"What do you mean, you let her go? What the fuck, Thomas! What if she'd walked in on us?"
Tommo rolled his eyes, amused at the slight screaming Vinnie was displaying over what he deemed such a small issue. "Oi, chill out angry pants. She was off her face so they were going to Kimberley's."
"Who the fuck's Kimberley?" Vinnie was clearly still cross, but at least he had stopped screaming.
"Her mate. And before you ask, no I didn't give anything away. We made a bit of conversation while I kept them busy, and I stuck to the story. Okay?"
Vinnie seemed to calm down at this, but he still pulled a face in Tommo's direction. He said that drawing straws for who did surveillance was a stupid idea, but no one would listen to him. They were all too busy arguing over the fact they didn't want to be the one to do it. If he'd had his way, the watching and distracting of a woman would never be done by Tommo - he was far too overpowered by his sexual urges, not to mention the fact that most women found him repellent. Cardi could have played a vulnerable soul in need of help. Any of the girls could have befriended her. Literally anyone would have been a better choice than Tommo, but he seemed to have done his job and so there was no room for complaint.
Tommo, meanwhile, had a glint in his eye as his mind wandered. He couldn't help but wonder how far up that thigh tattoo went... or how well she used her lips. He'd certainly heard her mouth, she'd made no effort to wear decent clothes or beautify herself, and like anyone with her music taste she seemed like a right miserable bugger. Yet... she wasn't, was she? She had danced freely with no concern about those around her. She had cared for her friend's wellbeing. She'd even been polite enough to say goodbye. There was something very intriguing about her.
As they arrived back in Hawley and Tommo jumped out of the van, he made a decision. He was going to find that little lunatic again, and see what chaos she could involve him in.
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Tommo knew he was crafty, even knew he was crafty. The cunning fox of the group. He could think of all sorts of ways to find Kimberley Parsons, but he was taking a moment before he employed them. He was thriving on this mystery, he didn't want to spoilt it by finding out everything about her, he had to limit this solely to where he could find her. Just walking around Rochdale hoping to bump into her would be the safest, but also time-consuming and with no promise of success. Besides, he didn't know for certain she lived there.
He looked out of his window as he smoked, trying to formulate a plan. How could he get what he wants, without risking seeing too much? There was only one possible solution he could think of, and he didn't like it - he would have to get someone else to do it. The thought made him wretch, getting any one of the others to do the deed would bring about endless problems.
Erin would probably flat out refuse to help him, out of suspicion. If she did agree, she'd probably find Kimberley and warn her off.
JJ would submit him to endless ridicule. He could make up any story he liked, maybe she owed him money and he didn't want to be swayed by her vulnerabilities? But JJ, smart little devil that he was, would figure it out.
Vinnie would also be suspicious, for different reasons. He struggles to trust those inside his circle at the best of times, never will a chance be given to someone outside of it. He would feel far too protective of Tommo, and that would spoil the fun of it.
In all honesty, he didn't even believe he could trust any of the others to know how to start, let alone go about doing it properly. What he needed was someone who knew how to find information, only that which was wanting, and also stay out of his business. He didn't know anyone like that, did he?
Suddenly he realised, he did know someone who could do all of that, for a small renumeration. He would have to make a deal with the wizard.
Vortex.
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"Oh, alright love? Tommo, isn't it?"
Tommo nodded. Thank god she remembered him, although for the life of him he couldn't remember her name. It was going to be embarrassing enough asking for Vortex's help, he didn't need to explain himself to his mother aswell, as kindly as she may seem.
"I was just wondering, is he-"
"Upstairs? Yeah, he's back on tag again. He can't just behave himself. Go on up, love."
Tommo thanked the woman and entered, as he made his way up the stairs he began to question himself.Is it really worth all this, just for a potential shag? He reached the bedroom and laughed at the sign 'Knock before entering, on pain of death'. What a chuffing weirdo this guy is. He followed instructions, however, and was permitted entry into the darkened room.
"Tommo! Welcome to my realm, how may I be of assistance?"
"I, er, I need you to find someone for me." Tommo produced the weed he had got from Vinnie earlier from his pocket, placing it on the desk. He explained the particulars of what he needed, and in just a few moments he had an address in his hand.
"The subjects work address. I have the home address here too, if needed, but you did say you wanted it vague." Vortex may not have asked any personal questions, but he looked like he wanted to. Tommo imagined he'd be the same, if he had asked for all of her information it might have seemed less suspicious.
"No no, this is fine, thanks. Oh here, what did you do to get on tag again?"
Vortex scowled. "I hacked ITV, tried to cancel Love Island."
Chuffing weirdo.
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The building was only a few floors, yet the entire ground one was taken over by reception.Shit.He hadn't even contemplated the idea that she might work somewhere he couldn't just waltz into. He couldn't go back now. He had to think quickly.
The sound of his phone brought him out of his stupor. "Ashley." he answered curtly.
"Tom, Vinnie wants us at JJ's in 10, urgent job."
"Umm... I can't. I'm not in Hawley, it'll take me ages to get there."
He could almost picture the blank look on Ash's face. "Right, I'll tell him so. See if we can push meeting back a bit."
"Thing is, Ashley love, I can't just set off. I'm... I've got things to do."
"Vin's not gunna like that," came the reply, "He's dead set on doing this thing."
Tommo sighed. "Well, he'll just have to not like it, won't he?"
He hung up the phone and immediately switched it off. For once, he was going to do something for himself instead of getting dragged into another scheme. As he turned he spotted the Post Office opposite, and had a strike of inspiration. He made his way over and bought a parcel box, taping it um empty. It earned him some funny looks, but he didn't much care for that. When he reached the building again, he entered with trepidation as his confidence wavered. He felt like a ghost floating through the reception room, and tried to silence the voices in his head that laughed at him,What are you doing, you fucking loser.
"Delivery for Kimberley Parsons." he muttered as he reached the desk.
"Oh, I'll sign for it." The receptionist smiled.
"Erm, no, you can't." She raised an eyebrow at him. "Delivery instructions say only to be signed for by the recipient."
The receptionist seemed unconvinced, but relented. "I'll call her down."
Tommo scolded himself, this had to be one of the worst ideas he'd ever had. He wasn't even a hundred percent sure why he was doing it. He was so consumed that he failed to hear the echoing footsteps behind him.
"Yes, hello?" Her voice sent a flutter through his insides and he turned to face her. "Ah, Billy Boy! Got a package for me?"
He froze, before remembering his cover from that night. "Good afternoon, No. What a pleasure to see you again. I have indeed." He resisted the urge to laugh at the double entendre, but felt his cheeks flush. She held her hands out to take the parcel, and only then did he realise there would be no weight to it. She would know it was empty. This was a fucking terrible idea.
She took the parcel, and his eyes pleaded with her to play along. Surprisingly, she did, clearly amused. "I've actually just finished for the day, you just caught me. So why don't I see you out? Bye, Trish!" she called over her shoulder, taking his wrist and dragging him through the door.
She continued dragging him for another street then stopped abruptly, whipping around only inches from his face. She didn't look quite as happy to see him now, a steely glint in her gaze sent his knees to jelly. "Well? What do you want, and how did you find out my name and where I work, in that order."
He daren't ignore her demand. "You make me laugh, bartender told me, and a wizard." He felt like a total stalker.
The eyes became incredulous at 'a wizard'. "Well, the first two I can believe." Her face relaxed again. "Come on, I'm hungry."
Yet again, he didn't dare to refuse her, and had to half-job to keep up with her towards the nearby cafe. He almost wished he hadn't when she ordered, and promptly told the waitress that he was paying.
"Oh, I'm paying?"
"Yes, you are. After stalking me, it's the least you can do - but you're going to do more than that."
"Am I really?"
"Yes. You're going to provide me with information." She stared him out, and he wilted, neither speaking until the silence was broken by the arrival of her sandwich.
"And what information would that be?"
Tommo couldn't quite explain what happened as she spoke her next. It felt like a clever trick of a movie. The world around them stopped, all noise ceased and the air became thick. "You appear from nowhere, intently focused on both my friend and I for an evening, engaging us in interaction so that you become more than just a passing stranger. You do this with a half-arsed attempt at a story, and behaving oddly. Do you expect me to believe, for just a fraction of a second, that it is a coincidence that these things would happen right as a warehouse belonging to said friends family is robbed for the first time ever?"
If he had been under any illusion of sophistication, the relaxed way in which she now shovelled the sandwich into her face would have destroyed that. Not that he was even aware by how easy she found this questioning, how naturally intimidation came to her. He was far too busy trying not to squeal, visibly panic, shit himself. He hoped that he was actually having a nightmare, and started to pinch his legs under the table, to no avail.
"Let's start simple, shall we? Were you there to distract us from the robbery?"
He'd never been very good at this part. Lying was a skill he possessed, until under direct questioning. He gulped. "Yes."
"Uh-huh. So those involved will be associates of yours, correct?" He nodded. "And was it just a job, an opportunity - or was this personal?"
"A job. Mate heard about the gear there, thought it was worth a shot."
Kimberley nodded slowly, pursing her lips as though considering something.
"That's all I need to know."
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Tommo's eyelids started to droop, but he forced them to remain open. Sleep just felt so tempting, now that dark had fallen and the only light available was the flickering candles dotted around the room. How it had got so late was beyond him, time seemed to be racing by. He still wasn't sure how he had ended up here. At some point Kimberley had decreed that he would accompany her home, and here he was, lounging on her sofa.
"So... tell me about this wizard."
Tommo laughed and told her all about Vortex, about his hacking skills and the extent to which Tommo had used them, about his mischief resulting in constant tags. He even told her about him saving the day when someone was about to walk in on them doing a job.
"I wasn't trying to be weird. Even the night I met you like, I had no intention of trying to pull you. But when I got home, you played on my mind. The past few days have been bloody filled with you, calling out to me like a siren."
They had spoken for hours, never seeming to pause or feel any sense of awkwardness, yet none of it had been really real. She hadn't told him anything about herself that he didn't already know. She even refused to tell him what her job actually was, dodged any question that remotely involved her personal life. All he knew that he didn't before, were the clues he had picked up from her flat. She liked dim lighting, that was obvious. Her furniture suggested she preferred comfort over style. Everything, while in it's place, was untidy and haphazard. She had no photos, just artsy framed posters.
"You look tired." She said gently. "Do you want to go?"
That was the last thing he wanted right now. "Do you want me to go?"
She shook her head, inching across the sofa, and Tommo could feel the pound of his heartbeat so much they made his ribs shake. His breath met hers and he realised their proximity, ran his finger from her earlobe to her collarbone, and felt triumphant when he saw her eyes slightly widen. He was aware of his own nerves, but if this was what she wanted then by hell he would give it to her.
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Once more, Tommo found himself gazing out of the window, cigarette in hand. This time though, it was to watch a sunrise he was rarely awake to see, and at an unfamiliar view from a window that was not his own.
To his left was a mirror, in which he could see a naked woman lying face down on the bed. She had stretched in such a way that emphasised every curve of her body, and the delicate arch in her back. He'd discovered she had many more tattoos than those he knew about. He watched for a few moments as she slept, taking in the image of her unless he never saw it again. One night stand's weren't exactly an alien thing to him, but he couldn't recall ever sticking around before, let alone watching the rise and fall of their slumber.
Switching his phone back on, a notification told him that he had a voicemail message from the night before.
"Right Thomas, what the fuck are you playing at? I needed you at that meeting today, where the fuck are you, you tiny little gremlin? Listen, I'm not dicking about here, Crow's Nest at 12 tomorrow. You better fucking be there!"
Of course he'd be there. Didn't he always come when summoned? Besides, he couldn't hang around here much longer. In the corner of his eye, he saw the shadows on the wall shift as Kimberley awoke.
"Billy Boy?"
"Good morning, No." He grinned at her. He was getting a little sick of the 'Billy Boy' routine, but he knew he couldn't tell her his real name - after all, she knew about the job on the warehouse. She hadn't pressed for information, but if she knew who he was it would be only too easy to find the others. He figured if he couldn't be his true self, he could keep calling her by her alias too.
She pulled herself out of bed, gliding towards where he perched on her windowsill, and ran a hand down his chest. "You're still here?"
"Sorry." He instantly felt like that had been a bad move, he should have done his thing and got out of there. How pathetic this must look, him sticking around until she woke. "I'll get dressed and out of your hair."
"I didn't say you had to." She ran a hand through his hair, and sauntered out of the bedroom.
His heart rose, and then dread quickly replaced it. He'd never had this feeling before, but the amount he'd heard from others meant he recognised it straight away.
Shit. This was a terrible idea.
