The Driver by Mandasue Heller Read Free Book Online Page B

I’ve just got so much crap in me head, I can’t see what’s right under me nose half the time. Me mates are always having a go at me for walking right past them.’
    ‘Don’t worry about it,’ Joe said. ‘I’m getting used to it. Anyhow, I’d rather be ignored than get some of the dirty looks I’ve been getting.’
    ‘Ignorant load of fuckers round here, aren’t we?’ Carl grinned. ‘But Cheryl’s probably invited everyone on the estate, knowing her, so they’ll be cool with you after this.’
    ‘Hope so,’ Joe said, handing the spliff back to him. ‘Apart from Cheryl, and the old woman from upstairs, you’re the first one who’s actually talked to me. Oh, and my next-door neighbour, but I’d rather he didn’t.’
    ‘Give you the big welcoming speech, did he?’ Carl asked knowingly. ‘How long he’s lived here, what a load of inbred scummy heathens we all are – that kind of shit?’
    ‘Something like that, yeah.’
    ‘Tosser,’ Carl sneered. ‘No one can stand him round here. And he’s lucky he’s still walking after Cheryl’s ex gave him that going-over last year. She tell you about that?’
    ‘Shay mentioned it,’ Joe told him, lowering his voice to add, ‘That is his name, isn’t it – her ex?’
    Nodding, Carl said, ‘Sorry, didn’t realise you’d met him. What did you make of him?’
    ‘Seemed okay,’ Joe replied neutrally, aware that Carl and Shay might be mates. ‘He came round while I was fixing her washing machine; didn’t really say too much.’
    ‘Caught you and her alone in here?’ Carl sucked a breath in sharply through his teeth and gave a soft chuckle. ‘Bet he wasn’t happy about that?’
    ‘Didn’t look too impressed,’ Joe admitted, grinning now as the weed started to take hold. ‘Can’t be sure, but I think he might have made a dig about me being a nonce.’
    ‘That’ll be ’cos you live next to the freak. Probably thinks youse are setting up a paedo ring or something.’
    ‘No way!’
    ‘Only messing.’ Carl grinned, his eyes as red now as Joe’s were beginning to feel. ‘Anyhow, take no notice of Shay. He talks big but there’s worse than him around.’
    ‘Yeah, I think I’ve met one of them. Big fella with a pitbull.’
    ‘Eddie.’ Carl smirked. ‘Yeah, he’s bad, all right. How did you meet him?’
    ‘We passed on the stairs and his dog tried to go for me,’ Joe told him. ‘I thanked him for keeping it off, and I swear he nearly kicked my head in.’
    ‘You’d be lucky if that was all he did,’ Carl said ominously. Then, abruptly changing the subject: ‘So, which side are you on?’
    ‘Eh?’ Joe gazed at him blankly.
    ‘Footie,’ Carl explained. ‘City, or a dickhead?’
    Grinning, Joe shrugged. ‘Guess I’m a dickhead.’
    ‘Bloody hell, it’s not often you hear a man admit that ,’ Vee laughed, coming back into the kitchen just then. ‘Hear that, girls? Joe’s a dickhead.’
    Pushing past her, Cheryl gave him an apologetic smile. ‘I’m so sorry. She’s not with me – honest.’
    Joe and Carl exchanged an amused glance and burst out laughing.
    ‘Looks like someone’s had a bit too much wacky,’ Lisa observed.
    ‘Oh, that reminds me,’ Vee said, reaching into her bag for her purse. ‘Can I get a twenty, Carl? And make sure it’s bigger than the last one, ’cos that was well under.’
    A tiny wave of paranoia washed over Carl as the self-preservatory part of his mind reminded him that he’d only just met Joe and didn’t yet know if he could be trusted. But a quick glance at the man’s wasted eyes and inane grin soon dispelled it. Like Cheryl had said, he was one of them – and he definitely didn’t look the type to grass. Relaxing, he took some bags out of his pocket and handed one to Vee.
    ‘Anyone else while the shop’s open?’
    ‘Can you do me a lay-on?’ Lisa asked. ‘I don’t get paid till next Thursday.’
    ‘No probs.’ Carl handed a bag to her. ‘What about you, Joe?’
    ‘Er,