Call & Response (15 page)

‘Alive? Aye, I’m still here. But you’d prefer it if I wasn’t, I expect.’

‘Don’t start that shit again, dad. I told you, you’re not coming to live with me and Ben, and that’s final. Not now, not ever.’

‘You don’t want me around him, do you? He needs a man about the place though, doesn’t he?’

‘No, he does not. And he certainly doesn’t need you, dad. I just came to check that you’re all right, that’s all.’

There was a pause, and Penny stood in the middle of the room, right below the harsh overhead light. It was making her scalp crawl, or at least something was.

‘Can I make you a cup of tea, love?’

‘No. I don’t have time. I’d better go.’

‘You get off, then. You’re such a busy lass. I’m right proud, honest. But could you lend me a few quid? I’ve got nowt in. You can check if you like.’

‘No need, dad. I know you haven’t. Tell you what. I’m off to the shops now so I’ll get you a few bits, and drop them here on my way back home, how’s that?’

‘No. Can’t you do what I ask, just for once? It always has to be your way, doesn’t it?’

‘Bollocks, dad. I’m off. How many times have I given you cash, over the years? I could have paid off my mortgage by now. Do you even remember when you used to take my pocket money, eh? Do you? Well you bloody should. Like I told you years ago, I don’t believe you, not a bloody word you say. And I’m a copper, dad. I know a worthless con when I see one.’

‘Worthless?’

‘Aye, worthless. But I came to give you something anyway, a warning. Dai Young is back in town, but I expect you already knew that.’ Her father didn’t reply, which Pepper took as a yes. ‘And he’s recruiting too, we know that. Proper villains, dad, not piss-heads like you. But I think he might send one of his lads round here, and get you signed up, just to piss me off, like. And I wanted to tell you that you really do need to say no.’

‘Oh, aye?’ She knew that expression. It was probably her earliest memory of anything about him, and she’d always hated it. Sly, selfish and stupid.

‘So he’s already been round then, has he? I’m not surprised. Well you need to give back-word on whatever it is you’ve agreed to do, dad. Because if anything happens in this city that has the smell of Dai Young on it then I’ll nick you first, and that’s a bloody promise.’

‘So what’s it worth, lass, if I do keep my distance, like? Not that I’m saying he’s recruiting.’

‘To me? Fuck all, dad. You’re totally on your own, just like me. And, just so we’re clear, I won’t treat you like any other shit-for-brains con if I catch you. Oh no, I’ll come down on you so hard you’ll be breathing through your toes for a month. Is that clear?’

‘Aye, all right, love. But could you not spare me a tenner, just for a carry-out, like?’

By the time she’d finished her shopping Pepper had calmed down. She recognised the woman at the till, and half-remembered that she’d nicked her boy for something back when she was a DC.

‘All right, Pepper?’ the woman said, cheerfully. ‘Well done for nicking those lads. Everyone knew about it, of course.’

‘Well they should have bloody told us then, Sarah.’

‘Aye, I suppose so. But you don’t want to be called a racist, do you?’

‘It’s people’s public duty to help us, when they’re aware that a serious crime is being committed’ said Pepper, hearing the tiredness and irritation in her voice.

The woman carried on scanning, and pointed down at some items on the belt.

‘I didn’t know you had another little one. Congratulations, love.’

‘Oh, the nappies and baby food? No, they’re not for me. They’re for someone else, a friend. She’s having a bit of a hard time at the moment, like. I’ll find a cab outside, and get the stuff sent round to her place tonight.’

‘That’s really kind of you. But what is it?’

‘Come again?’

‘Has she had a boy or a girl, your mate? I hope it’s a girl.’

‘I don’t know, to tell you the truth. I think it’s a boy. Aye, it is, I remember now. But why did you hope it’s a girl then, Sarah?’

‘Because lads are nothing but bloody trouble, now aren’t they, love?’