Chapter 2 – Meeting Harvey

In the Rovers, Leanne had been nursing the same glass of wine for over an hour. Harvey was supposed to be meeting her here, but there was still no sign of him. It didn't help that the entire thing had been organised through Jacob, so she had no way of contacting Harvey herself. All she could do was sit and wait and hope that he showed up.

Taking a sip of wine, her eyes scanned over the pub, taking note of who was around. Other than the old man reading the paper at the bar and the two men were chatting quietly in the corner, the place as empty, and none of them matched Jacob's description of Harvey.

"You alright, love?"

Leanne's eyes snapped to the bar where Jenny was smiling at her, a tea towel draped over her shoulder.

Leanne forced a smile back, trying to appear as inconspicuous as possible. "I'm good thanks. Just waiting for someone."

"Well, it's good to see you out and about," said Jenny. "I know it's not easy, I've been there myself, but you'll get there. Just know if you ever fancy a chat, I'm always around."

Usually when people said that Leanne would simply smile and say thank you, not having any actual intention of taking them up on the offer, but on this occasion perhaps she would. After all, Jenny was one of the few people who understand what it was like to lose a child in tragic circumstances.

"Thanks, Jenny. I appreciate it."

More time passed and there was still no sign of him.

Leanne was about to call it a day when suddenly a man walked in and ordered a pint at the bar. He matched Jacob's description to the letter; tall, muscular, cropped dark hair, a hideous striped tracksuit, and a vulgar gold wristwatch.

It was Harvey all right.

His head turned from side to side as he did a quick sweep of his surroundings and he smiled when saw her sitting there. His smile repulsed her, made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. She didn't bother hiding her disgust when he joined her in the booth.

"So… you're Leanne?" he said, eyes looking her up and down.

He sounded disappointed, as if he'd been expecting something more, something better. It was an intimidation tactic, she knew that, but she refused to let him make her feel small. "That's right," she said, not shrinking under his gaze. "And you're Harvey, I presume?"

He made himself comfortable, lounging back and crossing his legs. "So Jacob tells me you've been causing a bit of bother?"

Leanne couldn't believe his audacity. "I've been causing bother? I'm not the one who goes around exploiting vulnerable kids and smashing up people's homes!"

She realised she'd spoke too loudly and checked to see if anyone was looking over. Luckily they weren't. Harvey threw an impatient look at his gold wristwatch. "Listen love, I've got places to be so why don't we skip the small talk and you tell me why you summoned me here?"

Leanne straightened in an effort to assert herself. "I want you to leave my son alone."

He cocked his brow. "And your son is…?"

"Simon," she said. "His name is Simon."

"Ah sorry, no can do. You see, Simon's in a lot of debt. And until he pays it off, he's mine to do with as I please."

"He's a seventeen-year-old kid!" she fired back at him. "He didn't know what he was getting himself into."

"I've got kids as young as twelve working for me, so don't give me that. Simon's part of this now whether he likes it or not, so either he keeps working for me or he finds some other way to pay me back what he owes."

"And how much does he owe you?"

"Five grand."

Leanne's eye bulged at the staggering figure. "Five grand?!"

"And I'm going to need it by the end of the week."

"How am I supposed to get my hands on that kind of money in a week?"

"Not my problem," he shrugged. Then he leaned across the table, his voice low and sinister, "Get me my money by the end of the week and I'll never bother Simon again. Fail to do so, and I'll keep hounding you." He tutted slowly. " It would be a shame for you to lose another son."

The last part sent a shiver down her spine.

"Oh I'll get you your money," she said. " Don't you worry about that."

"Come on, Imran, Just a few extra shifts."

"I said no."

"Please, Imran."

"Leanne, my decision's final. After the loss you've had, you should be taking it easy, not overstretching yourself."

With Imran refusing to let her work more hours, Leanne grew more and more desperate. How was she supposed to come up with five grand in a week? It was impossible. Well, maybe not impossible…

She'd had a job once, a job that paid good money, but she'd turned her back on it years ago, swearing never subject herself to that again. But these were desperate times and the clock was ticking to get Harvey his money.

The following evening Simon was sat doing his coursework at the table when Leanne appeared from her bedroom, dressed to the nines. Simon had gotten so used to seeing her in pyjamas that he did a double-take. "Wow, you look nice. Where are you going dressed like that?"

"That's none of your business." She stopped in front of the mirror and applied a layer of red lipstick. Then she ruffled a hand through her hair to give it some volume. "Listen, I don't know when I'll be back so I don't want you waiting up. You know the rules, don't leave the house and don't answer the door to anyone. I'll see you in the morning. I love you."

It was gone midnight when Leanne returned. She sat at the kitchen counter, a glass of whiskey in one hand, a cigarette in the other. She took a slow drag and sent a cloud of smoke rising into the air. She wasn't a smoker, or much of a drinker for that matter, but tonight, after what she'd done, she needed both.

Stubbing out the cigarette, she reached into her handbag for the wad of cash that her client had left on the nightstand. The money felt grubby in her hands. She slipped it back into the bag so she didn't have to look at it.

Her eyes trailed over to the sideboard, to the picture of her and Nick that rested there. The glass frame had a crack running down the middle of it from the break-in, separating her from Nick. It now seemed oddly poetic. Tonight she'd betrayed Nick. She'd given herself to another man, had another man's hands all over her.

And for what? 150 lousy quid. That's all her dignity was worth, apparently. As she continued to stare at the photograph, the guilt became unbearable and she broke down in tears, using her hand to muffle her cries so that she didn't wake Simon.

Her life had become a living nightmare. Just a few months ago she'd lost her precious baby boy, her little miracle, and now she was back to sleeping with strangers for money while her other son's life hung in the balance.

She felt dirty and disgusting but that didn't matter. She'd done what she had to do to keep Simon safe. That's what mattered. Or at least that's what she'd keep telling herself. Before getting into bed she took a scolding hot shower and scrubbed at her skin 'til it bled.

The next day Simon got a surprise when Carla rocked up outside the steps of his college in her Mercedes. The radio blasted out as she rolled down her window. "Hop in."

"What are you doing here?"

"Your mum was busy so she asked me to pick you up."

Some of the other kids sniggered as they walked past and Simon tried to hide his embarrassment. "I don't need picking up, I'm not five."

"It saves you forking out three quid for a bus fare, doesn't it? Plus I'll treat you to some lunch at the bistro. So what do you say? Are you getting in or what?"

Simon rolled his eyes before climbing inside.

At the bistro, he sat studying the menu. Everything was so expensive. His mum could never afford to take him here. A waitress approached the table. "Are you ready to order?"

Simon picked the cheapest thing he could find. "Just a grilled cheese sandwich for me please."

Carla gave him a funny look. "What, no starter?"

"Am I allowed a starter?"

"Sure you are! Starter, main and pudding - let's go the whole hog! It's not often I get the chance to treat you, is it?"

He opened the menu back up. "In that case scrap the cheese sandwich. I'll have BBQ chicken wings to start, the grilled steak with a side of chunky chips, and the chocolate fudge cake for dessert."

Carla grinned. "Now that's more like it!"

As they waited for their food to arrive, the topic of conversation naturally turned to Peter and the playful mood became heavy and serious.

"So how is he?" Simon asked.

"He's hanging in there," she said. "It's been a tough few weeks, but the doctors and nurses have been brilliant. The seizures have stopped. They're letting him come home tomorrow."

"So soon?" The thought made him uneasy. "Is that a good idea?"

"The doctors seem to think so."

"And how is he, in himself?"

"He's staying positive. You know what your dad's like, you can't keep him down for long. He's even started doing jigsaws."

Simon stared at her like she had to be joking. "Jigsaws? Really?"

"That was my reaction too," she chuckled. "I think it helps keep his mind focused, which can only be a good thing. I think he's bored out of his mind, bless him. Mostly he's just looking forward to coming home and seeing you."

"So he's okay? He's getting better, yeah?"

"You don't need to worry about your dad, okay? That's my job. He's going to be fine. He's like a bad penny your dad, impossible to get rid of."

He wondered if she was simply telling him what he wanted to hear, but that wasn't Carla's style. She never babied him, never sugar-coated things. She always told it to him straight, which was something he'd come to appreciate as he'd gotten older.

"Anyway," she said, eager to change the subject. "I'm not here to talk about your dad, I want to know how you're doing."

"Me?"

"Yes, you!" she said at his tone of surprise. "I know it can't be easy right now having just lost your brother and with your mum and dad having their own issues… it's a lot on your shoulders. And I know I've not helped matters…" She was of course referring to her one-night stand with Adam, and her eyes fell briefly to her lap. "But I want you to know that I'm always here if you ever need someone to talk to."

"I'm fine."

"Are you?"

Her questions were making him uncomfortable. He laughed nervously. "What is this, a counselling session?"

"I'm worried about you. I know you're not a little kid anymore but that doesn't mean you have to be tough all the time. Nobody's expecting that from you, Si. It's okay to admit if you're struggling."

"Now you really do sound like a counsellor. Have you been getting tips off my aunty Toyah?"

"Alright, you've made your point, I'll leave it there. But just know you can talk to me, okay?"

"Okay," he sighed irritably. "Now can we please just drop it?"

She smiled. "Consider it dropped."

He had been tempted to tell Carla about what was going on, but what could she do? She wasn't as tough as she used to be, and besides, she had enough on her plate with Peter and Johnny. Plus Leanne wouldn't be best pleased if he went blabbing to Carla of all people. No, it was better to say nothing.

Carla eyed the giant plate of steak and chips that the waitress set down in front of Simon. "Blimey, that's like something out of a man versus food challenge!"

"You're just jealous because you've gone for a boring salad," Simon teased.

Carla couldn't tear her eyes away from the mountain of food. "There's no way you can eat all that."

Simon's eyes lit up at the challenge. "You wanna bet?"

"Well, I've got to hand it to you, I'm impressed," Carla said as Simon lounged back in his chair, patting his bulging stomach, his plate empty save for a few bits of gristle. "Are you sure you've got room for pudding after all that?"

"You bet I have!"

They laughed and it hit them just how far they'd come from the days of hating each other. It hadn't been the easiest of starts but they'd been through a lot together over the years and had formed a genuine bond because of it. He no longer looked at her as his evil stepmother, but as family. Today she'd made him laugh and helped him to forget about the problems that were waiting for him back home.

"Thanks for this," he said as she paid the bill.

"It was my pleasure," she beamed. "Like I said, it's not often I get a chance to treat you. Plus I wanted to make things up to you."

"For what?"

Her cheeks flushed crimson as she dropped her gaze to her lap. "For, you know, what happened with me and Adam, for hurting your dad, and for reading you that letter… that was unforgivably cruel of me."

"It's okay."

"No, it's not. I'm sorry I did that, Si."

Simon hated her for betraying his dad but he'd punished her long enough. "If it helps, I forgive you."

He swore he saw a physical weight lift from her shoulders and she extended her hand towards him. "So does that mean we can be friends again?"

He pretended to think it over before letting up a smile as he reached for her hand. "Friends."

Simon had been waiting around for almost an hour when his mother came rushing through the door. "Hiya, Si, I'm sorry I couldn't pick you up earlier, something came up."

"It's fine," he said moodily from his slumped position on the couch. "Carla took me out for some lunch anyway, so…"

"Did she? That's nice."

She wandered over to the kitchen to fetch herself a glass of water and that's when Simon noticed what she was wearing. A tight-fitting, low cut dress. She'd done her hair nicely too, and her makeup. Seemed odd for a Wednesday afternoon. Where had she gone dressed like that, he wondered.

"So where have you been?" he asked, suspicion lacing his voice.

"Oh, erm, just had to nip to the bank."

He raised an eyebrow at her outfit. "Dressed like that?"

"Well you can't go looking a mess, can you?" She quickly downed a glass of water then rushed back over to the front door. "Listen, I know it's a pain but I'm going to have to nip back out again, so there's soup in the cupboard if you get hungry."

"You're going out again? Where to this time?"

"Just a work's thing."

"A work's thing?" His eyes narrowed on her. "What kind of work's thing?"

She gave a nervous laugh. "What's with all the questions? I feel like I'm down the copshop."

"I know you're lying to me, mum. Last week you barely had the energy to have a shower and now you're getting yourself all dolled up every time you leave the house. Do you think I don't know what's going on? I'm not stupid, you know."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't patronise me!" he said, rising from his chair. "How much?"

She frowned. "I'm sorry?"

"How much did you get? Did he leave a big fat tip on the nightstand?"

Her mouth fell open. It hung wide and speechless. She didn't say anything, but she didn't have to, her silence spoke for her and tears filled her eyes as Simon shook his head in disgust. "I knew it… you're back on the game! Mum, how could you?!"

"Because we need the money!" she cried. "Harvey wants five grand by the end of the week or who knows what he'll do to you! I'm just doing what I have to do to protect you."

He scoffed. "Protect me?"

"Yes, because I'm your mother!" she barked, anger seeping into her voice. "You make a mess, and I clean it up! That's what mother's do!"

He couldn't believe her nerve. "Oh, so this is my mess now, is it?"

"Yes! Yes it is!"

"Well, I'd like to point out that the only reason I got myself into this mess is because of you! Because you quit your job and started spending money we didn't have on psychics and fraudsters! Because you'd rather stay in bed all day than face the world! You fell apart mum and I was left picking up the pieces. You put me under so much pressure!"

Things had gotten heated and Leanne calmed her voice in an effort to diffuse the tension. "I know I've made mistakes, I admit that, but Simon, I was hurting-"

"I was hurting too! You're not the only one who lost something! The only difference is the rest of us can't sit around crying about it! We've had to get on with things. I've been paying the rent, putting food on the table… and what have you been doing? Nothing! So don't you dare try and put this all on me, because the way I see it, we're both to blame…." He laughed, but there was no humour in it. "And now you're back sleeping with strangers for cash!"

"I know you don't agree with what I'm doing, but Simon, it's not what you think. I'm not standing on street corners or dragging strange men into alleyways. It's all done safely through an agency. And sometimes I don't have to do anything at all, sometimes all they want is someone to talk to."

"Stop trying to justify it!"

"I'm not," she said. "But I'd rather be doing what I'm doing than have you out selling drugs on the street." Her phone pinged with a message from the agency and she sighed. "Listen, I've got to go."

"Don't."

"I have to. I'll be back soon. You know the rules, lock the door and don't let anybody in…" She paused a moment, looking back at him. "I love you."

Her heart broke when he didn't say it back and she lowered her head as she slipped out the door.