Get Even by Martina Cole Read Free Book Online Page A

son.
    ‘I never imagined, Sharon, how fucking fantastic nature is really. I can’t get over seeing him attached to you like that, and I don’t even feel jealous!’
    She laughed with him, pleased that he was so interested in the baby and still so in love with her. She felt blessed. If anything, this child had brought them even closer together.

Chapter Twenty-Two

    Jack Johnson was giving Lenny more and more responsibility, and Lenny was rising to the challenge. It was as if becoming a parent had made him grow up even faster. He had the look of a man now, a grown-up, fully fledged male. He was getting bigger as well, filling out even more, if that was possible. Jack saw the way the women looked at him, but he had never seen the lad once take the bait. Sharon was a lovely little thing, but if he were Lenny’s age he would be off with anything remotely pretty with a pulse. That was Jack though – Lenny was obviously a much better man than him. Or a complete cunt; it depended how you looked on it really. Jack was a man who thought that youth and opportunity went hand in hand. As his old mum used to say, one day you would be old for the rest of your life – many a true word and all that.
    As he looked at young Lenny, he felt a moment’s envy for the boy’s youth and happiness. Everything was possible when you were his age – the world was your oyster and the years were still passing slowly.
    ‘You know that you’re going to be given a piss-up for your birthday, don’t you?’
    Lenny nodded and smiled. He had large, white, strong teeth, and when he grinned he looked like a model in a toothpaste advert.
    ‘I know. I hope it ain’t a late one. I like to help with the baby. You want to see him, Jack. Bigger every day. He’s smiling as well now – and it ain’t just wind!’
    Jack laughed. ‘You’re getting a right fucking Mary Ann!’
    Lenny grinned. ‘I can’t help it. He fascinates me.’
    Jack raised a bushy eyebrow. ‘So it would seem!’
    Lenny got the message that it was time to talk about other things than his boy.
    ‘Anyway, I’ll be there and I’m going to put a few quid behind the bar. Do the fellas good to have a night out with no women to tie them down and, as it’s Sunday the next day, they can all sleep in.’
    Lenny nodded. He wasn’t really looking forward to it if he was honest. He wasn’t happy about leaving Sharon and his newborn son. But then she had her mum who was never off the doorstep and if Jack wanted to give him a birthday night out with the men, he couldn’t refuse it. Plus, Jack was right – the lads deserved a night out occasionally, and this would cement his place as head of the firm, after Jack. His quick mind combined with his sheer size was something only a few of the men possessed. His accuracy with mathematics and fractions was something most of the workforce now depended on him for. He knew how lucky he was, and he was not going to nause it up.
    He would have a great night; after all, it was his birthday.
    They busied themselves sorting out the money paid, and the problem payers who might need a bit of an incentive. They sent round different men for different problems. But there was one family that was starting to get on Jack’s tits, and he wanted young Lenny to pay them a call personally. He had had enough shilly-shallying; they were taking the fucking piss now. Lenny assured him he would sort it on his way home. Jack smiled happily. That was exactly what he wanted to hear.

Chapter Twenty-Three

    The Dornans were one of those families that seemed never-ending. There were Dornans all over the show; they were numerous, and they were troublesome – especially the ones who still lived with their mother.
    Jane Dornan was a big, blowsy blonde, with a constant cigarette hanging from her mouth and the manners of an Irish navvy. No one really liked her on the estate, but everyone was wary of her and her extended brood of children. Janey, as she was known, kept a filthy