in his chair, knowing he was beaten. TEl speak to Madeline tomorrow. IEl apologise and tell her that I hope we can work well together in future.?
Zara hadn't enjoyed laying down the law, but the kids might be in danger if Ryan stepped out of line so she had to be absolutely certain that he knew who was boss.
T'll going to heat up some cocoa in the microwave,?Zara said. Tould you like a mug??
Eoya milk??he asked.
Thatt the only kind we have,?Zara nodded.
T'll sorry,?Ryan said, rubbing his eyes. T came out expecting a herot welcome, but I guess people forget about you faster than your expect.?
*
Vivt car was an ancient Mercedes saloon. He was too drunk to drive so he let Sophie sit behind the wheel. She pulled up sharply at the end of a pedestrian alleyway between two metal-sided superstores.
Ts this it??Sophie asked, peering into the darkness.
TtEl do,?Viv said, as he flung open the front passenger door. James did the same with the door behind him.
Keep the engine running,?Viv said, leaning into the car and looking at Sophie. Aive us a shot of that JD.?
Tom reached around the front passenger seat and his older brother grabbed a bottle of Jack Daniels and began tipping it down his neck.
Nave a drop for courage,?Viv said, holding the bottle out to James.
The whisky burned as it passed down James?throat and he almost doubled over coughing.
Lesus,?James croaked, clutching at his throat.
While the trio inside the car giggled at James?discomfort, Viv opened up the boot. It struck James how reckless Viv was as he looked inside at spray cans, tools, bolt croppers, Balaclavas, gloves, Zebra Alliance pamphlets and a video camera. If the police ever searched Vivt car, theyr have a field day.
慠ight,?Viv said, grabbing a can of spray paint and a cardboard stencil, before pointing at a large triangular lump that had been broken off the edge of a paving slab. Tou got the strength to carry that, James??
TEl manage,?James slurred, feeling his muscles tighten as he reached into the boot and grabbed the chunk of stone.
Viv ran off down the alleyway and promptly tumbled over a pile of black rubbish bags that were made invisible by the darkness. James cracked up laughing, despite the weight straining his arms.
Aoat shaggers,?Viv screamed, kicking out wildly at the bags and sending one on an arc several metres into the air. It crashed down to the echo of empty tin cans.
The pair ambled down the rest of the alleyway, and found themselves at the entrance to a supermarket. The sliding doors were locked for the night, but all the lights were on inside. The aisles were blocked up with giant metal trolleys and sour-faced staff stacking the shelves.
慠ight,?Viv said. Tou ready??
James nodded, as a Jack Danielt fuelled burp seared up his throat.
Vivt stencil was about half a metre across. He checked there were no supermarket staff looking his way, before pressing it up against the glass doors of the main entrance, and spraying paint through the gaps. This technique was much faster than writing graffiti and when he pulled the stencil away the slogan was written immaculately: MEAT IS MURDER.
慠ighty ho,?Viv said. Tour turn, cop killer.?
James took a three-step run-up and lobbed the chunk of paving through a plate-glass window. The shatterproof sheet broke into a million greenish pebbles as the stone sailed on, demolishing a display stand filled with credit card application forms.
Viv was heading back towards his car even before the glass broke and James only took a brief glance at the astonished shelf stackers before going after him.
Sophie hit the accelerator as James bundled on to the back seat, squeezing alongside Kyle and Tom. The car was already in second gear by the time her slammed the door.
Tee-haa,?Viv shouted, giving a two-fingered salute out of the window as his ancient Merc squealed out of the deserted parking lot and on to a main road.
17. BREAKFAST
Lauren grinned at her brother across the breakfast table. Tou look so rough.?
T feel it,?James moaned, as he limply stirred the Weetabix floating in his soy milk.
That time did you get home??
About quarter to three.?
Now much did you have to drink??
Tt was mostly halves. Three or four pints altogether I s抪ose and we were slugging back bourbon in the car.?
Kyle staggered through the door in his boxers. His hair was sticking up everywhere and he had dried blood on his earlobe.
T don't remember that happening,?James said.
Me neither,?Kyle said. Theret blood all over my pillow. I must have caught my earring