Chapter 22

Billy walked down the promenade with a purpose. The air had a bite to it and the usual day trippers were absent. It would soon be autumn, then winter. That had always been Billy's favourite time of year. It meant hardly any tourists. He and his mother always used to joke that Brighton was given back to the locals for the winter.

He stopped and rested his hand on the railings. God, how he missed her. She would have known what to do with Crystal. And with Eddie. Not Brian though. She had always had a blind spot where that man was concerned.

It had taken nearly a week of sleepless nights and endless discussions with Harry before Billy came up with a plan that would sort Brian out.

He wiped the tear from his eye.

Gulls flew overhead, screeching. They were probably outraged that people weren't sitting around with picnics. Most tourists were easy prey to the airborne terrors.

He reached the street of rundown buildings. If this was the best Brian could do, he would be an absolute idiot to refuse their offer.

Retracing his and Harry's steps, he walked up the path and knocked on the door. This time a young man answered it.

"What?"

"I'm here to see Brian."

"We don't want any trouble."

"And you won't get any. Please let him know I'm outside?"

"Don't you want to come in?"

"Not especially."

"Snobby twat."

As before, the door slammed in his face.

Charming.

Billy wandered down the path and perched on the wall. A crisp packet flew by in the breeze.

He heard the door open and braced himself. If he played this correctly, it would be the last time he would have to suffer his stepfather. He'd stuck to his guns about not telling Crystal her father had turned up. She didn't need that kind of distraction from what was shaping up to be the most exciting time of her life.

"On your own?" Brian asked as he walked into Billy's view.

"I thought it for the best."

"Your brother is a fucking animal."

Billy wouldn't be distracted.

"I haven't come here to talk about Harry. I've got a deal for you."

Brian approached, more like slithered, and sat next to Billy on the wall. "I'm listening."

Of course you are.

"I propose that we put the shop on the market. The area is getting a massive revamp so it'll go for a fair amount. Then we split it four ways."

"That was my shop."

"It isn't anymore. You'll get a decent amount if we do this."

Brian glared at him. "I should have the lot. I could take you to court."

"That's your prerogative. I can tell you now, the only people who will win then will be the lawyers. You'll lose and have to pay all the costs."

"If you're so sure that I'll lose, why don't you try me? You must be rattled to even bother coming here."

Billy faced him. At that moment he wished he'd let Harry rearrange Brian's face for him. How had his mother imagined this vile, odious little man would care for their family?

"Because I don't want to put Crystal through it," Billy explained. "You obviously don't give a fuck."

Brian had the decency to look a little shamefaced.

"This isn't what I wanted either," he said quietly. "I'm desperate here. I don't want no trouble."

Billy might be willing to give him a cut of the family estate. He certainly wasn't about to absolve him of guilt.

"Is that right? Seems to me that's exactly what you came for. Well, you win. Take the money and fuck off."

They sat in silence for a second. Billy remembered all the arguments when he and his mother had moved in with Brian. Harry had already left home and was sharing with some mates. Brian made it perfectly clear that he was happy to have a wife. As for a stepson, that was not on his agenda.

"Will she be all right?" he said eventually.

"Crystal? Of course she will. I've cared for her this last four years, haven't I?"

"Thank you."

Rage swirled inside Billy. Once he'd heard Brian's acceptance of the deal, his plan was to get out of there as quickly as possible. Otherwise, he might finish what Harry started.

"I didn't do it for you," he replied through gritted teeth. "I did it for her and Mum. Now are you going to accept my offer or make a fool of yourself in court?"

"Fine," Brian said with a sigh. "What about the money from the house?"

He's unbelievable.

"It's in trust for Crystal. Which is why she's living with me. You're not getting your hands on that."

Brian opened his mouth to argue. Perhaps a rogue paternal emotion took control. Or it could have been the determination in Billy's voice. Either way, Brian shook his head.

"She deserves it," he said, eventually. "I would like to see her, you know."

This was the part that Billy worried the most about. He had no right to deprive Crystal of a father. No matter how useless.

"Not yet," Billy replied. "She's going to a summer camp up north. Get yourself settled somewhere. Not Brighton. Then we'll see."

"Really?"

"It goes against every fibre in my being but yes. I'll tell her what's happening and that you'll write to her with your details. It's her decision after that. I'll tell you this. If you do anything to hurt or disappoint her, I'll send Harry on his own."

Brian got off the wall. "Where am I supposed to go?"

"In all honesty, I really don't give a shit," Billy said. "I've raised your daughter and put my own life on hold this past four years. If you think I have the appetite to manage you, then you're very much mistaken."

Billy too hopped down from the wall.

"Keep in touch."

He walked away.

"Billy," Brian called after him.

Billy closed his eyes. Why was he dragging this out?

"What?" he asked, turning to face his stepfather.

"You've grown into a decent man," Brian said. "Your mother would be proud."

Exhaustion washed over Billy. He certainly didn't have the strength to argue with Brian.

"I hope so."

He had no intention of waiting any longer. Instead, he retraced his steps onto the promenade. By the time he reached the seafront, the tears were flowing freely.

In a strange way, even saying goodbye to Brian was like losing another connection to his mother. In the last four years, he had thrown himself into caring for his sister and keeping the business afloat. Perhaps he hadn't truly dealt with the loss of his mum.

His feet pounded the pavement as he stormed toward town. The only solution was to keep moving and not let the thoughts get to him.

Of course, every time he relaxed, his mind would stray. Eddie's smiling face appeared in his mind's eye. Eddie. The man who he had thought could play a part in the next phase of Billy's life. The man who lied to get his own way. Maybe he had inherited his mother's terrible choices when it came to men.

He found himself at the pier entrance. He marvelled at how excited he had been the last time he'd been there. How his body had reacted to seeing Eddie before him.

Against his better judgement, he turned onto the wooden structure. A few people were in the arcade. He wandered down, remembering the conversation he'd had with Eddie that day.

Little had he known then what the rest of that afternoon would entail. He would have been ten times as nervous. Still, it had been worth it.

When he reached the end, he stared out to sea. It stretched on forever. The magnitude of it all made Billy and his problems seem insignificant.

He must keep sight of what needed to be done. He'd played out half of his plan perfectly. Now for the second half.

Steeling himself, he went to make the walk back to town. There, in front of him, was the carousel.

This time Billy couldn't stop the tears. He turned to the choppy waters again and let the wind claim them.

How he longed to scream. Just throw his head back and let all the rage and frustration out. If he did that, he would probably be arrested.

Instead, he gripped the barrier hard and squeezed his eyes shut.

You can bear this.

You can.

Crystal lay on the sofa engrossed in football highlights on the television. Billy watched her for a second. The love he had for his sister had grown exponentially in the last four years. Yet, this was the first time he'd ever really questioned what to do for the best.

He walked into the lounge.

"Can you switch that off a minute?" he asked.

He flopped down into the chair.

Crystal silenced the television and stared at him, her face a picture of worry.

"There's no need to be so scared," Billy said. "I've got news. I hope you'll like some of it."

"Okay."

"I've seen your dad."

Crystal's eyes widened and she sat bolt upright. "What?"

Billy sighed. "He came here a few days ago. When you were in Manchester."

"What did he want?"

"Money, I'm afraid, darling."

His heart almost broke when he saw the disappointment etched on her face.

"Did he ask about me?"

"Of course he did."

"He was more bothered about money?"

"I can't lie to you, Crystal. He wanted half of everything."

"I thought you said Mum left it to us."

"She did and he's got no chance," Billy explained. "I wasn't going to tell you."

"Why did you?"

"Because, as you keep reminding me, you're not a child anymore. Me and him have come to an arrangement financially. It's your decision if you want to see him."

Crystal looked absolutely shellshocked. Billy hated springing this on her.

"What is the arrangement?"

"I'm going to put the shop on the market. Now we don't have to pay Pleasure Seekers, we'll come out of it with a decent amount. Brian has agreed to split it four ways."

Crystal sat in silence for a second. It must be a lot for her to take in.

"What did you say when he asked to meet me?"

"I told him you are going to summer camp and need to get settled. I suggested he get himself sorted somewhere. Then maybe you might consider it."

Crystal got up and came over to his chair. She snuggled in next to him. Billy wrapped his arms around her and they sat still for a second.

"You're my father really," she said.

He'd cried enough that day. Yet, more tears were welling in his eyes.

"I've only done what anyone would."

"No," Crystal said. "You've been amazing to me. I feel bad leaving you with all this."

"Hey," Billy replied. "That's the other part of my news. By the time I get the shop sorted out, it'll be September. We'll know then if you've made it onto the team. Not that there's any doubt."

"And?"

"Why don't I move to Manchester too? Then you'll have a home and someone to talk to."

Crystal frowned. "That's too much to ask."

"You're not asking. I'm offering. Anyway, I've made my mind up. I think it's time we both had a fresh start."

"And what about Eddie?"

Billy sighed. That question didn't have a satisfactory answer.

"It's over," Billy replied. "Maybe I'll find a man in Manchester who won't lie. That would be nice, wouldn't it?"

"He was only doing his job. I think you're making a mistake."

He cuddled into his sister. She hadn't experienced true deception yet.

"Maybe. Maybe not. I can hardly ask him to relocate on a whim, can I? No. A clean break is exactly what I need. Someone has to stop you developing a Manchester accent."