The gems you learn from children’s literature. Ready to go, I picked up the mobile and shoved it in my jeans. The car started on the first turn and I’d got to the end of the drive when the mobile went. I said,
‘Yeah.’
It was Lillian, said,
‘You are so much more than I had expected but so much less than I have hoped.’
And rang off.
It was ten after eight by the time I got to the Angel tube. Islington is a bastard in a car. Aisling was waiting. She was dressed in a duffel coat, faded blue jeans. Looked like a radiant student. I opened the door, she jumped in. Leant over and kissed me on the mouth. I said,
‘I’m sorry I’m late.’
‘We’ll be sorry if I’m late.’
Let that slide and asked,
‘Where to?’
She gave me a complicated set of directions and I got lost twice. Finally, she shouted,
‘Stop!’
I did.
We were parked outside a pub. She said,
‘This is Filthy McNasty’s.’
‘You’ve got to be kidding.’
‘No, that’s the name.’
‘Sounds like it should be in the Bronx.’
‘I remembered you said you love crime writers. Here they have a crime writer read and they play tracks relevant to his work. Guess who’s on this evening?’
I had no idea, said,
‘I’ve no idea.’
‘James Ellroy.’
‘No shit... that’s brilliant!’
Already the place was jammed but we managed to grab two stools at the corner of the bar. Aisling’s face was shining, excitement writ huge. She said,
‘I’m buying, what would you like?’
‘Pint of Guinness.’
She ordered that and a Malibu. The drinks came and we did the ‘cheers’ bit. I asked,
‘What’s a Malibu?’
‘Rum with coconut.’
‘Good God.’
‘Try it.’
‘I don’t think so.’
‘Ah go on.’
I did, went,
‘Jesus, paint off a gate, tastes like cough syrup.’
She laughed, squeezed my thigh, said,
‘I’m delighted to see you.’
I felt great. Jeez, when had I ever felt that? She was gorgeous, funny, smart, and liked me. I had money in my wallet and a promising hard-on. Hog heaven.
Then James Ellroy came on. Big guy and wired. He didn’t so much read as give a total performance.
Mesmerizing.
When he took a break, he was mobbed. Aisling said,
‘Why don’t you have a word?’
‘Maybe I’ll catch him later.’
She gave a wicked smile, said,
‘Let me tell you about later. I’m going to lure you to my home, fill a bath with
scents
oil
and
you.
‘Open a bottle of wine and soak. Then I’ll order a huge pizza and eat you while it’s hot. Then while you sleep I’ll watch over you.’
My mobile went.
I had to squeeze through the crowd to find a quiet spot. A guy muttered,
‘Fuckin’ yuppie.’
Me?
Holding the phone close, I said,
‘Yeah.’
‘Mr Mitchell, it’s Jordan.’
‘Yeah.’
‘Miss Palmer has attempted suicide.’
Oh shit.
‘Is she bad?’
‘I’m afraid so.’
‘What can I do?’
‘I believe you should come.’
‘Aw shit.’
‘As you wish.’
And he rang off. I said,
fuck
fuck
fuck.
A man said, ‘He reads better after the break.’
I fought my way back, said to Aisling,
‘I gotta go.’
‘Aw no.’
‘Listen, I’ll drop you off.’
‘No, you better get moving.’
‘Will you be okay?’
‘Perhaps I’ll have a word with James Ellroy.’
‘I’ll make it up to you.’
She gave me a sad smile, said,
‘We’ll see.’
As I left, the soundtrack was doing U2 with ‘Sweetest Thing’.
Now if that isn’t sticking it to you, I dunno what is.
‘Drained of all but memories of you.’
‘Jeez,’ I thought, ‘where did that come from?’
Manoeuvring through the Islington traffic I felt bone weary. Took me near two hours to get back to Holland Park.
Into the kitchen and Jordan was there, I asked,
‘How is she?’
‘The doctor’s given her a sedative but she’s awake.’
‘Should I go up?’
‘Please do.’
He had nothing further to add so I went. Up those stairs like a condemned man. Her bedroom was lit by one bedside lamp. In bed, her arms were lying outside the quilt. I could see the bandages on her wrists. No fuckin chance she’d cover them.
I said, ‘Lillian.’
‘Mitch... Mitch, that you, darling?’
‘Yes.’
She made a grand effort to sit up but then sagged back, whispered,
‘I’m sorry Mitch, I didn’t want to be any trouble to you.’
I wanted to wallop her, said,
‘It’s okay, you rest now, everything’s fine.’
‘Is she pretty Mitch, is she young?’
‘What?’
‘The girl you’re seeing.’
‘There’s nobody... I was on a boys’ night out.’
‘Promise me Mitch, promise you’ll never leave me.’
My mind was shouting — ‘how the hell did we get to here?’ I said,
‘I promise.’
‘Hold my hand, darling.’
I did. She gave a deep sigh, said,
‘I feel so safe now.’
I felt exactly like I did when the judge said,
‘Three years.’
The way to dress for a robbery is comfortable. It’s not the occasion to break in a new pair of shoes. Or to have a pair of Y-fronts mangling your balls.
I arrived at Jeff’s place early. Two of the old crew were already there. Bert and Mike, as reliable as concrete. The air was thick with cigarette smoke and the aroma of coffee.
The atmosphere was cranked. These guys were pros, but each time, the stakes were rising.
A sofa was littered with weapons. Jeff said,
‘We’ve got a new guy.’
I didn’t like that, said,
‘I don’t like that.’
Jeff put up his hands, said,
‘Me neither, but he’s got a rep as a wheels man. We don’t got a choice.’
Jeff’s system was simple. Three car. One for the robbery, then two changes. These motors had been positioned over the weekend. An expert driver was vital. Jeff asked,
‘Want some breakfast Mitch?’
A huge fry-up was simmering alongside a mountain of toast.
There are two schools of thought on a meal before a caper.
1) Pig out for the energy level.
2) Nowt...to hike the adrenalin.
I was with the second, said,
‘Coffee’d be good.’
I moved over to the couch, selected a 9mm, put in the waistband of my jeans Took too, a pump shotgun.
You rack that fucker, you get everybody’s attention. Put on a worn combat jacket, packed the pockets with shells. Tasted my coffee, double-loaded, it hit like a fist.
Knock on the door, Jeff opened it carefully. Turned to us, said,
‘It’s the new guy.’
A punk came in. Something very familiar about him. He was dressed like Liam Gallagher before he discovered what a gold credit card implied. He had a long gash down the side of his face. I remembered.
At the party, he’d been out the back with Briony and she’d torn his face before putting the gun in his mouth. He said,
‘I know you.’
I nodded. He smirked, asked,
‘How’s that crazy bitch sister of yours?’