorting out his problems.’

‘Get a cab to your mum’s, Maria. I’ll be there as soon as I can, I promise.’

‘Whatever,’ she said, as she slammed the phone down.

Freddie tried to ring Lucy to make sure she was all right, but got no answer.

‘When is your brother’s baby actually due, James?’

James shook his head. ‘I dunno. He ain’t had much interest in it; he’s never spoken about when it’s due.’

Freddie spotted the ambulance as he pulled into the turning.

‘Thank fuck they’re here! I had visions of me and you delivering the kid.’

As they leaped out of the car, they couldn’t help but hear Lucy’s screams.

‘You go in first,’ Freddie told James, pushing him up the path.

‘Fuck off, I don’t wanna see her with her legs in the air,’ James replied.

‘You’re family, just fuckin’ go in first, will yer?’

A nervous James poked his head around the open door. ‘Are you OK, Lucy?’

He was ushered out of the room by a paramedic, who told him, ‘Just wait outside.’

Freddie and James glanced at one another. Neither of them was Einstein, but it was obvious that something was very wrong.

As Lucy was taken from the house on a stretcher, a paramedic approached them.

‘Which one of you is James?’

‘I am.’

Leading him away from Freddie, the paramedic spoke to him. ‘I know you’re a relative. I take it Lucy is your sister-in-law?’

James nodded. ‘Yeah, she’s me brother’s bird.’

‘I’m very sorry, but the news isn’t good. Your sister-in-law had already given birth by the time we arrived. Unfortunately, the baby was premature and stillborn. We did our utmost, but we couldn’t revive her.’

James felt himself go cold. ‘Did you see her? Was the baby a girl?’

The paramedic nodded. ‘Your sister-in-law wants you to look after your nephew – he’s next door, at number fourteen.’

James thanked the paramedic and watched him walk away. He was dreading telling his mum. No one had known the sex of the baby, and his mum had been rambling on for months about having a granddaughter.

‘Too many men in this family,’ she’d joked. ‘We need a little girl to dress up and spoil.’

Freddie walked towards him. ‘I take it the baby’s dead?’

Tears pricked James’s eyes. ‘Not only have I gotta tell me mum, but I’m gonna have to find Tommy and tell him as well.’

Freddie kicked the wall in temper. He was dreading telling Sarah; her and Lucy were best buddies. ‘Don’t worry about Tommy, this is all his fuckin’ fault, James. It’s the stress of him treating her like shit and not comin’ home for days on end that’s caused this to happen. He may be my best pal, but the geezer’s a cunt. He never wanted this kid and now he’s got his fuckin’ wish.’

James walked up the path of number fourteen and knocked at the door. Thanking the neighbour for her help, he took Alfie by the hand.

‘Where’s Mummy and the baby gone?’

James didn’t know what to say. He wasn’t good in this type of situation.

‘They’ve gone to the hospital in the ambulance.’

Smiling, Alfie skipped along happily. ‘Have I got a brother or a sister?’

James glanced at Freddie. ‘I don’t know, Alfie. I tell you what, we’ll go and see Nanny Maureen, she’ll know more than me and she can tell you everything.’