"Chloe", Rae warned, "What d'ya mean?!" She heard Chloe sniff before Chloe wailed, "Look I can't explain it as the pips are gonna go, look can y' get t' The Old Roan pub?" Rae's face fell, "Chloe, that's like fifty minutes away I-" Chloe then whimpered and begged, "Please, Rae. I never ask y' for anythin' but am begging y'", Well that was bullshit, as Chloe always relied on Rae to get her out of shit. Rae then frowned before asking, "'Ang on, the fuck y' doing at The Old Roan?"
Six and half hours ago...
The Old Roan pub was nothing like The Vaults, a lot more old and grotty. Now, The Vaults may have not been Buckingham Palace; but it was better than this shit hole. The Old Roan pub was sat right in the heart of Nottingham and Finn's dad's local, when Finn's mum had passed just over a year ago; Finn's dad moved down to Nottingham and left without a word - which was a shock to Finn, who was seventeen at the time and had just finished college for the day, to walk in after a long day of lessons and find the house empty with nothing but a key and a poorly written note on of the kitchen unit's. His dad didn't leave him empty handed, he had bought Finn a flat, gave Finn the first two months of rent and knew Finn could support himself as he had a well-payed job down in Finn's mate's uncle's garage - but that was besides the point.
Ever since Finn was a child, he had resented his dad but loved him all the same. From four to eight; Finn saw his dad beat his mum which caused Finn to despise his dad, from ten to fourteen; Finn adored his dad and saw him as this top geezer who all Finn's mates looked up to in adoration, from fourteen to present Finn had mixed opinions on his dad - never knew whether he looked up to him and thought he was a cool man, going with whatever or whether he was a coward who couldn't hold his own. Finn had to admit, his dad was a pretty cool looking man; always wearing these big, suede and "Gangster" Looking coats, haircut like Noel Gallagher's and had music taste that was blessed by angels. To Finn, his dad had this cool attitude to life and went with whatever; when to every on-looker he was a right cunt with not a pot to piss in.
Finn and Chloe sat in a booth at the back of the pub, cut off from everyone else but still had full-view of their surroundings. Finn, leg bouncing with nerves, was building a rollie. Chloe took a sip of her alcopop and scoffed, "Finn, that's your sixth rollie you've made in an hour. Chill out, will y'", He huffed, "Just leave it out, alright. Fuckin' 'ell, don't 'ear me moanin' 'bout y' drinkin' like a fish", In which she snarled, folding her arms and sitting back in a sulk.
He sighed, regret tight within his chest. He placed a hand on her thigh and stroked his thumb gently across it, "Babe, I'm sorry. I'm just nervous", She softened and sat forward, unfolding her arms, "I know, y' are. But it's gonna be alright", Finn gave her a look before scoffing, "Y' don't know me arl fella".
He left a thin line of moisture across the seal of cigarette papers, glancing around the pub as he sealed the rollie; pinching it slightly as he ran his index finger and thumb along the creation, making sure it was perfect. He placed it to his lips and lit it, taking a drag and all tension instantly released from his body. He then caught glimpse of his dad's mop of brown hair - a slight resemblance to Finn's - which caused Finn to jump to his feet and wave at his dad, who didn't notice as he was too busy saying to the other pissheads within the pub. Finn then held his rollie in one hand and used two fingers of his other to whistle his dad over, which caught his attention.
His dad smirked and swagged over, pulling Finn into a rough and manly embrace before the two pulled apart; Finn's dad, also known as "Nelly", ruffled Finn's hair and boomed, "Look at y' ay! All buffed and tall, y've grew since the last time I saw y'" The pair sat down and Finn, suddenly becoming fourteen years old again, gushed, "D'ya reckon?" Nelly nodded, "Yeaaah, man! Especially y' 'air, y' need a trim, son!" Finn, self-consciously, ruffled his hair slightly, "I-I'm gettin' it cut next week", Chloe frowned before she piped up, "Y've only just had it trimmed", Finn then gave her a sly glare before turning back to his dad, "Urm, dad. This is Chloe, my girlfriend and Chloe, this is Nelly and yeah", Finn said awkwardly. Chloe extended her hand in which Nelly caught and, creepily, bought to his lips before smirking, "Enchante", Chloe giggled awkwardly, unsure of how to react, before pulling her hand slowly away.
Finn tensed slightly before coughing to break the look between Chloe and Nelly before asking, "So, how've y' been then, dad?" Nelly shrugged, "Ah, y'know me, son. I'm sound, 'ow's back down there? Is it still a shite hole?" Finn then frowned, "It ain't tha' bad", He defended, it may have been a shite hole but it was still his home. Nelly then scoffed, "Oh c'mon, son. Don't bullshit me, why'd y' think I left?" That shut Finn up.
A minute or two of tense silence passed before Chloe piped up, "So! What did everyone think of Eastender's last night?" Which earned a frown and look of disbelief from both men, the likeness in their features was uncanny.
After a few pints and a couple games of pool, it was closing time. And not wanting Finn to drive due to his drunken state, Nelly offered for the pair to stay the night. Finn was expecting a cosy and warm victorian house in the posher part to Nottingham, when he was greeted to a cold, crack den looking two bedroom house in a council estate - which was no surprise to Chloe.
It was just past five in the morning and the three sat in the living room, Chloe and Finn snuggled down on the big couch; whilst Nelly slumped on an old and ratted armchair in the corner, downing half a bottle of whisky. Like father, like son, both lads were far past tipsy and Chloe was sober as a badger; keeping her wits about her.
The only light came from the TV, illuminating the poorly decorated living room. But that didn't stop the feeling of eyes burning on Chloe, she felt itchy and an urge to go scrub herself in the shower; until her skin was red raw - Finn, oblvious to his father's hungry stare as he watched an episode of 'Black Adder' On VHS whilst drinking from a can of Carlsberg.
Nelly, not taking his eyes off Chloe, stumbled to his feet and mumbled something about needing another drink as he'd just finished off his bottle of Jack Daniels. Nelly stumbled out the room, almost face planting the floor in the proccess, which earned a laugh from Finn and a grimace from Chloe. Once Nelly was out of ear shot, Chloe then asked, "Finn", Finn mumbled a 'hmm?' Whilst stroking her arm; showing he was paying attention.
"Y' don't really believe what he was sayin' before d'ya?" This being in referral to Nelly promising that he had big things on the way for him and Finn, plans that involved Finn coming to live with him in some big farm house and "Away from it all", Which Chloe saw right through - but sadly, Finn didn't and lapped it up. Finn frowned as he looked at her, shocked that she dare question it, "Yeh! Course, I do! Why?" She sighed, trying to place her words carefully, "It's just... Well, seriously? I mean, Finn, 'ow many times 'as he promised y' all kinds and let y' down?" Finn snarled, "Yeh, well it's different this time!" "'ow?" He huffed, shifting in his seat slightly, "Just is, alright! Look, I know he's let me down loads before. But this time, it's gonna 'appen. I just know it is", "But Finn I'm just sayi-" He sat up, taking his arm from around her, "Look, I know y' "Just sayin'" But listen to me when I say that he's a changed man, Chlo and once he's got this new job, I'm gonna come live down 'ere with him and we're gonna get this big house and-" She folded her arms, cocked an eyebrow, "Live 'appily ever after?" He scowled at her, Oh piss off, Chloe", She then placed a gentle hand on his back as she softened, he rested his arms on his elbows as he sat forward in a sulk. "Look, Finn, I know y' don't wanna 'ear it but just... Be careful, yeh? I know y' love 'im an all but take it with a pinch of salt", "Y'know wha'? Y're all the same, all fuckin' judging 'im and not even givin' 'im a chance", She rolled her eyes, knowing she wasn't going to get any sense out of him tonight. She then sighed, "Just be careful", She then rose to her feet, "Where's the toilet?" He stared at the floor, a million thoughts glazing over his stare before he mumbled, "First door on the left",
And with that, she left Finn and his thoughts alone.
Chloe washed her hands and wiped the exccess driplets on her jeans before taking a deep breath and leaving the bathroom, jumping slightly as she was greeted by a smirking Nelly; her skin instantly feeling itchy once more, "Oh s-sorry, didn't know y' were there", She went to walk away when he called out softly, "He loves y', y'know", She froze and turned, but Nelly kept his back to her, "Wha'?" She said with a frown, she heard him scoff before he then turned, leaning sidewards against the wall with his foot hooked behind his ankle and then he looked her, like really looked at her and it sent a chill dancing down her spine, "Finn, he loves y'", She scoffed, "Yeh, I know and I love 'im", It was his turn to scoff, he rubbed his chin as he stared to his left before he looked back at her and swaggered over to her.
He backed her into a wall and rested one arm above her head, trapping her. Her stomach lurched as she could smell the beer and soft mints linger on his breath and slither into her senses, "Y' listen to me and y' listen to me good, now my Finn, he ain't the brightest of lads and I know y' more clever than what y' let off and well, I know y' only gonna break 'is 'eart", Chloe then snapped, "Is there a point to this?" He scoffed, "Well, I'm just sayin' he's my lad and I don't want y' hurtin' 'im an-" Chloe then butted in, her voice like venom, "Oh, so is tha' why y've been eyein' me up all night is it?" Nelly smirked, twirling a strand of Chloe's hair between his fingers, "Well, y' are a beautiful lookin' girl and well, me bedroom is just down there, sweetheart", Chloe scoffed, looking to her left before she leaned in and mumbled seductively in his ear, "I wouldn't go near y' crayola dick, even if it were made of puppies, sweetheart", Before she pulled back, pushing past him and down the stairs.
Chloe entered the living room, her legs feeling wobbily and weak. Finn looked up and frowned, "Y' alright, babe? Y' look like y've seen a ghost", "Finn y' da-" Chloe was cut off by loud and boisterious knocks on the front door, followed by Nelly's bolting it down the stairs to halfway. Nelly saw a dark figure looming through the frosted glass and he mumbled, "Shit". He looked at Chloe and Finn through the door that connected the living room to the hallway, "Right, Finn, listen t' me. Y' gonna 'ave t' go", Finn frowned, sitting upright, "Wha'? Why?" Another few loud knocks were to be heard, Nelly then snapped, "Finn, just for once, get it through y' thick fuckin' skull and listen t' me. Now, get out", Finn swung his legs off the couch and stood his feet, dropping his beer can with anger before he walked over to the banister, "No, y'know wha', y' not gettin' out this one. Tell me wha' is goin' on!" Nelly went to respond, when the front door was booted in.
Finn took no chances, turned back into the living room, grabbed Chloe by the hand and bolted out and straight through to the kitchen; running over to the back door as he knew exactly who those men were and knew this proccedure far too well from past experiance. He swung the door open and dragged Chloe down the back garden and to the gate. He rattled the gate furiously before slamming his fist down against and turning to Chloe, "It's locked", She went to respond when she was cut off by a glass smashing from inside, Finn tensed before bending down on one knee and looking up at her, "C'mon, I'll give y' a boost over the fence", Chloe looked up at the fence before looking back down at Finn, "Y've got no fuckin' chance, especially in these jeans", Finn didn't have time for this, he snapped, "Chloe, please. This isn't the time, now, c'mon", She sighed, torn, before she hoisted herself onto Finn's knee, "Tha's it, now climb ont' me shoulder and pull y'self up", And she did so.
She sat with legs on either side of the wall, glancing down the other side; seeing it wasn't that far of a drop. She then turned to Finn with a frown, who was now stood and looking up at her, "'ang on, 'ow are y' gonna get up?" Finn sighed before extending an arm and resting his hand on her leg as he looked up at her, "Y've got money right?" She nodded, "Yeh, why?" "Right, there's phonebox outside the pub and wha' I need y' t' do is, go and phone Rae. Get 'er to come pick y' up", "Wha'? Where y' goin'?" She then clicked on as she took in his face and she felt her stomach drop, "Finn, y' not seriously going back in there?" His face fell, "Chlo, I can't leave 'im. He's me dad", Chloe went to shout at him when a loud wave of chaos came from inside. Both Chloe and Finn turned their attention to the source of the noise before back at each other, Finn, now on edge, fidgeted and danced on the balls of his feet; eager to get back inside, "Right, Chloe. Go and phone Rae, alright? It's gonna be ok, I promise", "But Finn I-" He then pressed as he begged her, backing up the garden, "Please, Chlo. I need y' t' this for me", She then nodded, "Ok, I love y'", He smiled, "Y' too", Before he turned and headed inside.
She stared at the back door of the house before carefully swivelling around, taking a deep breath before jumping down; a shot of pain jolted through her body. She winced, checking her limbs were in tact before she began to walk, hugging her frame; when she realised she didn't have her coat. She paused, shutting her eyes and letting out a, "Shit!" Before reopening her eyes and continuing the walk, the sounds of shouts and glasses smashing burning into her brain.
"'Ang on, the fuck y' doing at The Old Roan?" Boomed Rae through the receiver. It had taken Chloe a good ten minute walk before she was back outside the pub, where she was now in the phonebox and on the phone to Rae, "Look, I'll explain later. Can y' just please come get me?" She heard Rae sigh, a moment past and she licked her lips nervously before Rae then spoke with defeat, "I'll be there as soon as I can", Chloe beamed, letting out a choked but happy sob, "Thank y', Rae. Thank y' so much I-" Chloe was then cut off by bleeping and the line going dead. Chloe then slammed the receiver down and screamed, "Fuck's sake!" She then rested her head against the phone, wanting to just close her eyes and be back at home; all snug and asleep with her fluffy slippers and Percy the Pug teddy.
Chloe then left the phone box and walked over to a small wall that was sat just outside the carpark of the pub, she crossed one leg over the other and folded her arms; an attempt to protect her tiny frame from the cold. She let out a yawn and shiver, her breath coming out in a little cloud before her. The streetlights and silence to be her only friend within that moment. She then felt it, small but wet on her nose. She then frowned as she looked towards the murky-looking sky, feeling another droplet of wet drip onto her cheek. It then clicked and her face fell with sadness as she lowered her head back to her surroundings as she felt another drop on her head and then slowly it grew to three drops, then ten and soon enough; a shower of rain bounced off the ground and soaked Chloe the skin. She then threw up her arms, "Oh tha's just great! Is there anythin' else y' wanna throw at me!?" Big mistake as a clap of thunder roared through the skies and Chloe stuck her middle finger up to the sky, "Yeh, fuck y' too!"
The rain had now stopped and it was just gone 6 when Rae turned up in Al's little old and dirty white banger, the headlights washed over Chloe as Rae pulled up in front of her. Chloe took no chances into jumping to her feet and moving around to the passenger's side, climbing and slamming the door shut; relaxing into her seat as warmth wrapped around her.
Rae took a moment, staring in her horror in typical Rae fashion before belting, "Wha' the fuck 'as 'appened t' y'!?"