Shadowfruit by Gary Hewitt

Author:Gary Hewitt [Hewitt, Gary]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-05-07T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16 Journey To Hell

“I’m off to work, Mum.”

Rose looked to the living room thinking it hadn’t been so tidy for at least a year or two.

“All right, son. You’re off out tonight ain’t you?”

“Yep, off to see Joey and George remember? I ain’t seen them for about four years now, should be good to see how they’re getting on.”

Rose wished it was a hundred years before her son met them again.

“You be careful. I’m proud of the way you turned your life around and it’s no thanks to them.”

He sighed.

“Mum, that was ages ago. I don’t touch any of that shit now.”

She handed him a packet of foil packed sandwiches.

“Yes, well you just behave yourself and watch your tongue round my house young man. You’re not so big you can’t get a clip round the ear.”

“Leave it out, Mum. Anyway, you’re too old and slow to catch me. Ouch!”

Rose tapped him on the top of his head.

“Not that slow. Now get to work.”

Martin spotted a pigeon pecking at a discarded bag of chips, he wondered how many he’d chucked away in his drunken prime. His uncle pulled up and pointed to the passenger seat. He enjoyed his uncle’s company yet his eyes drifted to the South London Press classifieds twice a week.

“All right, Jim.”

He clambered in, Jim waved at Rose who returned his greeting.

“All right, Mart. I want a nice easy day today son, none of that cobblers like we had yesterday.”

They pulled away and Martin cringed when he recalled taking out the wrong parcel for K.M.I. Products. His uncle resembled a raspberry hedgehog when he discovered Martin’s faux pas. The driver’s mate said a prayer of thanks when he found the parcel at a previous drop. Jim continued his diatribe when the company they had to return to was on the other side of the borough.

“It was a one off though wasn’t it?”

Jim shook his head.

“Well, it was, wasn’t it? I mean the amount of times I’ve fucked up you can count on one hand.”

Jim nodded in grudging agreement.

“Maybe, but that’s still too many times for my liking. You screw up and we get home late. Just you make sure you keep your eye on the ball today, especially as it’s Friday.”

Martin counted the cars go by. He started his own little competition to see how many red Fiestas he wracked up in a day.

“No chance of mucking up today. I’m off out with some old mates. It’s blinding seeing them after all these years.”

Jim snorted, in his youth he’d drink all night, ram down a curry and every now and then chuck a right hook or two.

“I can’t be arsed with all that prancing about at my age. A few pints down the Green Man does me. You don’t take any of those soppy drugs do you?”

Martin looked back offended.

“Course not, I’ll be on the Fosters.”

Jim squinted at his nephew who took a sudden undertaking of reading the latest headlines.

“Well, you just be careful. This new crap they’re all taking ain’t too clever.

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