couple of brain cells that his career path is of the behind-bars variety.’
James made a throttling gesture with his hands. ‘I’d love to slap some sense into him.’
‘What did Chloe say when you told her?’ Bruce asked.
‘Nothing. I haven’t told her.’
‘Right, of course,’ Bruce nodded, ‘she would have been engaged ’cos she’s been on the phone to me.’
‘I haven’t tried to tell her, Bruce. I don’t plan to either.’
‘What?’ Bruce said, raising his eyebrows. ‘If it’s just a stick-up they can make it look like the cops happened to be walking by so that our cover doesn’t get blown.’
‘But I don’t want Junior to get sent down,’ James said, sitting on the edge of his bed and grinding his palms against his cheeks. ‘I know he’s a basket case, but I happen to like the guy and I don’t want to be responsible.’
‘And what if he loses his rag and shoots someone in the head?’ Bruce asked. ‘Do you want that one on your conscience?’
‘I …’ James mumbled, contorting his arms and hating the fact that he was in the wrong. ‘This is all my fault. It was me winding him up about the money that made him storm out of Sasha’s gaff the other night.’
‘Give over, James,’ Bruce said. ‘You didn’t help, but he was heading for trouble before you got anywhere near him.’
‘I really like Junior. He’s not, like, just someone on a mission.’
Bruce smiled. ‘You care because he’s you, James.’
‘What are you on about?’
‘Before you came to CHERUB your mum was a crook, just like Junior’s dad. You were spoiled and you’d been in trouble with the police, like Junior. You’re both bright but lazy. You’ve both got a quick temper. Junior is exactly what you would have become if you hadn’t joined CHERUB and been knocked into shape.’
James could see some truth in this, but he wasn’t going to admit that Bruce was right. ‘That’s so dumb,’ he sneered. ‘Why can’t I just like the guy?’
‘James, at least if he gets picked up tomorrow he’s still only fifteen. It’s armed robbery and he’s already on parole so they’ll hammer him, but he’ll only get five or six years because he’s not an adult. By the time he gets out he’ll be close to getting his trust-fund money and hopefully he’ll settle down.’
‘This is such crap,’ James moaned, screwing up his face as he reached into his tracksuit bottoms and grabbed his mobile to call Chloe. ‘I can’t believe I’ve got to grass him up …’
41. JUNIOR
Junior got up at 7:30 a.m. and felt queasy as he showered in his en-suite bathroom. He put on his uniform because he wanted his mum to think that he was going to school, but he packed trainers, gloves and a blue Adidas tracksuit on top of the gun in his school bag.
Part of Junior wanted to back out, but that’s what everyone would expect and he was determined to prove he was his own man. Plus, he’d always dreamed of having his own crew and he reckoned James would come around to his way of thinking once he’d made some money.
Junior’s twin, April, sat at the dining table downstairs in her blue jumper and white school tights. She had her science books spread out and seemed to have brain ache as she stared at her chemistry textbook.
‘It’s a miracle,’ April grinned, glancing at her watch as her brother stepped into the kitchen. ‘Did you wet the bed or something?’
‘Nah,’ Junior shrugged. ‘I thought I might get in early and kick a ball around with the lads before class.’
In fact, the combo of a stretch in young offenders and major-league truancy meant that Junior hardly knew anyone at his school; but April didn’t know that.
‘I really hope you keep your promise to Mum this time,’ April said. ‘You’re no genius, but you’re not thick either. I know you’re behind with your GCSE work, but if you’re serious about going back to school, I could help you to catch up over the summer holidays. Or maybe Mum could pay for a tutor …’
‘Yeah maybe,’ Junior said, dreading the thought of a summer tutor as he pushed a couple of white slices into the toaster. ‘What are you swotting for?’
‘Chemistry mock,’ April said.
‘I wish you were more of a laugh like in the old days,’ Junior said. ‘Before Dad went to prison we went to youth club together and had all the same mates and everything. Now you hang with boffins.’
April laughed. ‘My