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  “Just go, for fucks sake,” Ashley yelled.

  Susie was trying to break free. “Fat bastard, get out of my house,” Susie snarled. The sound of the front door slamming could be heard. Helen nearly took the door from its hinges. The house shook. Susie dragged at her clothes, she was angry. “Why did you hold me back? I would have battered her all over the place. I’m no shit bag, yanno. She’s a fat blubbering whale.”

  Ashley sighed as he shook his head. “Fucking women.” Reaching into his pocket he pulled out two cigs. “Here, get a fag down ya neck. You’re a fucking stress head.”

  Susie’s hand was shaking as she pulled the cigarette from his grip. Dipping her head into the lighter flame she inhaled deeply. Smoke rings now came from her mouth as her jaw clicked slowly. “I swear Ash; she’s just one of them people who wind me up big time. I’ve never got on with her. She’s an interfering slut.” Ashley smoked his cig and just nodded his head, anything for a bit of peace.

  “So how was the jailbird then?” Ashley asked in a calm voice.

  Susie was sat next to him on the sofa. She could feel his warm breath on her face. “Yeah he was okay. He wants you to sort a visit out to get some gear in.”

  “Nar, not a fucking prayer am I taking any drugs into the ’Ways. It’s on top to fuck,” he moaned. Susie continued as he stubbed his cig out in the ashtray.

  “Well he said for you to get some bird to do it for him. His actual words were,” her eyes were wide open, “’You know loads of slappers who’d do out to earn a few extra quid’.”

  Ashley laughed out loud and looked cocky. “Yeah I do. Mouldy Marie from the Two Hundred estate, she’d do owt for some quick cash!”

  Susie sniggered. “Who the fuck is mouldy Marie?”

  “She’s just some junkie who’s game for anything. All the young lads go to her for a suck. She only charges a fiver a blow.”

  Susie screwed her face up and spoke in disbelief. “A fiver for a gobble. No way. You’re lying?”

  “On my life love.” Ashley held his flat palms out in front of him as he swore on his mother’s life. “She sucked two of them off at once. Honest to God.”

  Susie held the bottom of her stomach as she broke into fits of laughter. “Ewww, what a dirty slapper.”

  Ashley sat staring to the floor, and it was obvious something was lying heavy on his mind. His voice was low as he turned to face her. “Did you tell him about us then?”

  Slowly Susie shook her head. She was wary of him. “Not yet. But I will soon. I promise.”

  Ashley dragged her to his side and cradled her in his grip. “Shall we just get in bed and watch a DVD? You need to rest don’t you?” For once he was right. Susie looked drained and the beating he’d given her earlier didn’t help. She melted like butter in his arms. Susie needed some love and didn’t care where it came from. Blowing from her mouth she gasped.

  “Orr what about ‘Delia’s’. The girls will be expecting to see me?”

  Ashley kissed the top of her head and inhaled the fragrance from her hair. “I’ll nip round now, and check things are alright. You run the bath and get yourself sorted. I won’t be long,” he squeezed her arse cheeks. “Then we can have a night away from it all. What do you say?”

  “Tell them I’ll be there tomorrow night. I’ll be fresh as a daisy then wont I?”

  Ashley stroked the side of her face. His eyes looked so full of love for her. Dipping his head he quickly pecked a kiss on her cheek and stood up to leave. “Right you go and get in the bath and I’ll sort the rest out. I’ll park my car out of the way when I come back. You know what the nosey bastards are like round here don’t you?” Susie yawned and stretched her arms over her head. With another quick kiss he was gone.

  The stair that faced her looked depressing. Every inch of her body was aching. Holding the banister she trudged up towards the bathroom. Susie peeled her clothes from her body. You could see every bruise now in its full glory. Some of them looked red, but as you looked closer to the skin you could see the yellow and black colours beginning to form. Her body submerged beneath the bubbles. Holding her head back she relaxed. What the hell was she going do to keep everything running while Tim was in the clink, she thought.

  Blowing a big pile of bubbles in front of her mouth she chuckled out loud as she looked at herself in the mirror. “You’ll do whatever it takes. Won’t you Susie girl?” Her face looked cunning as her head disappeared under the bathwater.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Vicky Farrell sat in her front room. The television was on loud, but she seemed to be staring at the screen without even watching the programme. What a depressing place it was. Toys were scattered all over the floor and the bin at the side of her was heaving with rubbish. Vicky was normally house proud but since her boyfriend had been imprisoned, cleaning was the last thing on her mind. Her son Declan was rolling about on the floor with one of his cars making some screeching noises. She looked at him and shook her head. “Noisy fucker, shut up will you?” Declan was a naughty kid and there was no getting away from that fact. She’d been to the doctor’s with him on one or more occasions telling him that she thought he had a behaviour disorder, but he just told her Declan was a boisterous little boy and he would settle down in time. Her doctor never ever gave her a satisfactory consultation. Her only chance of sleep was dosing the kid up with Calpol. She was sure he was immune to it these days because he very rarely slept a full night.

  Months before, Vicky had terminated a pregnancy. She’d only told Blake’s sister and everyone in the world now seemed to know her business. It was the best thing she’d ever done; she knew another child would have pushed her over the edge. Her boyfriend had just been imprisoned for six years, and even the thought of mothering another child crucified her. Vicky was at her wits end.

  Blake was her boyfriend of five years. He was her life, her everything. He provided for her and helped her with their troublesome son. Her boyfriend was all she had in life and she missed him so much. Blake was a drug dealer when he was on the out, he was known as a bit of a hard case. He’d promised Vicky he would only sell drugs until they got the things they wanted in life. That day never came and he just got deeper and deeper into the drug world, dragging her down with him. Her man was a foot soldier for the big guys and he never really earned a carrot from any deals. She was sure he’d dabbled in taking drugs too, but she could never prove it. Her only hope was that he’d win his appeal and be a free man again. She wasn’t getting her hopes up though.

  Today Vicky was up in court. She’d still been cashing Blake’s giros while he was in jail. He’d told her to. He said there wouldn’t be any comebacks. Yeah right… A jealous neighbour must have grassed her up, how else would they have found out about the extra cash she was getting? Her neighbourhood was well known for people grassing each other up, nobody was safe. As soon as your back was turned they’d stick the knife in. They loved to see people fall flat on their faces. Vicky had her suspicions who the snitch was and knew in time she’d pay the culprit back in full. Blake had bribed his younger brother to sign on for him at the job centre. He looked the spitting image of him anyway, and people always thought they were twins. He’d promised to treat him for his part in the fraudulent claim and that was good enough for his younger brother to make him carry out the task.

  The giros were only for £130 each fortnight, but the money made a big difference to Vicky’s life, so she just kept on doing it. Just two giros she’d cashed, and she got caught for the both of them, just her luck. People she knew had done it loads of times and got away with it. She was just an unlucky person.

  Declan was going to her sisters while she went to court. Even though she didn’t get on with her very well, she didn’t have any option, because there was no one else to mind the brat. All her friends had left her months ago, and it was very rare she saw any of them. She did have one friend called Jayne, but she lived miles away, and it wasn’t very often that she saw her.

  Since Vicky had met Bl
ake he was her world and she closed the door to everyone else in her life, including her family. He was all she needed or so she thought.

  “Right son come on let’s get ready. We’re going to Auntie Michelle’s soon. You’re staying there for a bit while I nip out on an errand.” His voice went through her as he kicked his legs rapidly on the laminated floor.

  “No, I wanna come with you. I hate it there. She’s nasty to me.” Vicky sighed.

  “Well hard fucking luck. You’re still going, come on move it.” Declan’s screams pierced her eardrums as he let rip. “Shut the fuck up,” she yelled into his face. She looked like she was losing control. Vicky wanted to kick the living daylights out of him and had to hold her breath as she walked away from him. She was shaking from head to toe and looked white in the face. Her bottom lip was trembling.

  Declan was shouting behind her at the top of his voice. “She’s a bitch. Fuck off, fuck off,” he ranted.

  Looking in her wardrobe Vicky blew a hard, laboured breath. Her clothes were tattered. She needed to look respectable for her court appearance and nothing in her wardrobe came close to what she required. Dragging an old woollen dress from the back of the wardrobe she held it up in front of her and dusted it down. Tears streamed from her eyes as she held the black dress to her face. She smelt it.

  Life had taken Vicky to some dark places in the last few months, and she didn’t know if she was coming or going. Declan stood at her bedroom door staring at her. The blue blanket he’d had since being a baby was held close to his face for comfort. He was slowly rubbing it on his red cheeks. The furry cloth looked like it needed a good wash. Dirt and food was visible all over it. Snot hung from the child’s nose, and he sniffed hard trying to remove it.

  Vicky shot a look at him and hated that she couldn’t cope. She’d always promised herself that she would be a good parent to her child, but it was so hard. Feeling the moment, she stretched her two arms out towards him. “Come here for a love.” Declan trudged to her side with a scowled look across his face. Squeezing him tightly in her arms she sobbed her heart out. “Things are gonna get better son. I promise you. I don’t know how, and I don’t know when, but they will. I promise.” Declan didn’t understand what she was going on about and was more interested in the toy he’d seen on the floor. He pulled away from her with force. Vicky sat looking at him playing with his Buzz Light Year.

  Looking in the mirror she pulled the fluff away from her dress. Her black boots had seen better days. They were once her favourites, but now they needed heeling and scuff marks were visible at the front of them. Wetting her finger she tried to remove the patches of dirt.

  Standing tall, she gripped her hair in her hands and placed it in a pony tail. Her locks looked greasy, and if you looked closer to her hair you could see that her roots were several shades lighter than the rest. Spraying some deodorant across her body she tried to hide the stale smell of cigarettes. Patting her cheeks for a bit of colour she turned to see Declan at the side of her. Chocolate was visible all over his face. “For crying out loud. I’ve just got you fucking ready. Go and get a cloth while I try and sort you out. You scruffy little bastard.” Declan pulled a face and remained in the same spot. Yanking at his clothes she flung him to the floor. “Do I look like I need you playing up again? I’m putting you in care if you carry on.” The kid just lay on the floor. He knew exactly how to wind his mother up and screamed from the top of his lungs. Vicky bent down towards him and rubbed a wet flannel all over his face. Her flat palm rubbed vigorously, and even though she knew it was wrong she couldn’t help but squeeze at his nose with the flannel to stop his breathing for a few seconds. He was clean again.

  Vicky looked at the pine clock on the wall in the kitchen. She was running late. Dragging Declan’s arm with force she pulled his grey parka coat from the nearby banister. “Come on we better get a move on. Move ya arse.” Declan moaned as they left the house. He hadn’t even had any breakfast. Vicky was skint again and nothing but a stale piece of bread was left in her kitchen cupboards. She was hoping her sister would feed him when he got there; after all it was still early. They walked at speed down Rochdale Road towards the Vine Estate where her sister lived.

  The morning was wet and windy. It was typical Manchester weather. Everyone was rushing about and held their heads down as the wind picked up. Declan’s hands looked purple as he clenched them together for warmth. Watching the buses pass she wished she’d had the fare to make her journey quicker. Vicky’s legs were freezing. They looked like bottles of milk. Dipping her head, she dragged at the moaning child at the side of her to pick up speed.

  Vicky rapped at the letter box. She could hear shouting from inside the house. A girl now opened the door. She only looked about nine years of age. She looked at Vicky like a piece of shit. It was Michelle’s daughter Darcy. “Mam its Vicky and Declan.”

  “Well, tell her to come in then. Don’t leave her waiting at the door.” Michelle’s voice was loud. The girl opened the door fully and went back inside as Vicky followed her. Darcy didn’t really know Vicky and they’d only spoken on the odd occasion, but it was obvious her mother had told her all about her otherwise why else would she be acting like a complete bitch.

  Declan bolted into the front room like shit from a shovel. His voice was loud and Vicky could see her sister eyes lifting towards the ceiling. Puffing on a cig she looked Vicky up and down. Why did she always make her feel so small? Vicky was younger than her and she let her know on more than one occasion that she was older and a lot wiser.

  Declan was diving all over the place messing all the cushions up on the couch. Vicky growled at him much to Darcy’s delight, because he’d gripped one of her dolls and was throwing it in the air. “Turn it in Declan,” Michelle shouted. He turned to face her and smiled, but carried on regardless. Darcy looked distraught. It was her favourite Baby Annabel doll. She’d just got it for Christmas and there was no way he was destroying it. Walking up to him, Darcy gritted her teeth together. Unfolding his fingers from around her doll’s neck she made him squeal like a pig. Her mother looked as proud as punch that her daughter had taken control.

  “How would you like someone squeezing your neck ay?” Darcy’s hands cupped round her cousin’s fat neck. Her face looked evil as she leant over him. “See how you like it.” Her bony fingers strangled round his throat and he was struggling to breathe. His face was going purple and Vicky was just about to step in when Darcy let him go.

  “Bitch, bastard” he yelled after her. All eyes were now on Vicky to chastise her son for his foul mouth. Vicky looked weak as she smacked his arse at ten to a dozen. She didn’t really want to do it but her sister had left her no option. Declan ran around the house and searched for a hiding place. Ramming his body behind the sofa he hid away licking his wounds.

  Vicky asked the time as she looked about the room for a clock. She needed to make a move to Manchester Magistrates courts. She asked if she was okay to leave her son. Michelle loved the power she held over her sister and took her time in replying. “Yeah, how long you gonna be though, because I can’t be doing with him all day.” Her eyes focused at the legs she could see sticking out from behind the couch.

  “Hopefully, not long. I should only get a fine or summit shouldn’t I?”

  Michelle blew a hard breath. Shaking her head she started her long overdue lecture. “You’re such a daft cow in the first place. Fancy thinking you could still get Blake’s money when he’s in nick.”

  Vicky looked at her for a second. “Interfering know it all,” she whispered under her breath. Twisting her body she told her she would have to leave. Vicky hovered about the room and thought about kissing her son goodbye. Best leave, she thought and walked to the front door. “See you later, hopefully,” she shouted with a giggle in her voice.

  Vicky picked up her stride as she neared the courts. She felt calm now Declan wasn’t by her side. It was bliss. No screaming kid and no pulling at his coat to make him hurry up. She could get use
d to this life she thought as she entered the building.

  Making her way to the TV screens spread across a large wall she scanned at them all, trying to find her name. Once she’d located it, she realised she was in courtroom four. Her body was craving nicotine and she felt irritable. She’d not had a cig for hours. Her teeth looked like they were grinded together as she jogged up the stairs to meet her solicitor.

  Vicky sat down and twiddled her hair. She looked anxious as she looked at the characters surrounding her. Each of them looked like they’d lost the plot. The man at the side of her stank of stale beer and her face screwed up as she inhaled his mouldy body odours. She could see her representative at the other end of the corridor.

  Standing in the dock Vicky could feel her legs shaking. All eyes were on her as the charges were read out. She’d already pleaded guilty to the offences on a previous court appearance. Vicky placed her hands in her pockets to keep warm. She looked like she was shivering. The judge peered over his round glasses at her. He looked a right miserable cunt. He had a face like thunder as he coughed to clear his throat. As predicted he gave Vicky a fine. His lecture about fraud went on a bit longer than necessary and even the prosecution were raising their eyes in boredom. Mike, her solicitor, smiled over at her and gave her a cheeky wink. He knew she wasn’t going to get time and a slap on the wrist was all he expected her to encounter.

  Vicky walked away from the courtroom. Fucking three hundred pound fine, she thought, was the judge having a laugh, or what? She didn’t have two pennies to rub together, never mind three hundred quid. Her brief was at her side rubbing his hands together. Patting her shoulder he looked proud of the result. “I think that went rather well,” he boasted. Vicky strained her face to smile. Her solicitor was in her face and his breath stank of garlic. Creasing her cheeks she pulled away from him.