Free A Kind of Hush by Richard A. Johnson Page B

'he's nicked your fucking rum.'
    'What!' yelled Wivva as he lifted out a can of beer and checked for himself. He jumped from the van and chased after the kid, only to give up after about fifty yards. He threw the can after him but it crashed harmlessly to the ground some twenty or so yards further on, spraying beer into the air.

    'Little git . . . shit. . . git,' he was muttering to himself as he got back to the van and climbed in. Tony and me were in hysterics.
    We looked a right mess when we got back to Mick's but we loved every bit of it. It seemed to round off the day just right.
     

  Chapter Twelve

     
     

    Friday came. It was about five forty-five and we were all watching Neighbours on Mick’s telly in his front room. Takeaway pizza boxes and beer cans littered the floor. We were all extra nervous. I’d done specials before, but I was shitting bricks at the thought of this one.
    The plan was simple, almost too easy. Mick will be in the pub, wait for the old man and get him talking again. Alan, Tony and Wiwa will be there too. I’m to wait with Pete, Den and Si for him to leave home. As soon as he’s gone into the pub, Si and me are going to go in and get Cheri. Pete and Den will keep watch. Once we’ve got her, me and Si take her in Mick’s Toyota to Greenford and Pete and Den join Mick and the others. When I’ve dropped Cheri off at Beryl’s, we bomb it back to the factory on Hackney Marshes. If we’re late, no problem, they should already be there. If early, fine, we can prepare things for their arrival.
    Mick, for his part, reckons that he can chat the old bastard into going for a drive with him in the van to a very special stag night that he knows about. As his life is ruled by the feelings that he has below his belt, I was sure that Mick would have no problem with that. If on the other  hand it didn't work, then they'll slug him and bung him into the back of the van.
    Neighbours had finished and it was time to go.
    Mick, Alan, Tony and Wiwa left first. I followed on with Pete, Den and Si. We drove to Crouch End.
    As Mick parked up by the side of the pub, I drove on a little further and stopped a few doors down from the house on the opposite side of the road. We then sat back and waited.
    We didn't have to wait long. Almost on the dot at nine he came out, leaned over the wall and rang next door's bell. Old Mrs Simmonds came to the door. We heard her say, 'You off then, Tom? Well, have a nice time and don't worry about the kiddie.'
    He waved and strutted off down the road. Pete followed him to the corner and waited for him to go into the pub before trotting back and saying, 'All clear boss.'
    Si and me got out of the car and walked over to the house. I took out my key, hoping that it still fitted.
    It didn't.
    'Shit!' I said. 'He's changed the fucking locks.'
    'What are we going to do?' asked Si.
    'No sweat,' I said, as I stepped over the wall and rang on Mrs Simmonds's doorbell. Si went to go back to the car.
    'Hold it, Si,' I said. 'There's no problem, honest.'
    Mrs Simmonds opened her door.
    'Yes,' she said. 'Who is it?'
    'Hello, Maisy,' I said. 'It's me, Stu.'
    'Hello, boy,' she said grinning, 'I haven't seen you for ages, how are you?'
    'I'm fine thanks, Maisy, how are you?'
    'Ooh, mustn't grumble you know. How's Jenny and  Alison? Your dad says that you're all living with your granny in Brighton now, nice Brighton is, I went there once you know, are you anywhere near the beach?'
    I swallowed hard, the bastard had covered everything.
    ' Yeah, not far from the beach, Maisy, you'll have to come down some time, I'm sure the girls would like to see you.'
    'Ah, that is nice of you, I'd like that. Anyway, what can I do for you, love?' she said.
    'I was supposed to pick up Cheri at five o'clock to take her home,' I said. 'But my motor broke down and now the old man's gone out and I can't get in.'
    'He didn't say anything to me, Stu,' she said. 'But then again he's not noted for his memory is he?'
    'No,'