Zodiac's toy - John Jones (bill gates best books txt) 📗

leaving, so knew she had to collar him fast before she lost him, and even if she managed to find him inside it was not the ideal place to ask him what she was going to say. There was nobody in earshot, and a quick glance inside his car confirmed what she had hoped. He was on his own.

With his gym-bag and large towel, he closed the boot and Mandy's shadow fell over him and he turned and looked at her.

"Hi, er sorry to bother you, but...but I don't suppose you could do me a large favour". Mandy felt like a fan meeting her idol.

The man just stood there looking, seemingly unsure of what to say or do.

"Could you...well, pretend to be my boyfriend".

The man frowned, his mind racing through his friends who may have set him up, but he came up with no-one.

"I have money," she said, reaching into her handbag and taking out her purse. Then something clicked in the man's mind and he smiled, blushing.

"Oh, I see. Sorry, but..I don't do that kind of work. I'm technically still married". He held up his left hand to show his wedding ring. Mandy stared at it for a few moments, then realised what he thought and she blushed also.

"No...no, what I meant was. My ex is causing me bother, and I just want him to think I have a new man. Would you be him?" He contemplated for a few moments.

"Alright, but you don't need to pay me. If I take on your problems, then it means I forget about my own for a while anyway. Okay, so what is it you're asking?"

 

Mandy was unsure where Carl was, or when he would turn up, so asked Ben if she could remain in his company, and instead of going back to his own house, he would go to Mandy's and spend time with her until Carl showed up.

She went into the gym with him while he did his workouts, went to a cafe for a tea and a glass of orange juice on the way back, and he drove back to her house.

She learned Ben was still married on paper. He was in the middle of a bitter divorce battle, plus wranglings over custody of three children. This was his second divorce, but Mandy didn't care. That evening they were in the kitchen chatting, with Ralph and Effie who had taken a liking to Ben, when there was a banging on the front door.

"Mandy you worthless slut, open the door, I wanna see me kids..." Carl shouted through the letter-box. Ben looked wide-eyed and hooked a thumb in the direction.

"Is that him?" Mandy nodded.

Ben answered the door, arms folded, and Carl just looked up wide-eyed at Ben, speechless for the moment.

"Is, er..Mandy there?". Mandy appeared at Ben's side and put her arm around his waist.

"Carl, this is my new man, Ben. Remember I told you we were finished and I've got a new boyfriend".

"Mandy...I thought we..what about me kids?"

"Only if I let you, and only if they want to see you". She shouted back into the room: "Kids, anyone want to see your Dad?"

"No," came the reply from them both in unison.

"They don't want to see you". Carl pointed an angry finger at her.

"You can't do this. I know my rights".

"No you don't, so go away, we're over".

"I'll take you to court..."

"And we'll be going to a lawyer," said Ben "you probably owe child maintenance. The mother will be awarded custody so she will choose whether or not you see your kids, but if they don't want to see you, then tough. You'll pay for court fees and probably lose the case. Either come to an amicable agreement or do what she wants and fuck off". Ben just stood there like a night-club bouncer.

Carl had nothing more to say, so turned and slinked away, knowing and believing it really was all over. He knew he could never go through with legal action, and instead made his way along the road, feeling like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. So much so it grew too heavy and he stopped in a derelict shop doorway and sat for a while, resting, eyes closed but not asleep and found a few coins on the floor in front of him when he opened his eyes and stood up. His mind was still roiling, and he continued slowly back to his father's house as if he was drunk, not walking in a straight line.

He eventually made it there, let himself in to find his father sat watching television, and collapsed on a grey two-seater sofa and cried.

 

Later on in the evening, Mandy was sat not watching television, even though it was on and bathing her and Ben in multicoloured hues. She had managed to convince him to stay, even though he didn't need much convincing. He was kind of hoping that maybe he could continue the pretence. Maybe Carl will be back and need his arm literally twisted.

Mandy was also hoping that he would stick around for perhaps the same reason. Maybe they had not seen the last of Carl, and possibly but unlikely, there could be legal wranglings on the way. Although he had his own divorce to deal with, Mandy was more than happy to help him out with that as best she could, forget about Carl and replace him with a sarky wife who was being difficult.

Strange and rather sad, she had thought, couples that are so loved-up for years, and have kids, break up and are then at each others throats, practically 'hating' each other. It was a mystery to her.

 

Effie and Ralph had both gone around to her parents house where they stayed occasionally, inviting themselves around, and grandparents never said no. They had kind of hoped that this new man would perhaps stay around so had given them space for Mandy to maybe work on him in becoming a Carl replacement. Neither Mandy nor Ben had understood that this was what Effie and Ralph were hoping. Hoping to see their mother properly happy, in a secure family unit. They just thought they wanted to stay at their grandparents.

Mandy snuggled in closer to him, and Ben was unsure how to react, so he put his arm around her.

"You don't have to pretend anymore," she said, "to be my boyfriend". They smiled at each other. Then they kissed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 30

 

"Party," said Chimp. "Party tonight at Lee's". Shane nodded, sat the table in his flat with Ray. Ray's broken table and chairs were out the back by the bins, along with all the smashed hydroponic equipment and plants. The rest of the flat was surprisingly clean. Not too much evidence of damage. Nugget was sat watching television in the living room, eyeing the weapons with a cloth to hand, 'cleaning' the weapons which didn't need cleaning, such as it was when somebody had a keen hobby. Things would be cleaned and polished, checked, cleaned and polished, checked again, just to make sure it was fine, cleaned...

"So shall I go the pub and invite people?" Shane asked, lighting a cigarette. Chimp shook his head.

"No, it's just us".

"Not gonna be much of a party then is it?" Ray said, taking a cigarette from Shane who handed him one and lit it. "Will Lee want a party in his? I'm not sure he'd allow it".

"Don't worry about him. I'll get him to pay for the drinks as well”.

"Chimp, you don't know Lee," said Ray. "He's not just going to hand you money for drinks". Chimp shrugged.

"We'll see," he said, and walked out of the flat and stood outside Lee's and knocked. Ray and Shane angled their ears to eavesdrop.

After a few moments Lee answered, looking quite tired.

"Chimp," he said.

"Party in your flat this evening. I need money for drinks, so I thought you could pay. I only need about thirty quid". Lee just stared at him for a few moments, then said:

"Yes, I'll give you money. Party tonight". Then he disappeared for a few moments and reappeared to hand Chimp £30.

"Right I'll go and buy the drinks". Chimp then left the building. Ray and Shane looked at each other, internalising questions they could not form properly, then Shane shrugged and smoked his cigarette.

Lee walked into his bedroom, rather confused. He saw the open cupboard, and the open safe in the corner.

Why is that open? he thought, locking it. Fuck, someone's been in the safe. He went out into Shane's flat.

"My safe was open, who the fuck’s been at my money?" Shane and Ray just stared at him, smoke curling between them.

"You," said Shane, "you just gave Chimp thirty quid for drinks for a party in yours tonight".

"I just gave Chimp thirty-quid to have a party in mine, are you kidding? why would I do that?" There was no answer.

"Where's Chimp now?"

"He's gone to get drinks with the money".

"So Chimp’s been in me fuckin' safe. I'll sort him out when he gets back. He is coming back isn't he? He's still staying at yours Ray?" Ray nodded.

"Yes, yes he is. He'll probably be back soon".

"He'd fucking better be,” then he turned and stormed out.

Ray and Shane were quiet for a while, until the silence was broken by footsteps coming up the stairs into the corridor. They couldn't make out what was being said, but knew it was Gary and Blotto. They went into the flat and shut the door.

"D'you think it's time we got some of the money they said we would get? A cut of the profits for the use of our flats. I'm sure I remember something like that,” Shane said. Ray nodded.

"Ye. It'll probably be Gary we have to see". They smoked their cigarettes until they were at the filters.

"Shall we go and see him?" Shane said quietly.

"Alright," said Ray. They slowly got up and made their way to the flat and Shane tapped on the door.

Gary answered.

"Fellas?"

"We were wondering whether we could get some of the money we were promised for the use of our flats and we was told we could get a cut of the profits," Shane said. Gary opened the door wider. He nodded for them to come inside, then went in to sit at his desk. Blotto was sat on the sofa, his arms folded, a confused look on his face.

"Nevermind him. He's still going on about that Ram".

"I just don't know...where..".

Gary went into professional mode, as if Ray and Shane were customers.

"Okay guys, basically it's all about commission, so when I reach a certain level you will be able to profit from it when I procure certain assets which then balance out my accounts. I can ensure profit from the policy I have written up which means expenses that can be appropriated from alternate revenues..."

Gary went on with his practiced spiel for around five minutes, Ray and Shane looking at him blankly.

"...which means that at some point you receive commission, however, at this moment in time I am not in a position to give you any money, but when I do I'll certainly let you know".

Shane nodded, then turned and walked to the exit.

"Sorry guys," Gary said, and shrugged. Ray followed Shane out and they went back into the flat.

"Well that sounded like a load of bollocks," Shane said, walking into the kitchen.

"Yes," Ray agreed. "I only wanted him to bung us a couple of notes".

"Tea or beer," Shane said.

"We've got Chimp's party later".

"Beer then,” he said, opening the fridge.

 

A taxi pulled up in the car-park and Chimp got out. He went up and told Shane and Ray to come and help him with the drinks.

The taxi was heavy with bottles of water.

"Chimp, you've bought water. Where's the ale?" asked Shane.

"Water party," said Chimp picking up a twelve-pack and heading to the entrance.

"Can't have a party without beer," Ray said, just staring at the taxi interior. The driver was saying nothing but frowning at them both as if to say 'hurry up and