Free Somewhere to Hide (The Estate, Book 1) by Mel Sherratt Page B

up and Danny flashed the lights on a clapped out Vauxhall Astra. He hid his look of contempt well as he climbed into the passenger seat with a yank of a stiff door handle.
    ‘All right, mate?’ Danny nodded.
    Austin nodded back. ‘Surely you haven’t nicked this?’ Before he got in, he pushed aside empty cigarette cartons, crisp packets and cans of lager so that there was somewhere to put his feet.
    Danny patted the steering wheel. ‘This heap is all mine. I use it when I can’t be arsed to get anything else. And I’ve lifted a twenty off the old lady so I’ve filled her up a little. What’s the plan for today?’
    Austin frowned, annoyed that Danny expected to spend time with him for the honour of being his driver. He swallowed down the words ready to spew out of his mouth. He needed to keep Danny on side, for a little while at least.
    ‘No plan,’ he said.
    They turned off Alexander Avenue and onto Winston Road. Austin stared at the properties they passed.
    ‘You robbed any of these?’ he asked.
    Danny changed gear noisily before replying. ‘No, don’t tend to shit on my own doorstep. I go on to the private estate – far more for the taking there. I do have a fence on here though, Mick Wilkinson. He takes most things from me.’
    Austin made a mental note to find out more about Mick Wilkinson and his outfit. It might be worth his while to get involved with some of the locals, though if everything went to plan he’d have to scarper pretty quickly afterwards.
    Danny sped up as a young girl tottered across the road in front of them. Austin sniggered. Her shoes were too high for her, unintentionally making her wiggle provocatively.
    ‘Hey, Becky,’ Danny shouted to her as he drew level. ‘Fancy a ride and I don’t mean of the motor?’
    Becky stuck two fingers up to him.
    Danny laughed. ‘What a cracker, and so ripe.’
    Austin watched in silence as Becky continued on her way. She didn’t look much older than sixteen or so with her blonde hair tied away from her face. When she turned back and saw them still watching, she pulled up the collar of her scruffy denim jacket to conceal her face. Austin frowned: she seemed like she was hiding something – or hiding from someone.
    ‘I fancy some fun with her,’ Danny added, staring after Becky as well. ‘She’ll most probably be up for it too. She’s the new girl at Cathy Mason’s.’
    ‘Cathy Mason’s?’
    ‘She takes in all these homeless girls. Great for us single boys. They’re always gagging for it. Most of them are already hooked on drugs so we get a fair trade off them as well. And if they aren’t hooked, they usually are by the time they leave.’
    ‘Sounds like a shit place to live.’
    ‘I reckon it’s okay. Cathy Mason’s a right looker too. I’d give her one anytime. Her old man copped it a few years back. I’ve never seen her out with another bloke since so I bet she’s gagging for it too.’
    ‘She sounds more like my type.’ Austin was still following Becky’s disappearing form though.
    Danny grinned. He papped his horn loud and long and waved as Becky looked back before vanishing around the corner out of view. ‘She’ll do for me. I’ll have her by the end of the week.’
    As Danny sped off up the road, Austin remained silent in thought. For now he would let Danny keep Becky warm for him. Then when the timing was right, Becky would be his. She would do just fine.
     
    Sitting on her bed, Liz logged on to her email account and sighed when she saw three more emails from Kevin. None of them had a subject heading but each of them had the same content in the body. She flicked onto the first one and scanned it quickly. You will come back… I need you here with me… you won’t stop me from seeing my daughter…
    She flipped down the lid of her laptop, wondering if he’d eventually get fed up of harassing her. Earlier that morning, she’d been researching domestic violence. This obsession he had with her could go on forever.