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Brooks is cake-o, everyone knows that. Dunno what she’s doing with a lowlife like you. Must be desperate.’

      ‘Can I come, Jason?’ Elton asked.

      ‘And me. I’m coming,’ Kyle insisted.

      Jason put his hand in his pocket. ‘Not today, lads, but get yourself some sweets,’ he replied, handing each a pound coin.

      ‘Have a nice time,’ Barbara said.

      ‘Have a nice time,’ Debbie mimicked.

      Thoroughly annoyed with his nasty bitch of a mother, Jason grabbed his whingeing daughter’s hand and dragged her out the door.

      Johnny Brooks handed his wife a menu. He’d taken her out for lunch so they could speak about her illness in private. But not only did Carol not want to talk about it, she was still refusing to tell Melissa.

      ‘I wonder how Mel’s getting on. So nice to see her so happy, isn’t it? He’s a cracking lad, is Jason. I do hope they stay together.’

      ‘I wouldn’t build your hopes up, love. They’ve only known one another five minutes and he’s a bit of a chancer, by all accounts.’

      Johnny had done some asking around. Jason had the reputation of being one for the girls and he sold pornography. He’d learned other stuff about the lad too. His grandmother was a notorious shoplifter and gambler who lived in Dagenham, and his grandfather had been a bookie’s runner who’d been bumped off for robbing money.

      ‘Well?’ Carol urged.

      Not wanting to burst his wife’s bubble, Johnny played his findings down. ‘I did a bit of digging. Nothing too bad, but he has had lots of girlfriends. Bit of a heartbreaker, by all accounts, so he better not be leading our Mel up the garden path or he’ll have me to answer to.’

      ‘I wish you wouldn’t poke your nose in, Johnny. Say the lad finds out? And so what if he’s had lots of girlfriends? You courted others before you met me, didn’t you?’

      Johnny felt his face flush. He’d heard nothing from Shirley since ending their relationship. ‘Well, yeah. But that’s different.’

      ‘No, it isn’t. Men will be men and I’m glad he’s sowed his wild oats before meeting Mel. She’s had boyfriends, hasn’t she?’

      ‘Yeah. Wonderful taste our daughter had,’ Johnny replied sarcastically.

      ‘Did you find anything else out about him?’

      ‘Not really. Got the impression he has a reputation of being a bit of a wide boy, but I guessed that when I met him.’

      ‘I don’t want you asking no more questions about him. Always have to put a spanner in the works, you do. And don’t you dare tell Melissa any of this. I don’t want that girl’s happiness spoilt.’

      Johnny squeezed his wife’s hand. ‘Don’t be angry with me. Melissa’s my daughter and checking out the latest boyfriend is what decent dads do. Like yourself, I only want her to be happy. She deserves the best in life, the very best.’

      The girl was a skinny, scruffy little urchin. Her long brown hair looked like it could do with a good brush, and her shoes were tatty and worn. She had a cute face though, even if it was currently sullen, with a sprinkle of freckles across her nose. ‘Why don’t you play with Donte, Shay? Look, he’s enjoying himself and so are all the other children. You don’t want to miss out on having fun, do you?’ Melissa smiled. The child had so far refused to talk to her, was acting shy and sidling up to Jason.

      ‘Answer Melissa,’ Jason urged, prising his daughter’s arms from around his waist. It had been his idea to have lunch at a pub with a play area, and he’d driven out to Wickford to do so. He didn’t want Darlene to get wind of his relationship with Melissa. Thankfully she had no idea who Johnny Brooks was when he’d casually mentioned his name last week.

      ‘Don’t want to. Donte’s a baby and I’m a big girl now.’

      Jason picked his four-year-old daughter up and swung her around. She was ever so thin, Melissa thought. Definitely underweight for her age. Mel smiled as Jason gently placed Shay in a pit of shiny balls next to a girl of a similar age. Donte was having a whale of a time playing with another little girl.

      ‘Sorted,’ Jason grinned as he sat back down. ‘She’s not usually shy. Probably acting up ’cause she’s only used to playing with her brothers and sisters,’ he explained.

      ‘Aww, she’s lovely, Jase. Who did you tell her I was – a friend?’

      ‘No. I told her you were my girlfriend. Best to be upfront from the beginning, eh?’

      Melissa felt a warm glow envelop her. Jason must really be serious about her if he’d told Shay that. He still hadn’t tried it on with her. The furthest they’d got was a kiss and cuddle, but they both lived at home, so it was awkward. ‘Do you fancy going away for a weekend on our own? My mum mentioned it earlier, said if I wanted a break she’d have Donte for me.’

      ‘Awkward for me ’cause I work Sundays. And, to be honest, I’d rather save up to rent a gaff than waste money on hotels. Be great if one of us got our own place, wouldn’t it? We’d have loads of time alone then. So expensive though, what with all the bills and that.’

      ‘Yes, I should imagine it is expensive. My dad’s always said when I’m ready to move out, he’ll find me a decent place. He wants Donte to go to a nice school in a good area.’

      Jason nodded approvingly. This conversation was going exactly the way he’d hoped. ‘That’s what I want for Shay too. Gotta get her away from the Mardyke soon, preferably before she starts school in September. Call me a dick if you think I’m being presumptuous, but how about we get a gaff together? I know we haven’t been seeing one another long, but we get on well, don’t we? Be nice to have some independence – what do ya reckon?’

      Melissa was stunned. She was sure she was in love with Jason, but it felt a bit too soon to be moving in with him. She felt safe around her parents, even though her dad got on her nerves at times. On the other hand, she fancied Jason something rotten, and the thought of going to bed with him every night and waking up with him every morning sent shivers down her spine.

      ‘Forget I said anything. I can tell you’re not interested,’ Jason mumbled.

      ‘No. It’s not that. Of course I’m interested, I’m just a bit taken aback as we haven’t been together that long. Surely people will think we’re rushing into things?’

      ‘Who cares what people think? We both want the same things and we get on well.’ Jason leaned across the table and held Melissa’s hands. ‘You’re not average. You’re different, Mel. Decent, proper girlfriend material. That’s why I really like you.’

      Melissa grinned. Those butterflies were doing somersaults in her stomach again. ‘I’ll speak to my parents, see what they say. But yes, I think you’re right. We can make it work. I really like you too, Jason.’

      ‘Mummy, look. Watch me,’ Donte shouted out.

      When Melissa walked over to her son, Jason smirked. He didn’t love her, probably never would, but she was respectable and likeable. And if the gaff Johnny Brooks rented was big enough, she could look after his brothers and sister too. They could stay over at weekends; give them a break from his mother. He was a forward thinker, had it all planned out.

      ‘All right, Nan. I got you some Guinness, look. A whole crate.’

      ‘Me stomach’s playing up at the moment, I can’t drink ’em. Didn’t you get me any fags?’ Peggy asked, a disappointed look on her face.

      Knowing full well his grandmother wouldn’t be satisfied even if he brought her the crown jewels, Jason grinned. ‘Nah, but I’ll bring some next time. Got something to tell ya. I’ve met a girl. Family have got a few bob an’ all.’

      Peggy clapped

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