Life of Crime by Kimberley Chambers

Author:Kimberley Chambers [Kimberley Chambers]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2017-11-28T05:00:00+00:00

It had been Melissa’s idea that she and Donte visit her mum’s grave before eating. Today would’ve been her mum and dad’s anniversary, and Melissa could not help despising her father even more than usual.

‘Are we going to eat at my favourite pizza restaurant in Woodford, Mum?’ Donte enquired.

‘No, love. We don’t want to bump into anybody from school, do we?’ Melissa said sensibly. She’d told the school Donte had tonsillitis. Her mum was laid to rest in Upminster Cemetery and Melissa knew there were pizza restaurants in Upminster or nearby Hornchurch.

‘I’ll get the flowers out the boot,’ Donte said. He didn’t remember his nan at all, had been too young. She looked a nice lady in all her photos though, had a kind face.

‘Bloody hell! You’re going to be taller than me soon,’ Melissa joked as Donte linked arms with her. He had really shot up this past year and was already up to her shoulder.

‘Was my real dad tall?’

‘He was taller than me, but nowhere near as tall as Jason. Shush now, love, as people are visiting their loved ones.’ Melissa hated talking about Donte’s real father. He had treated her despicably on learning she was pregnant and not once had he ever tried to make contact with his son.

‘Nan’s already got flowers,’ Donte said as they approached the grave.

Melissa’s pace quickened. The two permanent vases were filled with fresh red roses and there was a huge card tied to her mother’s headstone with the words ‘Happy Anniversary’ plastered across the front.

Heart beating wildly, Melissa snatched at the card.

To my darling, Carol

Gone but never forgotten

Until we meet again

Your Johnny xxx

‘Mum, stop it! What are you doing?’ Donte asked, as his mother started cursing out loud. There was an elderly couple walking towards them and they looked startled.

Melissa ripped the card into tiny pieces. ‘How dare he? How fucking dare he! Roses, I’ll give him poxy roses,’ Melissa spat, ripping them out of the vases.

‘Charming!’ the elderly man exclaimed.

‘Don’t dither, Harold. Come on,’ his wife ordered.

Melissa sank to her knees, ripping the petals off each rose. ‘Cheating, lying bastard. I hate him.’

Jason Rampling downed the last of his drink and stood up. ‘I need to be getting back now. I’ll touch base with Deano when I’ve viewed the slaughters. But can you tell him not to come to the shop any more. I’ll meet him elsewhere if need be.’

Craig grabbed Jason’s arm. ‘Not so fast. I need to talk to you about Darlene.’

‘Why?’

‘You know she’s got breast cancer, right? The chemo’s knocked her for six, could do with some cheering up, she could. I think a visit from you might be just the tonic she needs.’

Stunned, Jason sank back in the chair. He hadn’t known Darlene was ill. ‘Where’s she living now?’

‘Basildon. I’ll give you the address.’

‘I dunno, Craig. I’m not sure she’d want to see me after all these years.’

Craig scribbled on a piece of paper and handed it to Jason. ‘Darlene’s address and my new work number. In future you report to me, not Deano.

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