It was clear to Ruby that this had upset him. Nobody said anything. They all knew that Louie was straight as a die. He’d lost friends growing up because of it; there were pubs he couldn’t drink in because he wasn’t part of the local crime network. Everyone but everyone knew how strongly he felt.
‘I told them to sling their hook, but still, it’s a different world these days. Everyone’s tryin’ to make an easy coin. It ain’t right.’
Suddenly Ruby spoke. ‘How much were they offerin’?’
‘Never you mind how much, you just get on and eat yer dinner,’ Cathy chipped in. ‘We don’t take dodgy money, as Grandad Jim said—’
‘A straight pound is worth three crooked pounds,’ chimed Ruby and Bobby together, rolling their eyes. They’d heard the phrase a million times. It had been drummed into them by their grandad and dad throughout their childhood.
‘Yes, and don’t you forget it!’ Louie barked. He looked serious. ‘If you let in one monkey bastard then they’ll all come runnin’ and you’ll be a crook like all the others, always watchin’ yer back.’
Ruby laughed as a memory came back to her, clear as anything. ‘“Monkey bastards.” It’s like Grandad is sitting at the table. I must only ’ave been six the first time I heard him say that and I said to him, “Grandad, what’s a monkey bastard?” and Mum whacked me one for swearin’.’
Bobby grinned back at her and Louie laughed out loud. Cathy wasn’t so amused. She stepped over and smacked her daughter lightly on the arm, just as she’d done when she was a little girl. ‘And you’re not too old to get another whack now. No swearin’ in this house!’
‘Ow, don’t do that, Mum!’ Ruby giggled, rubbing her arm, but she carried on all the same. ‘The worst of it was that I was sittin’ there thinkin’, When do I get to meet a monkey bastard? They sound so excitin’!’
Cathy and Louie shook their heads in unison, both now laughing. It was her mum’s turn to sigh. ‘You’re right though, Louie. If you do one job, they’ll all be comin’ to ya to do the next one and the next one. It ain’t worth it . . . I know times are hard right now . . .’
Louie smiled just a little sadly. ‘I know, love. The leccy needs toppin’ up and I could do with some new work boots . . . but that’s not the way we’ll do it. Anyway, easy money ain’t easy at all, you know that as well as I do. Let’s eat our dinner and be thankful for what we’ve got.’
The moment of jollity evaporated. Underneath the humour was the harsh fact of their life: they didn’t have much. But they had each other. Sometimes Ruby wished she could just throw their standards out of the window and enjoy the good life like her friends, but she knew what was important. Ruby was happy with her life, with her small bedroom, her second-hand clothes, with her friends, but sometimes, just sometimes, she wished for more.
CHAPTER 2
‘Come on, I’ve got somethin’ to show ya,’ Sarah whispered, her face alight with mischief. Ruby was at her best friend’s house for the evening while her parents were at the pub.
‘What is it, Sar, I want to watch telly,’ Ruby answered, barely looking up from her programme.
‘Come on, I’ll show ya somethin’ better than the telly,’ Sarah said conspiratorially. Ruby looked up at her friend, whose eyes twinkled in the dim glow cast by the lamplight. She smiled. It was probably just a trick her friend was playing on her but she would humour her. Ruby yawned. It was quite late and really, she should’ve been getting back home. Her parents knew where she was but she hated staying away from them for too long.
‘This way.’ Sarah led Ruby out into the thin entrance hall. The evidence of her family’s criminal activities showed in the expensive wallpaper, flashy net curtains, the new chandelier that was too big for the small lounge. It was as unlike Ruby’s home as it was possible to be, despite being the same size and layout. Ruby liked to run her hand across the wallpaper pattern gently as she walked, thinking one day she’d have posh wallpaper to match.
‘Why are we ’ere?’ Ruby asked, looking confused. She’d seen the front door and hallway a million times. There was nothing new there except the carpet that had recently been laid, a brand new one with swirling red and brown patterns to match the beige walls. Ruby knew that carpets were expensive. She didn’t have any at her house.
Sarah reached down to grab the corner of the expensive flooring.
‘What are ya doin’? You’ll ruin it!’ Ruby gasped.
‘Look! Watch me . . .’ Sarah lifted the corner and tugged at it until whatever was sticking it down released its hold and the thick polyester carpet curled upwards in Sarah’s hand. Beneath it was what looked like a trapdoor, albeit a small one.
Sarah pulled up the hatch to reveal a large black holdall.
‘What’s in there, Sar?’ Ruby asked, though something told her she didn’t really want to know.
‘You just wait and see,’ her mate replied mysteriously, unzipping the bag and plunging her hand inside. Seconds later, Sarah pulled out her discovery.
‘It’s a bloody gun!’ Ruby gaped. She stared disbelievingly at the weapon in Sarah’s hand, suddenly frightened. Her heartbeat quickened, her pulse beating inside her brain. She swallowed, digesting this new sight. Every second that passed made her feel more like bolting back home to safety. Sarah, meanwhile, was grinning, transferring the weapon between each hand as if trying on a new accessory. Her friend seemed mesmerised by the black revolver, peering at it from all angles, while Ruby just felt sick.
‘Put it back, Sar. We shouldn’t ’ave found it.’
‘Don’t worry, it ain’t loaded,’ Sarah replied, grinning at Ruby’s discomfort. ‘And anyway, Dad won’t actually use it. He says it’s to scare people
