He hung forwards in his seat, clutching the seat belt as his eyes flitted back and forth between the parked cars that lined the side of the road. He momentarily lost sight of his mum, but the reprieve was short lived.
“Oh, piss off,” Oliver growled, slamming on the brakes. Mina squealed and threw her arms in the air as the car came to a juddering stop.
“What’s she doing?” Pember said, leaning between the two front seats.
“Being a pain in the arse,” Oliver replied, beeping the horn.
Suddenly, there was a loud wail and his mother collapsed in the middle of the road.
“Oh my God. Oh myGod!”Pember squeaked, unbuckling his belt.
Oliver threw a hand out, clapping him on the shoulder. “Don’t. Just stay in the car.”
Pember tugged at his hand, eyes wide. “There’s something wrong, Ollie! Look, she’s gripping her chest!”
Oliver sucked his teeth and shook his head. “Pem, look at me.” So he did, eyes darting all over Oliver’s face as if it might somehow hold all the answers. “I can guarantee she’s faking it to get you out of the car.”
Pember’s mouth opened and closed several times as he looked back at his mother.
“Pem, I’ve seen enough cardiac arrests to know thatthatright there is an act. Watch.” Oliver wound down the window, and stuck his head out. “Oi! Tracey! The Oscars called, said you’ve been nominated for best dramatic performance!”
Mina giggled. Oliver’s eyes flicked to Pember, his mother’s pained gasps growing louder.
“Ollie… I don’t think?—”
Oliver tutted, foot stamping on the accelerator to rev the engine. “I said move! Before I run you over!” He revved again for good measure.
With that, his mother rolled onto her feet and scuttled to the side of the road. Oliver grinned. “Told ya.”
“You ran me over!” she cried, pointing and waving at the neighbours like a mad woman.
“Cry me a fucking river, you daft cunt.” Oliver clapped a hand over his mouth, glancing at Mina in the rearview mirror. “Forget you heard that, baby girl.” Mina only gave him a gummy smile in return.
With that, they were speeding down the road and away from everything Pember had ever known.
CHAPTER 2
BELL LANE
Pember
By the timethey reached Bell Lane, Pember’s breathing was only just beginning to settle. He stared at the two-up two-down end terrace house, with its dusty path, sandstone bricks and empty hanging baskets. The windows were a little grimy, and the wooden shutters had seen better days, but it was his for the time being.
There were three in the row, each of them practically identical save for their different coloured doors. Pember’s was blue, the middle purple, and the far end green.
Sweat prickled his back. What’d he done? What the bloody hell had he done? He’d left the only home he’d ever known, abandoned his mother and worst of all…stolen the fucking dog. Bailey’s tail tapped against his leg as they stood at the bottom of the steps.
“Here we are,” Oliver said, unloading Mina from the car seat. “I forgot how nice it is here, Pem. What’s the crime rate like in these parts?”
Pember swallowed. “The… Pardon?”
Oliver’s gaze softened as he squeezed his shoulder. “Nothing. Stick the kettle on? I’m parched.”
“Sure,” he replied, glad for something to do.
The cello felt heavier as he pulled it out of the car, the earlier rush of adrenaline having well and truly worn off. He frowned, eyes trailing over the brand new 4x4. “How’s the new car?” he said, realising for the first time they were not travelling in Oliver’s usual yellow Citroen C2.
Oliver huffed. “I asked the in-laws for a toaster for my thirtieth birthday, but they bought me a Jag. Didn’t want me driving the kids around in the Yellow Peril anymore.”
