Chapter 10

It had been a very long week consisting of emptying shelves and discovering items in Eddie's bag that would have made Billy's hair stand on end. If he didn't shave his head every week.

He and Harry had agreed that Crystal and the kids wouldn't be coming into the shop from now on. Crystal would be beginning sixth form in the September. She would be sixteen then and old enough to take care of herself in the daytime.

It was Saturday morning He stared out of the bus window at the world passing by. He clocked lots of couples wandering around. They were probably enjoying the sun and on their way to brunch somewhere lovely.

"Are you all right?" Crystal asked.

Billy snapped to attention. She might be mature enough for being home alone but she still needed him to come and watch her play.

They had found themselves in an interesting middle ground. One that must be navigated very carefully.

"Yeah, of course," he replied.

"I'm the one who should be nervous," Crystal said. "Newhaven girls go right for our legs."

"Have you got double shin pads?"

Crystal nodded.

She was growing into a beautiful young woman. He kissed her on the forehead.

"What's that for?"

"No reason."

"I know why you're shitting yourself."

He reared up. "I am not shitting myself."

"It's that Eddie, isn't it?"

"Who told you? As if I need to ask. I think I preferred it when he was a figure in the distance."

Crystal laughed. "Harry can't keep anything to himself. He told me you've been testing vibrators."

Fucking hell, Harry.

"He'll keep until later."

Crystal groaned. "Do we have to go round there?"

"Yes we do. I'll take you for a pizza first. Only if you score one goal."

"You'll do it anyway. Why don't you bring your boyfriend?"

Thankfully, their stop was next.

"You can focus on your game, thank you."

They got up and held on to the poles.

"You shouldn't treat me like a kid, you know," Crystal said. "I'm nearly sixteen."

Billy was rapidly realising that.

"I know. I'm sorry. Fuck, I need to stop turning into Mum."

"Too late for that," Crystal said.

The bus shuddered to a halt.

Crystal linked his arm as they walked towards the park. It amazed him that she still did that. He hoped it would never end.

"I think you should invite him for food," Crystal said. "And if I score two goals, then you have to."

"Fine. Two goals."

They were near the football pitches now. Other girls in the same strip as Crystal congregated at one of the goals.

"Quick, you'd better go and start your warmups," Billy said. "Knock 'em dead, kiddo."

She hugged him and raced off to the pitch. Billy watched her go for a second. If the coach did come good with a try-out, what would that mean?

He shivered, despite it being a warm summer's day. Change was coming at him rapidly. He wasn't sure how that made him feel.

There wasn't a great deal he could do about it. He wandered down to the edge of the pitch where parents tended to congregate. Rain, hail or shine.

Then his heart skipped a beat. There stood Eddie. He looked incredible in an orange Hawaiian shirt and brown shorts.

Billy felt very self-conscious in his sensible blue polo shirt and blue shorts.

"Hey," Eddie said.

"Hey, yourself. Don't you look different off duty?"

"Oh, this old thing? I just threw it on."

The two teams would be warming up for a while. Billy gestured to the only bench that hadn't been grabbed by parents.

They sat.

"I don't come here enough," Eddie said. "To the park, I mean. It's nice. We have one near our flat. It's not as good as this."

Billy detected a hint of nerves coming from Eddie. That intrigued him.

"Thank you for bothering," Billy said.

"You're welcome. My flatmate Scott is having a cleaning frenzy. My other flatmate, Tyler, has already been conscripted. I'm glad of a reason to escape."

I wonder if they're all as handsome as him. Wow.

"I'm happy to have been of service."

Billy scanned the field. He saw Crystal staring at him. She beamed and held up two fingers.

"What does that mean?" Eddie asked.

"A stupid bet I've had with her. If she scores one goal, I take her for a pizza. If she scores two, you have to come with us. Honestly, she's being ridiculous. You don't have to."

Eddie crossed his leg, his hand brushing against Billy's thigh. This did make the hairs stand on end.

"Let's hope she scores two goals then."

Crysal took the biggest bite out of a slice of pizza.

"Do you mind?" Billy exclaimed.

She chewed happily.

"Three goals. That's bloody impressive," Eddie said. "You're good."

Crystal swallowed her mouthful of food. "Thanks. Did you see when I went down the wing. That rotten bitch tried to yank me back."

"Less of the bitch."

"Billy, we talked about this."

Billy caught Eddie's eye. He was clearly getting a kick out of watching them banter.

"I saw her," Eddie said. "You didn't respond and went faster. That's very mature play. You need to really push your coach to get your name out there. If he can't be bothered, then do it yourself."

Crystal looked at Billy. "You mean ring the clubs?"

"Why not? Do a showreel, email them then follow it up with a phone call," Eddie said as he nibbled a chip. "What do you have to lose?"

He certainly had a point.

Eddie and Crystal had moved the conversation on to passing the ball. Billy watched them. They had instantly got on like a house on fire. Eddie's face became so animated as he gave Crystal tips on how she could refine her technique.

Billy realised he liked this man. Very much.

Eddie caught his eye.

"Are we boring you?" he asked, a playful smile on his face.

"Don't mind me," Billy replied. "I'm happy sitting here enjoying my pizza."

"So what you two up to for the rest of the weekend?"

Crystal made a face.

"Less of it," Billy said. "Harry has invited us over for drinks and nibbles later on."

"Which means I'll get stuck with the little kid while you adults get pissed."

"I'm paying you, remember."

The little mercenary had struck a hard bargain earlier.

"This Pleasure Seekers deal needs to work," Billy continued, "the rate you're extorting cash out of me."

Eddie shifted in his seat. "No work talk on a Saturday."

"Totally," Crystal said.

"I can see I'm getting ganged up on."

"We should do this again," Crystal said. "It's fun."

Billy stared into Eddie's eyes.

It has been fun.

Harry and Kim lived in a little estate on the edge of Brighton. The houses had only been built five years ago. Everything gleamed.

Crystal played with Lennox in his sand pit. Each time Billy caught her eye she would glare at him. Billy didn't care. A deal was a deal. Besides, this was the first time Harry had invited them over since they had brought their mother to see the new house.

Being back there triggered so many memories for Billy. He hadn't been invited to the housewarming. Things had been strained between them at that time. Even when he and Harry had been distant, Harry had still kept a relationship with their mother and Crystal. In those days, Billy had been too caught up in his own life to care.

Harry handed him another beer. They were sitting at a table in the garden. As soon as he'd arrived, Kim had put Cassius in his arms. At six months old, he was a strapping lad. Billy stared down into his eyes.

"He's so beautiful," Billy said.

"Not bad, eh?" Kim replied. "He likes you. Look how he's staring."

Cassius frowned at him as if he'd been brought by aliens. Billy wasn't sure if that meant he liked him.

"It's been ages since I held a baby," Billy said. "In fact, I think it might have been Crystal."

"You're a natural," Kim said.

This is family life, I suppose.

Billy found that he quite liked it.

"Hey, have you tried any of the new stock yet?" Kim continued.

Talk about an abrupt change in conversation.

"Erm…no."

She beckoned him closer. "We tried that vibrating cock ring last night," she whispered. "Fucking hell. If word gets out about that, we're all going to be well in the money!"

"Good?" Billy asked.

"Amazing."

"It wasn't that bloody good," Harry said.

Kim giggled. "Darling, it's not like you vibrate. He got a bit threatened."

"I did not."

Suddenly, Cassius emitted a huge fart. Billy looked down to see his face all screwed up. Then the most unholy of smells came from him.

"Oh, shit," Billy said.

"Exactly," Kim replied. "Hand him over. We've been in that outfit precisely twenty-three minutes. That's a personal best, Cassius. Yes, it is."

She took hold of her son. Billy fought the urge to heave. How did such a small being create such an evil stench?

"Fuck me," Billy said. "That was impressive."

"You get used to it," Harry said.

"I don't think so."

Thankfully, Kim had taken the little poop machine into the house for an immediate change.

"How did the match go?" Harry asked. "Crystal said she scored three goals."

"She did," Billy replied. "She's really good. You should come down."

Harry nodded. Crystal appeared to have cast off her teenage sulks and was building a sandcastle with Lennox, who whooped with delight as it got higher.

"She's a good kid," Harry said. "She's the spitting image of her dad."

Billy shuddered. He had noticed this more and more as she grew.

"Let's hope it's only on the surface."

Harry squeezed his leg. "You've done a good job. I'm sorry that it fell to you."

Billy choked up. "When Mum died, there was never any other choice."

"Not everyone would."

They sat in silence for a second. Billy had waited years to get that kind of recognition from Harry. It was nice.

"What's changed?" Billy asked. "Between us? For long enough, you acted like I'd died."

Harry took a swig of his beer. "It's a fair question," he replied. "Must seem a bit weird to you."

"Not weird. Just unexpected. When I asked you for help, I thought you'd tell me to fuck off."

"Have I been that bad?"

"When I brought Nate round, you wouldn't be in the same room as us."

"Okay, fine. But Nate was a dickhead and I got proven right on that score."

Billy couldn't argue with that. As soon Nate had realised the enormity of what Billy had taken on, he'd made a sharp exit.

"Regardless of Nate, now you're giving me dating advice and testing vibrators."

Harry grinned. "I'll be doing gay pride next. Hey, that's an idea. Let's think of some clever promo."

"Harry."

"Okay, fine. About a year ago, I got friendly with a lad on the circuit. Turned out he's gay."

Billy frowned. "What happened?"

Harry sighed. "He got a brain injury. One punch landed wrong and he went down. Then he didn't move. As a boxer, it's your worst fear."

"What happened to him?"

"He lives with his parents now in Ireland. Twenty-six and can't do much for himself."

"Harry, that's awful."

"Yeah. I got quite close to him. I suppose that's when I realised how shit I'd been to you. Then I saw how his family rallied. Honestly, Bill, they were there the next day. No fucking about."

Billy nodded. "He's lucky to have that."

"That was what I thought. Then I realised it shouldn't be luck. We're family, no matter what. I'd forgotten that."

Billy frowned. "That was last year. Why didn't you get in touch?"

"Truth? I couldn't bring myself to do it. I expected you to tell me to fuck off. I wouldn't blame you. So when you got in touch, I told Kim I'd do whatever it takes."

Billy squeezed Harry's hand. "And I'm glad. I've missed you."

Harry took his sunglasses off and wiped his eyes. "Yeah, me too."

They sat in companiable silence for a while, watching Crystal and Lennox playing happily like they had once done.

"Did he show up?" Harry asked.

Billy nodded. He tried and failed to stop the smile from creeping across his face.

"I don't know if I trust him," Harry continued.

"I think it's too late for that."