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  Together the two women stepped up to the counter to order, leaving the men to continue butting heads, an amused crowd gathering around them to watch.

  “Sorry about him,” Cass said to Rachel. “He’s a really good guy but he does let his mouth runaway with him.”

  “So we heard from Mikey and Jez,” smiled Rachel.

  “What are you doing here? I heard you moved to Devon.”

  “We did but Ryan’s sister’s in hospital so we’re visiting. We tried flying but we couldn’t get a direct flight from Exeter to Manchester, so we’ve had to drive part of the way.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that. I hope she gets better soon.”

  “Thanks,” said Rachel tightly. She hesitated before adding, “she’s in a coma. It’s not looking good.”

  Cass could see her obvious distress and to her immense surprise, her heart went out to her. Naturally she knew all about Rachel Law and she was finding she was nothing like the hard faced bitch she’d envisaged. In fact, she quite liked her. “Well, if she’s related to Ryan she’s going to be tough.”

  Rachel’s eyes filled with fondness. “She is.”

  They ordered their food, Brodie and Ryan continuing to bicker, standing nose to nose, both of equal height and powerful build.

  “Do you think we should tell them their food’s ready?” said Cass.

  “Nah, let them get it out of their systems,” said Rachel, picking up her tray laden with food and carrying it over to a table, Cass following with her tray. They sat opposite each other and chatted about nothing in particular, both women surprised to find they actually got along rather well.

  “Mum,” said Leah, rushing up to the table. “Dad’s arguing with that big angry Scotsman,” she said, pointing behind her.

  “I know sweetheart, just leave them to it. What do you want to eat?”

  “But it looks like they’re going to start fighting. Aren’t you going to stop them?”

  “Neither of them are stupid enough to start in here in front of all these people,” said Rachel. “They’ll soon get bored.”

  “I don’t know, they look really angry.”

  “Brodie always looks like that,” said Cass.

  Leah looked to her mum. “Who’s she?”

  “Her name’s Cass and she…errr…knows Uncle Mikey and Uncle Jez.”

  “How?”

  “They met when Mikey and Jez took a recent trip to Glasgow. They share the same friend.”

  Leah scrutinised Cass, wondering if she was a criminal too. Deciding she looked okay she sat next to her mum and tucked into the sandwich Rachel handed her.

  “Oy you two, are you coming to get something to eat or what?” called Rachel.

  Ryan and Brodie stopped glaring at each other to look at her.

  “Well, I am pretty hungry,” said Brodie. His words were proved by the rumbling of his stomach.

  “As am I,” said Ryan. “It’s been a long journey. Shall we continue this later?”

  Brodie thought about it before nodding. “I’m not one to concede a fight but aye, how no? I’m going to need all my strength to kick your arse.”

  “No doubt you’ll stuff yourself silly on some deep fried chocolate then you won’t be able to move.”

  “Is that supposed to be some sort of Scottish joke you stuck-up southern prick? And just so you know, I don’t eat fried food, apart from the occasional fry up as a treat.”

  “Then that’s one thing we have in common. Oh I’ve had enough of this, I’m getting something to eat with my wife and daughter. You’re welcome to stand here like a fool if you want.”

  With that Ryan walked off, leaving Brodie to scowl after him. “What are you looking at?” he frowned at the group who had assembled to watch.

  Brodie was pleased when they all scurried away and he joined the others at the table.

  “Here you go,” said Cass when he sat beside her, shoving a sandwich at him. “Put that in your mouth before it gets you into any more trouble.”

  He muttered something inaudible before taking a bite.

  “So, are you two an item?” said Rachel.

  She was surprised when they both blushed and looked down at the table.

  “No,” replied Cass. “We’re just colleagues. And friends.”

  Rachel was amused. It was clear they would like to be with each other. She wondered why they weren’t.

  “So, what business do you have in the Lakes?” said Ryan, sipping his tea.

  “None of your business, that’s what,” said Brodie.

  “Well excuse me,” said Ryan icily.

  “What Brodie means is it’s confidential,” said Cass, ever the diplomat. Rachel got the feeling she’d had a lot of experience in that role. “Sorry.”

  “It’s alright, we understand,” said Rachel. “So is everything quiet now in Glasgow?”

  “Aye,” said Brodie between mouthfuls of sandwich. “Thank Christ.”

  Ryan sighed. “I’ve already asked you to moderate your language once Brodie. Don’t swear in front of my daughter.”

  His amber eyes settled on Leah. “Oh aye. Sorry hen.”

  “That’s alright,” said Leah. She grinned at her mum. “I like how he talks.”

  “That’s a first,” said Cass. “People are normally telling him to shut up.”

  “I can well believe it,” said Ryan.

  “And I suppose everyone hangs on your every word,” said Brodie.

  “Actually they do,” said Ryan with a hint of smugness.

  “Listen you posh English ponce…”

  “Hey,” said Cass. “You’re being nice, remember?”

  He rolled his eyes. “Fine. I won’t be mean to the poor wee Manc. I might make him cry.”

  Ryan’s eyes turned flinty. “Oh I’ll make you cry Brodie, like a five year old child.”

  “Yeah right, big man. An English pansy doesn’t stand a chance against a Scottish thistle. No offence hen,” he said to Cass.

  “None taken,” she replied.

  “Sounds like you’ve said that a lot,” Ryan said to Cass.

  She just smiled before taking a bite of her sandwich.

  “So, are you going to keep it a secret forever then?” said Brodie.

  Ryan was thrown. “Keep what a secret?”

  “Where the Lake District is?”

  Rachel had to bite her lip to stop herself from sniggering at Ryan’s expression.

  “Cumbria,” was his stony reply.

  “Fat lot of use you are.”

  “I managed to get all the way here from Devon perfectly well, so who’s the useless one?”

  “Will you two please stop it?” said Leah. “You’re really embarrassing, everyone’s looking at us.”

  This admonishment from a fifteen year old girl silenced them both, to Cass and Rachel’s mutual surprise.

  “Sorry Leah,” said Ryan.

  “Aye, sorry hen,” said Brodie.

  “I like being called hen,” she smiled, making Brodie’s eyes twinkle.

  Rachel and Cass chatted like old friends. Leah soon became bored with the conversation and started playing with her phone, leaving Ryan and Brodie to glare at each other.

  “What is your problem with me?” said Ryan when he couldn’t endure another whisky-eyed glare from Brodie. “What did I ever do to you?”

  “You’re a gangster and I don’t like gangsters.”

  “I am not a gangster you fool. I’m a businessman, completely legitimate.”

  “That’s no’ what your ma said.”

  Ryan’s anger spiked, as it always did whenever his mother was brought into the equation. “Listen you, Rachel and I run completely legal businesses. End of story. We are not in that life anymore.”

  “Yeah, right.”

  Ryan glanced sideways at Leah, who had mercifully put in her headphones to listen to music. “I don’t care what you heard,” he hissed at him. “That is the truth and from what I’ve heard you’re no better. Your business can be barely cal
led legal.”

  “You can’t even compare the two. I get justice for those denied it by the sad excuse of a justice system. My business is…”

  “Unfinished business, yes I know.”

  “Don’t finish my sentences for me.”

  “Sorry, I was getting bored.” Ryan thought about the vigilante work he’d started doing with Rachel and thought this man might actually be useful. “I’m intrigued, how do you manage to walk that delicate balance between legal and illegal?”

  “I thought you’d be the expert there.”

  “I mean with the work you do.”

  Brodie actually paused to answer the question. “It helps to have someone on the inside.”

  “You mean a police officer?”

  A nod was the only reply Brodie was willing to give.

  “And have you had any comeback for your actions?”

  “No, our operation’s far too tight and well protected.”

  “How do you know a case you’re taking on is legitimate and not someone just out for revenge?”

  “Because I’m not a fucking lemon.”

  Ryan’s jaw tensed. “Language, for God’s sake.”

  “She cannae hear,” said Brodie, pointing at Leah. “She’s got those things stuffed in her ears, probably listening to one of those wanky boy bands.”

  “Actually it’s Black Sabbath,” said Leah without lifting her gaze from her phone.

  “The girl’s got taste,” said Brodie, making Leah smile. For the first time, Brodie’s expression was curious rather than hostile. “Why are you so interested anyway? Thinking of setting up your own business?”

  “Believe me, that’s the last thing we need.”

  “So why are you asking?”

  Ryan shrugged. “Curiosity.”

  “Crap. You’re up to something.”

  “I can assure you I’m not.”

  “Aye, right,” grinned Brodie, shaking his head. “You want to know what I think?”

  “Not particularly.”

  “You’re living the nice, clean life in Devon and you’re bored.”

  “That is not true. All we want is a peaceful life.”

  “Oh yeah? Then why are you getting into vigilantism?”

  “I’m not, I’m just curious.”

  “I can smell a steaming heap of bollocks a mile off and I’m smelling one now.” He cracked an infuriating grin. “But what do I care what you do? You’re no’ competition for me all the way down in cream tea land.”

  “You’re way off.”

  “No I’m not,” he said, grin widening.

  “Don’t tell me you two are arguing again?” said Rachel.

  “He started it,” muttered Ryan.

  “You both started it,” said Cass, frowning at Brodie, who hung his head.

  “Some people just rub each other up the wrong way and that’s us,” said Ryan.

  “At least we can agree on one thing,” added Brodie. “Apart from our opinions on fried food. And vigilantism.”

  Rachel’s eyes narrowed at Ryan. “What have you been saying?”

  “A lot sweetheart,” said Brodie. “The word vigilante did crop up.”

  “No it didn’t,” said Ryan. “He assumed and as usual he’s way off.”

  “No I wasn’t because you see, I have this annoying habit of always being right.”

  “I don’t believe it,” scoffed Ryan.

  “It’s true, he does,” said Cass. “Brodie’s never wrong. It gets a little creepy.”

  “See,” said Brodie, pleased.

  “As far as I can tell, all she said was you’re a little creepy,” said Ryan.

  Brodie’s gaze hardened. “You are seriously getting on my tits pal.”

  “Right back at you,” said Ryan, gaze equally hard.

  “Will you two give it a rest for five minutes?” said Cass. She looked to Rachel. “Why can’t men be civilised, like us ladies?”

  “Must be the testosterone,” said Rachel, making Cass smile.

  They managed to finish the rest of their meal in peace, Rachel and Cass talking happily and getting along very well. The second Rachel and Leah had finished eating, Ryan shot to his feet. “Time to get back on the road.”

  “Finally,” said Leah, pulling out her headphones and getting up too. “I can’t wait to see Aunty Jules.”

  “It was nice meeting you,” Rachel said to Cass and Brodie. “Both of you.”

  “Don’t lie Rachel,” said Ryan.

  “I’m not.” She looked to Cass. “I mean it.”

  “Me too,” she smiled, both women as surprised as each other. Cass felt compelled to give her one of their cards. “If you ever need anything…”

  “Thanks,” said Rachel, accepting the card, a little touched.

  “We won’t,” said Ryan, taking Rachel’s hand and leading her away. “Come along dear.”

  “Bye,” called Rachel with a smile, waving at Cass.

  “It was nice meeting you Brodie,” Leah smiled at him.

  “Aye, you too hen,” he winked. “Safe journey.”

  “And you. I hope you find where you’re going,” she said before following her parents.

  “So are you going to tell us then?” Brodie called across the busy café as they walked away.

  Ryan stopped and sighed. “What?”

  “How to get to the Lake District?”

  “Turn left at Kendal,” he replied, making Rachel snigger.

  “What an absolute fool,” said Ryan as they got back into the car they’d hired.

  “I liked him,” said Leah from the back seat. “He’s funny.”

  “If you mean funny strange, I quite agree.”

  “I liked Cass,” said Rachel. “It was like I’d known her for years.”

  “Poor woman was probably desperate for some sane company,” said Ryan. He looked to his wife and saw how the encounter with the famous Brodie MacBride and his colleague had put the sparkle back into her eyes and suddenly he was grateful to them.

  “I hope they manage to find the Lake District,” said Leah as they pulled out of the car park.

  “I wouldn’t bank on it,” said Ryan. “We’ll probably find them driving round still lost when we get back to Devon.”

  Rachel laughed out loud and Ryan beamed at her. His heart skipped a beat when she put her hand over his that was resting on the gear stick and gave it a gentle squeeze.

  “You okay sweetheart?” he said.

  “Yeah,” she frowned. “Why are you asking?”

  “No reason,” he said, a bit bewildered.

  “Well, just so you know I’m perfectly fine.”

  With that she took her hand off his, folded her arms across her chest and glared out of the window, making him feel more lost and alone than ever.

  Leah sighed and put her headphones back in. She had no idea what was wrong with her mum either but she’d noticed how off she was being with her dad and she prayed they weren’t going to split up. The prospect of them divorcing made her want to cry.

  CHAPTER 17

  When Jez left the hospital to pick up Cathy, who was demanding to see her friend, Mikey was finally allowed into Jules’s hospital room.

  Quietly he took the seat on the opposite side of the bed to Jackson, who was staring at Jules in a state of shock. Mikey had never seen her so still, a tube up her nose, drips coming out of both arms, a feeding tube disappearing under the sheets to her stomach because she couldn’t feed herself. Mikey clasped his hands together and lowered his head, so Jackson wouldn’t see the tears in his eyes.

  “Have you heard anything about Cara?” said Jackson.

  Mikey lifted his head. “No but we know exactly where she is.”

  “Essex?”

  Mikey nodded.

  “Jesus, you need to get her back. Those people are lunatics.”

  “We will, have no fear on that score.”

  “And what will you do to Jared Slattery and his mad mum?”

  “I can safely say they
won’t give us any problems ever again.”

  They lapsed into silence for a few minutes, which was broken by Jackson. “Mikey?”

  “Hmmm?” he said, eyes on Jules, willing her to wake up with every fibre of his being.

  “Has anything gone on between you and my wife?”

  Mikey couldn’t help but gape at him. “What do you mean, gone on?” he said, although he knew full well what he was referring to.

  “Have you had sex with Jules?”

  “No,” he exclaimed. “Jesus, where is this coming from?”

  “It’s only natural after what you told me earlier.”

  “No, we’ve never done it, okay? You’re the one Jules loves and she hasn’t got eyes for anyone else. Don’t start getting paranoid, that’s a sure fire way to destroy your marriage and it would all be for nothing.”

  Jackson nodded. “I believe you.”

  “So you bloody well should,” he huffed.

  Jackson held up his hands. “I apologise but I had to ask.”

  “It’s okay, I understand.” Mikey was just relieved Jackson hadn’t asked him if they’d done anything else physical together.

  It was a relief when Ryan burst into the room followed by Rachel and - to Mikey’s surprise - Leah.

  “Mikey,” said Rachel, rushing to him for a hug.

  He could actually feel her trembling as he hugged her back. This wasn’t like Rachel at all, she was usually the strongest of them all in a crisis.

  Ryan solemnly shook Jackson’s hand, who shook it back, barely able to take his eyes off his wife.

  “How is she?” he asked.

  “No change,” replied Mikey, keeping one arm around Rachel. He didn’t know why but he just got the feeling she needed the contact.

  “Will she wake up?” said Leah, big eyes wide with pleading that they would say yes.

  “We don’t know yet honey,” said Mikey.

  A tear spilled down one cheek, taking with it some of her thick black eye make-up, leaving a track down her face. She took one of Jules’s hands. “She’s so cold,” she whispered, causing Jackson to bury his face in his hands.

  “It’s just because she’s not moving around sweetie,” said Rachel.

  “Is she going to get better?”

  “You know your Aunty Jules, she’s tough.”

  “Why would anyone stab her?” she rasped, starting to cry. “It’s not fair.”