CHERUB: The Sleepwalker - Robert Muchamore Page 0,70
hell,’ Kerry gasped as she saw that Gemma had a huge black eye and a fat lip. ‘Was that him?’
Gemma raised her palms as she pushed past. ‘Don’t start going on about it.’
‘Screw that,’ Kerry said, as she went after her. ‘Did that bully slap you around?’
‘Who else?’ Gemma tutted. ‘There’s nothing you can do, Kerry. I came in to work so I didn’t have to sit at home thinking about it.’
Kerry was shaking with anger. ‘You can’t let him do that.’
Gemma put her hands on her hips. ‘Kerry, my life is none of your business. It’s your last day of work experience. You’ll head home in a few hours and after that we’ll never see each other again.’
‘I’ll kick his arse myself,’ Kerry steamed.
‘And what good would that do me?’ Gemma snorted, red with embarrassment and fighting off tears. ‘He owns our flat; I’ve got two kids under five and nowhere else to go. He’s been off work with headaches and back pain ever since James decked him. He’s lost a week’s wages and he’s taking it out on me and the kids.’
‘He hits the kids?’ Kerry said incredulously.
Gemma shook her head. ‘He’s got a short fuse. He never hits them, but he goes mental if they play up.’
‘What about your parents?’ Kerry asked.
‘Screw them,’ Gemma said. ‘You think I’m gonna turn up on their doorstep with two kids and a begging bowl, so that they can say I told you so?’
‘Can’t you go to the housing office or something and try getting another place to live? Maybe it won’t be a palace, but you can’t carry on like this.’
‘He’s OK mostly,’ Gemma said, as she dabbed her eye. ‘He’s my man. He’s just got a temper.’
Kerry shook her head. ‘How can you defend him? Have you seen your face in a mirror?’
Gemma stepped back and shouted loud enough for the customers to hear. ‘Kerry, stay out of my life. Don’t come near the club and you’d better warn James that Danny is back working in the pub today. James better steer clear because Danny’s steaming and he knows it’s his last day.’
Kerry looked at her watch. ‘James is on lunch break. He’ll be back any minute.’
*
James jogged across the street with a PC World carrier bag flapping in the wind. He was chuffed because he’d found a titchy MP3 player in the bargain bin. Dana had a full-sized iPod, but she was on the lookout for a dinky one she could clip to her shorts when she went running, and while Christmas and birthday gifts were expected, James had learned that giving your girl something unexpected earns you untold brownie points.
As he stepped on to the kerb, with Deluxe Chicken ten metres away across an expanse of dead shrubs and litter, James noticed Danny coming out of the alleyway that led to the staff entrance.
‘Hey, hey, shit face,’ Danny shouted, before swinging a baseball bat at a Deluxe Chicken dustbin, sending its roof-shaped lid spiralling through the air.
Two of Danny’s mates stood in line behind him. They weren’t as tall, but they had the same kind of leather-jacket-and-fat-neck look about them.
‘I don’t want trouble,’ James said, glancing around to see if there was anyone else coming from another direction. There wasn’t and he reckoned he’d easily be able to outrun the three heavies.
‘You seen Gemma yet, big man?’ Danny jeered. ‘Last night, I punched her from one side of my flat to the other. What have you got to say about that?’
‘You’re a gent,’ James said, shaking his head. ‘I hope your two monkey slaves are proud of you.’
‘Tonight I might just do it again,’ Danny smiled.
‘I don’t want trouble,’ James repeated, backing up slightly. ‘I know it’s all down to your upbringing: your mum being a whore and that.’
Danny reared up. ‘You come over here and say that.’
James had no intention of getting into a street brawl with three blokes who’d never get near him, but as he turned to jog away Gemma stepped out through the front doors of the restaurant.
‘Leave it out Danny,’ she said angrily. ‘He’s only a kid.’
‘I’m messing with him, sweetheart,’ Danny said, making it sound like it was all a joke. ‘Come and give us a little kiss.’
Gemma didn’t seem too sure, but she stepped across and Danny kissed her swollen lips. As Danny let go, he grabbed the ponytail coming out the back of Gemma’s cap and yanked it down, making her yelp as her head snapped backwards.