Chapter Thirty-Eight
Jay asked Chris to come around to his house for the night as Ben had begun annoying him. Chris got the feeling that Jay needed to tell him something. It was about 11 at night and Chris and Jay were sat on the Mitchell's sofa watching a Friends repeat on E4
"Ben's irritating me a lot at the moment" sighed Jay
"How so" said Chris who Ben seemed to irritate all time
"Just he's so moody" said Jay "And Phil and Shirl, they make me talk to him. I don't know the first thing about the kid"
"Well, you did become a fully pledged Mitchell" said Chris who had made no secret in his disapproval of Jay ditching his father's last name to become a Mitchell
"That doesn't make me Ben's flaming carer though" said Jay "It's so stupid; he is Phil's son. He was the one who pushed Glenda down the stairs you know"
"You're kidding" said a shocked Chris "That is one mentally disturbed child and let me guess Phil in all his infinite wisdom made you covers it up"
"Yeah" said Jay "I worry sometimes that-" Jay stopped mid-sentence. Chris knew Jay very well and could read him like a book; Jay was going to say he doesn't feel like a real Mitchell
"Look, I'm going to say this because I'm your best mate and I love you" said Chris ignoring Jay's raised eyebrow at the word "love". "Just get out whilst you can. I'm not being nasty Jay but you're not a Mitchell. You know it and they know it and if it ever came down to it you'd be the one they would send down the river. You're not one of them Jay, please just get out"
Jay looked hurt that Chris could say those things to him but Chris reckoned deep down Jay knew what Chris was telling the truth. One day the Mitchells will stab him in the back to protect one of their own
"But, they're my family now" said Jay
"Jase was your real family" said Chris "You never, ever mention him anymore. Don't look at me like that Jay you don't"
"Look, I didn't invite you round here so you could have a go" said Jay getting angry
"I'm just telling you to watch yourself Jay" said Chris "The Mitchells can't be trusted and one day you'll pay the price because they have no emotional attachment to you. I care about you a lot and if I'm the only one who has the guts to tell you this then that's how it's going to be"
"OK" said Jay "Sorry for snapping"
"It's alright" said Chris
"How are Kat and Alfie doing" asked Jay
"Separated now" said Chris "Stress has got to them; Alfie's moved out"
As the two best friends sat and enjoyed eachother's company someone was staring into the windows of the house with their eyes fixed on Chris