Craig.’
Johnny Brooks put two pints on the table and sat down opposite Jason. ‘So what’s been happening?’
Jason explained how awful his home life was, exaggerating for impact. ‘That’s why I have to get Shay away from there, Johnny. My mother gets so drunk she doesn’t know who she’s bringing home, and I’m not having my daughter raised in such an environment. Babs was terrified after that nonce tried to rape her. He only stopped when Elton and Kyle started hitting him,’ Jason lied. The guy in question hadn’t tried to rape his sister, but he had put his hand inside Barbara’s knickers while his mother and brothers were asleep. Johnny wasn’t to know that though. He needed this man to feel sorry enough for him that he’d want to see to it he got a roof over his head.
‘That’s bloody awful, lad. Want stringing up, do nonces. So you not got anywhere lined up to stay?’
‘No. Only left home today. It’ll be difficult for me to work while looking after Shay an’ all. She doesn’t start school till September, so I suppose in the meantime I’ll have to take her to work with me.’
‘Things will sort themselves out, they always do. Not been herself, Melissa hasn’t, this week. I think she was worried ’cause you went a bit cold on her. Not messing her around, are you? Only she’s got enough on her plate with her mum being ill.’
‘I’m not a messer. Just had a tough week meself. I had to look after all the kids ’cause my mother went on the missing list. No way was I leaving ’em alone.’
‘Are you serious about my daughter?’ Johnny had never been one to beat about the bush. ‘Because if you aren’t, now is the time to say so. I won’t be angry, I promise.’
‘Well, yeah. I know it’s only early days but I think me and Mel can make a go of it. Like a proper little family with the kids, eh?’
Johnny took a sip of his pint and studied Jason carefully. He was a hard lad to read. ‘Right, I’m gonna lay my cards on the table. Whatever your reply, I want this conversation to stay between us, you understand that, lad?’
‘No worries. You can trust me.’
‘Melissa does not know the full extent of her mother’s illness. She knows the cancer is terminal, but what she doesn’t know is the doctor reckons Carol has between six months to a year to live.’
‘Shit! I’m really sorry. Poor Carol. She’s such a nice lady.’
‘Being the type of protective dad that I am, I did a bit of asking around about you, Jason. I’m sure being a father to a daughter yourself, you can understand that. What I learned wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t exactly good either. You’ve got a reputation of being a bit of a ladies’ man, and no way am I having my Mel fucked around. Neither am I allowing my daughter to have a boyfriend who sells porn to perverts.’
Jason opened his mouth, then closed it again. He supposed he shouldn’t be shocked; a man like Johnny must have connections all over Essex, but he was still a bit taken aback. ‘So you want me to dump Mel?’
‘No. Quite the opposite. Do you love her?’
‘Yeah. Well, I think so. Not really been together long enough to be properly in love, have we?’
‘Let me put it another way: do you think you can take good care of her and not break her heart?’
‘Well, yeah. I’d like to think so.’
‘My Carol’s dying wish is to see Melissa settled and happy. She likes you, Jason, sees you as a good match for our daughter. I’m not so sure, to be truthful, but I am willing to give you the benefit of the doubt. Which is why I have an offer for you. My pal owns a big construction firm and has kindly offered to teach you the trade and pay you a decent wage. You said one day your dream was to kind of build your own home, so now’s your chance to learn how to. I will buy you and Melissa a house in a nice area that is liveable but needs renovating. That house will be put in your names.’
Jason was gobsmacked. He didn’t particularly fancy the job, it sounded like hard graft, but he would show willing for now. The house in a nice area was a dream come bloody true though. ‘And in exchange you want me to take care of Melissa and raise Donte as my own. Am I right?’
‘Yes, Jason. Just keep your penis in your pants and give up anything dodgy you’re doing. I don’t mind you keeping the market job and a few sensible little earners. In return, you take care of my daughter, be loyal to her, and I will ensure you all live a life of luxury in comparison to what you’re used to.’
Jason held out his right hand. His mother had always said he was a nobody, and he could not wait to prove that fat cow wrong. His teachers in school had been the same. One had even told him: ‘It’s a waste of time trying to educate council estate kids like you – you’ll never amount to anything. You were born on the Mardyke, and you’ll end up dying there.’
‘So, when can we start house-hunting? Mel’s gonna be so excited. Have you mentioned any of this to her yet?’ Jason asked. He truly could not believe his luck – and to think he’d been on the verge of dumping Melissa. Thank Christ he hadn’t. She was perfect to bring up Shay and he was thrilled he’d now be able to send his daughter to a good school. Perhaps he could even get custody of his brothers and sister, offer them a better life too. He would work on Melissa with that one. Make up loads of stories about how bad things were at home until she felt so worried for the kids she’d agree to let them move in as well.
‘I’ll find you an appropriate property before you get married. Be good for Carol, that will. A bit of house-hunting will take her mind off the inevitable.’
‘Married!’ Jason laughed.
‘Yes, married, lad.’
‘You’re joking, right?’
Johnny frowned. ‘Nope. I am deadly serious. What did you think I meant when I said Carol wanted to see Melissa happy and settled?’
Jason shrugged. Living with Melissa was one thing, but marrying her was a completely different kettle of fish. ‘I dunno. Living together, I suppose. No disrespect, Johnny, but we’ve not been dating long enough to get married. Can’t we give it a bit more time before getting hitched? Say we move in with one another, then argue like cat and dog?’
‘Then you’ll work at your marriage and stand by your vows. Indians have arranged marriages and they make it bloody work. So can you. It’s Carol’s dream to be mother of the bride, so if you’re not willing to marry Melissa then I’m afraid the deal is off. I’m going to the toilet, so have a little think. Nice home, job, life – or you sod off back to the Mardyke Estate and live with your drunken mother. Your future is up to you, lad.’
Having barely slept a wink, Jason got up at dawn, pocketed the envelope with the five grand in it that Johnny had given him, and drove towards his grandmother’s house in Dagenham. He’d agreed to marry Melissa in the end, hadn’t had much choice with Johnny’s tactics. He really was up the creek without a paddle and all he could do now was pray Melissa knocked him back. They barely knew one another after all.
‘That you, boy? What you doing ’ere at this unearthly hour? Not been nicked,
