Life was good. A few hiccups, but he didn’t expect perfection. He couldn’t wait to start his new course in January. To see in the new year with Alice. His dreams were coming true, and it felt beyond amazing.
Jamie started to whistle as he clambered down the stepladder by the main entrance. He abruptly stopped when Gregg came strolling down the pathway.
‘Can I have a word?’
It felt rude to not talk to him. After all, they were good friends before prison. Jamie moved the ladder and waved him inside, gesturing towards the dining room.
Gregg pulled out a chair from one of the tables and sat straight away, making himself at home.
‘Don’t tell me,’ said Jamie, sitting opposite him. ‘This is about Karl breaking into the Hub, right?’
Gregg shrugged. ‘So you heard?’
‘Saw the damage. And did you know he stole sweets that had been donated for kids?’
‘Yep. Easy to sell selection boxes this time of year.’
‘So, what do you want from me?’
Gregg’s beady eyes bore into Jamie as he straightened in his seat. ‘You’ve got access to their security.’
Jamie scoffed. ‘Seriously? You want me to tamper with that? Erase your brother from the footage? The police already have the evidence, Gregg. There’s nothing anyone can do now.’
Gregg sighed loudly. ‘Then do something else.’
‘Like what?’
‘Help him. He’s young. Not even twenty-five yet. You know he won’t be able to handle a stretch. He’s not like us.’
‘I’m not like us.’
Gregg waved off the comment. ‘This is me you’re talking to, mate. I know exactly what you’re like.’
‘No. You knew a past version of me. You don’t know me now.’
‘Jay, mate, I’m asking for your help with that lot. Surely you can put in a good word or something.’
Jamie frowned. ‘Put in a good word? Are you crazy? Your brother broke into the Happy to Help Hub. He stole from the food bank. From kids.’
Gregg shot forward, slamming his fist on the table. ‘You owe me.’
‘I don’t owe you anything.’
‘I looked after you when you were one of us. Treated you like family. Got you money.’
Jamie scoffed. ‘You taught me how to pick locks, boost cars, shoplift. Now you’re acting like you’re some sort of role model.I’ve just done eight years inside. Where were you then, eh? Did you visit? Write? You vanished, mate, so don’t come to my home and tell me I owe you, because I don’t owe you sod all.’
Gregg stood, his lanky body leaning over the table between them. ‘Short memory, Jay.’
‘No, long one, Gregg. I remember it all. If you were any sort of friend of mine, you’d be happy I’ve turned my life around. You wouldn’t be standing in my home trying to get me involved with your brother’s crimes.’
‘I wasn’t asking for the crown jewels here. If you just explain to that Hub lot that my brother was drunk, not himself, anything, they might listen to you now you’re in with them, and perhaps tell the police they don’t want to press charges. It that too much to ask?’
‘Yes,’ snapped Jamie. ‘What a bloody cheek you’ve got.’
Gregg smirked. ‘I suppose I could just ask Alice.’
Every single part of Jamie boiled as he jumped to his feet, eyes darkening and heart thumping. ‘You go anywhere near my wife, and I’ll rip your throat out.’
