Born Evil (29 page)

The rest of the evening passed in a drunken, drug-induced blur. Having run out of lager, Charlie started on his father’s cider and by ten o’clock was knocked for six.

‘You cannae go home like that, son. Your mother’ll go mental. Ring her and say you’re staying at a friend’s. You can stop here and I’ll drop you home tomorrow.’

‘I can say I’m staying at Kev’s, she don’t know where he lives,’ Charlie slurred.

‘Do it now before you crash out then,’ Billy urged, noticing his son was fading fast.

Incapable of stringing a text together, Charlie handed the phone to his father and told him what to put. The message read:
Staying at Kev’s. I’ll be home early to get ready for school
.

A return text came back in seconds.
I want you home 2nite, Charlie. You know you’re not allowed to stay out when you’ve got school the next day
.

Billy laughed as he read Debbie’s text. ‘Your mother hasnae changed, son. Still a fucking moaner, after all these years.’

Charlie propped himself up against Andy’s threadbare sofa. Eyes rolling in his head, he tried to focus on his father. ‘What shall I do, Dad? She really gets on my nerves. Shall we wind her up for a laugh?’

‘Let me do it, son. It’ll give me great pleasure to wind your fucking mother up.’

All three of them giggled as Billy typed in a reply.
Mum, I’m busy shagging a bird. I’ll be home tomorrow, OK?

Debbie was sitting on the sofa with Gracie and Rosie as the second text came through.

‘Who’s that, Mummy? Can I read it out for you?’ Gracie asked.

Debbie quickly shoved the phone into her handbag, away from prying eyes. Steve was in the kitchen, dishing up the Indian takeaway that had just been delivered.

‘Just popping upstairs, love,’ she shouted, as she ran upstairs with her bag. Hiding in the bedroom, she rang Charlie’s number. No answer. She tried again. After the fifth go, she gave up and decided to text him instead.

Billy snatched at the phone as Debbie’s text bleeped through. He was in hysterics as he read it out loud. ‘
OK, love. Don’t be late in the morning as you have to go to school. And please be careful, you don’t want to catch a disease or get anyone pregnant. Don’t forget to use a condom. Love you
.’

Debbie ventured downstairs to eat her Indian takeaway. She felt worried, but was also very happy. Her son was underage, but so what? At least now she knew that her Charlie was growing up into a normal, hormonal teenager. Many a night she’d worried about him being abnormal, but it must just have been a teenage phase he was going through. He had mates now, and girls were on the scene, so surely the worst was over. Tucking into her chicken korma, Debbie felt more content than she had in ages.

Billy helped Charlie into Andy’s bedroom. ‘Goodnight, son,’ he said as he chucked the filthy, drink-stained quilt on top of him.

‘Night, Dad. Love you.’

Billy smiled as he left the room. The words he’d just heard were music to his ears. Not only had he acquired a son, he’d also acquired an ally. Between them they could hatch a perfect plan. Get their revenge on every bastard who had ever upset or come between them. The thought made him laugh. An evil, nasty, vindictive laugh. For the first time in ages, Billy’s cold, cold heart was filled with excitement and passion at what was to come.

THE NEWLY DECORATED
changing rooms reeked of a mixture of paint, sweat and feet, and Charlie felt nauseous as he changed into the ill-fitting shorts which his teacher had demanded he wear. Charlie hated PE and rarely participated, but due to the excitement of meeting his father the previous day he’d forgotten to ask his mum for the usual letter saying he couldn’t take part.

His PE teacher, Mr Marshall, was having none of his lame excuses and had found him some kit to wear from the lost property box. ‘Come on, lads, chop-chop. I want you to sprint three times around the football pitch. Whoever’s last can stay behind and clean the showers.’

The first to finish was Dean Summers, who broke into song as Mr Marshall patted him on the back. ‘Championee, Championee, o-lay, o-lay, o-lay.’

Charlie felt sick as he tried to keep up with the rest of the lads. He was only slightly overweight, but terribly unfit. By lap two, he had given up the ghost and decided to jog instead.

‘Come on, Dawson. I’ve seen hippos move faster than that,’ Mr Marshall shouted at him, much to the amusement of the other lads.

Finishing last, Charlie flopped on to the grass, holding his sides. ‘I don’t feel well sir. I feel really sick,’ he told his teacher.

‘That’s because you’re a lummox, Dawson,’ came the sarcastic reply. Charlie was then forced to join in with one of the five-a-side football matches that were in progress. After showering and dressing, he sat on the wooden bench in the changing rooms, waiting for the bell to go. Pretending to be engrossed in a magazine he was flicking through, he couldn’t help but listen to Dean Summers going on about his latest conquest.

‘Honestly, she’s well fit and she’s a really nice girl. She looks a bit like a younger version of Jordan,’ he bragged.

‘Where did you meet her? What’s her name?’ asked one of the lads.

Charlie’s ears pricked up.

‘I met her at a party. Her name’s Lois. She’s a right sort and she’s well into me. I’ve seen her every night since I met her.’

Desperate to hear more, Charlie was annoyed when the bell rang to signal home time. Picking up his school bag, he fell into step behind Summers.

‘Where do you think you’re going, Dawson?’ Mr Marshall shouted. ‘You’re on shower duty for finishing last, son.’

Chucking his bag to the floor in exasperation, Charlie removed his socks and shoes, rolled up his trousers, and for once did as he was told. Mr Marshall was a well-known ogre and Charlie knew if he refused the task he’d been given, he’d be on detention for weeks on end. He set to work silently, one thought going over and over in his mind. Surely Summers hadn’t been referring to his Lois? It couldn’t be, could it? It had to be a coincidence. His Lois wouldn’t be going to parties. His Uncle Mickey wouldn’t allow it.

‘I’ve finished, sir,’ he shouted.

After a brief inspection, Mr Marshall gave his grudging approval. ‘It’s passable. Off you go, Dawson.’

As if Charlie’s day hadn’t been bad enough, he was in for more unwelcome news on his arrival home.

‘Granddad Peter’s organising a surprise anniversary party for Nanny and I insist you come,’ his mother informed him.

‘Why do I have to go, Mum? I hate family parties, you know I do. Can’t you just take the girls with you?’

But Debbie wasn’t taking no for an answer and, for once, stood her ground with her son. ‘Look, Charlie. If it wasn’t in honour of your nan, I wouldn’t make you go. But she’s been good to you over the years, the only one apart from me who has stuck by you through thick and thin. Please, love, don’t argue with me. Come, if only for my sake.’

‘When is it?’ Charlie asked unwillingly.

‘It’s this Saturday, love. Peter’s booked a hall in Upminster, not far from your school. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it when you get there, and I think Lois is coming.’

The last sentence swung it, as Debbie had known it would.

‘Okay, I’ll go, but just for your sake,’ Charlie lied.

Debbie smiled. She knew she shouldn’t encourage the Lois situation, but her son had a girlfriend now and she would take great pleasure in informing Mickey of this fact if he kicked off on Saturday night.

‘So, who’s this girl you spent the night with? What’s her name?’ Debbie asked her son excitedly.

‘Samantha,’ Charlie said, thinking of the first name that came into his head. He’d watched a porno recently and the bird on that had been called Samantha. Right dirty bitch she was, as well.

‘And where did you meet her?’ Debbie asked. She was ever so happy for him and couldn’t wait to meet the girl.

‘Romford.’ Lying came easy to Charlie.

‘Why don’t you bring her with you to Nanny’s party?’ Debbie suggested.

Charlie looked at her in horror. ‘Nah. I’ve only just met her, Mum. It’s way too early for introductions and all that.’

Desperate to avoid further interrogation, Charlie escaped to the quietness of his bedroom. He was dying to ring his dad, to tell him how much he’d enjoyed yesterday and find out when they were meeting again.

The rest of the week passed quickly and pleasantly for Charlie, who spent three out of the next four evenings in the company of his father. His mum had become a complete pushover since he’d lied to her about having a girlfriend, and gave him far more leeway than before.

‘I know you’re courting now, love, so I’m gonna let you stay out until midnight on school nights. And if you want to stay over your girlfriend’s house at weekends, as long as her parents don’t mind, then I don’t either.’

‘Thanks, Mum,’ Charlie said, smirking to himself.

He’d have told her he had a bird ages ago if he’d had known it’d turn her into a total sucker. He used to have to be indoors by ten on school nights and had rarely been allowed to stay out all night before. Now she thought he was indulging in tits and fanny, she was a different person, and Charlie and his dad succumbed to many a laugh at his mother’s expense.

Billy loved it because it was his jokey text that had set the ball rolling in the first place. Charlie loved his newfound freedom and exercised it to his own advantage. ‘I’m staying round me girlfriend’s on Friday, Mum. I’m taking her out for a meal.’

‘Take that, love, and treat her,’ Debbie said, chucking fifty quid his way.

Charlie had spent the night pub crawling with his father and then dossing round Andy’s flat, puffing until the early hours.

‘Did you have a nice time, son?’ Debbie asked him when he arrived home, looking rather dishevelled, on Saturday afternoon.

‘I had a lovely time, Mum, and Samantha really enjoyed it,’ he replied, escaping upstairs before she could clock the state of his drug-induced hangover.

The Silver Wedding anniversary party was a complete surprise to June and her face was an absolute picture as she was led into the packed hall, to be greeted by all her friends and family. Peter had pretended to his wife that they were attending a friend’s fiftieth and June was more shocked than anyone to find out that she was the real guest of honour.

‘Oh, Peter. This is the nicest thing that anyone’s ever done for me. Thank you so much,’ she said, as her eyes filled up with tears.

‘You’re worth it, my darling,’ he replied truthfully.

Debbie sat down at a table with Gracie and Rosie. Spotting Karen, holding Alfie by the edge of the dance floor, she gesticulated for her to come and join them. Mickey headed towards the bar to help Steve carry the drinks.

‘Where’s Lois?’ Debbie asked her sister-in-law.

‘She’s coming later. She’s gone to a friend’s sixteenth birthday party.’

‘Charlie’s gone out. He’s got a girlfriend now. He’ll be here later as well,’ Debbie said proudly.

‘They grow up so quick, don’t they? Lois has recently fallen in love for the very first time. She’s bringing him with her later. He’s such a lovely lad, even Mickey approves. Is Charlie bringing his girlfriend with him?’

‘No. He’s only been with her a couple of weeks. I told him to bring her, but you know what lads are like, he got all embarrassed.’

Karen smiled knowingly and agreed.

Taking the glass of wine that Steve handed her, Debbie took a large gulp as she saw her brother approaching the table. The argument they’d had had never been sorted and tonight would be the first time they’d come face to face in weeks. Karen nudged Mickey as he sat down. She’d had words with him before they left home and had no intention of letting him forget.

‘All right, Debs?’ he muttered, unable to look his sister straight in the eye.

‘Fine, thanks. You?’

The Mexican stand-off looked set to continue until June intervened. ‘Excuse me a minute,’ she said to Steve and Karen. ‘Right, outside you two. Now,’ she demanded, scowling at Mickey and Debbie. Once they were in private, she let rip at them.

‘I have never seen such childishness in the whole of my life. You’re brother and sister, for goodness’ sake. So you had an argument – so what? For fuck’s sake, be adult about it and make it up. You’ve got lovely partners, the pair of you, beautiful children. It’s not just you this affects, you know, it’s your families as well. We’re an East End family and East Enders stick together. The pair of you both need to get down off your high horse and sort things out, once and for all, because I’m sick of it.’

Before she walked back inside the hall, June fired a parting shot. ‘If you can’t sort things out between you, do me a favour and both go home. This is my party and I’m not having it spoilt by anyone.’

Mickey and Debbie stood looking at one another in shock. Bursting into laughter as her mother stomped off, Debbie was the first to break the ice. ‘I’m sorry, Mick. Things ain’t been the same without you about. Can we put all the shit behind us?’

Pulling his little sister into his arms, Mickey hugged her tightly. ‘I’m sorry, too. I should never have said them things about Charlie. I didn’t mean ’em, sis. I just lost me temper.’

‘Shall we let bygones by bygones?’

‘Definitely,’ Mickey replied. Linking arms with his sister he led her back into the packed hall.

Steve nudged Karen as he watched their respective spouses walk towards them. ‘Well, thank fuck for that. Yous pair want your bleeding heads smacked together,’ he chuckled as they reached the table.

‘It’s her fault, innit? Obstinate little cow, she is,’ Mickey said playfully, cuddling Debbie at the same time.

‘Don’t you blame me, it’s your fault, you tosser,’ Debbie replied, enjoying the banter.

June smiled to herself as she spied on her children from the other side of the hall.

‘You look happy, my dear. Are you enjoying yourself?’ Peter enquired.

‘I’m having the best evening ever,’ June replied, squeezing his hand.

‘All right, Mum?’

Debbie had been that busy mucking about with Steve and Mickey, she hadn’t noticed her son approach the table. ‘Sit down next to me, love,’ she ordered, patting the seat next to her.