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Marina walked into the drab staff room at the back of the DHSS building. She felt sick. Joey Boswell was a pain in the rear end. A charmer, relied on the taxpayer and his charm smile to get by. She frowned as she thought about her opinion of the oldest Boswell. Rarely did d he put a claim in for himself. It was always his mam, grandad or one of the others. She sighed softly hating to think that something had happened to him. Knowing Shifty was behind it made things seem a whole lot worse. Grabbing her fake leather handbag she rushed from the room. She had to get to Kelsall Street. She had to see for herself.

Xxxxxx

Nellie kissed Joey's forehead. "You rest son." She mumbled as tears filled her eyes. Tubes and machinery surrounded her boy and she hated it. The indignity of knowing that he had a catheter, that he had almost died. And for what? Shifty.

"Joey. Son." Freddie swallowed hard. "What did they do to you?"

"This." Nellie sat next to her son, taking his lifeless hand. "This is what happens when the oldest thinks he has to step in for his dad. Do you remember what Joey and Jack for that matter were like before you met your tart?"

"Lilian."

"Li Low Lil' don't you bring that tart here."

"She won't be here. She's in Ireland for her Dad's 90th. Of course I remember the kids as kids. Aveline, all fashion and no sense. Smart girl mind. Then Billy. Just a little lad."

"Four. He was four. Adrian was 6, Aveline 8, Jack was 10 and Joey was 14. The little ones didn't understand but Jack & Joey did. They knew we had split up over your affair. He changed overnight. Saw himself as the man of the house. And I let him. I relied on him." She sighed. "Too much. To help with his grandad, to keep an eye on the others. Jack just became quieter. School went down the pan. He didn't talk for a week. Not a week! Until Joey stepped in."

"That's the thing. Joey always steps in. Never lets them fight their own battles. Now look."

"And why did he step in? Because you weren't there!"

"Enough! Nellie Boswell. Our boy is the only person who matters now. I just hope that bloody Roxy has nothing to do with this. That girl is poison." He buried his head in his hands as Joey remained sleeping- unaware of the world around him.

Xxxxx

Shifty opened the door slowly as Marina raised an eyebrow.

"Let me in then."

"Marina! Were you followed."

"I dunno. Do I look like Miss Moneypenny to you?" She stormed in. "I've been threatened. I've been told Joey is in hospital. That he's almost dead."

"He's in Hospital. The General." Shifty watched as Marina glared at him.

"What did you do?"

"Me? Nothing." He looked aghast at the suggestion he had been involved. Martina folded her arms. She waited a moment before Shifty looked at the carpet. "It got out of hand. I was in dept. Big debt. Ended up dealing drugs. To pay the loan shark back." He paused. "They were going to kill me but then so were the drug dealers."

"Why get Joey involved? You're a grown man. Sort your own mess out." She snapped.

"You like Joey."

"A Hell Of a lot more than I'm liking you right now. Drugs? LoanSharks? Really? Your grandad lives here. Your daughter is just next door."

"I didn't expect Amber to come back into my life. Siobhan was determined she would never see me again." He sat down. "So."

"These druggies and thugs know about her?"

He nodded. "And you. And Julie and the baby across the road. They know about Auntie Nellie and the cousins. They said they'd hurt those I care about. Joey was going to talk to them." He avoided her glare.

"Talk? Why on Earth didn't you call the police?"

"I'm out on licence. I'd be back in prison!"

"But Joey would be ok!"

"He'll be fine. They've made their point. Joey is always fine!" He snapped.

"You're jealous! That's why you let him take the fall! Oh my God. I knew you were a scally, troublemaker and chancer. For I while I was stupid enough to believe I could change you. More fool me." She got to her feet as Shifty glared. "You are not the victim in this. Your cousin is. For trying to help you." She shook her head.

"Where are you going?"

"To the hospital."

"Jesus! Anyone would think you're in love with the man!" Shifty snapped. Angry tears filled Martina's eyes as she looked him in the eyes.

"I could do worse." She stormed out of the little house on the riverside determined to find out what had really happened to the blue eyed Boswell she had convinced herself not to fall for.

Xxxxxxx

A/N is anyone reading this? Please review