The Sting: Pre-order the most explosive thriller of 2019 from the No.1 bestseller. Kimberley Chambers
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Название: The Sting: Pre-order the most explosive thriller of 2019 from the No.1 bestseller
Автор: Kimberley Chambers
Издательство: HarperCollins
isbn: 9780008144791
isbn:
‘How did you end up here?’
‘My mum died and then I found out my dad weren’t me real dad. You?’ Tommy asked. Ray had reassured him that all his details would remain confidential and he was only to tell the others what he was comfortable with.
‘My mum didn’t want me living with her no more. She got a new bloke and me and him didn’t get on.’
‘That’s well bad.’
‘So is my mother, the dirty stinking whore.’
‘So, what’s it like in here? Ray and Connie seem all right.’
‘They’re OK. But don’t believe all that bullshit Ray told you on arrival. Did he mention the no-bullying policy?’
‘Yeah.’
‘Well, that’s bollocks. One of the lads tried to set fire to my hair on the way home from school last week. He is one nasty fucker.’
‘What’s his name?’
‘I ain’t no grass. You’ll find out for yourself soon enough. I’ve only been here a week and I know the rules already. Act sweet in front of Connie and Ray, and what happens outside of the home stays outside of the home. Got that?’
Tommy nodded, then pointed at the sketches on the wall. ‘They yours? I like the dog.’
‘That was my dog, Spike. I drew him myself.’
‘No way! That’s well ace. My dog has gone to live on a farm in Essex, but I’m gonna find out where and visit him soon. If I give you a picture of Rex, would you draw him too?’
‘There ain’t no such thing as a dog going to live on a farm in Essex, Tommy. Not in our world. That’s what we’re told when they kill ’em off.’
Tommy suddenly felt sick. ‘What?’
‘A farm in Essex means your dog was taken to the vet and put down. I know ’cause the same thing happened to my Spike.’
A lone tear rolled down Tommy’s cheek. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
Tommy spent the rest of his birthday with his head under the blankets. He couldn’t get Rex’s trusting face out of his head. He’d loved his smell, his big slobbery kisses, and throwing sticks for him in the park. They’d been mates, best mates, and now he would never see Rex again. He was gone, like everyone else Tommy cared about.
‘You OK, Tommy?’ Ray tapped on the door. ‘I brought you a sandwich and a drink.’
‘I don’t want anything, thanks. But I’m sure I’ll feel better tomorrow,’ Tommy lied. He’d had to get out of meeting the other lads and having dinner tonight. Could not face food or company, so had feigned illness.
‘OK, lad. Give Connie or me a shout if you need anything.’
When Ray’s footsteps drifted away, Tommy propped his pillow up against the wall and punched it repeatedly.
He was no longer that innocent young boy he’d been before his mother died. He was now a streetwise, angry young man.
The course of true love never did run smooth.
William Shakespeare
Life in a children’s home ain’t no bed of roses let me tell you, but thankfully I managed to settle in fairly quickly.
The staff were OK, so were most of the lads, and I bonded with three in particular.
I also made an enemy. Wayne Bradley was a real pain in the butt. A nasty, vindictive, violent bully.
By this point, I was no normal teenager, mind. I had issues, plenty of them, and I wasn’t prepared to take shit from any bastard. I’d already nearly killed one wrong’un and I’d do it again if pushed too far. I had no fear. Reason being, I had nothing left to lose.
I often thought of my dear friends, the Darlings. But I had made my mind up that I never wanted to see them again. Their kindness would stay with me forever and I would never forget them, Danny in particular. But I needed no reminders of my short time spent in South London, thanks very much. I had new friends now and was determined to start afresh.
Sometimes in life though, all your plans go to pot and fate can be a fucker.
If only I’d known then what I know now.
You’ll see where I’m coming from soon enough …
Summer 1975
‘Behave yourself, lads. No scrapping or drinking alcohol. You’re to be back here by ten on the dot. Don’t let me down now, will you?’ warned Ray.
Tommy Boyle smiled sweetly. ‘We won’t mess up, and thanks again for giving us permission to go. We truly appreciate it, don’t we, lads?’
Standing behind Ray, Benny Crooks did a fingers-down-his-throat gesture.
‘Yeah. Cheers, Ray,’ said Martin Smith (a.k.a. Smiffy).
Knowing the first thing they would do was drink the cider they’d hidden earlier, Dumbo couldn’t help but giggle.
Tommy shook his head in despair as the four of them bowled outside. The monthly teenage disco at the local Catholic club was an extremely important event.
‘What’s that for?’ Dumbo winced, when Tommy slapped him around the head.
Luckily for Benny, his big Afro saved him from any pain Tommy’s right hand might have caused. ‘You’re such an arse licker,’ Benny chuckled.
‘And you two need to grow the fuck up,’ Tommy spat.
When his pal stormed off, Smiffy caught up with him and slung a friendly arm around Tommy’s neck. ‘You know what they’re like. They don’t mean no harm. They’re just immature.’
No way would Tommy ever hurt Benny, Dumbo or Smiffy. The four of them were good buddies, watched one another’s backs. But ever since what had happened to him, Tommy struggled to control his temper at times. He was no little squirt any more either. Since arriving at the children’s home two and a half years ago, Tommy no longer worried he would live the rest of his life as a dwarf. Not only had he shot up in height, СКАЧАТЬ