Chapter Eight: Blindspot

"You're being ridiculous, mum. He stole your money and you don't want me to do anything?" Tim asked with disbelief.

Stephen left not long after the two became so-called friends again. Tim just got in from another shift from the taxi firm. He had wanted to have a go at that man all day but now suddenly it's alright. No, it wasn't on. Tim knew something was up with him the moment he spoke to him. He didn't trust him, the man took twenty grand from his mother and ignored her. Now he's suddenly lost all playing cards and he's back.

"You don't understand what's he going through" Elaine insisted to him.

"Erm yeah I do...I've had money troubles before. Didn't mean I went stealing though. Especially from somebody I call a friend. He's used you, mum...He's still using you"

"No he's not. Look I'm not going in detail. Just trust me please. I know him"

"With all due respect mum, you got a bit of blindspot when it comes to picking men"

"How dare you!" Elaine responded in outrage.

Tim quickly putting his hands up in defeat. Though he knew he wasn't wrong, his mother wasn't exactly great at spotting the red flags. Not even when they are obvious. His father was an example of that.

"I'm just worried about you, mum. Hate seeing somebody treating you like a mug" Tim said.

"Well he's not. He wouldn't do that. I've had a chat with him about the money and he's really gutted he can't pay me back quickly. He was mugged and...well, he can't get access to his other money right now"

"And why not?"

"Joint bank account, Tim. And that's all I'm telling you"

...

Stephen returned to his father's flat the following day. Making out nothing has changed from when he last saw him. He wanted that will money badly and he wanted it quickly. Geoff giving him a smile as he invited him back in, it's been a couple days. He was concerned he wouldn't come back to see him but he has so all is good. Though his son was starting to get restless, now he has nothing to fall back on besides the wills and Elaine's good nature. The conversation wasn't quite as light and he seemed in a rush. As if he was just going through the motions or something similar.

"What's the matter?" Geoff asked after not getting long responses.

"Nothing. I just got mugged recently when I was coming back from yours. So I was a bit on edge in coming back" Stephen answered.

"Common problem I'm afraid. Old ladies are scared to go out after dark around here. Didn't hurt you too bad, did they?"

"No. Just stole my wallet and everything in it. Had to sort out my credit cards and things"

"Scumbags. The lot of them...That's why I don't carry more than what I need to. And it's why I keep a switchblade on me"

"Isn't that dangerous?"

"For them it's dangerous. If they are stupid enough to try me"

"Oh. Should I go with you then to the bank when you sort out the will? Lest it goes to public services?"

"Well. That's not a bad idea...I'll tell you what, Stephen. Buy me a pub meal and a drink. And I'll put your name on the will, how does that sound?"

"Sounds fine but it's no pressure. Whenever you're ready"

Geoff nodding before taking a sip from his cup of tea. Doesn't sound half-bad and it has been a while since it was mentioned. Maybe he should get the ball rolling on this whole will business. He meant it when he said it would rather go to Stephen than the public services. Geoff excused himself briefly to go to the bathroom which left Stephen alone in the living room. He was thinking about his life and how it ended up here. Treating his biological father like a meal ticket. His adopted mother Joyce would truly be disgusted in him if she was still here. He gave Sarah the watered down version of how he got here. He thought about his adopted father Malcolm again but didn't want to remember the final couple of days he spent with him. How "I'm glad you're not my real son" was the final thing he told him in fluency. The sound of Geoff returning broke him out of the memory.

"You sure it's only the mugging that's the matter?" Geoff questioned him.

"Yeah. I never been mugged before...The factory is getting on top of me too, that's all" Stephen replied after a second's hesitation, still keeping up the charade.

...

"Listen to me. I made a few hiccups but take me back into the business. I can buy shares in a few months or even less if all goes to plan" Stephen was saying on the phone in the 'Rovers Return'.

Taking a sip of the drink which Elaine had brought him. He was talking to an old business associate. Draining what little resources he had as he tried to take back some control. He noticed Elaine creasing as she wondered what the other plan was. She thought this was the plan to get the money back.

"20 grand...My final offer" Stephen continued; taking another long sip.

Elaine's friends Yasmeen and Stuart giving her a wave. As she made her way over, leaving Stephen to his phone calls. They were as concerned as Tim about the 'stolen money' which she insists was never stolen now.

"Alright but give me three months at least. You won't regret this, keep the shares open for me otherwise say goodbye to my services...Of which I have many" Stephen finished, slamming the phone down on the table.

Swigging the rest of his drink as it the prohibitionist police were going to come knocking. Elaine coming back over with her friends as she now sat besides him. Yasmeen and Stuart sitting on the opposite side however they could see he was still being restless.

"Why three months?" Elaine asked him with a nervous smile.

"What?"

"Three months. You need three months to make twenty grand to pay into these shares...I don't understand why you would rather do that first than settle your debt with me"

"Were you listening?"

"Everybody was listening. You're very loud on the phone" Stuart spoke up.

Stephen raised an eyebrow as he picked his phone back up. Placing it back in his suit pocket. Yasmeen keeping herself out of it as she looked down upon her own glass like it was suddenly very interesting. Elaine found herself getting no response as he went silent. He clearly didn't want to discuss this with anybody as he carried on keeping his mouth shut.

"I mean...I'm not suggesting you aren't. I just got a right to know how long I'm going to be waiting. No pressure or anything. It's just with my house and everything, I want some things to be spelled out to me" Elaine further explained.

"Well I was speaking to an old friend from business. He accepts twenty grand from me to invest and then once I invested. The profits will roll in and you will get your money back" Stephen answered.

"But you will already have twenty grand. Why not give it to her first and then make up another twenty grand to give to this business" Stuart said.

"Yes but Elaine isn't going to give me profit, is she?" Stephen asked rhetorically.

"That's not the point. The point is you owe her money and you give it to her. It's not her fault that you messed up with Sarah's business. She gave it to you in good faith and you can't just say 'better luck next time'" Stuart argued.

Yasmeen nodding in silent agreement. She still disliked talking about money, it wasn't a happy subject for her. She was thankful Stuart was saying everything she wanted to say for her friend's sake. Elaine could see he wasn't happy with this but she needed her money back sooner rather than later. It wasn't fair otherwise and if he couldn't pay her back then he shouldn't have taken it.

"I'm sorry Stuart. I forgot what an expert you are in business and money. Which is how you ended up homeless" Stephen replied back.

"Coming from the man who steals from women and lives with his mum!" Stuart snapped.

"Come on gentlemen. Let's not argue...He's agreed to pay Elaine back and that's all there is to it. It isn't stealing until it's gone forever" Yasmeen intervened as she tried to bring a truce.

Besides Elaine looked like she needed it. Though she still had no idea what he intended on doing to get it in these three months.

...

The plan however was his father's will. He dared to ask to borrow a car and a very nervous Elaine gave him the keys the following afternoon. Knowing what he did to his mother's car was enough to make her not want to. Though she did so anyway and he promised to bring it back. He drove back to his father's flat and parked outside after giving him a quick phonecall. Geoff coming out his flat in his usual flat cap and walking stick (his switchblade hidden in his coat as Stephen learned last time). He was here to take him to the promised pub meal and drink. Geoff getting into the car which he believed was Stephen's car.

"No scallywags today" Geoff remarked as he got into the passenger's seat.

"Good. We don't want you taking out your switchblade. So any pub in mind?" Stephen asked.

As he began to drive away in case he saw his muggers again. Geoff giving out a quick "Hmm" as he thought about his options. He rubbed his hands together as if he had an idea. His son was a factory owner in his eyes and has quite a few bob in his pocket (or so he thinks). He told him that there was a lovely looking pub called 'Strawberry Duck' that he fancies. Near the canal, Stephen almost felt his heart skip a beat when he heard that.

"You sure?" Stephen questioned as he got onto the road.

"Yes. And then you will get the will in your name" Geoff answered with a smile.

With little choice, Stephen had to agree as he began to drive that way. He really would rather not show his face around that area. Just on the off chance that the roofbox resurfaces. Everybody will join the dots when that happens and it made him panic again. He drove on and on with that in mind and briefly looked towards the canal when he drove past. He drove around the bend and ended up in the pub's car park.

"What's the matter now? You been acting funny for a while" Geoff insisted.

"I'm just on edge in this area now after being mugged. I told you last time" Stephen answered.

"Really? Well don't be...They got what they wanted and are now gone. Just don't let them worry you. Let's just go in and enjoy a meal together. Have a drink"

"Yeah you're right. Sorry"

"Don't worry about it. Come on"

Stephen thus followed him into the pub. Trying to take his mind away from the nearby canal and what's in it.

...

TBC