she’d probably refuse to see him for weeks if he didn’t oblige, Jason kneeled on the bed and put his head between Darlene’s legs. Licking away rapidly, like a child tasting ice cream for the very first time, he prayed she’d come quickly.
‘Don’t put the bloody jar of mint sauce on the table, Johnny. Put it in this little china pot,’ Carol Brooks tutted. Her daughter and Jason had been dating for over two weeks now and today would be the first time she and Johnny would meet Jason properly. They’d said a quick hello to him on the few occasions he’d picked Melissa up from the house, but today he was coming round for lunch and Carol was determined everything would be perfect.
Johnny Brooks sighed. ‘Anyone would think Prince Charles was on his way round, not some lad off the bleedin’ Mardyke Estate,’ he complained. Johnny had been disappointed to find out where Jason lived. Shame the lad didn’t come from decent stock, but beggars couldn’t be choosers and, given the position his Mel had ended up in, in Johnny’s eyes she was a beggar.
‘I know you want to find out more about Jason, Johnny, but don’t be bombarding him with questions. I know what you’re like when you’re in interrogation mode and I don’t want the lad to think we’re nosy, or Melissa to get the hump. She had the right needle when you asked where he lived the first time he stepped foot inside the door.’
‘I’m bound to have concerns, love, and so should you. Mel’s obviously smitten and if he’s gonna be part of this family then we need to know what he’s all about. Mel’s very vague about his job. I know he works on the market of a Sunday but he doesn’t run a motor and take our daughter out on that wage alone, does he? You don’t know that Mardyke like I do. Place is full of scallywags.’
‘It’s not up to you who Mel dates, it’s up to her. And I thought Jason was charming the times we met him. If you mess this up for her, you’ll have me to deal with – and I mean that, Johnny.’
‘Yes, dear.’
Melissa burst into the kitchen. ‘Do I look OK?’ she asked. She still couldn’t believe her luck at having met Jason. He was absolutely gorgeous and entirely different to other lads she’d dated. He hadn’t even tried it on with her yet, which showed how much he respected her. He was the perfect gent, and tomorrow his daughter and Donte would be meeting for the first time.
‘You look lovely, Mel. But you don’t want to lose any more weight; you’ll have to buy a whole new wardrobe if you do,’ Carol warned. Her daughter was wearing black Lycra leggings and a white baggy top with bold silver print on the front. She’d certainly been hit by the love-bug, had been eating like a sparrow since meeting Jason.
‘He’s late,’ Johnny announced, pointing at the clock on the kitchen wall. He was a sucker for punctuality, lateness infuriated him.
‘It’s only ten past, Dad, and he has got a daughter to see to,’ Melissa snapped.
‘Your dad’s only winding you up, love. Take no notice,’ Carol insisted, glaring at her husband.
Twenty minutes later, Jason finally arrived and, as Melissa ran excitedly to answer the door, Johnny could not help but let a few expletives fly.
‘Shut up. I mean it!’
‘What time d’ya call this?’ Johnny’s voice boomed as Jason walked into the kitchen.
‘I’m sorry, sir. But my daughter cut herself, was crying, and I also wanted to stop off to bring you these,’ Jason said, handing a bouquet to Carol and bottle to Johnny.
‘Aww, what beautiful flowers. You shouldn’t have, but thank you,’ Carol gushed.
‘Nice one. Cheers.’ Johnny studied the Jim Beam label to make sure it was genuine, before shaking Jason’s hand. One of his employees’ daughters had recently purchased a cheap bottle of vodka off the Mardyke Estate and ended up in intensive care.
‘Sit down, love. Let me take your jacket,’ Carol urged. Jason’s aftershave smelled gorgeous, and Carol could certainly understand why Melissa was off her food. He had a cheeky lopsided grin and a real sparkle in those deep blue eyes of his. His thick blond hair was an odd style but suited him, and he had charm and a certain aura.
‘Thank you, Mrs Brooks,’ Jason responded, handing Carol his jacket.
‘Call me Carol, love, and my husband’s Johnny. We’re not formal in this household. A pair of old cockneys, me and Melissa’s dad are. Out of Stepney originally. That’s where we met.’
Jason had learned the art of being a sweet-talker from an early age. Becoming a market-trader had then helped him polish up his act even more. He asked Carol and Johnny numerous questions, showing genuine interest towards every answer they gave. He was determined to impress.
‘So what about you, lad? You said you were off the Mardyke. Always lived there, have you?’ Johnny enquired.
‘Most of my life. I don’t intend to be there much longer, though. Don’t get me wrong, there are some decent people live on the estate, but I’ve always wanted better in life and as a father it’s my duty to ensure Shay has the best upbringing possible. I want her to go to a decent school, so I’m working hard to achieve that. Where is Donte? I got him this. I know you said he’s mad on anything with a set of wheels,’ Jason said, handing Melissa a blue gift bag.
‘He’s having a nap. Kept me awake half the night. Oh, Jase, he’ll love this. Look, Mum, Dad,’ Melissa beamed. Jason had brought her son a shiny bright blue truck. It looked expensive, was in a posh box.
Johnny Brooks smiled approvingly, but he wasn’t fooled. He could tell Jason was a bit of a wide boy. ‘So what d’ya do for a living then, Jason? Melissa said you work on Dagenham Market of a Sunday. That your only job, is it?’
‘I duck and dive, Johnny. Work most days of the week. I buy stuff and sell it on for a profit.’
‘What sort of stuff?’ The lad was obviously fond of throwing his money about and Johnny knew the Mardyke was rife with drug dealers.
‘Videos, CDs trainers, jeans – whatever I can lay my hands on really. I have a lot of contacts via the market, so I’ve got in with a few wholesalers. I don’t make a fortune, but I get by. I do plan to up my game one day, mind. My dream is to build my own property. Buy a bit of land. Either that or renovate an old gaff. That’s all in the future though, not any time soon. I need to save my pennies first.’ Jason had no interest whatsoever in building his own property, but had guessed Johnny would ask such questions so had planned an answer in the hope of impressing the man.
‘A client of mine is in that field. Does all his own electrics, plumbing, floor-laying, tiling, to cut back on the costs. You a jack of all trades, are you?’
Jason was slightly taken aback by the reply. He knew Johnny was no man’s fool, but was he being sarcastic? Jason held his gaze. ‘No. Unfortunately, I’m not. But a man can have dreams, can’t he? I would rather be optimistic about my future than settle for a life on the Mardyke. No crime in wanting to better yourself, is there?’
It was at that point Johnny grinned. He remembered saying something similar when he was Jason’s age, and he’d gone on to make it in life. The lad certainly seemed like a go-getter. A chirpy, confident bloke who knew what he wanted. Johnny would be proud to take him out for a pint with his pals, might lessen the embarrassment his daughter had caused him.
Clocking
