Respect (Mandasue Heller) by Mandasue Heller

Author:Mandasue Heller [Heller, Mandasue]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: UK
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Published: 2014-01-29T13:00:00+00:00

16

After a long day in town with Tracey, Mary was laden down with bags when she arrived home later that evening. Shoplifting always gave her a buzz, but where she and Tracey usually targeted things they wanted at the time – like booze, or something to wear for a night out – today’s expedition had been about accumulating stuff they could easily sell on in order to get money for the wedding. She had applied for a loan from the DSS, but there was no guarantee that she was going to get it, and with the day drawing closer she was determined not to have to do it on a budget. It might only be a registry-office affair, but it was her first time and she wanted the full works, from the dress of her dreams, to a horse-drawn carriage, to a massive blow-out of a party afterwards.

She’d nicked a whole load of jewellery – some gold, but most just decorative; tons of bottles of expensive perfumes and aftershaves; and heaps of clothes. She had spread the loot out on the living-room floor, and was happily sorting through it when Chantelle walked in at six.

‘Hey, babes,’ she said, looking up. ‘Where’ve you been?’

‘Round at Immy’s,’ Chantelle lied, noting that Miguel, who was lying on the couch, was studiously avoiding her eye. ‘What’s all this?’

‘Wedding fund,’ Mary told her, grinning happily as she rooted through the still-labelled clothes. ‘Here, these are for you.’ She held out two tops and a skirt. ‘Go and try them on, then give us a fashion show.’

‘Later,’ Chantelle murmured, unbuttoning her jacket. ‘I need to see what’s in for tea.’

‘Me and Miggy are going down the pub to sell this lot; we’ll get something from the chippy.’

‘I’ll just make it for me and Leon, then,’ Chantelle said, eager to get out of the room.

‘He’s out,’ Mary informed her.

‘Where?’

‘How do I know?’

‘Didn’t you ask?’ Chantelle frowned.

‘Why should I?’ Mary gave her an irritated look. ‘What’s your problem? He ain’t a baby.’

‘I know,’ Chantelle replied coolly. ‘I just don’t like him wandering around at night. It’s not safe.’

‘Aw, chill out,’ Mary sneered. ‘He’s tough, he can handle himself. And if he can’t, he’ll have to learn how, won’t he? It’s a cruel world out there – he’s got to be able to fight his own battles or he’ll end up a little wuss.’

Chantelle bit down on the concerns that were still rolling around in her mind. Leon wasn’t tough, he was a kid, and the last thing she wanted was for him to start fighting and acting like a thug, because that was a fast track to ending up in jail. But her mum obviously didn’t share her concerns, and now she was back in control there was nothing Chantelle could do if she allowed him to go off by himself.

‘Go and try that stuff on,’ Mary said again. ‘I wanna see if it fits. She’ll look gorgeous, won’t she, Miggy?’

Chantelle gritted her teeth when Miguel swivelled his eyes towards her.

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