Free Hearts of Stone by Mark Timlin

with Steph, and Hughes was with a girl who looked like she might get to the age of consent within a year or two. All four of them came over to us.
    â€˜All right, Nick?’ asked Seeley, who seemed to be in high good humour, and totally out of his mind.
    â€˜Fine.’
    â€˜Good.’
    â€˜You?’
    â€˜Never better. Me and Pat have been taking advantage of the amenities.’
    â€˜That’s nice,’ I said.
    â€˜You too, eh?’
    â€˜Yeah.’
    â€˜Enjoy yourself?’
    â€˜Yeah.’ I looked over at Kylie and she winked.
    â€˜Not letting on, eh?’ he said. ‘I like that. A man of few words.’
    I nodded.
    â€˜That’s good. I like a bloke who can keep his gob shut. I see you’ve got some more booze in. I’m ready for another myself. Lil,’ he called, ‘a couple more bottles of bubbly over here.’
    â€˜Right, Roy,’ she answered. She brought out another pair of dark green champagne bottles and four more glasses, and filled them all up.
    â€˜So, Nick,’ said Seeley when he’d three-quarters emptied his, ‘what do you think of the old place?’
    â€˜Top of the shop,’ I said.
    â€˜I know a couple of places like this, but Sonny’s is the best. Best girls in London, eh, Steph?’
    â€˜That’s right, Roy,’ Steph agreed. The state she was in she would have agreed to anything. And probably already had done.
    â€˜So what are we doing?’ asked Hughes.
    Seeley looked at his watch. ‘I’ll have to be off soon. You know how it is?’
    â€˜I know,’ said Hughes. ‘What about you, Nick?’
    â€˜Me too,’ I said. ‘I’m working tomorrow.’
    â€˜Jesus! What a pair,’ said Hughes.
    â€˜You want a lift, don’t you?’ Seeley said to me.
    â€˜If you’re going my way.’
    â€˜I’ve got to get back to Dulwich. I’ll drop you off. Pat, what about you?’
    â€˜I’m not under the cosh like you,’ said Hughes. ‘I’ll catch a cab later.’
    â€˜You going to settle up, then?’
    â€˜Course.’
    â€˜I owe you…’ I said, reaching for my wallet. ‘Keep your money, Nick,’ said Seeley. ‘It’s on us tonight. You can pay next time. I said we’d had a good week. Pat’ll take care of everything.’
    â€˜You sure?’ I said. ‘I don’t want to ponce off you.’
    â€˜Sure I’m sure. Like I said, next time it’s your shout.’
    â€˜All right, then,’ I said. ‘Thanks. It’s been a good night.’ Then to Kylie, ‘Looks like I’m off.’
    â€˜Take care,’ she said.
    â€˜I’ll see you again.’ She knew what I meant.
    â€˜Sure you will.’
    Seeley tapped me on the arm. ‘Come on, Nick. Leave her alone. Let’s go if we’re going.’
    I said goodnight all round and we left. On the way back to Tulse Hill, Seeley’s driving was even worse than it had been earlier. We were lucky not to get a pull. He dropped me off outside my place just after three.

16
    I went straight to bed when I got in, but I couldn’t sleep at first. Too much coke in my system. I just lay in bed and dozed. I finally fell asleep properly around eight, and didn’t wake up until noon. I got up and went out to get a paper and some milk. When I got back, Brady’s Porsche was parked behind the Cosworth. He was leaning against his car waiting for me.
    â€˜Oversleep?’ he asked.
    â€˜Late night.’
    â€˜Sonny’s?’
    â€˜How the hell do you know?’
    â€˜I know everything. Can we go inside? I fancy a coffee.’
    We went up to my flat and I put the kettle on. ‘Black or white?’ I asked.
    â€˜White. One sugar.’
    I made him a coffee, and tea for myself. ‘Am I being followed?’ I asked.
    â€˜That’s right. I must say you didn’t waste any time getting to know our