in one big mess. “I’m on an estate inspection. You know, doing my job.”
“What you supposed to be inspecting?” I scoffed.
She waved her arms vaguely. “Here. Around.”
“Round the bins of block two? Get fucking real.”
She clambered to her feet, twisting to look back over her shoulder. “Pissing hell, I’m soaked.”
“At least you’re in one fucking piece. I talk with my fists first, mouth later.”
“Nice.”
“Truth.” My arms were still twitchy. I reached in my pocket for my baccy, leaning against the wall as my heart slowed down. I whistled to Case and she came running, jumping up at my legs like I hadn’t just seen her five seconds ago. “Why you following me?”
“I wasn’t,” she lied.
I rolled my cig. “Whatever.”
“Who did you think I was? One of those guys back there?”
I narrowed my eyes, stared straight at her. “Do you ever mind your own fucking business?”
“This is my patch,” she snapped.
“Yeah, well this is my life.”
She stood in silence, and so did I, letting the tension ease off a little. Casey fixed her with curious eyes, tail twitching as though she hadn’t quite made up her mind. Sophie watched her back, expression softening.
“She looks better.”
“She is better, thanks.”
She dropped on her haunches, hand out. “Hey, Casey...”
Case wasn’t sure what to make of her. She looked up at me and I gave her the nod, sending her over to the woman who’d saved her furry ass. Casey sniffed Sophie’s hand, then wagged her tail, satisfied Sophie was one of the good guys.
Sophie Harding smiled her lovely smile. “She’s put on weight.”
“A bit, yeah.”
“That’s good.”
I watched her stroking the dog awhile, gentle little fingers. “Why were you following me?”
She shrugged, eyes still on Casey. “Saw you in the garages.”
“Then came for a snoop?”
“I wanted to make sure you were good... after the weekend.”
I sparked up. “Ain’t told no one, if that’s what you’re pissing worried about.”
“It isn’t.”
She smiled as Casey jumped up to lick her face, fussing her round the ears. It made me feel funny inside, hot and churned up. I looked at her as I smoked my roll-up, the posh little suit she was wearing, her clean white blouse. She looked so fresh, so proper. She didn’t belong in this place. Didn’t belong here, with me.
“Why d’you do it? This shitty job?”
She looked up at me, eyes soft. “To make a difference.”
“Can’t make a difference round here. Place is rotten.”
“You can always make a difference, if you care enough.”
“Dunno about that.” I smiled a bit. “Be careful, estate manager. Nearly got yourself proper beat up back there.”
“Those men. You gave them money. Why?”
I scowled. “Don’t matter.”
“Are you in trouble?” Her expression was well-meaning, but it pissed me off all the same. I ignored her, staring over her head until she got to her feet. “Fine. Sorry I cared.”
She patted Casey goodbye and took off back the way she came, all haughty with angry little steps. This time it was me who leapt after her and grabbed her by the arm, spinning her so fast she lost her balance and toppled into me, slamming into my chest as Casey danced all around us.
“I ain’t involved with those wankers, don’t want nothing to do with them,” I snapped. “I was helping a mate, that’s all.”
She didn’t move, didn’t pull away. She smelt so good again, so fucking clean. It made me feel like a piece of crap, still in the same tatty clothes from the weekend and well overdue a fucking wash.
“A friend?”
“A mate, yeah.”
“Your girlfriend? Vicki?”
There was colour in her cheeks, same as in that hotel room. “Ain’t got a girlfriend. Vick’s a mate.”
Her eyes were sparkly, big pupils. “Will you come with me again?” she whispered.
“Eh?”
“To the hotel... I’ll pay you, just the same as last time.”
My brain said fucking take it, but my heart weren’t so sure. “I dunno.”
“It’ll be just like last time, I promise. I can relax when you’re there...”
“Same guy?”
“Probably.”
I pushed her away, keeping hold of her shoulders until she was steady. I wanted to say no, tell her to fuck off and find another chump to sit around and listen to her getting fucked, but I couldn’t do it. Vick needed the cash.
“When?”
“Saturday. Same place.”
I sighed, admitting defeat. “Aye, alright then.”
She smiled, really fucking happy. It made me feel fucking sick to the stomach.
“I’ll see you there.”
She took off before I could change my mind.
***
Hot water felt so good on my skin. I soaped myself quick to save Vick’s electric, but held on a minute longer,