‘So I see, well, you know what they say, big feet, big-’
‘Hands,’ he replied quickly, knowing what she actually meant.
‘Big hands are useful as well, sweetheart. Anyway, best I get off. You go and help yourself to a pair of shoes in the basement as a thanks for helping me load up the van.’
It was a relief when she left and he was able to go back upstairs.
‘Sounded and looked like the blonde bombshell had the hots for you,’ Gibbs said, taking the mickey.
‘She scared me, Sarge. I wouldn’t know how to handle a woman like her.’
‘She’d eat you up and spit you out, son, but you’d learn a lesson or two at the same time.’
One of the officers who had been listening in the shoe-shop cellar suddenly came running upstairs.
‘Sounds like they’ve started drilling – you can hear it through the walls, even without the listening device.’
As Gibbs reached the shop floor he could hear a dull rumbling sound, which increased in intensity and volume as he ran down the basement stairs. The drilling noise echoed around the room as bits of sand and stones on the floor bounced up and down like ping-pong balls under the heavy vibration. Gibbs felt something landing in his hair and looking up saw that loose plaster was crumbling off the ceiling. The officer with the listening device looked anxiously at DS Gibbs.
‘I hope this place doesn’t collapse on my bloody head!’
‘Course it won’t, son, but if it does be sure and let me know.’
Gibbs hot-footed it back upstairs.
Renee had given David a large dose of medicine and he was feeling a little better. His temperature had gone down, and he managed to eat a slice of toast and some chicken soup. She had left him to sleep while she watched
‘What you doing?’ he asked quietly.
‘Checkin’ you’re OK, son. I need to talk to you about something and with your dad and brother out this is my best opportunity.’
‘What do you want to talk about?’
‘They think I’m like wallpaper, with no thoughts or feelings. But after years of what they’ve put me through they’ve wrung the life out of me – well, your dad has more than John, but he scares me as well sometimes. Cliff’s knocked me around for years, but you get sort of used to being abused, because fighting back or arguing only makes it worse. Eventually you learn to keep out the way and say nothing, especially if you want a quiet life. I used to tell myself I stayed because of you two boys, but the truth was I never had the guts to get out. The only time I ever felt really safe was when he was in prison.’
‘Why are you telling me this, Mum?’
She sighed, patted her knees and straightened her apron.
‘Oh David, I ain’t stupid, love. The years of turning a blind eye and pretending not to know what’s going on made for an easy life. But truth is I always knew… ’
‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’
‘Yes you do, David, and I know you and John have been up to something illegal. And your dad’s involved too, now he’s out. I don’t know what it is, but I’m begging you to stay out of it. Don’t get involved, son, for your own good.’
David said nothing, but couldn’t look his mother in the eye.
She shook her head. ‘There’s no point in denying it, because I know. I’ve seen all the signs, seen them too many times not to know. And now I’m too old to walk away, but you can.’
He turned his back to her. ‘That’s a joke, me walking away.’
She got up and leaned over him.
‘I got money saved, David, money I’ve kept hidden for years. I’m giving it all to you because I want you out of here. I want you free of them, once and for all.’
‘Thanks, Ma, but a few quid won’t help me. And you got it wrong, we’re not doing anything, I swear to you.’
Her face twisted. ‘DON’T LIE TO ME!’ she shouted, and kicked the chair over. He had never seen this side of her and he watched with alarm as she took deep breaths, afraid she was bringing on another asthma attack.
‘It’s not a few quid, David, it’s my life’s savings.’
She walked out of his room to her bedroom, got her hat box from the top shelf of the wardrobe and threw it down onto the bed. Removing the lid she tossed out the tissue paper, the gloves and her precious hat she’d only worn once. As she stuffed the money into a brown paper bag the doorbell rang. She froze. It rang again and she started to gasp for breath as her chest tightened in fear that it was the police. She took some puffs of her inhaler and, using the wall to keep steady, moved slowly from the bedroom to the front door, clutching the bag of money.
